subject: How To Keep A Dog Owner's Home Clean [print this page] While the presence of dogs in your house may make it feel like home, it can also make it really messy. Dirty paws, dog hair, accidents and food spills can all turn your lovely home into a dump - quicker than you think. Here are some tips to help maintain a well-groomed home to match your well-groomed dog.
Implement Access Control
As much as you may want to give your pet constant attention, you have to go to work, to the store and to visit friends. Consider installing a gate, available at pet stores and online retailers, to restrict your pet's movements around the house. Easy to install, a gate can prevent accidents and messes in your home.
Another option is a cage or crate if your home is not suitable for a gate. Make sure the cage is big enough for the dog to move around in, and make it comfortable for them. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions, as they have experience with many different people and dogs and may have a solution you would not have thought of.
How to Tackle Odors and Stains
Because you live with your pet, you will have become accustomed to their unique scent. Your family and friends have not, and unless you want to hand out gas masks as they enter your home, you may want to do the smell test.
The smell test is best performed by a brutally honest friend or neighbor - the kind who won't mince words. Invite them in and ask them to breathe in. It's time to do something about doggy odors if they can smell 'scent of dog' anywhere in your home.
Begin by opening the windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home. If the odor is new and seems to originate from a specific location, that is a pretty good sign that your dog has had an accident.
Don't Forget, It's Your Home
Ultimately the best way to keep your house under control is to remember that you are the boss. You have to set the rules and control your pet. If the dog is out of control, and the gate and cage options don't work, consider obedience training. Speak with your vet for suggestions.
