by Originally published on our site ourfunnylittlesite.com
Dogs are man’s best friend and even though they chew everything up, shed everywhere, and wake us up in the wee hours of the night, we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’d do anything for them, and in return, they provide us with unconditional love and they make our lives so much better.
Baby Wipes During Bath Time
Bath time with dogs is no picnic. Not only do lots of pups not enjoy getting wet and they end up splashing, but their hair gets everywhere and it can clog the drains. It’s a real nightmare!
But there’s a way around this—just grab a baby wipe and stick it on the exposed plughole. Then, drop the plug in before running the bath as normal. After you’ve finished getting your pet nice and clean, the fur should cling onto the wipe, instead of clogging your drains.
Baking Soda Removes the Urine Smell
Dogs pee everywhere and sometimes, it’s in your home. Whether you’re potty training your new puppy or your senior dog is having trouble controlling their bladder, dog urine smells awful and when it gets in your carpet, it’s really hard to get rid of the smell.
But did you know that stains and smells can be gotten rid of easily with a product you probably already have in your home? Baking soda! Sprinkle baking soda across the area and let it sit for around 20 minutes. Then, vacuum it up. Voilà—good as new!
Cover Up Furniture Scratch Marks With Walnuts
Any pet owner knows that dogs and cats scratch furniture. It’s a sacrifice we make for our furry friends and no matter how hard we try to get them to stop scratching, they just keep doing it. And when it comes to wood, the scratch marks are very noticeable, but there’s a great way to get them out and it’s quite nutty—walnuts!
A walnut can buff wood tables and chairs. Crack the walnut and rub it over the scratch. Its oils will cover the damage. This hack also works with similar oily nuts like pecans and macadamia nuts!
Chasing Bubbles for Exercise
Whether it’s balls and frisbees or squirrels and cats, dogs love chasing things. Playtime is important for dogs and you can make it even more fun with bubbles. That’s right—bubbles! Blow some bubbles and watch your pet chase after them. Just like kids, dogs love bubbles.
Bubbles are especially great for older dogs and dogs with joint issues or arthritis because they can stretch and move without putting too much impact on their joints.
Make Tug Toys With Old Clothes
Dog owners know how quickly dogs go through toys—they destroy them within minutes. And the worst part is, pet toys aren’t cheap. But you don’t need to buy a new toy every time your pup wears them out—you can make a DIY tug toy with old t-shirts from your closet.
Repurpose your old clothes by braiding them together to create a rope. Your pet will love the toy and you can feel good about saving money and reusing things you have lying around your home.
Make Frozen Treats
How do dogs stay cool during the summer? While people enjoy popsicles and ice cream on a hot day, what sweet treats can dogs enjoy in the heat? Well, you can make them frozen treats at home and it’s so easy!
Tips for Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
Just like we brush our teeth daily, it’s important for pets to keep their teeth clean. While most dogs put up quite the fuss when you try and brush their teeth, it’s important for their overall health. When you brush your dog’s teeth, make sure you are using dog toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
If your dog won’t let you brush their teeth, don’t worry—there are other ways to keep their teeth clean. You can squeeze doggie toothpaste on their favorite chew or rope toys and while they play with it, they’ll have no idea that they’re “brushing” their teeth.
Stop Your Dog’s Nails From Bleeding With Household Items
Have you ever tried to cut your dog’s nails? Wow! It’s difficult because they squirm around and try to escape. And if you cut them just a bit too short, their nails may start bleeding. But don’t worry—there’s a way to stop the bleeding and all you need is household items.
Apply cornstarch, flour, or baking soda to your dog’s nails, leave it on for a few minutes and apply moderate pressure. Then, check if the bleeding has stopped.
Prevent Running With a Front Clip Harness
When we take our dogs for walks, it often feels like they’re waking us—they pull on their leashes and send us flying. But there’s a simple solution for this—front clip harnesses.
