DOGS Archives

10 SURPRISING SOURCES OF PET ODORS

May 5, 2022

The only thing worse than a house that smells like cats or dogs is a house that smells like a room full of Glade air fresheners. Why? Because a homeowner is trying to mask a smell that cannot be contained. And the key to eliminating pet odors is to go after the source. Here are a few surprising sources of pet odors.

10 SURPRISING SOURCES OF PET ODORS

In full disclosure, I am not a fan of plugin room fresheners. They work but when I smell a plugin room freshener, that over the top cinnamon or floral smell, my first thought is what is the homeowner trying to hide. So the key is to tackle the source and work yourself to the front door where you usually get a whiff. I am also a licensed Realtor in Denver so I have smelled plenty of odors.

These same suggestions work for sellers who are preparing to list their home. #realtortip

1. FRESH AIR

Never underestimate the power of fresh air. An open window allows fresh air to circulate.

2. CEILING FANS

Have you looked at your ceiling fan when it is not running? I was stretching the other morning and I looked up, in the middle of a hamstring stretch, and there was a 1/2″ of dust on the top of each ceiling fan blade.

I run that ceiling fan every night. Guess who sleeps directly under the ceiling fan? This one:

10-easy-ideas-to-freshen-house-with-dogs

And, during the day she sleeps under one of my boy’s ceiling fans. I used this and a step stool to clean my ceiling fan blades.

3. VINEGAR

I love this multi-purpose cleaner. I made a video to share my list of favorite Made in USA cleaning. You can check it out on my Youtube channel here. Please follow (shameless plug trying to get to 100 followers).

Yes, it smells like vinegar, but it is effective at getting to the source of the smell; not masking the odor. And it is inexpensive.

4. BAKING SODA

A close second to vinegar is baking soda. I regularly dust (dump) baking soda into my carpets/rugs. And, depending on how much dog DNA is embedded in the carpet fibers- I repeat this step 2-3 times over a few days. It works.

I found this article with more details.

5. WASH ENTRY RUGS

Think about this; our dogs run in and out the doors dozens of times a day. Think about what those cute little paws track in after four minutes of squirrel tag.

And, those entry rugs are the first line of defense to stop those muddy paw prints. Eww.

6. LINT ROLLER

A lint roller is a great way to snag random dog and human hairs on the top of chairs, sofas and stairs. I buy these in bulk. . Just try it and see what clings to the adhesive sheet.

7. CLEAN UP THE BACKYARD

This one piggybacks on the entry rugs. If you can minimize the mess in the backyard you minimize the odors into the house.

When I skip a day (or four) and watch my dogs wrestling in the backyard I shudder at the thought of what they rolled in during recess. Ewww.

8. BRUSH DOGS REGULARLY

Elliott loves to be brushed. His older sister, Chloe, not so much. Chloe runs when she sees the hairbrush. But it makes a huge difference to brush our pets regularly. It reduces what travels into the house via tails and tummies.

9. WASH THE WALLS

This is a big issue at my house. Chloe and Elliott have their favorite spots to chill during the day.

And, when we repainted our walls to a lighter color I noticed the film of dirt on the walls. I bought these (made in USA) spray bottles, filled with vinegar, to stay on top of the grime.

10. FRESH GREENS OR FLOWERS

Fresh flowers, greenery or herbs are an organic way to freshen your home. I think that is why we don’t notice the stale air during the holidays. From October through December, we have an abundance of fresh garland, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, Christmas trees, cider, and baked goods to fill our homes.

And, then by January, we have cold temps, over-active thermostats and stale air.

Rosemary is a great option to freshen up a space. I tuck mine into my candles in January.

I thought about tucking a sprig of Rosemary into Chloe and Elliott’s collars! #wink

Video Recap

Thank you for stopping by! Please share your tips in the comments!

DOG WATER BOWL HACK

July 6, 2021

Sharing a dog water bowl hack you can find at the grocery store.

Do you know when you are rushing out the door and you scan the dog’s water bowl and it is nearly empty?

And for a split second you think oh there’s plenty. But what do you do? You always put down your bag(s) and grab the water bowl.

And then after filling the water bowl you walk back across the kitchen floor or patio, like walking a tightrope, not wanting to wobble over like a Weeble. (80’s reference).

Here is a dog water bowl hack for your furry friends on those busy days.

Oh, and the dog days of summer when dogs are outside more enjoying the sunsets.

