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Pets really are an integral part of a family. Taking on a new furry friend means taking on responsibility for the health and happiness of a new family member. From training, to caring for allergies and health conditions, to managing a healthy home and the best way to approach stains when disaster strikes - we understand the challenges that come alongside a new four-legged friend.
We've put together a full guide that'll help you through the process of bringing a pet into your family from start to finish, with a few helpful cleaning tips and tricks along the way.
Contents
- How to choose the perfect pooch
- How to toilet train your new puppy
- Habits to teach your new pup
- Should you clean your dog's bed?
- How to know if your dog has allergies
- Tips for removing pet stains
- What to do when your cat goes in one spot
- The most notable dog outfits
- How to keep your pets cool over summer
- Stop the barnyard from making its way inside
How to choose the perfect pooch
So you've decided to take the step of welcoming a new dog into your family - that's an exciting time! There are plenty of things you'll need to consider when picking the perfect pooch for your living space, such as size, accessibility, and the different needs of various dog breeds.
Researching the perfect pup for you can take a lot of time, so we've compiled a few of the perfect dog breeds to suit all sorts of living situations and help you select your ideal match.
Best breed for apartment living
For the apartment dweller, we’d recommend a Bichon Frise!
This cute little breed of dog are perfect for inner city living:
- They're a smaller breed so they're great in confined spaces
- Known for being playful, while both gentle and quiet
- Don't require a lot of outdoor exercise so there's no need for a back garden
- Well groomed and don't shed too much
Best breed for flatting
The perfect dog for a home-share with a group of people, is a Jack Russell Terrier!
These social creatures are perfect for flatting:
- Extremely friendly, and love both their extended family and meeting new people
- They're bred to hunt small rodents - perfect to help get rid of any potential pesky mice problems at your flat
Best breed for a rural family home
If you're a family living on a farm, we'd recommend a Border Collie!
Ideal for the farming family with young children and plenty of space:
- Known to be one of the most intelligent dogs in the world, so easy to train and great to socialize with kids
- A medium sized breed that needs a big section and plenty of space to roam around
- Well known for being a farm dog, they're the perfect little helper to have by your side
- Sheds quite a lot of fur, so having an outdoor space they can stay is a bonus
Best breed for a suburban family
For a busy family with a few young children, living in a suburban set up with a nice backyard and the picturesque picket fence, we'd recommend a Golden Retriever!
The quintessential family dog:
- The perfect balance between playful and gentle, Golden Retrievers love children as companions
- They're extremely playful, won't bite and love pats from their family and new friends
- They're happy to roam around the back yard, but it's important to make sure you take them for a stroll around the block to let off some of their playful energy.
If you're interested in finding out more about the ideal dog for you and your family in detail, take a look at our blog: How to choose the perfect pooch for your home.
How to toilet train your new puppy
You've picked the perfect pup, and you're ready to bring them home to meet the family - however, you know you're in for a few toilet-training challenges along the way.
You work hard to keep your home a clean and healthy space to live in, so it's a good idea to be prepared for how to effectively toilet train your new dog so the training stage doesn't completely thwart your efforts. Here's how.
1. Learn your pup's routine and signals
Taking time to learn your pups toilet habits and routines will go a long way to understanding how to help them. If your puppy is whining, barking, sniffing, circling or scratching at the door, your puppy is letting you know it's time to go. Learn the cues so you know exactly when to whisk your dog outside.
2. Focus on commands and praise
Puppies respond to a clear and firm tone of voice. Make sure when you're telling your dog to go outside or to 'go now' you focus on your tone. It's also really important to reinforce good behaviour and let your puppy know when they've done a great job. Every time your puppy goes outside, make sure they're rewarded for their efforts with a little love - they'll be far more inclined to repeat the good behaviour.
3. Paper training
The paper training method relies on three main facts:
- Puppies learn from repetition and get used to going toilet in spots they've gone before
- Puppies are prompted to relieve themselves by recognising their own scent
- Puppies prefer softer, covered surfaces when they pee, rather than cold floors
All you need is a bunch of newspaper! Decide where you'd like your dog to go, and when you notice the signs that your puppy needs to go, pick him up and place him on the paper followed by a verbal cue. He'll soon learn that this is this bathroom routine to follow and be prompted by his own scent.
4. Crate training a puppy
In the wild, a dog's den is its home where they find solitude, comfort, hide from danger and raise a family. It's naturally not a place they're inclined to soil.
Introduce your dog to a crate and begin to feed them their regular meals near the crate. Your dog will begin to feel more and more comfortable spending extended amounts of time there. After a little practice, you'll have a safe place to leave your dog where it feels comfortable, without the worry of a mess when you come home.
