Are you looking for dog life hacks? To help both new and experienced dog lovers, we have listed 50 amazingly useful dog life hacks to make your life easier. Whether dogs surround your whole life or you just adopted a puppy, there are some tips and tricks every pet owner must know.
Happy memories and difficult times come side by side. Along with the perks of keeping dogs, there are so many challenges faced by pet owners. So, let’s get started with the top 50 dog life hacks…..
50 Dog Life Hacks To Make Your Life Easier
Housekeeping & Cleaning Life Hacks
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Get rid of the furniture scratches using a walnut
If you are stressed over the loss or damage of your furniture due to the dog’s scratching habit, get ready to remove them using a walnut hack. Take a walnut and start rubbing it on the marks or imprints. Walnut contains natural oil that seeps into the furniture, making the wooden surface smoother and frictionless. Apparently, the lines will vanish.
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Prevent fur from surfacing all the furniture using covers
If your pets are free to roam anywhere in the house, you most likely have faced this situation. Dogs spread their fur all over the place, including furniture. Cover all the furniture with slipcovers, blankets, or sheets instead of cleaning and spending hours doing the hard work. If you think they would appear odd or want something matching, you may buy customized covers that are easily washable and long-lasting.
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Cover the drain with a baby wipe to prevent dog hair from clogging
Dog hair clogging in the pipes can be quite a frustrating thing to resolve. The simplest trick is to use a baby wipe and cover the drainpipe to hurdle the entry of dog hair, which later ends up in a clogged pipe.
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Pick up stray dog hair using rubber gloves
Dog owners know how hard it is to pick up their hair. The best way to gather loose hair from the furniture and other items is to use rubber gloves. Wear a pair of gloves and gently spread your hand to collect all stray pet hair.
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Use dry sheets to cling dog hair
If you own a dog that sheds a lot, try using dry sheets, and you will be amazed to see the results. It is a simple yet effective way that clings pet hair like crazy. Let it be your comfort chair, table mat, or couch… Run the dry sheets and see the magic.
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Get rid of the dog odors using a DIY carpet deodorizer
Dogs often smell bad, and they pollute the air they enter. If you want pleasant smells around you and you don’t have any fragrant product in your house, make your own DIY dog-friendly carpet deodorizer. Use the home accessories for this mind-blowing hack.
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Make the most economical dog bed using a sweatshirt
Dogs love to rest in a comfy place. If you can’t afford a fancy dog bed, or you just don’t have time to go out and visit a pet store, use a pillow and a sweatshirt and create the most amazing sleeping place for your beloved friend.
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Baking soda hack to clear up dog urine
A dog peeing on the mats and carpets is a normal sight. Employ baking soda to clean and remove the bad smell. Apply baking soda to the place of accident, keep it there for 20 minutes and then remove the soda.
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Remove drool spots using a magic eraser
Are you stressed because of the drool marks in every corner of your house? Don’t worry; the magic erasers are there to rescue. Get rid of all the filthy marks using a magic eraser.
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Prevent your dog to approach the litter box
Almost every dog tends to approach the cat litter box, and that too without hesitating. The only way to stop this is by covering the litter box, setting a barrier around it, or elevating the litter box.
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Clear the pet fur from carpets using a window squeegee
Too much fur on the carpet and don’t know how to clean it without any mess? A window squeegee will clutch all the unwanted fur from the mats, floor, or furniture. Slide it on the surface and see how wonderfully it works.
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Pick up fur using a packing tape
Dog hair on your clothes is very annoying. If you want a time-saving hack to pick up and clean all fur from the home items, use a packing tape that attracts all the fur from other surfaces. The result is neat and fur-free clothes.
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Have fun with the dog by making it chase bubbles
Fun and chasing games are what dogs like to play the most. To keep yourself busy, make water bubbles and let your canines chase and run after them.
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Let the dog find the hidden treats
Hide treats everywhere inside your house and train your pup to find them. Make sure you hide them in easy places. This is an exciting nose work game; every pet loves to play.
