40 Pawesome Hacks Every Dog Owner Needs To Know

Owning a dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience. But if you’re really looking to enhance the spells that you spend with your beloved pooch at home, you’re in luck. Yes, we’ve gathered 40 remarkable hacks that’ll get their tails wagging in next to no time. Trust us, they’re totally pawesome!

40. Slow feeder

Is your dog a fast eater? Well, one simple trick can slow them right down. All you need to do is place a toy ball in their bowl alongside the food. Obviously they’ll have to work around the obstruction, which in turn hits the brakes on their speed. You could also lay out your pooch’s dinner across a muffin baking-tin as an alternative. No more pupset tummies!

39. Baby wipes at bath time

Some dogs shed hair like nobody’s business – especially when they get wet. So bath time can become a bit of a nightmare. Yet there is a way around this issue. Just grab a single baby wipe from your bathroom cabinet and stick it on the exposed plughole. Then drop the plug in, before running the bath normally. Once you’re done washing your pet, the fur should cling to the wipe.

38. Getting a urine sample

Getting a urine sample from your dog isn’t the most pleasant of jobs, but if the vet needs it, you don’t have much choice. Plus the task can be simplified with two household tools. Yes, a screw top receptacle and a ladle will be a big help. Utilize the latter to collect your pup’s pee, then empty it into the former. Easy! Please note that gloves are optional… but probably recommended.

37. DIY raincoat

Dog raincoats can be pricey, so why not make your own? All you need is an IKEA bag, some velcro, an elastic band and a reflective strip. Noting your canine’s size, slice the bag in half from the joins. Then trim one of the grips off and stick the band on the end. Then, with the other half, chop out a rectangle before stitching it to the main section. Add the velcro to that bit, and choose the best spot for the reflective material.

36. Makeshift tug toy

If your dog enjoys tug-of-war games, you don’t need to buy a new toy when the old one gets worn out. Because you could construct one yourself with a couple of shirts from your closet. Just plait the garments together to create the DIY rope – your pooch won’t know the difference!

35. Toothpaste trick

Cleaning your dog’s teeth can be challenging at the best of times, right? Well fret no more. First things first, grab the canine toothpaste from your cabinet. Then, apply a bit of it to a tug toy. And that’s it! As your pup starts to chew on it, the product will get to work on their gnashers.

34. Paw cleaner

Just like we get dirt on our shoes, the paws of a dog can become quite messy outside too. But you don’t need to run a bath to clean them. Before letting your beloved pet back inside, pick up a sports-drink receptacle and fill it with water. Then put their tootsies in for a second or two to remove the muck. A pawesome hack, wouldn’t you say? Towel drying optional but recommended.

33. Makeshift sting remover

When dogs suffer insect stings, you want to get rid of the stinger as soon as possible. How do you do that, though? Well, an object with a flat border should get the job done – such as one of your credit cards. By carefully digging at the sting with the edge, you’ll have a better chance of pulling it out.

32. Catch and popcorn

Dogs aren’t pre-programed to play catch – they need to learn with our help. If your pooch is in such a position, grab a pack of popcorn from your kitchen. You see, the smell, taste and texture will encourage them to nab the snack when you toss it in their direction. Then, after a time, you can work your way up to more traditional toys.

31. Medication hack

Is there a tougher task than trying to give your dog a dose of medication? To say it’s difficult would be an understatement. But you could make things a lot easier with homemade “pill pockets.” Just combine a mixture of peanut butter, flour and milk to create the tasty substance. This is much better than popping the medicine in their food bowl, as that might put them off feeding full-stop.

30. DIY dog steps

For some young pups, sofas might be too high to climb. Don’t worry, though. There is a clever way around this. All you need is three wooden crates and a fabric covering. By sticking them together, with two at the back and one at the front, you’ll have a set of DIY doggy steps. Easy peasy.

29. Nail hack

When trimming your pooch’s nails, it can be quite easy to make a misjudgement. So if you chop too much off, there’s a chance that it’ll draw blood. But don’t panic! You can stop the bleeding by stirring up some baking soda and water. Cornstarch or flour will work too. And once the blend is dense enough, stick it on the affected area for a short period of time.

