14 Hacks That'll Make Life Easier For Every Dog Owner

Being a dog parent is incredibly rewarding, but like everything worthwhile in life, it comes with many challenges and enormous responsibility. Making sure your pup's essential needs are met, cleaning up after them, and providing them with enrichment can all feel like a part-time job. From time to time, you might even feel guilty for cutting playtime short to tackle tedious chores like vacuuming fur off of the sofa.

In the digital age, pet parents from around the world have flocked online to share their top tricks to make dog ownership more efficient. From cleaning tips to easy at-home pill pockets, these clever hacks will allow you to spend less time on pet-related chores and more time playing fetch and giving belly scratches. They'll even turn the tasks your pup doesn't enjoy quite as much, like bath time and nail trimming, into bonding experiences that you both can look forward to.

Cleaning up pet hair is a small price to pay for a dog's companionship, but it's still a battle many humans face. If you're having trouble getting stubborn fur out of the sofa, carpet, or other upholstery, ditch the vacuum and put on a clean pair of disposable rubber gloves. Rub your hands vigorously over upholstered furniture, and any remaining hairs will stick to them like a magnet. Depending on the type of fabric or upholstery, you might find that wetting the gloves makes them more effective at removing hair. It's worth experimenting to figure out whether dry or damp gloves work best for each surface.

This hack works great on clothing, too. Instead of carrying around cumbersome lint rollers that constantly need to be replenished, just keep a pair of rubber gloves on hand to remove unsightly hairs from clothes on the go. They're lightweight enough to throw in a purse or jacket pocket without taking up space. Since they don't cost very much, you might also want to think about keeping a few different pairs stashed in convenient places, like your car's glove box or a desk drawer at the office.

Puppies who can't seem to stop peeing in the same spot on the floor often do so because their sensitive noses pick up even the faintest remnants of previous accidents. While commercial enzymatic cleansers are a standard first line of defense against pet odor, baking soda also effectively removes the smell of dog urine and can help eliminate the temptation for your pup to go there again. It's safe to use on both hardwood floors and carpet.

To use this cleaning hack, start by sprinkling baking soda over the wet area. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight until completely dry before vacuuming it up. If the smell remains, try rewetting the area with a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water, and repeat the process until it's completely eliminated. Just be sure to secure your pet away from the area until all remnants of baking soda have been removed; when ingested in large quantities, baking soda can be toxic to dogs.

Retailers like Amazon are filled with puzzle toys to keep your dog mentally stimulated, but you can also make your own DIY challenges using nothing more than an old towel. Instead of pouring your pup's dinner into their usual bowl, lay a towel flat on the floor and scatter their kibble evenly across it. Roll the towel up tightly and set it on the floor for your pup to enjoy. These homemade puzzles are an excellent way to slow down your dog's eating speed while meeting their enrichment needs.

As your pup gets better at the solving the rolled-towel puzzle, you can twist it into different configurations or even braid multiple towels together to create a more advanced challenge. For a fun variation, replace the towel with a chenille bath mat like the Yimobra Chenille Bathroom Rug or the Gorilla Grip Bath Rug Mat. The bath mat's texture will provide your dog a totally new experience as they figure out how to retrieve the kibble.

Anyone who's ever administered monthly heartworm medication can attest to how difficult it is to persuade a dog to take a pill. Pill pockets, or tasty treats with hollow centers designed to hide pills, make medications much easier to administer and more enjoyable for your pup to take. They're available to buy in most pet stores, but you can save yourself a trip and a few dollars by making them at home.

The easiest homemade pill pocket recipe consists of just flour, milk, and xylitol-free peanut butter. You can combine these ingredients into a kneadable dough, and from there, the world is your oyster — you can make pill pockets as small or large as you need. You can keep homemade pill pockets frozen for up to three months in an airtight container.

When following any homemade recipe for dogs that calls for peanut butter, it's imperative to check the label on the peanut butter jar and make sure it doesn't contain xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener commonly added to peanut butter and is a common food that is dangerous to dogs. Even tiny amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition associated with vomiting, confusion, and seizures. If your dog experiences any of these symptoms after eating peanut butter, bring them to an emergency veterinarian immediately.