Instead of a collar and leash, use a front clip harness to prevent your pooch from pulling and to teach them how to walk with a leash. The chest clip will give you control over the direction your dog is moving and it allows your dog to be redirected to face you.
Rewards for Potty Training
Potty training is difficult and not only does it take lots of time, but it takes lots of patience. When potty training, it’s important to take your puppy to the same spot each time to do their business. Their scent will prompt them to go.
Most importantly, when they eliminate outside, praise them for doing a good job with verbal praise, treats, a toy, or a walk outside. The reward should be immediately after they go, so your puppy has a positive association with eliminating outside.
Remove Dog Hair With a Squeegee
Dog hair ends up everywhere and sometimes vacuuming the rug just doesn’t cut it. Somehow, the hair is still there. Instead of driving yourself crazy trying to get rid of it, get a window squeegee.
Move the squeegee back and forth across the carpet and the rubber will attach to the hair and loosen it. Then, pick up the clumps of hair that have gathered. Continue doing this until all the hair is gone. Your carpet will be good as new!
Microchip Your Pet
If you’ve ever lost your pet, you know the horror that comes with it. It’s one of the scariest things a pet owner ever goes through, and sadly, it happens all too often. Whether it’s getting breaking free from the leash on walks or chasing after the school bus or mailmen, dogs can get loose and you can be prepared next time it happens by microchipping your pet.
Stay Safe in the Car With a Dog Harness
Whether you’re taking your dog to the vet or they’re joining you on vacation, dogs spend lots of time in cars. When they’re traveling with you, make sure they’re staying safe. Just like you buckle up to prevent from moving around when driving, your dog should be bucked as well.
It’s important to have a good dog harness that acts as a seat belt for dogs and keeps them in one spot in case of accidents, sudden breaking, or them sticking their heads out the window. There are many options out there with some attaching to seat belts and others securing around the dog’s torso.
Collecting Urine Samples
Collecting urine samples from your dog isn’t the most graceful job and it certainly can get messy. But when the vet requests it, you don’t have many options. Instead of trying to collect it in a pee cup, which often ends up with urine getting everywhere, the task can be simplified with two items: a soup ladle and a sterile container.
Dog Discoveries does it best in their How to Collect a Urine Sample from a Dog YouTube video by placing a soup ladle underneath their dog while it pees and then pouring it directly into a sterile container. It’s a mess-free solution!
Check for Fleas With a White Towel
Fleas are the worst! No matter how much we flea treat or dogs, somehow, they still get fleas. Not only are they irritating, but they can be harmful to your pets. While it’s pretty obvious if your dog has fleas because you’ll see them scratching non-stop and you may even see red bumps on them, if you’re still not sure, there’s an easy way to check.
How to Check if It’s Too Hot for a Walk
Summer’s the best time to be outside and enjoy the nice, hot weather. While we enjoy going for walks with our dog when the sun’s out, it may be too hot for your pet. The hot pavement can harm your pup’s paws, so before stepping outside, check the temperature of the pavement.
If you can’t hold your hand there for five seconds, it’s definitely too hot for your dog. If you wouldn’t walk there barefoot, your pup shouldn’t be either. To prevent the ground from being too hot, walk your dog in the early morning or later in the evening when it’s not as hot outside.
Be Aware of the Tummy
Though many dogs flip over to show you their tummy, they might not always be asking for belly rubs. In fact, some might just be trying to appease you.
Makeshift Yard
Training your dog to go potty outside is tough enough as it is, but if you don’t have a garden outside your home or you only have a small balcony in a high-rise building, it can become a nightmare. This hack won’t cost you too much and might solve the potty problem entirely.
In whatever outdoor space you’ve got, just lay down some AstroTurf or fake grass, and train your dog to do its business there. This means you can train the dog to go indoors or outdoors, and all in one place.
The Right Collar
When you’re planning on making a new collar for your dog, it’s important to get the measurements just right to avoid discomfort for your pup! When in doubt, use these rules.