28. Walnut trick

Unfortunately, dogs do have a tendency to leave scuffs and blemishes on certain pieces of furniture – especially those made from wood. Instead of getting frustrated, though, you could try this clever hack. All you need is a walnut. Just buff the table or chairs with it, and its oils will do the rest, covering the damage.

27. Homemade doggy harness

If there ever comes a time when your canine pal can’t climb into your car without assistance, worry not. You can create a DIY harness that’ll carry even the largest of dogs. Yes, one big tote bag with a flat bottom should do it. Just trim the smaller panels at the side and voila. Job done.

26. Ticks and tweezers

It’s fair to say that there is lots of information online regarding the best ways to extract ticks from dogs. It can get a little overwhelming. Yet if you’ve got a pair of “fine-point tweezers” at home, the job can be completed with very little hassle. All you need to do is grip the parasite’s mouth, which is located nearest the canine’s outer tissue, and gently lift it up. Make sure it doesn’t break, though.

25. DIY dog gate

Finding it tough to keep your curious pooch in a room while you carry out house work? Well, why not put together your own doggy gate? Two tension rods and a piece of transparent fabric are all you’ll need to pull this project off. Stick it in the doorway, and they’ll stay put. Problem solved!

24. Dog waste disposer

Instead of chucking dog poop into a bin, you could create your own disposer in the garden. First things first, buy a sizable tub and then trim four holes into the base, as well as some other openings further up. After that, make a pit in your soil that’s 12 inches bigger than the container. Add some pea shingle and stones at the bottom, ahead of dropping it in.

23. Digging box

Dogs absolutely love digging, but that can cause some big problems in the garden. They can tear through your lawn in minutes. But you might be able to avert a crisis by getting hold of a gardening bed kit. It’s essentially an empty crate, which you can then convert into a makeshift “digging box” with a helping of sand. Say goodbye to those pesky holes across the grass!

22. Food puzzle

Looking to get your dog’s gray matter working? Well, here’s an interesting hack to consider. If you’ve scattered their food across a tin with various openings, you could shield some of them with tennis ball hoods. That way, the hungry pup will have to use their noggin to figure out a route past them. A slight nudge should do it.

21. DIY flirt pole

Flirt poles make for excellent doggy toys, but did you know that you can create some yourself? To pull that off, you’d need a three-quarter inch plastic tube that’s up to six feet in size. Then using a rope that’s no longer than 15 feet, drop it into the hole, twisting off both sides. After that, stick a chewy toy on the exposed thread to complete the job.

20. Sweatshirt pet bed

If your dog needs a pet bed, a bit of creative thinking could save you some money. Just grab an old sweatshirt from your closet and an unused pillow, turning the former in on itself. From there, stitch the upper part of the garment together, ahead of putting the cushion inside. Close that up to finish the main section. Plus, with a bit of cloth, you can make the outside of the bed using the arms.

19. Homemade flea shampoo

Fleas are horrible little critters, aren’t they? These insects can drive your dogs mad! Yet a simple homemade shampoo can get rid of them. Chuck half-a-cup of water into an empty bottle, before sticking four tablespoons of white vinegar and dish soap in there too. Stir them up, and you’re ready to go. The concoction will take the bugs out in no time.

18. Baking soda and urine

Clearing up dog urine from your rugs isn’t the most pleasant of experiences. But the marks and smell can be dealt with quite easily with a bit of baking soda. Just sprinkle it across the area, leaving the product to rest for roughly 20 minutes. At the end of that spell, hoover it away.

17. DIY chill mat

Keeping your canine pal cool during the summer months can be a little tricky, but a DIY chill mat will get the job done. You only need to fill up a lilo with cold water and ensure that it stays out of the sun. Once it’s ready, your pup will have the ideal area to relax when the weather gets too hot.

16. Magic erasers and drool marks

As any dog owner will attest, drool can wreak havoc on carpets and furniture, leaving nasty blemishes behind. Don’t fret, though – there’s no need to throw that stuff out. Instead, why not grab a set of magic erasers and get to work on the troublesome stains? They’ll disappear before you know it!

15. Makeshift window perch

If you’re looking to create a window perch for your dog, a user on the IKEA Hackers website shared a suggestion. They wrote, “I just purchased two Trofast frames and the bins that fit inside, pushed them together and covered the ‘steps’ with three Toftbo bath mats. It works perfectly! The dogs can easily climb to the top to lay down.”

