Owning a dog isn’t always easy. There are ‘walkies’ in the rain to be had and adorable puppy eyes to contend with. No doubt, you’ll also become a pro at picking up poop! So what if there were some simple tried-and-tested tips to make being a dog owner that little bit easier?

The good news is that there are! Thanks to the wonder of the Internet, we found a whole bunch of tips and tricks to assist dog owners. Here are a few of our favourites.

Life hacks for dog owners — Cleaning

There is no denying dogs can make a mess. Not always on purpose—it just happens. Like when they put their face in their water bowl, lap up some water and then, as they turn around to walk away, the water that’s stuck in their facial hair splatters all over the surrounding floor.

Thankfully, there are some simple hacks to help dog owners clean up after their four-legged friend without having a major breakdown.

1. Invest in a window squeegee

No really, every dog owner should have a squeegee in his or her cleaning kit bag. It’s not to clean Rover’s nose print off the window (although it could be used to do that!), but to get rid of annoying dog hair.

That’s right, a squeegee is a terrific tool for effectively removing pet hair from carpets, car seats, sofas and anywhere else. Give it a go the next time your Mother-in-law is coming over for dinner.

2. Don rubber gloves

If you don’t have a squeegee handy, you surely have a pair of rubber gloves underneath your kitchen sink. These work just as well for picking up stray hairs from your four-legged friend. Simply pop them on and rub your hand over the surface in question and voila! Dog hair be gone.

3. Stock up on Baking Soda

Baking Soda is the bee’s knees when it comes to cleaning. In fact, it has so many uses it’s practically a magic weapon. Indeed, when it comes to pet pee, Baking Soda should be every dog owner’s go-to.

Not only is it amazing at getting rid of stains (mix with a little washing-up liquid to remove grease stains from clothes), but it also works wonders on eliminating odours. Simply apply liberally to the spot. Allow the Baking Soda to work its magic for 15-20 minutes and then vacuum. Easy!

4. Save on plumber fees with baby wipes

Have you ever noticed that when you bath your dog you end up with a bunch of dog hair in the bath/sink? This can seriously clog your drain, causing plumbing problems down the line.

Avoid potentially big plumber call-out fees by investing in a packet of baby wipes. Yes, you heard right. Lay a baby wipe across the drain hole and pop the plug over the top. Once you’ve finished bathing Fido simply remove the plug. The water will drain away (perhaps a little slower than usual) and the loose hairs will be trapped in the baby wipe for you to dispose of in the bin.

Life hacks for dog owners — Travel & Health

5. Paw protection

Do you worry your furry friend’s paws will get injured when walking on hot pavements in summer? Worry less with these simple hacks.

Certainly asphalt and cement can get incredibly hot during summer and could potentially burn a dog’s paws. To protect your barking buddy’s paws try applying Vaseline. It acts like paw wax to provide a barrier against the heat. Alternatively, silicone scar pads can be cut to size and stuck to paws.

6. Prevent lead pulling

Tired of your dog’s constant lead pulling? Having a dog that continually pulls while being walked can be exhausting. However, it’s easily solved. Simply buy a harness that clips at the front. The fact the harness clips at the front discourages the dog from pulling, as it feels uncomfortable on their chest muscles.

Life hacks for dog owners — Food

7. Treats for hot temperatures

Want some cooling dog treat ideas? Fill up an ice cube tray with watermelon juice and freeze it. These make for an awesome (and cheap) icy summer treat for your dog.

Alternatively, you can freeze chicken broth (providing you’ve only used bones — no onions or garlic). Give the frozen cubes to Fido for a tasty treat that will also cool his temperature.

8. Parsley for pongy breath

Bid adieu to stinky dog breath with this super easy hack. Simply sprinkle some fresh parsley into your fur pal’s food. He won’t spot it but you’ll notice his breath is a lot fresher!

Life hacks for dog owners — Fun & games

9. Convert clothes to toys

Dogs love to play, but some dogs also love to destroy their toys—which can become expensive. Not any more. Take your old t-shirts/leggings and turn them into a tug-o-war toy. Your fur pal will especially love the fact his toy smells like you!

10. Wear out a super active dog

Do you have an incredibly active dog that will play fetch for hours on end? If you tend to tire out way faster than your dog, try playing fetch downhill. In fact, a sand dune would be ideal. This is sure to enable your super active dog to get rid of all that pent up energy—without you being the one to collapse in an exhausted heap!

 

Got an awesome pet-related life hack to share? Post in the comments box below.

 

Information sources:

  • https://www.puppyleaks.com/simple-tips/
  • https://www.fitbark.com/blog/15-amazing-life-hacks-for-dog-owners/
  • https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/news/protect-your-dogs-paws-winter-weather

 

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