You are invited to a Howl-O-Ween Party to celebrate the season, in the great outdoors with your family and your pup! We need a little fun these days and what’s better than dogs in costumes?
As a dog owner, a great way to foster good relations with your neighbors is by being responsible for your dog’s behavior. It is your responsibility to ensure that your dog does not irritate or inconvenience your neighbors in any way. Below are six tips on how to be a responsible dog owner in your neighborhood.
Install a fence to keep your dog out of the neighbor’s yard
Some of the most common complaints you are likely to receive in regard to your dog include your dog trespassing on your neighbor’s property. The surest way to prevent such incidences is by installing a fence to keep your dog out of your neighbor’s yard. According to ImproveNet, you can install a fence for a national average cost of $2,400, depending on which material you choose to use (wood, vinyl, aluminum, wrought iron, or metal). Be sure to check into your neighborhood’s rules and regulations on fences before having one installed.
Take responsibility for your dog’s misbehavior
If your dog misbehaves or acts in an offending way to another person or another dog, take responsibility for it. For instance, if he jumps on or barks at someone, immediately command your dog to stop and sit, and apologize to the person. In case your canine causes harm or damages, be sure to cover the costs. And always clean up after your dog.
Teach your dog good behavior
First, train your dog to obey basic commands such as stay, sit, come and stop. Train your dog to stay calm when encountering people or visitors. Consider hiring a professional obedience trainer. A 90-minute dog-training session can cost you around $225.
Minimize barking and howling
By their nature, all dogs bark from time to time. Your dog becomes a nuisance if he or she barks or howls a lot and at odd hours such as early morning or in the middle of the night.
It is not uncommon for your dog to be silent when you are home and bark endlessly when you are away. Therefore, if your neighbors complain about your dog barking when you are away, take time to investigate and implement the necessary measures to prevent your pet from barking uncontrollably. One way to control excessive barking is to keep Fido healthy and happy.
Keep your dog happy and healthy
A happy and healthy dog is more likely to be well-behaved. Keep your dog well-fed, safe and comfortable. Maintain a clean home environment for you and your dog. Remove any elements of danger and discomfort in your home. For example, you should keep an eye on your HVAC system to maintain a safe temperature for your pet.
Provide your pup with adequate stimulation by taking him for walks, providing adequate playtime and providing appropriate toys. Adhere to a regular feeding, playtime and sleeping schedule. Stay up to date on vaccinations. In case your dog shows symptoms of illness, book an appointment with the veterinarian immediately. The average cost nationally for a visit to the vet ranges from $45-55, but costs vary depending on where you live.
Tag and leash your dog
Most states require dog owners to put a tag on their dog. Should your dog get lost, it will be easy for neighbors to identify your pet and bring him back to you. When walking in public areas, hold your dog’s leash closely. Only take off his leash when in your fenced-in yard or off-leash areas.
As a conscientious dog owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your dog is not only healthy and happy but also that he is interacting well with the community. Being a conscientious dog owner makes you a good neighbor.
The hardest part of selling your home isn’t settling on an asking price or dealing with hesitant buyers. As a seller, your biggest headache is keeping your house in show-ready condition from start to finish. And if you have a pet, that challenge is only multiplied. How in the world can you keep your floors spotless when you have a furry pet running about? It’s easier than you think when you follow our advice.
Most buyers don’t want to see signs of pets in a home. In order to maximize your home’s appeal, it’s important to detail your home in a way that masks your pets’ presence.
The first step is a deep clean. It’s easiest if you hire this job out to a professional cleaning service, however, it can also be done DIY with some tool rentals and a few days’ time. Clean floors, wash linens, vacuum couches and spot-treat stains on furniture. Dust and lightly wash walls, trim, and ceiling fans before moving on to the interior of closets and cabinets — you never know where pet hair and odors are lingering. Outside, clean the yard of pet waste, fill holes, and repair landscaping damaged by your pet. Start the process several weeks before listing your home so bare patches of lawn have time to regrow.
Next, turn your eyes to the floors. Carpeting traps odors and stains from pet accidents and muddy paws. It’s recommended to hire a professional carpet cleaning service, but in homes with minimal carpet damage, a rented carpet cleaner from a local home improvement store may be adequate. Before using the carpet cleaner, spot treat stains following instructions from The Humane Society of the United States.
If you have hardwood, take a close look to spot scratches from dog and cat nails. Shallow scratches can be removed using steel wool, then sealed with wax and buffed. As The Spruce explains, deeper scratches require a color-matched wood filler. If pets have urinated on wood floors, leaving dark stains, replace the damaged planks before listing your home. Not only are they unsightly, but the urine-stained wood traps unpleasant pet odors.