First, measure your dog’s neck with a cloth measuring tape, and add two extra inches. This way, it’ll fit perfectly without choking them at all. Then, make sure the width of the collar is one inch for large breeds, ¾ of an inch for medium-sized dogs, and ½ of an inch for smaller pups.
Clicker Training for Positive Reinforcement
Just like when they pee outside when you’re potty training them, dogs need positive reinforcement to repeat good behaviors. Clicker training, also called mark and reward training, is a form of positive reinforcement training.
The clicker makes noise when your dog does a good behavior. A clicker tells your dog exactly what behavior you’re rewarding. So, if you’re training your dog to sit, you would click when they sit. Make sure you pair the click sound with a reward like a treat or a toy.
Designated Drying Area
There’s nothing more frustrating than coming home after a long, muddy walk with your dog, and having them tread mud and dirt through the house while they get the post-walk zoomies. Instead of having to tackle them with a towel the moment you get in, why not try this?
You can create a little drying station in the corner of your home, complete with hooks to hang-dry your coats, and a designated floor area so you don’t track mud everywhere.
Tennis Ball Treat Dispenser
Dogs love tennis balls, but there’s so much more your pup can do with them than just play fetch. There are tons of ways to reuse and repurpose tennis balls and one of our favorites is a DIY tennis ball treat dispenser. Not only does this bring new life to any ball, but it works with balls that have been chewed or punctured!
To make a ball treat dispenser, cut a hole in the side of the ball about 1 inch in diameter and then open it and fill it up with whatever treats you want. Watch your dog be entertained for hours trying to get the treats out. It’s just too cute!
Keep ‘Em Cozy
Some people treat their dogs like their children. Often that includes dressing them up, buying them luxurious things, or just giving them everything they want, like you would a child. Even though dogs are essentially just domesticated animals, we can’t deny that we feel they deserve to be comfy too.
If you want to get a good night’s sleep without your pooch interrupting, the best way is to give them a cozy bed of their own, complete with a soft cushion and blankets galore.
Vaseline to Protect Dogs During the Winter
We’ve talked about hot weather safety precautions, but what about during the winter? Snow, salt, and ice are also hard on dogs’ paws. Luckily, there are two solutions for protection against the winter elements.
The first is puppy booties, but since not all dogs love wearing shoes, there’s another option that you probably already have in your home: Vaseline! Petroleum jelly creates a protective barrier and helps cracked paws. Before walks, coat the balm on your dog’s paws.
Drawers for Dog Beds
Are you ready for an adorable hack? How about a drawer dog bed? Not only will it save space in your home, but it’s so cute and it’s a great way to repurpose old dresser drawers.
First, remove the drawers or shelves from a dresser. If you want to, you can paint and distress the wood, to make the bed even more special. Then, place a dog bed, pillows, or blankets in the empty space.
Doggie Pool
Do you see what we did there? Instead of a kiddie pool, turn it into a doggie pool. During the dead heat of the summer, your dog can cool off in their very own pool that’s the perfect size for them!
Just fill it with water and watch your dog swim and splash while it stays nice and cool on the hottest days of the year. They’re going to love it!
Playing Catch With Popcorn
Did you know that dogs can eat popcorn? Well, neither did we. Plain, air-popped popcorn is safe for dogs in small quantities but stay away from popcorn with other toppings. Not only is popcorn a nice treat for dogs, but it can teach them how to play catch because surprisingly, not all dogs naturally catch.
The smell, taste, and texture of popcorn can encourage them to catch the snack when you throw it at them and they like it did in Jimmy Arca’s YouTube video dog catches popcorn from 13’ 10” drop. After they’ve mastered catching popcorn, you can move on to more traditional catch toys like tennis balls and frisbees.
Hide Medicine in DIY Pill Pockets
Have you ever tried to get your pet to take medication? It’s a whole ordeal and it’s almost impossible. But what if we told you that you could make things a lot easier with homemade pill pockets?
