• ABOUT
  • PODCAST
  • BLOG
    • MINIMALISM
    • HOME DESIGN AND RENOVATION
    • DIY
    • SEW
    • EAT
    • TRAVEL
  • BOOK
  • CONTACT
  • SUMMER CAMP
  • CREATIVE CAMP
  • NOVIOS RETREAT
  • <iframe frameborder="0" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?p=CTL9280674595&light=true" width="100%" height="482"></iframe>
  • ABOUT
  • PODCAST
  • BLOG
    • MINIMALISM
    • HOME DESIGN AND RENOVATION
    • DIY
    • SEW
    • EAT
    • TRAVEL
  • BOOK
  • CONTACT
  • SUMMER CAMP
  • CREATIVE CAMP
  • NOVIOS RETREAT
Creating A Dog-Friendly Home Where Everyone Feels Welcome
April 30, 2019

Creating A Dog-Friendly Home For Humans

I am a dog person. I grew up with at least one pup sibling at all times (and currently my parents have three under their roof.) Capitan the Springer Spaniel ran circles around us in the yard. Spring Blossom a Yorkshire Terrier was small enough to curl up in my lap, even when I was only five. We had Sadie, Bailey, Prada and Moqui. Each bringing unique personality and that feeling of companionship that a dog so easily adds to life.

The dogs added to life, without taking away from the beauty, cleanliness, or ease of life at home. This had a lot to do with my dad, who was a dedicated dog trainer and asserted himself as Alpha. The dogs, as well as children, knew the home had guidelines for behavior, and we all played by the rules. This helped maintain a dog-friendly home where even people who weren’t dog people felt welcome and comfortable.

I’ve partnered with Febreze to share three tips for striking this important balance at home so you don’t sweat your pet. These are the guidelines we follow to make sure our house feels just right for our fur baby as well as all of our non-dog-loving friends and family. I’m sure some of you have additional tips you could share! Leave them in the comments so we all can benefit!

Dog Space and Human Space

Set Guidelines

First, choose where the dog(s) are allowed to sit. In our house, we have decided the furniture is for the humans and Quincy has a cozy dog bed that she can retire to when she needs something more soft and supportive to lay on. Most of the time when we are home, she curls up on the rug near our feet to be pet and cuddled.

This decision is best made when the dog is a puppy, or recently introduced into the home, so that it is clear and consistent. When Quincy was younger I sat on the rug myself to pet and hold her, so she didn’t get used to sitting on the couch. That way, as she grew into the large dog she now is, she was clear on where she was allowed to lounge.

People Feel Comfortable

I know that from time to time when no one is home she will curl up on the couch to look out the window. This works for me because she knows that when humans are in the space, the couch is for them. That means we can have friends over and be sure Quincy won’t try to sit on their lap or climb up beside them on the couch. This simple guideline makes all of our lives easier!

Fresh Grooming, Fresh Air, and Fresh Fabric

Fresh Grooming

Even dog lovers don’t love dog smell. Just like humans, dogs need regular grooming and hygiene. We take Quincy to get a bath about one a month, take her for a full grooming appointment once a quarter and brush her coat ourselves at home at least once a week! Knowing what type of maintenance the breed of dog you choose is an important part of the decision to bring a dog home. Regardless of breed, however, every dog will need regular care and cleaning for health.

Fresh Air

Even a freshly groomed dog can add that funky doggie smell to the air, especially in the summer when they run inside and outside, exploring and even getting wet. Between baths and grooming I love to use Febreze AIR Heavy Duty Pet Odor Eliminator to capture and erase the pet odors floating around our home.  One of my favorite compliments I’ve received as a pet owner is that walking inside my home you would never know a dog lived there until you saw her.

Fresh Fabric

In addition to keeping the air fresh with bursts of Febreze AIR, being able to target the fabrics where Quincy hangs out is a simple part of my cleaning routine. She is completely potty trained, which is very helpful in keeping pet odor to a minimum, and we still have areas that need regular pet deodorizing. I spray Febreze FABRIC Pet Odor Eliminator onto the upholstered couch where she sometimes lounges when we’re not home. I also use it on her own dog bed, the rugs, and often in my car where she hangs out with me on long drives. 

Having a simple go-to refresher spray is really helpful and keeps my pet-odor maintenance to a minimum. While I love the whole line by. Febreze, these new pet-specific air and fabric products are safe and effective to target pet odors specifically. They’ve been a great addition to my arsenal of tools for maintaining a pet-friendly home where humans also feel welcome. These pet-specific products can be found at Target, Walmart, Kroger and now PetSmart and Petco.