If you are a follower of Everyday Edits you know I love a good hack. Like this one.

And if your dogs need a new dog bowl here is a cute elevated dog dish.

DOG WATER BOWL HACK

I stumbled into this hack when I bought a plastic beverage dispenser at Kroger for under $8.000. I planned on using it for brewed tea.

Until I got it home and the dispenser was too big for the refrigerator.

And I thought this oversized, too big for the fridge beverage dispenser is perfect for Chloe and Elliott and the dog days of summer.

I added ice and water.

Now it’s just a little water bar for the dogs.

And the best part was the beverage dispenser with spigot fit on top of their dog dish tray.

Looking for a yummy dog treat to pair with the beverage bar? Try these homemade dog treats.

This Made in USA dog bone cookie cutter will set you back a few dollars and will make your dog treats too cute!

Shop for the dog days of summer. It’s never too early to shop for Halloween costumes for your dogs. ;0)

HOW TO PROTECT HARDWOOD FLOORS

May 27, 2021

how to protect hardwood floors (and rugs) when you have dogs

I saw fresh scratches on our refinished floors from Elliott. It is impossible to get upset for his enthusiasm for breakfast when he charges down the stairs. If my husband had scuffed the floors it would have been grounds for an extended separation with me on a beach and wifi.

I ordered this rug to slow down his momentum, but Elliott’s rugby-like base takes anything in his path with him.

Elliott requires a wide turning radius and he literally has a blind spot in one eye.

HOW TO PROTECT WOOD FLOORS

1.The first line of defense for protecting hardwood floors is the entry and exit doors. Think about it this is where dogs are the most excited either to get outside for tinkle time or a w-a-l-k.

Every entry in my house has a dog-friendly rug. Not too fancy but gets the job done. And, if I can shove them into my washing machine even better.

2. Until we rescued Elliott I never thought much about a rug pad for the entry rugs.

But with his solid base, our wood floors need the added cushion to absorb his impact.

I found this Made in the USA brand rug pad.

If you are a follower of Everyday Edits you know I love to support Made in USA brands and companies.

When we installed our Dutch door we opted for a more industrial rug since the dogs are in and out this kitchen door dozens of times during the day.

I found this one with rubber backing at Target for under $20.00

3. Next up is the puppy gate. I find that a gate is a great way to control access and contain some of the enthusiasm.

I found this one at Homegoods when Elliott was a puppy. Because of our home’s layout (#brownstoneinthesuburbs), I ran down a bought a second one for the basement.

Finally, I got this idea from my contractor when we remodeled the family room fireplace. I was impressed at how well the cling wrap-like plastic adhered to the stairs.

No, I did not roll it down the stairs, but I strategically added it to the corner of my new sisal rug in the dining room. I ordered it here and love it so much!

We all have one of those rugs that gets all the foot traffic. It’s not the most attractive, but it works great with the paw prints paddling through the dining room on their way to the kitchen.

It’s kinda subtle.

And finally, I keep a stash of dog-friendly cleaning products in the entry closet to keep floors clean and paw print-free. This was one of my favorite organizing ideas.

Please pin for later!

WEEKLY IDEAS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

5 DOG ITEMS TO CLEAN MORE OFTEN

April 1, 2021

This week I cleaned my Kitchenaid Mixer with a toothpick. I don’t even know how to follow that sentence. It happened. I shared how to clean light switches if you are thinking about doing this with your home. And, once I collected Chloe and Elliott’s slobbered peanut butter and dog hair-covered Kongs, I knew the dog accessories were next on my list to clean.

5 DOG ITEMS TO CLEAN MORE OFTEN

Dog Bed Covers I dread cleaning the dog bed covers because of the effort and coordination it takes to fit them back over the bed. It reminds me of wrestling with a toddler to get their diaper (Pampers) on while not touching the changing table in a public restroom.

Look what I found in Elliott’s dog bed from my Christmas stocking. The case did not break!

Sidenote: Raisin is a best seller and it’s on sale right now.

2. Collars and Leashes My sister reminded me of this tip in a comment she left about my favorite dog finds.

Auntie Tricia suggested I toss their collars and leashes in the top rack of the dishwasher. As a puppy, Chloe loved to help out with the pre-wash cycle.

I usually soak their dog collars in soapy water first to loosen up the debris that finds its way into every crevice or Elliott’s collar.

