Protecting your home to your dog and your dog in your home
When my husband and I married eight years ago, it was expected that we would put down and have two or three adorable children. So as every year, at any time I called my mother with "Big News" that could almost hear the cry of emotion before anything was said. Today, I was calling with "great news." I could almost hear my mother's mouth in a slow reverberating echo as his scream slowly went from a great expectation to an anguished cry of "You're what?" I repeated with enthusiasm, "We decided to adopt another dog! "His sigh, a lasting answer to our lack of initiative to provide grandchildren were not four-legged, was consumed by disappointment, followed by "Why would you get another dog?" What are you going to do with three dogs? They destroy your house! "" It's going to be OK, Mom, "he assured, "You're grand-dogs are angels."
Well, I hate to say that mother knows best, but "mother knows best." Three years and three sofas, some sheet rock, two coffee tables, hardwood flooring, carpets and two and the most expensive seat in the house, everything consumed, destroyed, or otherwise claimed by our three adorable puppies children. After thousands of dollars in furniture and home repairs, and a few thousand more in training, we reached our limit: it was time to reclaim our home.
As a designer, there was no textbook for the design of dog. Not was trial and error until a foolproof system can be created that saved some personal style could be merged with the high style of the pampered dog. I want to stress that do indeed have great style. My puppies could smell the most luxurious and soft tissues in our home and would not stop at small lengths to claim them. I had two agendas: to get my rightful place on my couch again and, of course, to prove my mother wrong. Both challenges would be difficult, but I was determined and, finally, he succeeded in these achievements. The result is my own personal knowledge of design for dogs: protecting my house and my dog my dog my house.
The science behind the design of the puppy is simple, if you want to defeat your opponent, get into the mind of the beast.
Step 1: Anticipate unthinkable
Make a list of things that your dog has done or can do that is unacceptable to you. Our dogs loved our leather sofa so much that they decided sofa cushions eating three times before they finally gave up and replaced. If we expected our charm dogs to the smell of leather, which could have saved thousands of dollars. Predicting the next move in your dog before they are even tempted. You will save thousands of dollars in repairs if you remain one step ahead for your canine friend.
Step 2: Look at the World from the perspective of his dog
The typical adult sees the world from five feet and higher, but a dog sees the world from 32 inches and lower. His world is much smaller. Puppy For best proof a room, down to the level of your dog and see what see. Mindful of the potential risks, and small accessories low and move to a higher elevation. The mixture that smells and looks pretty on the coffee table also smells and is quite a pet and can be dangerous if swallowed. Patrolling your home from your dog's perspective can really put things in perspective.
Step 3: Puppy proof your home the way it is baby proof.
Think of your dog in the same way that you are a young child. Dog protect home as proof that baby can save a fortune and protect their young from the dangers that lurk in your home. Put child safety locks on cabinets. Dogs have a keen sense of smell that often lead to the dangers that lurk in your kitchen. My boxer just loves to open cabinets and the search for interesting smells. Unfortunately, the smells are sometimes in the cleaning supply cabinet and then to catch it with his mouth full of chips of dishwasher detergent, a safety lock for children was an obvious solution. baby gates can also keep your dog outside the rooms that are off limits. For large inputs, an electric fence can be used indoors with the training to keep your pet out of areas where they are not welcome.
Step 4: Select the right surfaces
There are many products on the market that accept pets and high style meet you and your dog. When selecting paint colors paints account have a satin finish. These are easily washable and resistant to stains better than flat paint. If your dog scratch the wall, consider a lighter color of paint that is mixed drywall. However, if you tend to wear walls, darker colors will hide dirt better.
Land must also be selected with discretion. Fortunately, now comes in many pet-friendly options including laminate and stone. Traffic Master Vinyl makes a product that gives the appearance of hardwood. It is easy to install and economical for the budget conscious. Despite a popular choice, carpeting is not recommended for homeowners who suffer from allergies. Carpet can trap pet dander company in the fibers, as well as fleas. However, if your heart is set on a carpet, consider carpet tiles or carpet that is accepted pets and treated with STAINMASTER. Please note that pets can also suffer from allergies to seek a carpet with low or no VOC ( Volatile Organic Compounds). If you prefer hardwood, consider a bamboo, teak, or there are harder woods and can withstand more pet nail lasting softer woods. To hide scratches consider a forest in difficulty or treat the soil with a hard urethane finish.
Step 5: Select the right furniture
There are designer furniture ideal for dogs and there is indeed a system for the selection of these pieces. Consider the age and your dog's temperament when selecting coffee tables and end table and tired of the woods if your dog is a chewer. The wooden legs for big soft toys teething in a puppy. Glass or metal legs would be a better option.
When selecting a sofa, the selection of styles and fabrics are endless. In forefront of web design is a product called Crypton, which resists stains and cleans easily. Ultrasuede also clean well. Many vendors can also have your sofa fabric treated with a chemical stain resistant. For a cheaper alternative, Sure-Fit provides sleeves that can be washed regularly. The section in front of two pieces is a great option that form fits to your sofa and wash well. When selecting colors, consider the color of your dog's fur. If your puppy is light clear, light-colored sofa, leather hides more easily. If your puppy is a darker color, consider a darker fabric. Some fabrics that are porous, like velvet, dogs can catch hair and difficult to clean.
Of course, the design of the dog can not stand alone without proper training at home. Exercise and quality time with family are vital or dogs may retaliate by selecting your favorite decoration to prove his point. You do not have to sacrifice your style to suit your pet. With a little negotiation you and your puppy can find a style that suits both the needs of comfort and style.
About the Author
Darlene White is an avid animal lover and devoted to animal welfare and the rescue efforts of shelter pets. After fostering and adopting three large breed dogs, Darlene learned first hand the trials and tribulations of sharing a home with four-legged friends -from miscommunication to completely different perspectives about how living arrangements were going to work. Three years and three sofas later, Darlene set out to establish a system that allowed her to keep some of her design style while catering to the special needs of three very special pups. The results bridged a gap between the animal and the human kingdom and allowed two very different species to live high style low maintenance. As a designer, Darlene discovered she had uncovered an area of design that people desperately needed addressed. She also discovered how simply her two greatest passions in life, animals and design, could meet. She works with clients often designing and staging homes that are pet-friendly and keep the special needs of pets in mind.
Darlene White is an Accredited Staging Professional and owner of Simplicity Home Staging & Design, a home staging and design firm that specializes in northern New Jersey homes. She is also a jounalist and the staging correspondent for Final Hunt Real Estate Showcase DVD Magazine, with a featured segment entitled “Staging to Sell.”
She can be reached at 862-268-0514 by the web at simplicityhomestaging.com or via email at info@simplicityhomestaging.com
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