Have you noticed scratch marks on your footboard? Perhaps there’s fur in between your couch cushions. We love our pets; there’s no doubt about that. When it comes time to clean our furniture, we suddenly remember how furry our friends really are.
Dog-proofing your furniture can be tricky. With all the different chemicals and training methods out there, finding a solution that is right for you can be daunting. Luckily, we’ve compiled numerous tips to keep your furniture in great shape while prioritizing your dog’s well-being and personality.
Keep Fun Distractions on Hand
There are plenty of fun and rewarding ways to keep your pup enriched without sacrificing your sofa and dining room table. If your pup struggles with scratching or chewing, provide alternatives to satisfy this urge. Chewy, Amazon, and even Sit Means Sit offer durable chew toys that will keep your pup away from your grandma’s 100-year-old dining table.
Another great alternative is providing enriching toys for Fido. Puzzle toys and enrichment feeders let your dog release their energy in a safe way that will also exercise their brains!
Lastly, consider offering your furball a dog bed. This allows your pet to have their own designated furniture, free to do whatever it pleases! This bed is meant to keep your canine off your furniture and on theirs. This is also a great way to integrate behavioral training.
With positive reinforcement and lots of love, your pet will learn it’s not okay to chew or scratch their bedding, which will likely translate to the respect of all of your other furniture. Take the time to teach them simple commands that will ensure satisfaction from all parties. Your furniture will thank you.
Organize Your Living Space
Reclaiming your home is another excellent way to keep your furniture safe and set behavioral boundaries. Keep important furniture separate from your pets. This can be done with baby gates, a leash, or by designating dog-free areas in your home. These associations will help your pup learn where they can and cannot go.
It may also be a good idea to designate a room in your home that can withstand a dirty dog. This room can be used to freshen up your pooch before they make their way through the rest of your home and potentially your furniture.
When considering what furniture you want to cohabitate with your pets, you may want to pick wisely. If you have a new puppy at home, it may not be the right time to invest in a brand-new wooden dining table, and vice versa. There are plenty of materials that your canine could find enticing, so choose accordingly.
Controlling Fur and Fuzz
Grooming is a huge part of pet ownership, and depending on the breed, you may find yourself sitting down with your pooch and a hairbrush daily. We suggest frequent haircuts, nail trims, and regular brushing to keep your pet in tip-top shape. This will have more furniture than you know. Without the extra fur and sharp nails, your home will only experience your dogs’ natural daily shedding. This reduces the amount of hair you’ll have to clean later.
If you don’t mind a little fuzz, consider matching your furniture to your pet’s coat. With regular cleaning, fur isn’t as big of a deal when it blends in a bit better.
Unfortunately, dog hair is inevitable, even with hypoallergenic or non-shedding breeds. Luckily, if dog hair isn’t your thing, there are ways to protect your furniture from becoming a glorified lint roller. A couch protector or furniture liner offers a practical and stylish solution to your pet’s free hair. These liners allow you to remove them when you have company and keep your couch or bed covered when Fido needs some snuggle time!
Keeping your home guest-ready can be a challenge when you have pets. However, with these simple tips, you’ll be one step closer to maintaining a simple, chaos-free home. Your pup won’t just enjoy your new couch; he’ll respect it, too!