Sara Nelson
If you’re a dog owner, life can be a little bit more complicated – but also a lot more fun!
Whether you’re a first-time dog owner and you need dog tips or have been living with pets for years, there are always new life hacks to learn.
You need to know all sorts of things to take care of your furry friend.
From tips on keeping your house clean with pets to making your own doggie first aid kit, here are 20 simple life hacks for owning a pet that will make life a little bit easier. Enjoy!
1. Be Prepared With Your Own Doggie First Aid Kit
You never know when an accident may occur or when your new pup gets hurt from running around, so it’s a good idea to have a dog first-aid kit accessible just in case. Here’s a great read on how to make a pet first-aid kit.
2. Don’t Leave Your Dog At The Back of Your Truck Unrestrained
According to the Humane Society of the United States, an estimated 100,000 dogs die each year from riding in pickups each year, and that doesn’t take into account all of the injuries seen each year.
Dogs in pickups are also vulnerable to flying debris that may cause injuries.
3. Use a Clicker As A Reward For Good Behavior
You might be struggling to be consistent with giving out praise at the appropriate moment.
Start clicker training to make marking their good behaviors much more effortless. Clicker training, or mark and reward, is a form of positive reinforcement dog training.
4. Using Popcorn to Teach Your Dog to Catch
If your dog isn’t familiar with catching, don’t begin by throwing a toy at their face.
Popcorn is a fantastic training snack for dogs since it’s light and tasty enough to entice your pup to try and catch it.
5. Switching Up The Rewards To Make Training Fun
Instead of simply complimenting a new trick, offer some delicious snacks or a game of tug as the prize.
You can keep training sessions more enjoyable and exciting for yourself and your dog by changing rules and rewards.
6. Treat Potty Training As A Reward
Make sure to pay attention and praise your dog every time they do their job outside while potty training them.
If you treat every pee and poop outside as though it were the most pleasing thing that ever happened, your pup will get the hint quickly.
7. Use a Front Clip Harness to Prevent Pulling on Leash
If your dog pulls on his leash, get a harness that clips in the front. A harness that clips behind your dog’s back encourages more pulling.
When you’re working on leash manners, ditch the retractable leash for a regular 6 foot one, so your dog can have a feeling of what loose leash walking means.
8. Use Fruits & Veggies As Training Treats
Do you happen to be out of dog treats?
Use some leftover fruits & veggies that are healthy for dogs as your training treats, such as carrots and peas.
9. Do The White Towel Test To Check For Fleas
One sign of fleas or ticks is whenever your pup feels itchy.
While examining and brushing their fur, have them lay on a white towel. The sheet makes it easy to see any loose flea dirt that falls from your dog.
10. Use A Pair of Tweezers To Remove Ticks From Your Dog
With a pair of sharp tweezers, you may remove ticks from your dog with care.
Grab the tick by its mouth area (the part closest to your dog’s skin) and pull firmly until it comes out of your dog’s fur.
Place the tick in a jar of alcohol and make sure to wear gloves when handling them since they may transmit illnesses to animals and humans.
11. Dry Dog Food Stays Fresh in a Sealed Container
Dog food can start to lose its freshness after it’s open.
When you buy bags of dog food, keep it in an airtight sealed container for longer freshness.
12. Learn How to Make Some DIY Dog Treats
Don’t have any dog treats on hand?
You can make your own simple & healthy dog treats. Here are some DIY dog treat recipes you can make in less than an hour
13. Brush Your Dogs Teeth If You Can
Brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent the expense of future dental procedures.
There’s a toothbrush for dogs, but you can also use a human toothbrush if you’d like. Also, be e sure to pick up toothpaste formulated for dogs.
14. Get Rid of Skunk Smell with Baking Soda
Trying to get rid of your dog’s skunk smell? You can get rid of that nasty skunk smell from your dog using soap, peroxide & baking soda.
15. Use a Food Dispensing Toy for Fast Eaters
If your dog eats too quickly, use a food-dispensing toy or fill their bowl with several tennis balls to slow them down.
It also encourages them to eat slowly, which is beneficial in several ways. It serves as a mental exercise for them.
16. Make A DIY Refillable Water Bowl For Your Pup
You don’t need to worry about filling up your dog’s water bowl multiple times a day. Create your own DIY refillable water bottle bowl so your pup won’t go thirsty when they are alone at home.
17. Use Rubber Gloves to Pick up Stray Dog Hair
If your dog sheds a lot, a favorite method for picking up all that loose hair is using a pair of rubber gloves.
You slip them on and run your hands over your furniture; it’s incredible how well pet hair sticks to rubber gloves.
18. Use Baking Soda to Clean up Pet Urine
If your dog urinates on the carpet, clean it up with baking soda (which is also effective at removing odors).
Pour some baking soda over the spot and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before vacuuming it up.
19. Make A DIY Carpet Deodorizer For Your Dog
Do you have some dog odors you want to get rid of?
If you don’t have any unique home products on hand, don’t worry; you can create your own simple dog-friendly carpet deodorizer using things you probably have around the house.
20. Use a Magic Eraser to Get Rid of Drool Marks
If your dog drools a lot, you’ve probably got a bunch of drool marks all over the house.
If you want to get rid of drool stains, consider investing in a pair of magic erasers.
That’s it! We hope you found these life-hacks helpful. As always, remember to consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s health.
And don’t forget to share these tips with your friends – they just might need them too!
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