To keep the house clean while it’s on the market, consider boarding your pet or asking a friend or family member to provide temporary housing until your home is sold. If that’s not possible, restrict your pet to rooms least vulnerable to new messes, sweep floors daily, keep litter boxes clean, and groom and bathe your pet to minimize shedding and odors. Creating a clean-up station by the door and placing slipcovers over furniture prevents dogs from tracking messes indoors.
Finally, ensure pets are out of the house when prospective buyers visit. Crating pets or leaving them in the backyard isn’t a viable option. Serious buyers want to see every area of your home, but an animal’s presence may dissuade some buyers. Instead, arrange for a pet sitter or walker to take your pet during showings, and pack up your pet’s items so they’re out of sight.
After you move into your new home, the next challenge is preventing damage so it’s easier to sell the next time around. That’s especially true if you’re in the market for a vintage home. A popular choice among today’s buyers, vintage homes in Newton come in at a median price of $1.28 million. Since buyers of vintage homes cherish original details like hardwood floors and moldings, it’s more important than ever to prevent your pets from gnawing or scratching on things they shouldn’t. Often, destructive behavior is a sign that a pet is under-exercised. Consider how you can increase pets’ daily exercise so they’re more relaxed indoors and keep nails trimmed short to prevent flooring damage.
It’s easy for pet owners to be blind to the messes their companions create. However, buyers are sure to notice scratches in the floors and lingering pet odors. Make sure your pets don’t impact the success of your sale by carefully cleaning and fixing up your home before you list.
Crate. If you plan to keep your dog in a crate or carrier for the move, it’s important for your pooch to be familiar with it ahead of time. Don’t wait until moving day to introduce it. Once Fido is comfortable with the crate, have him ride in it for short trips so he’s acquainted with the new traveling arrangement.
Tags. Purchase new identification tags for your dog ahead of the move. As some experts explain, with changing surroundings and people going in and out of the house, dogs can get confused and slip away. Make sure your pooch is protected and wearing your new contact information on moving day.
Explore. If possible, one suggestion is to go for leisurely walks in the new yard and neighborhood a few times before the move. Remember, there will be a lot of interesting new sights and smells, so take your time and allow Fido to get acquainted with the surroundings.
Respite. Sometimes, the most logical way to manage moving day is to hire someone to provide dog walking, dog boarding, or doggy day care services. You’ll reduce stress and eliminate the worry of your dog slipping out during the chaos of the event, and give your dog a stable environment for the day. Do your research and hire help through a reputable service such as Rover.
New home. When you introduce your dog to the new home, unpack those familiar toys, beds and bowls for your pooch as soon as you can. One recommendation is to set up items in as similar places as possible; if Fido expects his bowls next to the fridge, set them up next to the fridge. Also be sure to adhere to his old routine, and praise him when he potties in appropriate places. Even housebroken dogs sometimes make mistakes with the confusion of moving, so the affirmation from you will serve to lay a foundation for good choices.
Smooth as silk! Moving with your dog is challenging, but with thoughtful preparation, it’ll go just fine. Plan ahead, pack a little at a time, and remember to keep your cool. Introduce new things gradually and maintain your dog’s routine. With these simple strategies, the transition will be smooth and easy!
Crate. If you plan to keep your dog in a crate or carrier for the move, it’s important for your pooch to be familiar with it ahead of time. Don’t wait until moving day to introduce it. Once Fido is comfortable with the crate, have him ride in it for short trips so he’s acquainted with the new traveling arrangement.
Tags. Purchase new identification tags for your dog ahead of the move. As some experts explain, with changing surroundings and people going in and out of the house, dogs can get confused and slip away. Make sure your pooch is protected and wearing your new contact information on moving day.
Explore. If possible, one suggestion is to go for leisurely walks in the new yard and neighborhood a few times before the move. Remember, there will be a lot of interesting new sights and smells, so take your time and allow Fido to get acquainted with the surroundings.
Respite. Sometimes, the most logical way to manage moving day is to hire someone to provide dog walking, dog boarding, or doggy day care services. You’ll reduce stress and eliminate the worry of your dog slipping out during the chaos of the event, and give your dog a stable environment for the day. Do your research and hire help through a reputable service such as Rover.
New home. When you introduce your dog to the new home, unpack those familiar toys, beds and bowls for your pooch as soon as you can. One recommendation is to set up items in as similar places as possible; if Fido expects his bowls next to the fridge, set them up next to the fridge. Also be sure to adhere to his old routine, and praise him when he potties in appropriate places. Even housebroken dogs sometimes make mistakes with the confusion of moving, so the affirmation from you will serve to lay a foundation for good choices.
Smooth as silk! Moving with your dog is challenging, but with thoughtful preparation, it’ll go just fine. Plan ahead, pack a little at a time, and remember to keep your cool. Introduce new things gradually and maintain your dog’s routine. With these simple strategies, the transition will be smooth and easy!
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