He is a hot mess with his collars. The best way to describe Elliott’s collar is it resembles a seatbelt.

3. Kongs /Titans + Water Bowls

Chloe only gets peanut butter in her Kong so I am not sure how a dozen Goldfish crackers ended up inside her treat dispenser. I had to soak the Kongs in warm soapy water to loosen up the gunk. This is my new favorite multi-purpose cleaner. I found it at Homegoods and fell in love with the Peppermint scent. followed it up by stacking them in the top rack in the dishwasher.

These are my new favorite Kong-like snack dispersers because they are made in the USA! I am going to order these soon.

4. Water + Food Bowls

Do you know what grosses me out more than the Kongs? When a random piece of kibble is found floating in their water dishes.

It reminds me of the Babe Ruth floating in the pool in Caddyshack.

Sidenote: I remember when I met my husband and he would quote all of these random lines from that movie.

And, I thought he was so immature. Thank goodness he drove a fun car and he wore khakis on the days he worked at a golf course.

The sight of the soggy kibble garners a similar reaction. So now I run the food and water bowls through the dishwasher on the lower rack while the Kongs, leashes and collars (don’t forget the collars) get cleaned on the top rack. I prefer the dishwasher because then I don’t have all the gunky germs lingering around my sink.

5. Blankies + Stuffed Animals These are easy to clean. Once a weekish I gather up the dog blankets and stuffed animals.

I just toss these in the washing machine. I also add their bandanas and Elliott’s winter scarf.

Thank you for stopping by today! What did I miss on this list? Let me know in the comments. Not ready to leave yet?

Oh, before you go, I just found this all-purpose cleaner and it’s Made in the USA! If you are a follower of Everyday Edits you know I love to support Made in the USA products.

While all of the dog toys and serving pieces are in the wash you can make these 4 ingredient dog bones.

Looking for boredom busters for your dogs? Here are a few favorite dog finds. I just got the 2 pack dog leashes in the mail and they are so much nicer than I expected (for the price).

My Bloglovin feed is broken so until I get it fixed will you join the …

Join the Everyday Edits community!

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

November 14, 2020

Sharing an easy recipe for homemade pumpkin dog treats

How do you greet your dog(s) in the morning? Just for fun greet your spouse with the same greeting and you will both have a laugh. I giggle at the thought of my husband’s face if I greeted him with, “Who is mama’s big boy?” If I told him I just want to kiss his smushy face he would walk out the door and call my sister to tell her I was having a medical emergency. So what better way to show our love to our four-legged family members than with homemade pumpkin dog treats!

This fall I turned into a dog mon. With my soon to be empty nest I have turned all of extra time and attention into spoiling Chloe and Elliott.

So, now? Instead of baking chocolate chip cookies on a Friday afternoon, Chloe and Elliott get pumpkin dog treats for the Thanksgiving season.

Sidenote: if you are new t0 Everyday Edits, Chloe and Elliott are our Bernese Mountain dogs.

These pumpkin dog treats were super-easy to make and only needed one bowl to mix the ingredients!

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

I started something new by prepping my ingredients first.

I hope it will reduce my baking errors. Apparently, I tend to get distracted and skip much-needed ingredients like baking soda or eggs.

If you don’t have a dog theme cookie cutter I don’t think your dogs will mind. However, I found these Made in the USA cookie cutters.

The directions could not be easier. It’s a dump and mix kind of recipe.

I roll my cookie dough keeping it on the thicker side to give the bones a little more weight.

When I make dog treats I use the dry crumbly leftover dough at the bottom of the bowl and make these treats.

PUMPKIN DOG TREATS RECIPE

HOMEMADE PUMPKIN DOG TREATS

Easy recipe for a batch of homemade pumpkin dog treats!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

3/4 CUP PUMPKIN PREE
1/2 CUP PEANUT BUTTER (SUGAR AND SALT FREE)
1/4 CUP OATS
2 CUPS WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR OR BROWN RICE FLOUR

Instructions

1. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES
2. PREP BAKING SHEET WITH PARCHMENT PAPER
3. COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS. DOUGH WILL BE A CRUMBLY
4. ROLL DOUGH IN SMALLER PORTIONS TO FLATTEN FOR COOKIE CUTTER
5. USE YOUR FAVORITE COOKIE CUTTERS
6. BAKE FOR 10-12 MINUTES. ADJUST BAKING TIMES TO YOUR OVEN.
7. LET COOL. SERVE WITH A BIG BOWL OF COLD WATER.

