How to have a puppy and nice furniture at the same time
You finally took the plunge and got a little (or not so little) puppy, how sweet! Those tiny little paws, excited bark, clumsy walk up and tumble downstairs, puppies are the cutest little additions to your family! That is…until they start getting comfortable and enter their official “puppy stage”
Puppy stage often lasts for about a year pending the breed and personality of your new pup. It is the stage of their life when they are the most hyperactive, much more curious than a cat, discover their bark (or yelp), and tend to be a bit of a menace! This is why we love them though, for the memories we can laugh about later. Until later hits though…how do we protect our homes from the puppy stage that involves chewing at sofas and chairs?
Plastic tarps
Although it’s not visually appealing and honestly pretty uncomfortable, the most effective way to protect your furniture during your pup rambunctious phase is by putting clear plastic tarps on top of your sofas and chair. This will act as a barrier and most of the time actually deters puppies from continuing to try and chew things up because they aren’t able to get the satisfaction of the tear!
Corner protectors
If you notice your pooch is focusing on the corners of your furniture, there are plenty of companies that make corner protectors for your furniture! These are similar in concept to the plastic tarps, but they are smaller, thicker, and stick to the edges of your couch/chair so that you don’t have to cover the entire piece!
If you are trying to protect on a budget, consider using some clear duct tape as a DIY method to corner protectors. It works just as well and will save you a few dollars in the end!
An abundance of toys
Puppies need to be played with constantly during their youngest phase of life. They have all of this energy and are essentially learning what it means to be a dog, so they need to be occupied all of the time! Make sure you are providing your pet with an abundance of fun toys that do all kinds of different things like squeak, squish, are different shapes and sizes, etc. Keep your toys scattered throughout the house. The easier the access to the toys, the more likely your puppy is to choose them over your furniture!
Chew toys
Invest in some quality chew toys for your new little ball of energy. Puppies want to learn how to use their teeth, so it’s pivotal that you give them that chance in an appropriate way. Visit your local pet store and invest in some long-lasting chew toys, dog bones, etc. There are even chew toys you can put food into and freeze, so they have something to focus on for an extended amount of time!
