Protecting Your Pet and Home: Tips for Avoiding Canine Mishaps
Dogs are faithful and loving friends, but they have a knack for getting into trouble in ways we can’t always foresee. As a dog owner, you do what you can to prevent the kinds of messes dogs frequently make on carpeting and furniture. But you also have a responsibility to protect your furry friend from harm, and that’s a round-the-clock job. You can head off a lot of potential problems by using common sense and identifying trouble spots every day. Remember, loving your pooch is about more than keeping him fed and playing fetch in the backyard.
Recognize the Signs
At some point, you probably thought to yourself, “The kids are being awfully quiet. I wonder what they’re up to?” Parental experience has taught you that it usually heralds some kind of trouble. It’s much the same with dogs. If you notice Rover has suddenly stopped seeking your attention, is nowhere in sight, and you can’t hear him, there’s a good chance he either has to go to the bathroom, is currently going to the bathroom in a quiet corner somewhere, or he’s not feeling well. In any event, there’s a chance you’ll have a nasty mess to clean up. Get him outside as quickly as you can (he may have been trying to get your attention anyway).
Young dogs, in particular, tend to associate the yard with going to the bathroom the more they do it. Conversely, if he starts going in the house, chances are he’ll associate his favorite spot with doing his business. Make sure there’s a tasty dog treat (appropriate for his size) waiting whenever he relieves himself outdoors to reinforce the behavior. Establish those good bathroom habits right away and your life with your puppy will be much easier as he grows.
Create a ‘No-Chew’ Zone
Dogs will chew on just about anything that’s loose and lying around. So, it’s very important to make a thorough sweep of the house once a day to be sure all’s well and that chewing hazards have been thrown out or are safely put away. Check the kids’ rooms in case they’ve left food lying around. Chocolate is dangerous — even potentially fatal — for dogs because it can poison their system, so be careful about leaving candy bars or chocolate drops within reach on a bed or table. Chew toys are often a good antidote for a dog that chews on everything — you can find durable chew toys at online retailers like Chewy for as low as $2 — so keep a plentiful supply on hand. It’s also important to take your pet for a walk at least once a day.
Valuables
Dogs have a bad habit of chewing or scratching old, valuable pieces of furniture. It’s hard to keep an eye on them all the time, so consider putting anything you’d rather not see marred or broken into storage. It’s an affordable way to protect your valuables; for example, a five-by-five self-storage unit in the Phoenix, Arizona, area costs is just $25.50 per month at US Storage Centers in Glendale, which is located at 5801 West San Miguel Avenue.
Dog-Proofing
Dog-proofing your home is about more than preventing messy accidents; it also has to do with avoiding mishaps. Keep anything that resembles food picked up and out of reach because dogs are inclined to snarf up anything that looks remotely edible. That’s a big problem if he gets a hold of something that could be a choking hazard. If yours is an older dog who’s not as limber and mobile as he used to be, stairs may be dangerous, so keep the basement door shut and consider putting up baby gates to fence off other stairs in the home. Also, keep any food items out of clothing pockets that your dog could get into on the floor.
Protect your pooch and your home by preempting any potential doggie-related damage. Make sure he goes out on a regular basis, and reward him for going to the bathroom in the yard and go for a walk at least once a day. Always keep chewable objects and, if possible, valuable furniture out of reach. Taking proper precautions where and when you can will keep the family dog happy and your home in good shape for many years.
Swee Ng, Realtor and Phoenix East Valley resident specializing in win-win real estate transaction through great communication and fighting for his clients’ best interest. After all, this is more than real estates, this is about your life and your dreams.
If you are looking to buy or sell your home in Phoenix AZ area, we hope you will consider us. Contact us today for complimentary consultation.
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