Guest post by nick Burton, Our Best Doggo
For hundreds of years, artists from Manet to Butterworth have found considerable beauty in animals, choosing them as their focal points in portraits. Thus, it’s official: pets can help beautify your home even while they provide unconditional love and companionship. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to keep your home as clean as you’d like, particularly when your dog finds joy in making a mess. It isn’t too difficult to have a gorgeous home with pets -- it just takes a little extra focus. Springs Pet Portraits offers some pointers to help.
Keep Your Dog Entertained to Prevent Boredom
If you find that every time you clean your house, your dog decides to make a mess of your freshly planted ficus, you may have a bored dog on your hands. All animals thrive on physical and mental stimulation through playtime, toys, and owner interaction. If any of these are not provided to your dog’s satisfaction, they may become bored. While boredom can cause your dog to sleep all day, with muted responses to stimuli, more often it manifests itself in “acting out,” such as chewing carpets or rugs.
You can start out by playing with your dog regularly, in the mornings and evenings once you’re home from work. All dogs love to run and chase things, so get a little exercise in for yourself while you play in the backyard. Also, let your dog use his mind -- hide a treat in a clear bottle with the lid open and let him figure out how to get at it. While playtime can go a long way toward keeping a bored dog entertained, you also need to give them something to do while you’re away. A range of toys will help stimulate your dog’s mind. Again, use variety -- don’t just stick with the same toy for months at a time. Instead, mix it up by adding a puzzle-oriented toy to keep his mind working. By fighting against boredom, you will find your dog is much less likely to make a wild mess during the day, helping to keep your house exactly as organized and clean as you desire.
A word of advice: Not all dog toys can withstand your pup’s energy level. So, before you decide to invest any money in dog toys, look up reviews online to see how those products rank. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money on toys that your companion destroys in a matter of minutes.
Outdoor Exercise Can Control Hyperactivity
Some dogs, however, are naturally more hyper than others. Dogs of all ages, particularly puppies, need a certain amount of exercise each day. For a dog, exercise goes beyond a simple mile-long walk. It’s best for your dog to have an hour’s run where they can investigate unusual scents, sprint in circles, and play with you. This will tire them out and keep them from running all over inside the house. If you work long hours and don’t have the time to spend an hour with your dog each day, you may want to hire a dog-walking service (or pet sitter for longer durations). A professional walker will help you free up your schedule while keeping your mind clear of worry, knowing your dog is healthy, happy, and less likely to dirty up your house while you’re gone.
Another option is to allow your dog freedom to roam in your backyard during the day. While this shouldn’t replace a daily run, it gives them room to run around. Of course, this requires a fenced-in area. If you don’t have a fence around your backyard, this can be a worthwhile investment, both for your pet and your property. A fenced yard can actually boost your home’s value, which will come in handy whenever you’re ready to sell. And in the meantime, it can provide your pup with a safe place to get out the wiggles. Fencing can be expensive depending on the materials you choose and the size of the fence. To ensure quality workmanship, read reviews and always get at least three quotes when vetting companies for a fence installation.
Groom Your Dog Regularly
If you clean up your pup after playing outside, the last major hurdle to keeping the house spotless is shedding. No matter if your dog has short or long fur, they can benefit greatly from regular grooming sessions. Depending on where you live and the size of your pup, a dog hair dryer can be great to have on hand. They’re especially helpful for folks with midsize to large dogs in cold climates. They offer a safe way to help your pup dry more quickly after a bath. You should also pick up a brush designed for the length and texture of their coat and use gentle, long strokes. This will collect plenty of hair that would otherwise have ended up on your floors.
As a bonus, brushing is very good for your dog’s overall health, and all it takes is about five minutes a day. If you do find any leftover loose fur, you can quickly clean it up with your broom or handheld vacuum. Don’t have time to groom? BamPaws Stay & Play offers excellent grooming services.
If your dog is properly exercised, stimulated, and groomed, he will be significantly healthier and less likely to make a mess in your home. Coupled with obedience training, this will help make your home -- complete with your dog -- a wonderful work of art.
To celebrate your pet and to help you cherish their memory, consider having a portrait session for your fur baby with Springs Pet Portraits. Reach out today to set up an appointment!