Dog-Friendly House Tips: How to Make Your Dog Feel Comfortable in Every Room

Our dogs truly are family members and, like other family members, should feel comfortable in every room of the house, from the living room to the bedrooms. After all, they want to spend time with their family, which means hanging out where their people do! This requires a dog-friendly house.

Long periods spent alone make your dog feel isolated and unloved. They may also trigger separation anxiety, especially in puppies. Separation anxiety is a widespread problem that pet parents have to deal with. It stems from your dog feeling abandoned whenever you walk out the door. It tends to occur most often in puppies because they've already lost one family (their mother and littermates) and are fearful that they're about to lose another.

Leaving a puppy home while you're at work may trigger their anxiety. Spending quality playtime with them whenever you can helps. So does desensitizing them to the act of leaving by walking out the door and right back in again. Enough repetitions of this for various lengths of time (and it takes a lot!) will eventually teach them to trust that you'll always come back eventually.

What You'll Need When You Bring a New Dog Home

You can find almost everything you'll need for your new dog online, including:

• Dog crate or kennel
• Water bowl
• Food bowl
• Collar or harness
• Leash
• Dog toys
• Treat toys like Kongs and/or food puzzles
• Dog treats (lots of different dog treats!)
• Dog-safe chews (not rawhide!)

However, when it comes to your pup's comfort and health, it's better to look for higher-quality products than you'll typically find at mass-market retailers.

Choose only top-quality products in these categories:

• Food
• Dog beds (especially orthopedic beds)
• Doggie car seats
• Mobility aids such as stairs or ramps
• Bath products

Dog-Proofing Your Home

As a new pet parent, the last thing you want is your new pup to get injured in your home. That's why you'll want to dog-proof your new pet's living quarters. Keeping your dog safe is one of your highest priorities as a dog owner. A dog-friendly house is clean, has plenty of resources for your dog, and gives you ample room to play with and train your dog.

Crate training your pup for when you can't supervise them is one of the best ways to keep them safe. It's also great for potty training! Take them straight out of the crate for potty breaks, followed by short periods of playtime and cuddling before they go back into their snug and safe little den.

Another option is a puppy playpen. Once your pup is a little older, you might want to designate one room of your dog-friendly house as the dog room. This could be the kitchen or a mudroom.

Baby-proof it just as you would for a curious toddler to keep your equally inquisitive puppy safe. Also, be sure to keep electrical cords out of reach. Teething puppies love to chew on them, and that's not good for either the cords or your puppy!

A Dog Will Feel More Comfortable at Home With Proper Training

Dog training is essential if you and your dog are going to live harmoniously together. Unless you're an experienced dog owner used to training dogs, it's generally best to work with a professional dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior.

If you have a new puppy, puppy kindergarten classes are a great way to get in some of that vital early socialization. A pup that learns to take new people, animals, places, and things in stride at an early age will make a much calmer and better-behaved pet when they're older.

Even newly adopted older dogs will benefit from training to help them learn their place in the family and feel comfortable there. Besides, training a dog of any age is a great bonding experience!

The amount of time you spend training your dog now will really pay off later when everyone comments on what a well-behaved dog you have. That good behavior will also make it a lot easier to get a pet sitter when you need one!

Plenty of Exercise Is Essential

A tired dog is almost always a well-behaved dog. A dog that isn't getting enough exercise, on the other hand, will find all kinds of ways to get into trouble. As a loving pet parent, it's your responsibility to ensure that your pooch gets the exercise they need.

Regular walks, coupled with vigorous games of fetch and the like, will provide the mental and physical stimulation your dog needs to stay both healthy and well-behaved. Any dog-friendly house has lots of toys that let you and your pup play together, even if your home is small.

However, Don't Forget Your Dog's Need for Rest

Sometimes, when dogs are worn out from exercise or are surrounded by too much noise and activity, they crave a little alone time. If they have a safe place to go, like another cozy bed in a quiet bedroom or even a closet, they'll often put themselves in a "time-out" just to enjoy a little peace and quiet!

Are you looking for quality pet products to make your new dog feel right at home in your house? Then check out the amazing pet products at Animals Matter!

FAQs

Can a dog stay in one room all day?

Yes, as long as they're comfortable there and they get plenty of attention, playtime, and exercise whenever you're home. As part of having a dog-friendly house, make sure they have water, a comfy dog bed, and a favorite toy to keep them occupied. For example, a Kong stuffed with peanut butter and frozen will keep them happy for hours.

What do you do if a dog is jumping on the furniture?

You may have to train your dog to stay off the furniture. Providing them with a variety of comfortable beds in different locations throughout the house will help, too. Finally, don't reward your naughty pup with cuddles when they get on the forbidden furniture!

Do dogs have a favorite room?

Dogs may have more than one favorite room, depending on how busy your household is. Generally, their favorite room is wherever you are. However, they will also appreciate a quiet place in a dog-friendly house to rest away from household noise.