Having a dog as part of your family is an enormous privilege. However, it’s important to take steps to ensure both you and your dog have the most positive experiences possible.
This includes making certain that the spaces your dog interacts with are safe and secure. Certainly, there may be some physical adjustments you need to make to the furniture and features. But you should also focus on some behavioral training that minimizes negative actions.
Let’s look at some aspects you should consider when dog-proofing for every environment.
Your Home
Your home is perhaps one of the important spaces to dog-proof through training and other resources. After all, this is likely to be the place they spend the most time in.
One of the main unwanted behaviors to minimize in the home is a tendency toward destruction. Chewing, scratching, and even jumping can cause physical damage, of course. But it may also be a gateway for more unruly actions. Often, this is a case of them not having sufficient stimulation. Therefore, a training exercise you should focus on here is providing other forms of enrichment.
This might include:
- Giving them robust chew toys: Make sure these are not similar in shape to the household items they may like to destroy. When they exhibit destructive behavior in the house, make a point of redirecting their attention to the object they are allowed to chew on.
- Introducing challenging scenarios: As destructive behavior can often come from a lack of mental stimulation, you may find it useful to regularly challenge them. Invest in interactive toys, particularly those that provide a puzzle with a treat at the end. Switch these out regularly to provide variety.
Remember that your home doesn’t begin and end with the confines of your house. It’s also important to pet-proof garages and other outbuildings. This doesn’t just prevent destruction, but also reduces the potential for them to eat items that may be harmful to them. Keeping harmful chemicals in storage areas out of reach can remove the temptation to play with them. Hanging rakes and other garden tools on the wall prevents your dog from becoming injured by these.
Your Vehicle
There may be times when you need to take your dog with you in your vehicle. This might be for essential chores, like trips to the veterinarian or going on adventures together. Unfortunately, without effective pet-proofing resources and training, your travels may not be entirely positive. Indeed, a rambunctious or stressed animal in a vehicle might present safety hazards.
It’s worth starting by getting them used to the tools that keep them safe in a vehicle. For instance, if you’re using a crate, give them a chance to spend short periods of time exploring it and becoming comfortable in it when it’s not in the car. Similarly, if you’re using a harness, put it on them for some time around the house or in the garden. Gradually have them wear it inside the car on shorter journeys. Importantly, provide positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, when they are relaxed and calm in the vehicle.
As a responsible dog and car owner, you should also regularly assess your vehicle and make adjustments to prioritize their wellness and encourage good behavior. This doesn’t have to be a complex activity.
Even actions that minimize dog hair in your vehicle help provide an environment that is clean and safe for your pet. For instance, confining them to a dedicated space in your car makes it easier to keep clean while also discouraging your dog from running around. You can also install pet car seat covers that not only keep the car clean for pet hair and dander but also provide an element of safety for your dog to comfortably grip the surface and lie down during any journey.
Your Workplace
It is increasingly common for businesses to be pet-friendly spaces. This is fantastic for everyone involved. Firstly, your dog gets to spend more time with you, which strengthens your bonds. At the same time, you and your colleagues can gain from the positive and often stress-busting influence of animals. That said, to get the most out of the situation, you need to pursue pet-proofing and behavioral training.
Some solid actions include:
- Spend short amounts of time in the workplace initially: Start by taking them in for visits on your days off. From here, bring them along for half the day at work before graduating to full days. This helps to get them used to the environment and the people. Praise their calm behavior and discourage destruction or disruption.
- Take familiar objects from home into the workplace: Without items they recognize, your dog may feel anxious and act out. Make sure you take one of their beds or blankets to the office with you, so they can snuggle up and feel safe. A few favorite toys can also help keep them positively stimulated, too.
- Provide a quiet space: Dogs in the workplace tend to get a lot of attention, not to mention being surrounded by a lot of noise. As a result, they may become easily overstimulated or stressed. Make sure there is a room you can use to give them a little break from these stimuli when they need it.
Remember to talk to your employer and colleagues about any concerns that have developed from having your dog in the workplace. This type of open dialogue can highlight potential areas of focus for training and even encourage your employers to provide appropriate resources.
Conclusion
Both you and your dog deserve the chance to have positive experiences in every environment. Therefore, you need to commit to implementing training and other resources that tackle the challenges of each space your dog is likely to interact with. Remember that patience is key here. Your dog may not have the context to immediately grasp your expectations for every given scenario. Yes, be firm, but always lead with positivity and kindness.
