“Home is where you lay your hat,” they say or, in the case of a dog, just wherever you lay. Dogs love lolling around all over the place, on sofas, beds, rugs … you name it. And wherever your dog has been, inevitably there will be some sort of detritus left behind. That’s why you need a practical plan of action for keeping the house clean, to help both you and your pooch to stay out of trouble.

It goes without saying that cleaning and disinfecting your home on a regular basis is absolutely essential when owning a dog, but you can do even more to keep it squeaky clean. Before you start wondering “Howl I do that?”, take a look at these useful tips:

Not house-trained yet? – not to worry. Unpleasant waste and odour can’t be altogether avoided if your puppy isn’t yet fully trained. However, puppy’s house training mishaps can be dealt with easily and quickly with our award-winning Compostable Poop Bags (https://www.houndandhowl.com/poop-bags-/191-compostable-poop-bags-120.html). They are environmentally friendly, 100% compostable for non-edible flora, and ideal for scooping up poop. Unsightly stains can be avoided by using paper towels to mop up any residues and then cleaning the affected area with a spray containing a solution of vinegar (1 cup) mixed with water (1 cup).

Dog hair and dander are unavoidable irritations when your pooch is living inside. Unfortunately, ‘home is where the dog hair sticks to everything but your hound’. Both hair and dander can latch on to anything from vinyl floors, countertops, desks, ceiling fans or other hard surfaces to clothes, sofas, bedding, cushions and carpets, and they’ll stay in the air for a long period of time. There are several things you can do to minimise the problem. First and foremost, your dog needs regular grooming to bring shedding under control. Keep a lint roller to hand to quickly remove hair and dander from clothing, upholstery and linen. You may also need to vacuum daily to tackle dirt, leaves and other debris your mutt brings into the home. Neutralise odours by shaking baking soda over rugs and carpets before vacuuming.

Store your pet supplies and paraphernalia all together in one place. Pick somewhere easily accessible but away from the kitchen, such as a laundry room, the cupboard under the stairs, or a porch. You will find it much easier to store things in a clean and hygienic way.

Place rugs and mats on the inside and outside of doors leading into your home. Not only will they make great spots for your dog to laze around on (rather than on your furniture), but small mats placed outside will catch any mud or debris your mutt might otherwise bring in on their paws.

Finally, as most of us like to snuggle up with our four-legged friends, consider investing in some inexpensive ornamental throws or blankets that can withstand wear and tear while keeping you both warm. Fabrics that are 100% cotton or an acrylic-cotton blend are best.