Frozen fruits and vegetables make healthy treats for hot days that will keep your dog entertained for hours, as well as hydrated. One such popular treat involves boiling large carrots in broth until tender before freezing them, effectively turning them into pup-friendly popsicles. To make this recipe as safe as possible for your dog, look for a natural bone broth without any extra ingredients like salt, garlic, or onion. After all, the latter two are toxic to your doggos.

Other tasty options for frozen summertime snacks include bananas, peaches, oranges, watermelon, cucumbers, strawberries, and pineapple, all of which are safe for your dog to eat as long as all rinds, seeds, and stems have been removed. However, stay away from grapes, cherries, avocado, and tomatoes, as these may present potential health issues if consumed by your pup. If you're uncertain about whether any specific food is or isn't safe for your pet to eat, ask your veterinarian before giving them it.

Winter is a challenging time for dog owners. Your pup's need for regular exercise doesn't just go away during the colder months, but snowy conditions tend to make walks uncomfortable because ice can accumulate on their paws. Some types of ice melts used to keep sidewalks clear can even cause painful chemical burns upon contact with your dog's skin.

To protect your dog's delicate paw pads from salt and chemicals during snowy walks, cover them with a thin layer of Vaseline before heading out the door. This hack has long been used by sled-dog handlers who participate in mushing. They often rely on petroleum jelly-based products like Vaseline to protect their dogs' feet during races that sometimes require traversing many miles of frozen terrain.

Don't forget to wipe any remaining Vaseline off with a towel as soon as you get home from your walk. While Vaseline isn't toxic to dogs, it's not a great idea to let them lick it off. If your dog does consume Vaseline, keep an eye on them and call your vet if any concerning symptoms arise.

It's hard to find a dog who loves getting a bath, but this hack might just have your pup jumping into the tub. Next time they need a thorough washing, make the experience more exciting by spreading peanut butter on the side of the tub or shower. They'll be so busy licking off the tasty treat they might not even notice getting lathered up.

Peanut butter isn't the only spreadable treat that works for bath-time rewards. To switch things up, try swapping in alternatives like unsweetened applesauce, plain Greek yogurt, or pumpkin puree. No matter which combinations you decide to try, be sure to review ingredients lists carefully before letting your pup sample any new foods. Never give them anything that contains xylitol, a common artificial sweetener that's poisonous to dogs and can cause potentially fatal health consequences.

If you prefer not to create any extra mess in the bathroom, try putting your ingredient of choice on a licking mat designed for tub use, such as the Aquapaw Premium Licking Mat or the Dog Washing Distraction Device. These rubber mats attach to shower walls with suction cups and make for a much easier cleanup. They're also textured to keep your dog occupied for longer.

Clipping nails can be a frustrating experience for both dogs and their humans, particularly when a small slip can mean accidentally cutting into your pup's delicate skin. The shower cap hack is a genius way to get your dog to sit still during nail trims — although you might find yourself looking a bit goofy in the process.

First, cover your own head with a plastic shower cap. Smear a generous spoonful of a tasty treat like peanut butter or plain Greek yogurt on the part of the shower cap that covers the top of your head, taking care to ensure no potentially toxic ingredients like xylitol are included in the ingredients. Show your dog the delicious treat and, once they're fully occupied licking up every bit, take one paw gently at a time and start trimming.

Don't have a shower cap lying around? A roll of kitchen plastic wrap works just as well. Simply tear off a 3- to 4-foot long section and wrap it securely around your head.

Oral care is one of many grooming routine steps that most dogs find less than enjoyable. If your dog is particularly resistant to having their teeth brushed, there's an easy trick to clean their mouth without a struggle. Instead of using a toothbrush, spread dog-friendly toothpaste on your pup's favorite rubber or rope chew toy. The texture of the toy and the cleaning properties of the toothpaste are surprisingly effective at removing plaque and keeping dental disease at bay. You can even squeeze the toothpaste on larger dog treats that take a while to be chewed and consumed.

