How to Protect the Furniture from Your Dog

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How to Protect the Furniture from Your Dog

Staff Writer · Nov 23, 2009

As a pet owner, you understand that your dog will cause the occasional accident around the house. But, you also worked hard for that suede sofa sectional and that grand oak dining room set. Your goal is to protect your furniture from the chewing that your beloved dog is notorious for. Being a dog owner does not mean you have to sacrifice your expensive furniture. There are a few things that you can do to protect your furniture from your dog.

Supervision at All Times

Some dogs can experience separation anxiety while you are away. Others are just heavy chewers that will chew anything they can get in their mouth. And leaving your dog unattended can lead to the inevitable destruction of your furniture. A good way to avoid all of this is to make sure that they are never left unsupervised. That way you never have to leave your furniture to chance.

You may also want to invest in some baby gates. While dog gates can be expensive, baby gates work just as well. Find a particular area of your home where you can gate your dog off and put up your gates. This will give him plenty of room to play and will limit his exposure to furniture that he might be inclined to chew on.

Provide Chew Toys

Another way to ensure the safety of your furniture is to make sure that your dog always has something to chew on. There are a variety of good products on the market for both heavy chewers and light chewers. Not only do chew toys help to keep your dog’s teeth clean, but it helps them to be distracted from other objects in your house. No matter what type of chewer your dog is, providing him with chewable toys will help distract him from your furniture.

Cage Training

If you come home one day to find that the leg of your grandmother’s 100 year old dining room set has been chewed into saw dust, it may be time to start cage training. Cage training is a substitute for supervision while you are away. If you don’t feel that you can trust your dog enough to leave him alone, cage training may be a viable option. While some pet owners are opposed to leaving their dog in a cage, it can protect the valuable items in your home from ultimate destruction. Cage training will also teach your dog boundaries and help him to learn that not everything in your home is fair game.

Protecting Your Furniture from Shedding

Whether you have a long-haired dog or a short-haired dog makes no difference when it comes to shedding. When your dog is shedding, keeping a lint roller around is a handy trick for keeping that unsightly dog hair on your furniture to a minimum. Just a quick skim of the sofa every day will help to keep your sofa clean.

If training your dog to stay off of the sofa altogether is not working for you, try training him to learn that only one spot on the sofa is for him. Once he learns where his spot is, you can place a bedding sheet or a dog bed in his place for him to lie on. That way, your dog knows his place, and you are providing an element of protection to your sofa.

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