Corral The Toys

Designate A Basket 

The last guideline I want to share today is about giving the pet toys a home within the home. Just like when I had toddlers at home, the dog toys can end up all over the house and make it feel overrun by the dog! By designating a basket for dog chew toys and balls I have been able to easily pull them out at playtime, and put them away when we are moving onto a different activity. I like to keep our dog toys beneath the sink by the back door, where we are most likely to go out and use them in the sunshine or grab a chew toy for her to use inside on a rainy day.

Keep Leashes By The Door

Just like the toys, dog leashes can end up all over the house if you haven’t given them a specific place to live. Ours hang on a hook next to the front door so I can easily grab one on the way out for a walk. I can also quickly hang it up when we return home. This seems like such a simple principal, but you would be surprised how many people I have met who don’t have a system for these types of things!

Organize Dog Tools

In addition to the toys and leashes, I have a small bin where the rest of Quincy’s stuff belongs. By keeping her grooming tools, medications and supplements, extra collars, and training treats all in one place, I can easily find what I need for her and I also don’t spread the dog accouterments around the whole house. Just the same way my kids each have designated drawers and cupboards for their belongings, so does Quincy.  

Simple Tips Make A Big Impact

Through years and years of owning and loving dogs, I have seen how families with simple guidelines can maintain a beautiful, dog-friendly home where everyone feels welcome. I have also seen how some homes quickly become ruled by the dog(s) making it not as fun or fresh-smelling of a place for humans to hang out.

I hope these simple tips have given you some ideas for how you might strike a great balance in your home with a happy, loved, and cared for pup who contributes to the family and home without overrunning it. Or if you are deciding whether or not to take the plunge into pet-ownership, know that it is possible to maintain a lovely home and also own a pet.

Share

Home Improvement

  • ABOUT

    Welcome! I’m Miranda, the maker mama behind Live Free Creative Company.

  • More Than Enough Book


    Have you ever felt like you were running a race you couldn’t win in life? Like there was always something more to buy or to achieve in order for you to feel like you had “made it”?In this book, I share how my heart changed and I began to find real, lasting peace, abundance, and joy through focusing on what matters most and disregarding the rest.

    Find out more here.

  • ConvertKit Form

    Five Days to Freedom: Tips for Choosing Less Stuff and More Adventure in your Daily Life

    Five lessons with practical tips and exercises to help you feel more in control of your life!

    Success!

    There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit
  • Recent on Instagram

    livefreemiranda

    The final episode this year of Live Free Creative The final episode this year of Live Free Creative Podcast dropped this morning: a look back at 2022 and an invitation to reflect. 

Often, it is in the remembering and retelling of our own stories where meaning is made. With a little distance, we can usually see more clearly how our experiences have changed us. This self-awareness is a beautiful place from where we can step into the future with added clarity and hopefully a measure of compassion and peace. 

Tune in on your favorite podcast app. 💛 #livefreecreativepodcast
    This last week of the year is talked about like a This last week of the year is talked about like a Bermuda Triangle of time warp— I think it is the *perfect* time for reflection. Not hustle, goal-setting, or even planning (though I love a good plan😉). 

This is the time to look back with clear and honest eyes on the challenges, joys, disappointments, and fulfillments of the last year and make some meaning of it all. Accepting who and where we are now with grace and love can help us proceed into the next right step with compassion and clarity. 

2022 was one of my personal toughest. It was simultaneously filled with light and laughter. A beautiful mess. 💛

What was one of your favorite moments of the last year? Feel free to share below. I’d love to hear!
    I’ve spent a long time curious about optimism- w I’ve spent a long time curious about optimism- what it really looks like and how it is evidenced in real life. 

Learning about explanatory styles helped clarify some of the nuances of optimistic people acknowledging and accepting negative events and emotions without being taken down by them. 

Optimism is not toxic positivity, it is the perspective that although negative things occur, they are usually temporary, impersonal and specific. 

These illustrations can help you clarify the difference between how an optimist and a pessimist may describe positive and negative events— and listening to episode 217 of Live Free Creative Podcast can help with some practical ideas for building your optimism muscle. 💪😃

#livefreecreativepodcast
    One semester down of the Master of Applied Positiv One semester down of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at @uofpenn 🙌. 

After over two decades of interest in and self-study of the ideas of happiness, progress, and what makes life worth living, it has been a dream come true to dive even deeper with the guidance of great professors, guest lecturers, and classmates. It is a ton of work, and also reminds me that most truly worthwhile things are. ❤️

Cheers to lifelong learning, growing, and flourishing! 🌱🌲 

(These are a small sample of the hundreds of pages of books, journal articles, and essays I’ve dug into this semester. All of these are easily accessible, and fun to read. Highly recommend!)

#positivepsychology #selfdevelopmentbooks
#pennpov
    Let’s talk about OPTIMISM! 😊 Many people (fa Let’s talk about OPTIMISM! 😊

Many people (falsely) assume that optimism means ignoring negative events or emotions. Instead, optimism is the perspective with which one views negative emotions and events: as temporary, changeable, and impersonal. 