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Use old clothes to make tug toys
Imagine your furry boy enjoying playtime in the backyard… Pick up a few of your old extra shirts, roll them, and make a tug toy for the dog. I bet you won’t be wasting any more T-shirts.
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Digging box is a smart idea
Create a digging box and teach the pup to use it instead of digging holes in the garden—definitely an interactive way to keep the house safe and entertain the dogs.
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Keep your dog busy using a puzzle toy
Dogs often get bored, which later leads to anxiety. Make a puzzle toy and add balls, treats, and a muffin tin to keep them busy. Here you have some indoor games ideas.
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Add treats to a Kong toy and see the smile
Dogs love to play and enjoy treats at the same time. Try stuffing some of their favorite treats in a Kong toy. Freeze the treats if you want the game to be more challenging.
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Re-stuffable toys are of great advantage
If you have an energetic pet that goes bonkers with stuffed animals, try creating stuffed toys that can be reused when they are ripped off.
- Shuffle the toys to avoid boredom
Introduce new toys to keep the dog’s interest in them. Like human beings, dogs also get bored playing with the same toys all day. Replace new with the old ones and repeat the process. A simple example is changing the ball’s color every week.
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Icy treat on a hot day
Innovate the traditional way of offering treats. Make the process interesting by freezing the treats in trays and reward the pet with chilled treats on a hot summer day.
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Tug of war deals well with the extra energy
If your dog is pumped up, the simplest way to exercise without getting bored is playing the game of tug. A five-minute play session is enough to exhaust any dog and allow them to settle down.
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Buy a small pool to spend summer afternoons
Dogs love playing water games, but for that, you must install a small plastic pool in the home garden. It is lightweight, low-priced, and attractive enough to keep the dogs smiling.
Food, Health, & Grooming Life Hacks
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Spot the fleas using a white towel
If you are concerned about your dog’s health and ensure no fleas are residing in the fur, make them lay on a white towel and keep brushing the hair until you locate flea. The white color towel makes the fleas visible.
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Use tweezers to remove ticks from the dog’s skin
Do you have a fine-tipped pair of tweezers in your dog’s bathing kit? No need to pick the ticks using naked hands. Catch the insect from its mouth and pluck it away from the dog’s body. Isolate the ticks in a jar and always put on gloves as ticks can also harm human skin.
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Use sealed food containers for fresh food
Dog food gets damp and stale when kept in open jars. Use an airtight container to keep the food fresh that your dog can eat happily.
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Apply some toothpaste on a rope toy
Are you dealing with a stubborn pup? No worries, we’ve got the solution. If your dog doesn’t like using a toothbrush, simply apply a portion of the toothpaste to the rope toy. The teeth will automatically become clean when the rope is chewed.
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DIY pill pockets with flour, milk, or peanut butter
If you face problems while giving medicine to the pets, create DIY pill pockets using ingredients like flour or milk. You will save time, and the dogs will easily intake it.
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Introduce brushing at an early age
Dog dental checkups are way too expensive. To avoid tooth problems, induce the habit of using a brush from adulthood. You can buy a toothbrush made for dogs from any pet store, or human brushes also work fine.
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Soften hard food with warm water
Eating hard kibble is difficult for poor souls and can harm the dog’s teeth. Soak the dry and hard food in warm water to soften it and make it easily digestible.
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Irritated by the skunk smell? Use this
Use baking soda, peroxide, or soap to get rid of the skunk smell coming from your dog.
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Health support for senior dogs
Old dogs often undergo health issues, including weak limbs and arthritis. Provide additional support by making a DIY dog sling so that they can get up and walk around without any pain.
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Create an elevated food bowl
Dogs having back problems or arthritis can’t bend their necks to the ground level. Make an elevated food serving container to make things easier for them.
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Be creative with dog treats
Dogs love having treats, especially during the training sessions. Try to innovate and offer treats in a unique way that keeps your dog interested in the training. Hide them in the food or toys or hang with an elevated rope, etc.