Create a Dog Gate
They say cats are curious, but dogs are just as curious and they always follow us around the house. While it’s super cute, if you have to cook or clean and you need your dog out of the room, what are you supposed to do? If you don’t have a doggy gate and don’t want to lock your precious pooch in a room, you can create your very own doggy gate.
Household Hacker’s YouTube video 11 Awesome Life Hack For Your Dog showed off the hack perfectly. They used two tension rods and a piece of transparent fabric and weaved the rod through the fabric and stuck it into the doorway.
Dog Poop Disposer
Think twice before you toss your dog poop into a bin. Instead, you can create your own dog poop composter. Yeah—we had no idea fruits and veggies weren’t the only things that could be composted.
Elizabeth Stone showed just how easy creating a dog poop disposer is in her Easy & Awesome Way to Make an Inexpensive Dog Poo Composter! YouTube video. She used a big trashcan and drilled holes in it and then cut the bottom out. Then she dug a hole, put the trash can in it, and filled it with rocks, grass, and leaves. The last step was she added dog poop, pea shingle, and water.
Makeshift Digging Box
We all know dogs just absolutely love digging and the behavior dates back to their wolf ancestors. It’s instinctual and they dig to seek prey, to create dog beds when it’s hot, to burry things, to get under barriers, and when they’re bored. Stopping a dog from digging is really difficult and it can wreak havoc on your garden and lawn.
You may be able to stop them from tearing apart your garden by getting a gardening kit bed or empty crate which you can turn into a digging box by adding sand. For an added bonus, fill the box with some of their favorite toys, so they can dig for them.
Food Puzzle
When we fill our dog’s bowls with food, most of the time they’ve gulped it all up before we even walk away. Sometimes, they eat so quickly that they get an upset stomach. There are a few methods you can use to slow them down and many of them use household items that you probably have lying around.
One method Household Hacker used in their YouTube video 11 Awesome Life Hack For Your Dog is a muffin tin to spread out all of the food. Essentially it works like a maze bowl, but it’s much cheaper. You can even turn it into a game by cutting old tennis balls in half and covering up each cup.
Make a Flirt Pole
Flirt poles allow dogs to activate their chasing instincts without chasing after animals. Plus, it’s great exercise. The best part about flirt poles is that they’re super easy to make. Leader of the Pack Dog Training showed how to make your very own DIY flirt pole in her YouTube video DIY flirt pole — easy, low tech dog exercise toy!
All you need is a PVC pipe or plastic tube and rope. Cut the rope to a size you like and feed it through the pole, Then, tie a large knot at one end so that the rope can’t be pulled out. If you want to attach a toy on the other side, go ahead and tie it to the rope.
Sweatshirt Pet Bed
Pet beds can be quite expensive, but with some creative thinking, an old sweatshirt, and a used pillow, you can create your own.
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- Start by turning a sweatshirt inside out, grab the edges of the collar and sew them together with a thread. Leave a piece open and turn the sweatshirt right side out.
- Sew the sweatshirt armpit to armpit in a straight line across. Stretch the sleeves along the body of the sweatshirt and sew them to the sweatshirt.
- Now, stuff the sleeves with stuffing or old clothing until they’re full, and use the hole you left in the collar to pull the stuffing to fill the sweatshirt. Then, fill the belly of the shirt with a pillow and sew the bottom and the top of the sweatshirt shut.
- The last part is to sew the cuffs together.
Make Your Own Flea Shampoo
Fleas are the worst and not only can they drive us mad, but they can make your dog crazy with all of the scratching. Flea shampoo can help get rid of the pesky buggers, but if you don’t have any handy, you can make your own!
Household Hacker featured a DIY flea soap in their YouTube video 11 Awesome Life Hack For Your Dog and it requires half a cup of water, four tablespoons of white vinegar, and four tablespoons of Dawn dish soap. They mix it all together in a container and then apply it to their dog. The bugs will disappear in no time!