For more information about puppy training methodology with extra tips, take a look at our full blog: How to toilet train your new puppy: our top 5 tips
Habits to teach your new pup
To help you out on your journey of being a new pup parent, we've put together a list of the most helpful habits to teach your new pup when they arrive.
Basic dog obedience training
There a few basic things that all dogs need to learn, and the earlier the better.
- Stop your jumping pooch: dogs are always super excited to see their best friend, and often respond by jumping up at their owner. Put a stop to this one by not reciprocating with any loud or enthusiastic
noises. Tell him 'down' followed by a treat or a toy back down at his level. - Sit: teaching your dog to sit is a need to know command. It's a pretty simple one to do - grab a treat, repeat the cue word 'sit' in a clear tone. After a few goes your dog will learn the action that triggers a treat.
- Good chewing habits: pups love to chew. If you catch your pup chewing the wrong thing, distract them with a water spray bottle, and send them to their nearest toy - they'll pick this up pretty quickly.
Socialising your puppy
Getting your puppy familiar with both its new family and other animals is really important in the first twelve weeks, especially. Make sure you're frequently taking your dog out to meet other people and new dogs alike. A great idea is to stay down on your dogs level when it's interacting with stranger to help your dog feel more comfortable. The more positive interactions, the more social the dog will be!
House training
Getting your new puppy house trained can prove to be the most difficult learning challenge. If you've already put our first four tips into play, you're well on your way!
- Feed your dog it's meals at the same time every day and encourage routine.
- Take your dog outside to pee first thing in the morning, every time they eat and after naps.
- When you take your dog outside, take them to the same spot. Their scent will encourage them to go.
- When all is said and done, praise your dog with treats and attention - they'll love the encouragement!
For further tips and tricks around training your pup, check out our blog: Five helpful habits to teach your new puppy.
Should you clean your dog's bed?
You see it sitting in the corner of the lounge - it's your pup's favourite place to take refuge, curl up in a ball and take a little nap. The only problem is, it's been gathering dust, fur and mud for the past three months and you're starting to notice a little odour.
A dogs bed is a risky thing to clean, as you want to avoid using any harsh chemicals that your dog might react to, but also, they're usually quite large in size. There are a few ways to navigate around this sometimes difficult task.
Step-by-step guide
- Get the loose dirt first. This is where you whip out the vacuum cleaner and go over the outside of the bed. This is a quick way to get rid of any fur, dust and dirt that's lingering - and as they're usually pretty robust, it wont hurt the bed itself.
- If you notice any dark stains on the dog bed, this is a good time to get them with the Spot Remover product. Simply apply the cleaner directly on the stains, and follow the instructions - the pesky stain that's ruining Bruno's new bed will be gone in moments.
- It's not just the stain, it's the stench. We love our little dogs, but there's no denying that after a full day of playing, they can carry a little something extra along with them. For this, we'd recommend using an odour remover on the bed.
- The next step is a little more thorough. If you're cover is removable, unzip it and put it in the washing machine. Make sure you set it on hot wash to kill any bacteria and thoroughly clean the bedding. Remember to put a nice blanket down in it's place while it dries!
- Rinse and repeat. Unfortunately, this type of cleaning isn't a one off task. It's important to repeat these steps at least once every few weeks to keep the bed clean and hygienic.
Want to make sure the products you're using are pet-friendly? Check out our full blog on the topic where we go into detail about the types of products to use.
Check out our full blog: How to wash a dog's bed.
Helping pets with allergies
Try and recall the last time you had a seasonal allergy. The blocked nose, the drowsiness, the itchy skin - it's enough to make you want to hibernate for months at a time.
What we often forget though, is that allergies aren't just a human thing. Our pets can also feel the irritation of allergies - but they're much less able to do anything to help treat it.
If you notice one of the following things on your furry friend, they might have an allergy:
- Excessive scratching
- Biting itchy areas of body
- Obsessive rubbing against a wall, furniture, carpet or any other surface
- Hair loss
- Inflamed skin
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
There are a few things you can do to help your pet out if you're noticing that they're showing signs of allergies, and luckily, they're pretty simple tricks.
1. Bathe them
Despite how much your pet might hate the thought of a shower or bath, bathing is crucial to clean off the allergens that can cause problems.
2. Change the walking routine (for dogs)
Often when a dog has allergies, it's something in their day to day routine that's making life a little difficult for them.
If your pet is prone to the seasonal sniffles and scratches, then it's best to avoid areas that may have high levels of pollen when taking them for a walk. That can include places like parks, fields, and gardens - so best bet may be to head to the beach!
3. Keep your house clean
When you have kids or pets at home, cleaning is no longer just a chore - it's a responsibility.
It can get really humid here in New Zealand sometimes; that's why you should keep the humidity in your home in check using a dehumidifier. Less humidity means fewer chances of mould, which can trigger allergies. Keeping your pets out of the humid spots in your home, such as bathrooms, can be helpful too.
In addition to keeping your home mould free, vacuuming your home is really important, especially if you have a lot of rugs and carpets that can collect dust and pollen.
There are a few more tips we'd recommend if your pet is struggling with allergic reactions - you can check out our other suggestions, here: Helping pets with allergies: symptoms & treatment
Tips for removing pet stains
When you bring home a new ball of fluff, to a certain extent, you expect there are going to be a few accidents here and there. A stained carpet seems inevitable, and marks on your upholstery are usually a given.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do as soon as disaster strikes that will help to remove the stains.
You might have noticed that people who own pets often have patches on their lawn that look dry and brown. This is because the PH level of dog or cat pee sits at around 6 - 6.5, meaning it's acidic in nature. Pet urine can quite literally burn grass.
With this in mind, it's pretty important to understand the nature of acidic pet stains before you tackle removing them.
How to remove a pet stain
Stay calm, and grab your bottle of Rug Doctor Stain Remover.
Here are some quick steps to ensure you successfully remove the stain:
- Remove any excess liquid by gently blotting the stain with an absorbent towel. It's important to be gentle here, so not to spread the stain or push it further down into the pile.
- Lightly spray a small amount of Stain Remover onto the effected area. Make sure you don't oversaturate the patch of carpet - less is more.
- Gently agitate with a clean cloth. It's important to work from the edges of the stain inwards, to ensure you get every spot and you don't spread the stain.
- Rinse and repeat with your cloth dampened with clean water. You want to aim to get rid of any extra product so no product residue is left behind. If your cloth is looking a little dirty, grab a clean one!
- If all else fails, take another look at the instructions, or refer back to our Stain Removal Guide.
If you want to know more about completely removing acidic pet stains, including how to deep clean your carpet, take a look at our blog: Quick-fire ways to remove pesky pet stains.
What to do when your cat goes in one spot
A common problem that cat owners face with toilet training is their feline friend peeing in one spot. There are a few things that might be causing the problem, and fortunately, a few ways you can solve it.
Spot the cause
If you're cat is peeing in one spot in the house, they're likely trying to let you know that something is wrong. They could be sick, scared, territorial or unhappy with their litter box. Once you figure out the cause, it will help you find a solution, so you and your cat can be friends again!
Any of the following reasons can cause cats to become a repeat offender:
- Behavioural issues
- Sudden change such as a move to a new home
- Your cat is feeling threatened
- The scent from the pee is triggering your cat to get into a bad habit
- Medical reasons (look for other signs that your cat is uncomfortable or unwell)
Alternatively, the problem might in fact be where your cat is going:
- The litter box is unclean
- The litter box is placed in an open space - cats like a little privacy
How to help your furry friend
Here are a few things we'd recommend to help out your feline friend.
- Give their kitty litter a refresh: make sure the tray is clean and tidy and refresh the litter inside. If the space is clean, they'll be more inclined to use it.
- Make sure their new spot is private: cats are just like us - they don't like being watched while they're doing their private business anymore than we do!
- Give your pet time to adjust: if you suspect the case is due to a big change or a new cat in the house, your cat will naturally adjust with time and return to its usual habits
- Remove the odour from the problem area: getting rid of the stain from where your cat's been isn't enough to stop them from coming back. Because cats use their scent to know where to pee, it's important to follow up with the Odour Remover to deodourise and disinfect.
- Time for a trip to the vet: if none of these suggestions seem to be helping the problem, it could be time to seek help from a vet to get your pet's health back on track.
If you want a little more information on how to help your cat with this problem, or what to do when you have a mess to clean up, check out our blog on the topic: What to do when your cat always goes in one spot.
The most notable dog outfits
We've all seen those cute little pups out and about on the street wearing jackets cooler than we even own ourselves! If you've got a dog you'd like to buy a little something extra for, it's worth looking into the functionality aspects of dog outfits, as well as picking the cutest one available.
Check out some of these numbers!
High-vis
Maybe your home is under renovation and there's people coming in and out all day with lots of dangerous tools, or perhaps you have a lot of cars you move around your driveway and you'd like to know exactly where you pup is at all times - no matter the reason, a high vis jacket will keep your pup at the centre of attention. He wont be missed!