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Create a DIY water bowl that fills automatically
Tired of filling the water bowl again and again? No need to do that anymore. Make a refillable DIY dog water bowl, sit back and watch your friend drinking water.
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Got a fast eater? Use a food dispensing toy
Add a tennis bowl in your pup’s food bowl, or use a food-dispensing toy to slow down the pace at which your dog eats. It allows them to chew and digest the food without getting stressed. It is also a kind of mental exercise for them.
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Avoid winter paw cracks using vaseline
The conventional method to prevent cracks in the dog’s paw is using a paw balm. Obviously, most dogs aren’t comfortable wearing boots, so you may apply vaseline in winter to keep the cracks away.
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Reward good behavior with a clicker
If you find it hard to reward your dog when he shows good performance, take the help of clicker training. It helps you remain consistently rewarding your pup.
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Replace treats with vegetables and fruits
If you fall short of treats or the bag is found empty at the wrong time, do not panic. Pick up your leftover veggies and fruits and offer them. Dogs love eating snap peas and bits of carrot.
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Shuffle the rewards while training your dog
Being predictable often results in a boring experience. Don’t just stick to the basic methods of giving treats and praising… Change the treats and reward them without showing good behavior to keep them engaged in the training session.
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Front clip harness for energetic dogs
Use a front clip harness if your dog pulls a lot. This harness clips in front and demotes pulling. It is very useful during leash training when the trainer holds the leash from a six feet distance, allowing the dog to differentiate between on-leash and off-leash or loose leash walking.
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Use these ingredients to prevent bleeding
Cutting or trimming of nails often results in minor cuts or bleeding that need to be immediately stopped. Make dough by mixing cornstarch, baking soda & flour with water. Gently apply this paste to the injured nail. The bleeding will be stopped.
Safety Hacks
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Identification made easier – get your pup microchipped
A microchip comes in handy when dealing with a pet lost in a park or some crowded place. It helps to scan the owner’s information, which leads to a quick meet up. The microchip allows pet owners to claim ownership in case of disputes.
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Special care when swimming
Keep a close eye on the dogs whenever they interact with water. Let it be a swimming pool or a beach; dogs must be cared for, even if they are the best swimmers. This way, you can protect them from getting drowned or other accidents.
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Going for a hunt? Use orange bandana
If you plan to go for a hunting season with your four-legged partner, make sure you both wear bright colors (yellow or orange are the best.) A dog wearing an orange-colored bandana is easy to locate while hunting.
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Safety measures during car travel
Dogs love going for long or short drives with their owners. If your pooch also sticks out the head from the windows, try to restrain their movement. You can tighten the leash or limit them in a dog carrier. Otherwise, they will damage their ears or head (in case it collides with any pole or hurdle). Here you have some Dog Travel Tricks & Tips.
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Protecting kids from dog bites
Teach your kids not to pet strange dogs unless permitted by the elders. Every year, there are millions of injuries reported in which a strange dog bites a child.
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Keep harmful edibles at a distant
Some human foods may not be good for the dog’s health. Candies, gums, and drinks are often sugary and toxic for pets. Keep them in a hidden place, so there is no chance of your dog eating those prohibited items.
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Avoid contact with poisonous items
Dispose of the toxic chemicals, including the garbage, safely. Don’t allow the dog to access the garbage cans. Use baby locks to protect the dogs from sniffing or munching on toxic substances.
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A wagging tail may be pointing towards danger
Universally, it is considered that a wagging tail is a symbol of a happy pooch. Well, other than happiness, a dog also shakes its tail when there is some danger or insecurity around. They do when an intruder plunges the fence or when afraid of something. Make sure the children stay away from a wagging canine. It can be harmful to the kids.
This one was the last dog life hacks!
The Final Word
We have shortlisted fifty dog life hacks to make your life easier. Which of these have you already tried? Did you find a new dog life hack that adds fun and reduces the complexity of petting a dog? Have you got more tips and tricks to share? Let us know in the comments below!
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