@social_work_therapy_dog

My lazy day dog dental hack to get some toothpaste on my dogs teeth #dogdentaltreats #dogdentalhealth #dogdentalchews #dogdentalchew #dogtoothpaste #dogteethclean #brushyourdogsteeth #dentalife #vohcapproved

♬ Countryside – Andrew Joy

Whether you opt for the chew toy hack or a traditional toothbrush, be sure to use a dog toothpaste specifically approved for veterinary use, like the Petrodex Toothpaste for Dogs and Puppies or the Nutri-Vet Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs. Not only is human toothpaste's minty flavor much less appealing than common dog toothpaste flavors like chicken and peanut butter, but it can also make them sick. Human toothpaste often contains ingredients like salt and xylitol that are known to cause a range of serious symptoms, ranging from gastrointestinal issues to potentially fatal seizures in pets.

There may be no end to the number of creative DIY puzzles you can make for your dog out of items around the house. One particularly easy game that has gained popularity on the internet requires a clean, empty muffin tin and a dozen tennis balls. You'll also need your dog's kibble or one of its favorite low-calorie treats.

Set up the puppy puzzle by dropping a treat or small handful of kibble into the bottom of the muffin-tin cup. Once you've distributed the prize, cover each cup with a tennis ball. Your dog will need to figure out how to get the tennis balls out of the tin to reach the tasty treat underneath. Since this puzzle requires so many treats, you might want to steer clear of high-fat processed dog treats in favor of fruits and vegetables your dog can eat like blueberries, carrots, or apple slices.

Active pet parents who take their pups for frequent walks or runs might enjoy having their hands free for sipping coffee or taking cute photos. This can be achieved by making a DIY hands-free leash out of a simple carabiner; just clip the end of your dog's leash to the carabiner and attach it to your belt, backpack, or stroller. You can even attach multiple leashes to the same carabiner.

Of course, this hack should only be used if you have excellent leash control over your dog. If your pup is prone to hard pulling or bolting, keep the leash in your hand for safety reasons. To minimize the risk of falling or tripping, you might want to try a bungee leash like the OutdoorMaster Bungee Dog Leash or the JoyTale Tactical Dog Leash. This type of leash will give your dog more room to explore without tugging and knocking you off of your balance.

If your new puppy won't stop destroying furniture and other belongings, an anti-chewing spray might be the perfect solution to make them lose interest. This all-natural chewing deterrent is made from ingredients that are perfectly safe to use around your pup. However, they smell and taste bad enough that your dog will no longer be tempted to gnaw anywhere that's been treated.

To prepare a homemade anti-chewing spray, look no further than your kitchen: All you need is apple cider vinegar and white vinegar. Simply spray a mixture of the two lightly over any surface you'd like to keep your pup away from, such as table legs and the corners of sofas. It's also safe to use on other household items, like shoes, although you may want to do a spot test first just to be sure you won't damage your belongings. If your pup does happen to lick the sprayed area out of curiosity, don't worry — vinegar isn't toxic to dogs in small quantities.

This viral hack that has taken off among parents of young children is also the perfect solution to puppy-proof your home office. Instead of confining your pup to a playpen, make the entire home accessible by constructing the playpen within the office and setting your desk up within its walls. This will keep wires and expensive equipment inaccessible while still letting your dog spend time with you on work from home days.

@aorellanaa

when you gotta put your work station in a playpen because you have a toddler 😂 #sahm #toddlermomlife #momofboys #smallbusiness #workstation #sidehustle

♬ original sound – Ana 🖤

This hack works great to keep kids and pets away from the Christmas tree, too. Christmas trees can pose a particular hazard due to their small parts and electrical wiring. In fact, evergreen trees themselves are poisonous to dogs with the potential to cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and more serious cardiac issues. By setting the Christmas tree up within a playpen to keep it out of reach of curious paws and mouths, the whole family can enjoy the season safely.

Separation anxiety is a common woe for dogs who become particularly attached to their human. While some dogs suffer from this type of anxiety throughout their entire lives, others can develop it suddenly in response to a major life change such as moving to a new house or experiencing the death of a family member. In extreme cases, canine separation anxiety can lead to noise complaints from neighbors and destruction around the home.

If your dog is struggling with anxiety when left alone, turning old and unwanted clothing into bedding can help. Place a worn, unwashed T-shirt or pair of jeans in their bed or crate; if the item has been washed, wear it around for a day first. For an even more effective strategy, record your voice and play it at low volume when leaving the house. Your dog will take comfort in the presence of your scent and the sound of your voice even when you can't physically be home.