Hope your four-legged family members enjoy! If you have a few minutes check out this to-do list for dogs. And if want to get head start on your dog’s stocking stuffers check out these fun finds.

Saying Goodbye to Our Pets

February 28, 2020

Saying goodbye to our pets is the hardest part of loving them so very much

Saying Goodbye to Our Pets

If you have ever known an Australian Shepherd you know they are smarter than most if not all family members.

It is with heavy hearts we share our news that Tanner RAN to the Rainbow Bridge this morning. It is impossible to measure twelve years with Tanner. Saying goodbye to our pets and the sadness that follows is the hardest part of loving them so much.

As a puppy, Tanner unpacked three bags of Goodwill items and scattered the items across our front yard. We found a toaster the following spring in a shrub; buried under the winter snow. He dragged a garden hose to the middle of the yard from the garage because he could.

He grabbed the dry cleaning bag on the front porch and pulled every pressed shirt onto the yard so the neighbors could view my husband’s expansive button-down shirts. Our dry cleaner quickly learned to leave our dry cleaning on the front porch light above the doorbell.

One year, Tanner ate every child craft constructed with Froot Loops, marshmallows or elbow pasta. What he ate in childhood artwork was nothing compared to the memories of that night when we arrived home from dinner to discover years of school crafts regurgitated on the carpet stairs.

These were his favorite dog-approved treats.

Tanner was the third parent in our family; he helped raise our kids, taught them lessons about loyalty and trust and endurance (he was an Aussie). Below is a photo of Tanner with our kids the day we adopted him. The photo below was taken from our family photographer and friend and neighbor who has known Tanner since he was a puppy.

Saying Goodbye to our Pets

Tanner, you were born to run!
Now go find Owen-he’s likely in a closet.

** Owen was our Bernese Mountain dog rescue who lived in our closet the first 12 weeks after we adopted him. Tanner helped coax Owen out of the closet, literally.

Thank you, Tanner! You raised our kids (and our Bernese Mountain dogs). We love you and know you watch over us every day.

Saying Goodbye Update:

Over the course of a few days after saying our goodbyes to Tanner, my husband and I both caught movement from the corners of our eyes on two separate occasions.

When it happened to me I was a little spooked thinking something was in the backyard. And, then I wondered … could it be Tanner? Was Tanner letting us know he made it to the Rainbow Bridge and decided to get a few extra laps in by stopping back at our house?

I could not shake the feeling but kept the moment to myself.

Until…

A few days later my husband was in the same spot, in front of the kitchen sink that overlooks the backyard.

And he suddenly jumps and says, “Whoa….” and he ran to the back door.

I knew in that instant my husband saw Tanner. Without leading him, I said, “What? Like, what’s wrong?” And, my husband explained that something ran across the back yard.

At that moment, I shared with him the exact same feeling and sighting a few days earlier.

And, we both knew… knew in our hearts and from the shivers down our spines.. it was Tanner. He let us know he was still here to check on us and watch our kids move forward in their lives.

We later joked he was keeping tabs on his Berner sister, Chloe. And, making sure the boys (one of them) doesn’t sneak in too late thru the front door).

We love you Tanner; forever and always.

Tanner, you left paw prints around our hearts …

This post was written in the fall of 2018. Please read the update in the days that followed Tanner’s trek to the Rainbow Bridge.

Reposted with update February 28, 2020

10 Ideas To Freshen a House with Dogs + Video

January 30, 2020

There is nothing worse than when you suspect your house smells like dogs. If you ask your friends if your house smells like dogs-chances are you already know the answer. As the mom of two Bernese Mountain dogs who is also a Realtor, I can smell a house with pets when I walk through the front door for a showing. Here are 10 easy ideas to freshen a house with dogs.

how to freshen a home with pets — Photo by John Becker, WBIR

These same ideas could be applied to stinky children & spouses. I have those too!

10 Easy Ideas to Freshen a House with Dogs

Let me start with this; I am not a fan of plugin room fresheners. They work but when I smell a plugin room freshener, that over the top cinnamon or floral smell, my first thought is what is the homeowner trying to mask. So here are ten ideas to freshen up your house before showings or guests.

1. FRESH AIR

Never underestimate the power of fresh air. An open window allows fresh air to circulate.