Remove Drool and Paw Marks With Magic Erasers
Yes, believe it or not, dog drool can leave gross marks in carpets and upholstery. And surprisingly, Magic Eraser can get rid of dried-up drool!
It dissolves enzymes and the natural build-up of saliva, small marks, and scuffs on carpets, upholstery, and windows. Just apply some water and Magic Eraser to the marks or stains and scrub them until they disappear. It really is that easy!
Crinkle Bottle Toy
Who doesn’t like spoiling their fur babies? While we love seeing our dogs have fun with new toys, they aren’t cheap and they can add up really quickly. But you can create your own toy with a small empty water bottle and a sock.
Household Hacker demonstrated how to make this simple DIY toy in their 11 Awesome Life Hack For Your Dog YouTube video. Make sure you squash the container slightly before putting the cap on it and then put the bottle inside a sock and twist the ends in a knot. When you finish, throw it to your pooch and they’ve got a new crinkle toy!
DIY Elevated Food Bowl
Some vets recommend using elevated food bowls to feed your pets and they’re also great for older dogs with arthritis because they won’t have to bend down. But instead of buying one, you can create your own and all you need is an old piece of furniture like an old footrest or bedside table.
Mother Daughter Projects DIY showed the whole thing in their 4 Upcycle DIY Elevated Dog Feeder Bowls YouTube video in which they took their dog’s food bowl and outlined it onto the furniture. Then they drilled some holes into the top of the furniture and cut them out to hold the dishes. There you have it—a DIY elevated food bowl!
Self-Filling Water Bowl
Keeping your dog hydrated throughout the day is important year-round, but what are you supposed to do when they run out of water while you’re at work? Well, that when a self-filling water bowl comes in handy and you can create your own!
Chris Notap showed how to make one in his How to make a DOG/CAT Self filling Water Dish YouTube video and it’s pretty simple. Start by cutting the ends off two water bottles and glue them to another container. Wait for them to dry and cut the opening open. Fill the bottle with water and put it into a big bowl.
Fruit and Veggie Snacks
Fruits and veggies aren’t just great snacks for people—they’re healthy for dogs as well. Did you know that dogs can eat apples, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, cucumbers, mango, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, strawberries, watermelon, broccoli, brussel sprouts, carrots, green beans, celery, peas, and spinach?
So, what can’t dogs eat? Never feed your dog avocados, cherries, grapes, tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, or onions as they’re dangerous for your pet. When feeding your pup these fruits and veggies to your pet, consider them a treat and not as part of their main diet.
Shopping Bag Dog Lift Harness
When small dogs are sick and can’t get around, carrying them with dog slings is an option, but if you have a bigger dog, it’s not possible. How are you supposed to lug around a 50 or 100-pound dog? If you don’t have a dog lift harness, you can create your very own to support your dog and help you lift them off the ground.
All you need is a big reusable shopping tote. Just cut the sides off and get rid of the zipper if there is one. It may not be a permanent solution because it will rip over time, but it’s a great temporary one until you buy a more durable dog lift harness.
Remove Bee Stingers With a Credit Card
Now here’s a hack that’s as useful for your pup as it is for you and your family. Next time you or your dog gets stung by a bee, you can remove the stinger with a credit card!
Gently scrape where the stinger is until the stinger slides out with a credit card, driver’s license, or something similar—pretty much anything that has a straight edge. The quicker you remove the stinger, the less pain your pup will be in.
Cover Your Furniture to Keep it Fur-Free
Dog owners know that hair gets everywhere, especially on the sofa, which is where our pets spend lots of their time. Pet hair is part of living with a pet and the best way to keep your furniture fur-free is to cover them with blankets, sheets, or slip covers.
