Having a beautiful home is one of the great joys of life. It can also be equally great to have a lovable dog in your life. However, many homeowners with dogs find it difficult to maintain a clean, well-designed home. With a slight adjustment to your established routine, your home can become breathtakingly gorgeous — with your dog by your side. Here’s how you can get started.

Keep Your Floors Fur-Free

One of the most pervasive examples of a mess caused by pets is the fur they shed. Control the process by brushing them regularly. Not only will this reduce any errant fur in the corners of your house, but it will also help keep their coat healthier. If you haven’t brushed your dog regularly before, they may be a little uncertain the first few times. Stick with it to normalize the brushing as part of their routine. Using the proper technique is important — brush in the same direction the fur grows, starting with the head and ending with the tail. Use soft, gentle strokes to help your dog feel comfortable. Most shedding takes place in the spring and autumn, so be ready to brush more frequently than usual every few months.

Prevent Muddy Messes with Training

If your dog goes outside frequently, you’ll definitely want to keep the mess outside. Keeping a small doggie doormat (a shallow trough of water) outside on the porch will help clean your dog’s feet. Try training your dog to sit next to it and wait to have their paws (and any other part of their body that may have gotten dirty) wiped down with a soft cloth before entering. Always give your pooch a treat afterward to reinforce the behavior.

Dog-Proof Your Home

Inside the house, take steps to dog-proof your home. In addition to keeping your house clean, it will also help to keep your pup safe, especially when your pet spends time alone. Approach dog-proofing as you would child-proofing, such as making sure that any dangerous cleaners or medicines are behind closed cabinet doors. All trash should be kept inside of a lidded bin and should be taken out regularly; dogs have extremely sensitive noses, so don’t give them the temptation of a pungent garbage aroma in need of investigation. Similarly, don’t leave laundry lying around on the ground. Instead, put it in a hamper or in a closet, and be sure to wash your clothes regularly as well. You can keep your house smelling great by regularly opening windows to air out each room and reacting to indoor doggie messes immediately.

One great way to keep your dog safe while making your house seem significantly less cluttered in the process is to tidy up any electrical cords with a containment system that hides them from casual view and prevents curious canine chewing. In general, the same applies for anything you leave out in the open — if you think there’s a chance your dog may chew on it, put it in an inaccessible place. Finally, if there are rooms your dog doesn’t need to access, close the doors. 

Design with Your Dog in Mind

Hardwood floors are a beautiful way to bring a home together and are also highly recommended for dog owners, as they are considerably easier to clean than carpet.  Similarly, choose your couches wisely; consider easily cleaned leather or faux-leather instead of looser, rustic woven upholstery. You don’t have to replace your current couch or chair — choose a tightly woven throw or cover for your couch to protect it against scratches while making it more stylish. Many dog beds are also available in various styles to match your decor.

Remember, a dog who has gotten his exercise is much less likely to make a mess in your home immediately afterward, so go for a walk whenever you like. Afterward, you will be free to recline in your fresh, clean home — with your best friend at your side.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

This story was brought to you by Jessica Brody of Ourbestfriends.pet