For (very simple) example, when an optimistic person stubs her toe, she might think “Ouch! That hurts! That step came out of nowhere… I’ll look out for it next time.” 

In contrast, a pessimist might stub her toe and think “Ouch! That hurts! Why do I always get hurt? I’m such a klutz.”

Optimistic people tend to see negative events as occasional, and positive events as the norm. They tune their attention to things that do or could go right, rather than giving all the weight to things that do or could go wrong. 

Additionally, optimism can be LEARNED and PRACTICED, with amazing and beneficial outcomes on life satisfaction, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Do you consider yourself more of an optimist or a pessimist?

Listen to #livefreecreativepodcast this week for a deep dive into Optimism! 🌤️
    Paper Person for LIFE ✌️ I write plans, lists Paper Person for LIFE ✌️

I write plans, lists, to-do’s, outlines, notes, dreams, memories, and stories on good old fashioned paper (preferably 80# cotton mohawk paper with a .3 muji pen 😉).

Did you know research shows that writing by hand (versus typing) activates different parts of the brain and can increase understanding, perception, memory, motor skills, and even creativity? While typing and tech definitely have their benefits, writing by hand, on paper, is still an important, valid, and (in my personal experience) cathartic experience.

If you’ve been around a while, you know @golden.coil is my favorite, (sister-owned) customizable planner and notebook company. 📒

Who else has a paper brain like me? 🙋🏻‍♀️
    What expectations do you have for the holidays? Or What expectations do you have for the holidays? Or for the New Year?

I’d love to hear about them. And invite you to consider how developing appreciate (instead of/alongside) expectation can build your well-being and positive emotions. 

Listen to Episode 216 of #livefreecreativepodcast for a more in-depth discussion. 💚
    Expectations are normal— but are they helpful? Expectations are normal— but are they helpful?

Unmet expectations lead to disappointment on the one end of the spectrum and resentment or even anger on the other. 

In contrast, appreciation increases positivity, motivation, and resilience. 

Neither expectations nor appreciation cost us anything… so which do we want to intentionally invite into our lives? 💛

Listen to Episode 216 for more insights. #livefreecreativepodcast
    One wall, one quart of green paint, three hours of One wall, one quart of green paint, three hours of procrastinating folding laundry: a gorgeous new office space. 💚💁🏻‍♀️

Sometimes we need to JUST GO FOR IT when the urge to improve strikes, even if it doesn’t make sense. Pausing a hundred small to-do’s so you can accomplish one with long-lasting impact feels amazing. 

(I think picking up this incredible @thicketdesign serpent and butterfly painting from @frameofmindrva was the push I needed to make it happen. 😍) 

What small home project would make the biggest positive impact for you right now?

#livefreeabode
    The halls are decked, there’s a log on the fire, The halls are decked, there’s a log on the fire, and a cozy holiday playlist of podcast favorites for the season on the speaker. 🔥👉

Swipe for a list of Holiday Season episodes that will invite some intention, creativity, joy, and magic into your life this season. 🎙️🎁

Find a link to the full Spotify Playlist in the story highlight (after the last couple weeks I KNOW how many of you love Spotify 🤭)

What holiday-themed episode do you want to hear next? Drop ideas in the comments! 

#livefreecreativepodcast #livefreeabode
    Connection builds resilience, reduces stress, and Connection builds resilience, reduces stress, and makes us happier! ✨

While this last year (um…2-3 years? 🫠) has been difficult on many levels, it has also felt very connective. Weird how challenges can do that: build meaning and strengthen relationships. 

Our family has leaned on simple habits routines to deepen our connection: nightly family dinner, walking to school together, weekly dates for Dave and me, family vacation and weekend getaways to leave it all behind and simply have fun together! 

What are you doing to intentionally build/maintain your connection to those who matter most to you? 

(Thank you @mollyhunterphotography for capturing our family so beautifully!)
    Inviting the hygge of the season into this new hom Inviting the hygge of the season into this new home. 🎄

In a lot of ways, 2022 has been one of the toughest years we’ve experienced. From health challenges, family tragedies, and heartbreak to difficult personal growth, we have been just barely keeping our heads above water.

This Christmastime, I am grateful for the hope and peace of accepting and integrating what is, exercising non-judgement and optimism in the face of obstacles, and the power of close friendships and relationships to ease the load. 💛

Sending love and light to you this season, whether hope-filled or heart-wrenching or a little of both. ✨

#livefreeabode
    Load More... Follow @livefreemiranda on Instagram
  • FAVORITE CATEGORIES

    • DIY
    • SEW
    • DECORATE
    • EAT
    • LIFE
    • TRAVEL



© Copyright 2021 Live Free Creative Co | View our Privacy Policy