How to Save Your Furniture from Your Dog

Do you allow your dog to lounge indoors (instead of in his or her own bed), only to regret it when you find dog hair on every sofa and chipped pieces of furniture? For some dog breeds, such behavior is a constant problem. Drool, odor, and scratch marks are so common around the house that anyone who walks in understands that you own a dog. If you want to keep your dog indoors and protect your furniture, we have some tricks for you. All you have to do is save your furniture from your dog. Here's how to do this:

1. Save Your Furniture by Using Covers

If you are a low-maintenance person, the best way to save your furniture is by keeping it covered so that your dog cannot harm it. This may remind you of the plastic covers your grandma used on sofas and tables, but don't worry; times have changed, and there are many modern options available today. You can also cover your furniture with slipcovers, throws, or washable blankets. Your dog could have a favorite spot where it loves to sleep, and to your absolute dismay, its resting place could be right at the center of your couch. In this case, just make sure the couch is covered with something washable and simple to maintain. After all, it is easier to toss a blanket into the washing machine than it is to vacuum the couch every single day. If you like your house to look more polished, you can get slipcovers. These can be found in every pattern and color you can imagine. If you are creative, you can even make your own covers! All you have to do is choose a fabric of your choice and get started.

2. Don't Use Bare Wood around the House

The worst part of coming home is finding your dog has chewed the legs of wooden chairs and tables. While it is true that not all dogs chew on furniture, many pups find the wood irresistible. Those who tell you to teach your dog not to chew clearly have no idea how incredibly challenging that is, especially if your dog is doing so when you are not home. If you have wood furniture in your home that you do not want spoiled, all you need to do is buy some products that will stop your dog from chewing on it. Don't worry; you can find these products readily available in the market. One such example is bitter apple spray. Once sprayed on chair and table legs, it will repel your dog and stop complaints. However, if you find that your dog is especially destructive when you are not home, you should look into crate training until you figure out how to handle your dog better. While chewing definitely destroys your furniture, it is also harmful to your dog. If you have any chewed-up furniture lying around your house, send it for repair before your dog entirely ruins it.

3. Invest in Pet-Friendly Furniture

If you have a dog that lives inside your home and want to save your furniture, the best thing you can do is get pet-friendly furniture. This includes furniture that uses materials like microfiber and leather. Leather is commonly used in dog houses because it is simple to clean, while microfiber is durable. If you are not looking for new furniture, you can always just get some new slipcovers.

• Leather

Leather furniture is easy to clean, making it popular among dog owners. All you have to do is wipe it down to get rid of any dog hair that would stick to other fabrics. Moreover, leather is more odor-resistant as compared to other materials.

While leather is a popular choice for dog owners around the house, keep in mind that it is not scratch-resistant. If you allow your dog to climb on leather couches around the house, make sure its nails are trimmed.

• Microfiber

Pet-friendly homes swear by microfiber furniture because of how durable it is. Unlike other woven materials, microfiber does not stain easily and is designed in a way that it does not get wet. However, it does not prevent the dog's hair from sticking and accumulating on it.

To clean microfiber furniture, all you need is a damp cloth. Moreover, microfiber does not hold onto odor like other materials. Many dog owners also claim that the reason they chose to use microfiber around their house is that dogs are not interested in scratching it.

4. Groom Your Dog so that It Does Not Shed as Much

If you regularly groom your dog, you will notice a huge decrease in shredding. Make a schedule every week for your dog and include bath and brush times so that you do not have to deal with extra fur around the house. If your dog sheds a lot, look for a de-shedding tool and vacuum your house regularly to get rid of stray hair. Moreover, regularly trimming your dog's nails will also prevent it from destroying the furniture. If you feel like that dog's short nails are still sharp, file them to make them smoother. You might be tempted to get a cheap filer, but trust us when we say that these only last a month. Instead, invest in a sturdy steel nail filer. To save your furniture from your dog, you will need to make some changes around the house to make it more pet-friendly. Once you do, you will notice a huge difference, so get started soon!

by Maria A Davidson || You can’t buy love, but you can rescue it™ | Facts About Animal Homelessness:

• Stray arrivals: Roughly 59% of dogs and cats enter shelters as strays.
• Owner surrenders: About 30% of shelter animals are given up by their guardians.
• Purebred rates: Up to 25% of dogs in local shelters are purebred.