14. Vaseline trick

The cold weather can leave your dog’s paws feeling pretty sore, especially if they’re not a fan of slipping on canine shoes. Now balm is more than capable of shielding their tootsies, yet you could implement an alternative measure. Yes, Vaseline works just as well when rubbed into their skin. Say goodbye to those winter woes.

13. Kiddie pools

There are plenty of dogs that like splashing around in water whenever they get the chance. So why not treat your pooch to their own pool when summer rolls around? You see, a kid’s paddling space is the perfect size for them – and it’ll stop the pup from overheating too. They’ll pugging love it.

12. Restuffable toy

We can’t help but feel a little sorry for stuffed dogs’ toys. Watching them get ripped to shreds is weirdly sad. Plus you’ve got to clear up the mess afterwards. Yet that can be avoided by creating your own restuffable toy at home. All you require is a Hol-ee Roller ball and some unwanted clothing. Stick the latter inside the former and it’ll be ready to go.

11. Dog-friendly carpet deodorizer

Ridding your rugs of nasty scents can be a tad tricky if you own a dog. Because what products can remove the smells and be friendly to pets? To avoid any issues, it might be an idea to play it safe. You see, a sprinkling of white vinegar or baking soda will get the job done. And neither method will harm your pooch.

10. Rubber gloves and dog hair

Sick of scrubbing your sofas with brushes to get rid of the dog hair? Well, we’ve got an alternative solution. Just stick on a pair of washing up mitts and get rubbing. Thanks to the rubber material, the fur should stick to them no problem. Remember to keep those gloves away from the dishes after, though!

9. The white towel test

If you’re struggling to tell if fleas have found their way on to your dog, grab a white towel from your bathroom. Then sit the pooch on top of it before running a comb through their fur. The clear color of the material will show up any stray “flea dirt” instantly.

8. DIY bottle toy

For those of you that are looking to save a bit of money on dog toys, you could make one with a small water bottle and sock. It’s pretty simple – just squash the container slightly, ahead of sticking the cap on it. From there, put it inside the garment and twist the end into a knot. Your pup will be all over it.

7. Packing tape hack

Don’t you just hate it when dog fur clings to your favorite shirts and dresses? It seems nigh-on impossible to get rid of. There is a way, though. Yes, aside from a traditional lint roller, a roll of packing tape should take care of the issue. The hair will stick to it in seconds.

6. Elevated food bowl

Arthritis is a very real issue for older canines, so they won’t feel too comfortable bending down to eat. How can you get around that problem? Well, you could put together an elevated food bowl. If you’ve got an old footrest or small table, cut some holes into the top to hold the dishes. Your dog will certainly appreciate it.

5. Window squeegee trick

Sometimes even the most powerful vacuum cleaner can struggle to suck up dog hair from your rugs. But instead of tearing your own locks out, grab a window squeegee out of the cabinet. Thanks to its texture, it’ll remove the follicles after a few scrubs. You’ll ulti-muttely be left with a relieved smile on your face.

4. Self-filling water dish

It’s vitally important to keep your pooch hydrated throughout the day, and a self-filling water dish will help. To make one yourself, just cut the ends off two bottles and glue them to another container. Once it’s all dry, then carve a hole into the lower area. Then fill up the bottle and put it into a bowl. That should last for a decent spell.

3. Fruit and veggie treats

Nope, fruits and vegetables aren’t just healthy snacks for us humans! Dogs can munch on them as well – albeit in limited amounts. Items like carrots, green beans, blueberries and apples are some of the options canines can enjoy when it’s time for a treat. They won’t say no to celery or bananas either.

2. Dryer sheets hack

Got any spare tumble dryer sheets hanging around the house? Don’t throw them out. Why’s that? Well, these bits of material are more than capable of lifting dog fur from sofas and chairs too. A nice scrub of the hairy spot should quickly do the trick. It really is that easy.

1. Pupsicles

Who doesn’t love a popsicle during the summer? It’s the ideal snack for warm weather. You can create some for your dog as well, and they’re called pupsicles. Using chicken or beef stock, pour the liquid into an ice-cube container, ahead of placing a plastic sheet over it. Then, after piercing openings through the plastic sheet above each cube, stick biscuits through. Once they’re frozen, your pooch won’t be able to get enough of them!