Dog-proofing 101: 10 tips to build the ultimate dog-friendly home

Is your home dog-friendly enough?

If you’ve decided to adopt a pupper or simply wish to make your space more dog-friendly for your current doggo, we’ve got you.

Just like your home should make you feel comfortable, the same goes for your furry friend.

From providing endless toys to making sure your dog has a snug bed, loving your dog means creating a space where they can thrive. 

It’s all about making small adjustments that lead to big tail wags.

We’re drawn up a list of how to create a dog-friendly home. This list works no matter what breed you have (and they apply to cat homes too). 

Here are the 10 best ways to create a dog-friendly home

1. Get durable, paw-friendly floors

Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but your pets are not as concerned about keeping things spotless.

Instead of dealing with scratches on floors that will never go away, get durable hard-surface floors. 

The messes your pooch makes will also be much easier to clean up.

Having the right kind of flooring in place means choosing materials that are paw- and claw-friendly so that your dog is able to get ‘traction’ when on their feet.

Good options to consider include vinyl, bamboo, ceramic or certain tile flooring. 

Think about it: How would you feel if you fell down every time you stood up or tried to walk around?

2. Install gated partitions

As much as we love our dogs, there are always places in our homes where we’d like to keep them out.

Places like the kitchen, a room with fragile belongings, or the even the bathroom can be dangerous.

As much as we love our dogs unconditionally, they are easier to love when they have not destroyed all your toilet paper rolls.

The best and simplest way to keep your dog out of trouble would be to use pet gates like this one by Pawland.

Needless to say, the biggest benefits of these partitions is keeping your pup safe.

But before you go ahead and purchase a gate, make sure to check your dog’s height so you’re able to pick the right-sized partitions. 

It wouldn’t be much of a partition if your dog can jump over it!

3. Set up a play zone

Why not dedicate some space for your dog to play?

This may sound like overkill, but it doesn’t mean that you have to clear out an entire room for your dog to romp around in. 

This arrangement can be as simple has having a play pen where all its toys are kept. It helps create a sense of order in your home.

Training your dog to keep things in place and rewarding him with treats will also be helpful for you in the long run.

This means no more tripping over a chewed-up plush toy with all the stuffing falling out in unexpected places.

4. Consider bathtime shenanigans

If you have the resources and space, it could be helpful to set up a designated bath space.

This could be a dedicated bath tub for your dog similar to those found at the pet groomer’s.

It will save your shower from being clogged up with fur. 

However, not everyone has the luxury of space. If you do share bathing facilities opt for a sturdy drain hair catcher (handy for those of us with long hair too). 

No matter what size your dog is, regular trips to the groomers will help keep their hair tamed and make bath time and easier affair. 

5. Swap curtains for blinds

Dogs can often be hyperactive and need a way to work off their energy.

If your dog lives primarily indoors, you will want to prevent that energy from destroying your curtains by replacing them with wooden bamboo blinds. 

To keep your blinds out of your pooch’s way, simply roll it up and there you go: Disaster averted in your dog-friendly home.

Bonus: Blinds are also a lot easier to clean compared to fabric curtains.

6. Secure your breakables

This one may sound like common sense, but amidst the chaos of everyday life, it can be easy to overlook.

First, you don’t want your dog swallowing small, valuable items like your jewellery, so keep them secure in drawers or high shelves.

Second, you don’t want your dog to knocking over delicate collectibles like ceramic vases or glass sculptures, both of which can result in costly vet visits.

Apart from the monetary aspects of this habit, remember that prevention is always better than cure.

It might be handy to keep your breakables out of reach or securing them to surfaces with tape or blue tac. Training your dog from an early age can also help prevent such accidents.

7. Simplify your dog-friendly home storage

Collars, leashes, dog medicine, outdoor dog toys, towels and the like should be kept near the entrance of your home for easy (and central) access. 

This way, you never have to think twice about where to look for something when it comes to your four-legged best friend.

Essentials like towels are helpful for wiping down your pooch if it’s been trekking in mud or cleaning up ‘accidents’ quickly so they don’t damage your floors or furniture.

Especially for accidents on your sofa and other soft furnishings, keep your eco-friendly cleaning solutions at the ready in a designated spot so you can act quickly. 

8. Have more dog beds for a dog-friendly home

Many dogs develop a favourite spot at home.

Often they still like to move from room to room and hang out in different spaces, depending on where you are.

They lovingly become your tail. 

Have a designated space in the rooms you hang out the most in. This can be as elaborate as a dog bed or as simple as a plush carpet or mat.

This makes your dog-friendly home more fun for your fur pal with different textures and levels of comfort. 

Variety isn’t just great for humans – dogs like it too.

9. Choose the perfect dining spot

A fixed eating area and sticking to a regular time for meals is good training for your canine. 

This is helpful when you’re trying to establish a daily routine as consistency is crucial.

If you have a fast eater on your hands, try investing in a maze dog bowl like this one from Outward Hound so your dog has no choice but to eat more slowly.

To make mealtimes more comfortable, consider getting an elevated dog bowl holder. This one from Pet Zone, can be adjusted to your dog’s height.

These additions may seem small, but they can go a long way in making nourishment enjoyable, safe and comfortable for your furry best friend.

10. Buy pet-friendly furniture

When you have pets, your sofa will likely end up one of the hardest-hit victims of abuse.

Ok, Ok, we’re being dramatic – wear and tear is more like it.

We’re talking scratches, stains and stuffing being ripped out, resulting in the complete destruction of your sofa.

The general rule of thumb for preventing this kind of damage is to train your dog at an early stage. 

You can also reupholster your sofa in a pet-friendly sofa fabric that’s more tightly-woven so claws and teeth have trouble digging into it.

If the cost of reupholstery isn’t a good fit for your budget, try a removable, machine-washable sofa slipcover. They are a fraction of the cost.

We would recommend our Signature Velvet, Signature Microfibre or Care+ Tweed sofa covers for this very task. 

Not only are these couch covers scratch resistant, but they are stain-resistant and machine washable. 

To find the perfect fabric for your space and lifestyle, have our slipcover fabric samples sent right to your doorstep here: