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Homecoming

Moving to a new home can cause stress for dogs, and it can certainly cause stress for you too. You can make the transition easier on both of you by doing a little advanced planning

I have a new house and six new dogs rescued from a shelter. Any tips on what to use in my house?

Welcome to the world of love, fun, hair shedding, mud and ticks. Keep very little furniture and that which is easily movable. If you have to have carpets, forget wool and cotton and go for all- synthetic fibres. Natural fibres absorb everything, and that guarantees stains and odours. No shag carpets which provide homes for fleas and ticks. Varied hues of the same colour hide dirt and stains the best.

Use light curtains that are well off the floor. Opt for tightly woven, smooth-surfaced upholstery. Such fabrics will resist a few claw marks and will not encourage furniture-scratching. Anything with a loose or open weave invites cats and dogs to pull at it, fiddle with it, claw or scratch it. You could also use washable slipcovers

Make use of mats everywhere. Rubber-backed mats of synthetic pile collect dirt and moisture and clean easily. Use them just outside and inside the doors, under dog food dishes and in sleeping areas. You might look at nice car mats.

Brush the dogs every day. Grooming is good for your pet, good for your relationship with your pet and good for the general cleanliness of your home. Set time aside on a regular basis to comb and brush your pet, making a fuss over him as you do so he'll come to love it. Not only will your pet be more attractive and happier for the extra attention but every piece of fur you snare you'll spare from a future home on your floor or sofa.

Keep Dettol handy. If a dog urinates in the house, then clean and put Dettol on the surface. Dogs generally avoid the place. Otherwise, should the smell persist, they will do it again in the same area.

How can I stop my dog from chewing and swallowing certain objects?

Just like inclusion of a new family member involve the process of telling, explaining or teaching (in case of a baby) them the rules of living in a particular family, the dog also needs to be trained, not to chew on household stuff, like furniture or bottles, they are taught that in initial stage by pulling away the object and instead handing them their calcium bone or teether, a "no" command if taught, helps. The dogs have the tendency to chew on things out of anxiety or anger or simply when the teeth are still growing, they have a craving to bite or chew.

(Views expressed and information provided are personal. Send your questions to manekaanimallove@gmail.com)

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