A Hassle-Free Guide to Cleaning with Dogs

Our dogs can be tough work! Most pups shed hair that aggravates allergies, many bring dirt and who-knows-what from the back garden, and not all will do their business where you want them to. Living with a dog does not need to be messy. Implementing a simple cleaning routine (as well as some training) can make a massive improvement to the cleanliness of your playful pup, as well as your family home. 

The hassle-free guide to cleaning your home with dogs is split into three regular tasks - daily, weekly, monthly and ad hoc. Once you create a habit to expel your dog’s mess, it’s far easier to maintain consistently. The most efficient way to do this is daily maintenance, followed by less regular yet more involved cleaning tasks. After you optimise your routine, address the underlying cause by training your dog to engage in desirable behaviours. Here is the guide:

The daily woof

If you can commit to this basic daily routine, living a spotless life with your pet will almost be a reality. It takes about ten minutes and is perfect for doing before bed, ensuring you wake up to a clean home. 

Weekly ruff around

Everybody loves a good Sunday clean (or the result of it at least). If possible, put your dog and any other pet outside with a treat during your chores - we wouldn’t want them getting in the way.

Off-leash monthly cleaning

A new month means it’s time to wash and reset. Your dog’s bedding, blankets, toys and fabric leads can be thrown in the washing machine. Other hard toys should be hand-washed and left to dry naturally. Empty your furry friend’s food and treat containers and give them a proper soapy wash, making sure no mould has formed. Most importantly bathe your dog and keep them sparkly fresh, although they may dislike it initially, they will surely thank you later!

Do these when paw-sible 

Depending on your dog’s breed, temperament and lifestyle - you may need to do a range of other tasks to keep your home (and your lives) in top condition. 

• Check and refresh all your pup’s food, treats as well as any other medications they might have. Are they within their use-by dates?

• Wash all your windows and glass doors. Your dog’s saliva is not a friendly site for visitors!

• Keep a record of your pet’s upcoming vet appointments, training regime, vaccinations or any other doggy services they are booked into.

Train your dog to be clean

Your dog can’t control how they let their hair go or put on some gloves to help you clean up around the home. Nonetheless, they can do their part to help your home stay clean. Your dog should not make a mess anymore than they need to. They also shouldn’t relieve themselves inside, damage your furniture or dig up your backyard. 

“Teaching your dog basic training commands may help improve their behaviour”

Teaching your dog basic training commands such as ‘sit’, ‘heel’, ‘down’ and ‘stay’ can go a long way in influencing their behaviour and earning their respect and obedience. Just as alleviating boredom through fun and engaging toys can prevent unruly or damaging behaviour. 

An electronic dog training collar (e-collar) is a great tool to enhance your dog’s obedience, prevent excessive barking and help in maintaining an organised and clean home. They’re a very effective and safe option to reinforce your dog’s good conduct while out and about or around the house. E-collars use a remote to provide mild stimuli, such as a high-pitched sound, vibration or mild-static to discourage unwanted behaviour and reinforce commands while off-leash. 

A quality, well-calibrated dog training e-collar is an excellent & safe tool that can ensure training and connecting with your dog remains a stress-free experience. Dog Gear offers trusted electronic dog training collars, utilising warning tones to prompt your pup safely. With free Australian shipping and same-day dispatch, our products will be with you fast. Follow us on Facebook for the latest advice, updates and dog training tips!