Covering your furniture will also keep it clean from any other kinds of pet stains like drool, urine, or throw-up. And when it’s time to clean the furniture, just throw the covers into the wash and they’ll be good as new.
Carabiners to Leash Your Dog
Metal loops, also known as carabiners, are not only good for camping, climbing, and as keyrings, but they can be used for dog leashes. Instead of spending lots of time securing tons of knots and then undoing them when you need to tie your dog’s leash to something, you can use a carabiner.
Just loop the leash handle through the carabiner, wrap it around the post, and hook it onto the remaining length of the leash.
Tennis Ball Food Maze
We mentioned that there are ways to prevent your dog from eating too much like making a good puzzle with a muffin tin and spreading out the food into the tins, but there’s another way you can make food time more fun for your pup.
You can put a ball in their food bowl so they have to move the ball around to get at the food. This slows down their eating and prevents them from scarfing down their food and getting sick from eating too quickly.
Spill Proof Bowls for Traveling
When in the car, not only is it important to keep your dog buckled up with a harness, but it’s also crucial to make sure that they stay hydrated. Having a water bowl in the car can get messy and if you stop suddenly, it will end up everywhere. Stopping isn’t convenient either and that’s where spill-proof bowls come in handy.
The wedge design sits flat on the car seat and the high sides minimize sloshing and splashing while traveling. An added bonus is they can be used for dog food as well.
Chalk Keeps Ants Out of Outdoor Pet Bowls
We bet you’ve heard of this one before: using chalk to repel ants. It’s an incredibly weird hack, but it’s gone viral. Which begs the question: does it actually work? And if so, can you use it to keep ants away from your outdoor pet bowls?
Sure, ants hate chalk and if you draw a ring around your pet’s bowls, it will confuse the ants. But keep in mind that it’s only a temporary solution. Chalk disrupts the scent trail and it will briefly stop the march of ants, but after a bit, they’ll continue walking towards the pet bowl.
Remove Drool With Household Items
Here’s yet another hack for removing dog drool from surfaces and it’s great if you don’t have a Magic Eraser handy. This one may be even better because it uses things you most likely already have in your kitchen: vinegar, hot water, and mild dish soap.
Calm Your Pet During Thunderstorms
Does your dog hate thunderstorms? While most people think their pets hate them because of the loud noises, it’s actually the static electricity that makes them uncomfortable. The feeling of the static through their hair can make them run around the house, whimpering and trying to find places to hide and you may have noticed they prefer one spot: the bathroom.
Cotton Balls to Prevent Ear Infections
Ear infections in dogs are really common and they’re one of the most common reasons for a vet visit, but they’re also preventable. You can prevent them from happening by adding an ear cleaning routine to your grooming and bathing regiment. It’s also important to keep your dog’s ears dry after swimming or bathing by using a cotton ball or towel.
Another tip is during bath time, place a cotton ball in your dog’s ears to keep them dry, but don’t push them in too deep. Just remember to remove the cotton balls and dry their ears after they finish bathing.
Smart Doggy Door for Full Access
Doggy doors are just the best because they allow your pup to have the freedom to come in and out of your home as they wish without you having to lift a finger. And smart pet doors are even better because their technology only allows for your pet to get in, not other animals like the neighborhood cat or hungry raccoon or even an eager burglar.
Most of them detect your pet with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) from your pet’s microchip or compatible RFID Collar. After your dog is detected, the door is unlocked or opened. How cool is that?
Chicken and Rice for an Upset Stomach
We’ve all been there—our dogs have had upset stomachs, diarrhea, vomiting, or decreased appetite and it’s super stressful. So, what are you supposed to feed your pup when this happens?
One of the best things to prepare for them is chicken and rice and they also happen to love this meal. It’s a real treat for them! Chicken and rice are in most dog foods and these mild foods sit well with upset stomachs. It’s also really easy to make—all you need is boneless, skinless chicken breast and white rice. Make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly and cut up into small bites, so your dog doesn’t choke.
