Dog-owners have to deal with a lot of cute troubles that their little pooch brings into their home. A few days ago, I was looking for travel tips and life-hacks for dog owners as I was planning to take Leo-my pocket pitbull-with me to Australia. I came across some amazing life hacks that every dog owner should know:
DIY Liquid Cleaner for Odor and Stain Removal
A fantastic DIY is the preparation of a doggie deodorizer and stain remover. You have to mix a cup of three percent hydrogen peroxide with two teaspoons of liquid dishwashing soap (a mild one). For dog urine, soak up the liquid before cleaning up. Sprinkle the spot generously with baking soda, and let it sit for some time. Next, you can use DIY liquid cleaner to scrub the powdered baking soda into the fabric. Leave it to dry, and you can vacuum clean the area.
Homemade Pill Pockets for Stubborn Dogs
Having a stubborn dog is sometimes a big trouble. They can say no to medicines and then stick with their decision at any cost. But you can trick them by preparing pill pockets at home. All you need to do is mix up milk, flour, and crunchy peanut butter (Xylitol-free), make small balls of the mixture and create holes in them at one end with chopsticks—the pill pockets. You can store them in the freezer for later use.
If your dog has understood the trick, you can give him pocket pills on a regular basis, without pills most of the times; so he may not get suspicious.
Bring Home Inflatable Pool
If your dog enjoys playing in cold water during hot summers, place an inflatable pool filled with cold water in the yard. Stock the pool with chew toys, balls, and rubber ducks for the dog to enjoy the pool fun.
Squeegee Removes Pet Hair
You can use a window squeegee to remove pet hair from your carpet, car seats, and sofas. A squeegee can efficiently remove the hair stuck in the fabric.
DIY Tick and Flea Repellent
Every dog owner needs to learn this DIY Tick and Flea Repellent. Take 8 ounces of vinegar, half teaspoon of baking soda, one and a half spoon of iodized salt, and mix them in 4 ounces of warm water. Put the liquid repellent in a spray bottle. Spray your dog hair every time they are leaving home. Besides this, regular combing is also essential.
Toothbrush Trick
If your puppy or dog shows resistance to teeth brushing routine, you can spread small amount of doggie toothpaste onto his favorite chew ropes or bone.
Make a Scratching Post
If you are irritated by your dog’s constant habit of scratching with the furniture and walls, leaving behind stinky odors, then you can make a scratching post. On a plank of wood, glue two to three sandpapers of differing coarseness. Place it in an upright position at some favorite dog corner of the house, and train him to do the scratching there.
Parsley Can Freshen Up the Breath
Dog’s have stinky breath usually when some food is stuck in their teeth or when they get wet dog food. Switching to dry dog food can be an option to avoid the problem. If you don’t want to change their diet, you can sprinkle some parsley leaves on top of the dog food to keep his breath fresh.
Love for Semi-destructive Stuffed Toys
If your pooch enjoys ripping apart the stuffed toys, buy a Hol-ee Roller Ball, which you can stuff with lots of fabric scraps and a piece of treat in the middle. Your dog will stay engaged for hours to remove the fabrics, and get the treat.
Essential Oils for Ticks and Fleas
Having essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lemongrass, cedar, and rosemary are a plus. You can use them for fighting fleas and ticks in a natural way, free of all the toxic chemicals. Get it recommended by the vet before use because using the right quantity matters.
Vaseline for Dog Paws In Winters
If your dog doesn’t like wearing booties in winters, you can apply a layer of Vaseline to protect his paws from anti-freeze. However, beware not to let the dog lick his paws coated with Vaseline.
Hang a Dog Food Check Board
Hang a Board in a visible place to remember whether you have fed your dog his meal already or not. Add a checkmark on the board each time you serve the food to your dog.
Icy Summer Treats
In summer, dogs require a lot of water, and also enjoy freezing treats. Fill up your ice cubes with small slices of apples, and pour chicken broth over them. The chicken broth must be onion and garlic free. Freeze it for some hours, and your dog will love the flavor.
Besides this, you can pour pumpkin juice in the ice cubes to freeze; it will prevent constipation in dogs. Watermelon juice that is free of seeds is another tasty option.
Learn about CPR for Emergency Situations
Dogs can choke at any time, and you have to be prepared for emergency situations. It's recommended that you have the necessary knowledge of CPR to save your and other’s dogs.
Use Shampoo for Long Term
You can save money spent on dog shampoo by acting a bit wisely. Get a plastic pitcher, and add water to the shampoo with a 4 to 1 ratio. There will be no waste of shampoo, and lesser exposure of dog to the chemicals in shampoo.