2. CEILING FANS

Have you looked up at your ceiling fan when it is not running? I was stretching the other morning and I look up in the middle of a hamstring stretch and there was a 1/2″ of dust on the ceiling fan blades.

And, I run that ceiling fan every night. Guess who sleeps directly under the ceiling fan? This one:

And, during the day she sleeps under one of my boy’s ceiling fans.

3. VINEGAR

I love this multi-purpose cleaner. It is on my list of favorite cleaning products. Yes, it smells like vinegar, but it is effective at getting to the source of the smell; not masking the odor.

4. BAKING SODA

5. WASH ENTRY RUGS

Think about this; our dogs run in and out the doors dozens of times a day. Think about what those cute little paws tracked in when they chased a squirrel or do their business?

And, those entry rugs are the first line of defense to stop those muddy paw prints. Eww.

6. LINT ROLLER

A lint roller is a great way to snag random dog and human hairs on the tops of chairs and sofas. And, guess where sellers stand when they take in the main floor? Usually behind the couch or an armchair.

And, if they like the space they move in closer to check out what is on the homeowner’s shelves.

7. CLEAN UP THE BACKYARD

This one piggybacks on the entry rugs. If you can minimize the mess in the backyard you minimize the odors into the house. When I skipped a day (or two) to clean up the backyard and watch my dogs wrestling in the backyard I shudder at the thought of what they rolled thru during recess. Ewww.

8. BRUSH DOGS REGULARLY

Elliott loves to be brushed. His older sister, Chloe, not so much. She runs when she sees the hairbrush. But it makes a huge difference to brush our pets regularly to minimize what travels into the house via tails and tummies.

9. WASH THE WALLS

This is a big issue at my house. Chloe and Elliott have their favorite spots to chill during the day. And, when we repainted our walls to a lighter color I noticed the film of dirt on the walls. I keep the vinegar in a spray bottle to stay on top of these spots.

10. FRESH GREENS OR FLOWERS

Freshly flowers, greenery or herbs are an organic way to freshen your home. I think that is why we don’t notice the stale air during the holidays. From October through December, we have an abundance of fresh garland, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, Christmas trees, cider, and baked goods to fill our homes.

And, then by January, we have cold temps, over-active thermostats and furnaces and stale air. Rosemary is a great option to freshen up a space. I tuck mine into my candles in January.

I thought about tucking a sprig of Rosemary into Chloe and Elliott’s collars! #wink

Video Recap

Thank you for stopping by! Please share your tips in the comments!

HOMEMADE DOG TREATS JUST 4 INGREDIENTS

September 25, 2019

Sharing a four-ingredient, homemade dog treats recipe

Our home is busy with two Bernese Mountain dogs. Chloe, our oldest, is the sometimes bitter angry sister who resents her now three-year-old brother, Elliott. We are blessed with these gentle creatures.

Speaking of creatures, have you watched All Creatures Big and Small? The sweetest, feel-good show ever! You can’t help but smile while watching it. Elliott loves it too! If you follow me on Instagram you can see videos of Elliott watching this feel-good, family-friendly show.

But for now, look at this face.

This face! This face gets me every single time. I just want to give our Bernese Mountain dog, Chloe, smooshy kisses. This face is Chloe’s classic look that gets her extra treats and hugs.

Sometimes I just get on the floor with her and talk to her about the day.

Over the past few years, Chloe (like us) adjusted to a quieter house during the day as her best friend (our youngest) spent more time away from home as his social life took a bigger role in his high school years.

Hearing our youngest, Evan, greet Chloe and Elliott (our Berner rescue) when he walks thru the front door is the best part of their day and mine.

So when the weekend rolls around I like to bake something just for Chloe. These homemade dog bone-shaped cookies are a great treat. And, the best part is they take little time and have only four ingredients.

HOMEMADE DOG TREATS

I shared a funny video on Instagram when I caught Chloe sneaking a few homemade dog bones when I was not looking. The video was a bit of a fail when I uploaded the wrong video. Here’s a photo of a 1/2 eaten dog bone.

4-ingredient-dog-bone-recipe-everyday-edits

I found this Rae Dun treat jar at Homegoods just for Chloe!

The best part of this dog bone recipe is it only has four ingredients. And, I can pronounce all of the ingredients. If you bake with whole wheat flour you likely have the 4 ingredients on hand. These homemade dog bones bake just like cookies.

I found these inexpensive dog shaped cookie cutters.

But have since found this Made in USA dog bone baking sheet that I love!