Winter coat
If you feel the cold when the winter months roll around, your pup is likely to be feeling the same way too. This is particularly true for the breeds of dogs who are short haired. Do your pup a favour and grab him a little fluffy winter number so he's nice and warm when he goes on his morning walks.
Rain jacket
This one goes without saying - wet weather is unpleasant to walk in, and if you're pup is walking 5 metres ahead of you, your umbrella isn't going to be doing him any favours. A little rain jacket is the perfect way to keep most of the damp off your dog when you're out and about - and prevent him shaking the water off on your favourite rug!
The main thing to think about here, is whether or not your dog is comfortable. If you pop on a coat and your dog looks like he'd rather wear anything but, or he has his tail down between his legs, chances are he feels insecure. If this is the case, don't force your dog to keep it on.
If he's happy, then just make sure it fits well and isn't too tight, and check in to make sure your pup isn't over heating. You never know, he may be the fanciest dog on the block, and love it too.
You can take a look at the full range of fashionable dogwear at our blog.
Check out the full, fashionable list, here: Fanciest Doggo on the Block: Top 5 Dog Outfits
How to keep your pets cool over summer
If you’ve got dogs and cats at home, it’s important to make sure that your furry friends are well looked after and kept cool under the smouldering sunshine that comes hand and hand with a New Zealand summer.
We've put together a few nifty tips to help you keep your pets cool.
Make sure to protect the paws
There’s an easy way to test if it’s too hot to take your pet for a walk - a five-second rule formulated by a US dog-training centre: "Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog."
Keep the water flowing
First thing’s first, always (and we mean always) ensure that your pet has a full bowl of fresh, clean and cold water available to them, so they can nip back and rehydrate whenever they need.
An outdoor paddling pool is also a great idea for the back lawn, offering an easy option for your pup to take a quick dip and cool off when they need to.
Cool accessories
Rather than a regular pet bed, there are plenty of cooling mats available, that give your cat or dog a colder option to lay down and stretch out on after a long day of play. If you don’t want to spend any extra money on a pet bed, no problem – simply take an old towel and saturate it in cold water.
Alternatively, grab an old tennis ball, make a small hole and fill it with a few dog treats and a little water, now pop it in the freezer for a few hours (make sure the hole is facing upright!), and you’ll have an excellent brand-new toy.
Supply the shade
Take a quick look around your garden and check for shade. Trees are the best option as they allow for the most airflow and protection, but if you aren’t lucky enough to have a large garden sporting a whopping willow, making sure you have an outdoor kennel, shade sail or even an umbrella will do the trick.
For more easy ways to help your pet cool off, take a look at our full blog: Top four ways to keep your pets cool in summer
Stop the barnyard from making its way inside
If you live on a farm, chances are you're familiar with the struggle of keeping the contents of the paddock from making its way indoors - especially when there are pets involved. As a family who lives a rural lifestyle, often the variety of pets you home may extend beyond a cat or dog. From chicken coops to children with pet lambs, there's a lot of fur, mud, feathers and dust involved.
Here's how to stop the barnyard from making it's way inside your home.
A little preparation
- Use a garage or wash room as a buffer between the farm and your carpets. If your family members are working with pets or farm animals day in and day out, chances are they're as responsible for the mud on the floor as your animals are.
- Give your animals an outdoor home. If you can keep your animals outdoors as much as possible, this will significantly reduce the build up of fur and mud in your carpet.
- Make sure you brush and bath your animals regularly, that way there will be less dust and fur to be traipsed around the carpets.
- Place mats at all of your entrances - on both sides of the door. Farms can get extremely dusty when animals are all around, and having mats will prevent that dust from travelling indoors.
How to clean a barnyard fiasco
Even after you take all of the recommended preventative measures, there's always the chance that accidents will happen. If you find your barnyard pet problems are still making their way onto your carpets, there are some easy ways to tackle it.
If you're finding muddy paw prints trudged through your home on your brand new carpet, you'll need to use the Spot Remover spray.
- When you're working with animals on a daily basis, it's inevitable at some point they'll have an accident of the doggy-doo or cat-pee variety. The best way to combat this, is with the Stain Remover spray for cat-pee and the Spot Remover spray for doggy-doo.
- Unfortunately, these types of accidents can leave behind a pesky odour that's difficult to get rid of. For this reason, we recommend using the Odour Remover spray post-clean. This will deodourise, disinfect and kill germs, removing any trace of odour from your carpets.
If you're interested in a few more farm-related tips, check out our blog: How to keep your home separate from the barnyard
Want to know exactly how to tackle all kinds of pet stains? Grab our Pet Stain Removal Guide for FREE!