Keep Furry Pals Happy With These Basic House Rules for Families With Dogs

House Rules for Families With Dogs walking the dog play and socialization bonding activity bad behavior in dogs childproof latch ban dogs from dinner table table scraps

By Lili Scott , Parent Herald Jan 13, 06:31 pm

Photo: (Photo : Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A dog brings such joy for families, but their presence also entails some extra responsibilities in the household. Though dogs are domesticated, they need guidance, discipline, and proper care, so it's vital to set up some house rules for families with dogs to avoid any bad episodes and to keep everyone happy.

Here are some basic house rules that families may follow if they have a dog:

1. Walking the dog every day should be non-negotiable, except during bad weathers.

Dogs need their daily walk for both their physical and mental health. According to the Animal Foundation, a dog who has been cooped inside the house, missing his daily walk for far too long, can become anxious, bored, and destructive.

Parents should ask their older kids to walk the dog if they are too busy to do this. It could also be a family bonding activity for those with toddlers and babies. Dad or mom can walk Fido during their stroll in the park with the baby.

2. Play and socialization should be regular as well.

Aside from the daily walks, families should play and socialize with their pup as often as possible, as this will be helpful for their stimulation. According to Harvard Health, dogs are such social beings, and they enjoy plenty of fun time. They also love meeting new people and other pets, so the park is their absolute happy place.

3. But take caution when your dog is around new people and pets.

Sometimes, the park may be too crowded with new people, which could overstimulate the dog. If this is the case, keep your dog on a leash first because it could jump on people or kids or come across a nervous and sappy dog that might think it's an attack.

Always check with the parents if your dog is desperate to make friends with a baby or another pet to avoid any untoward incident.

4. Never leave food on the table or kitchen counter.

Don't encourage bad behavior in your dogs by leaving food on the table or kitchen counter. Be sure to seal foods in jars and containers and lock the food pantry properly. Never leave the garbage bin where it's very accessible to them since dogs are naturally curious and will forage for food around the house.

Some dogs may be too smart and figure out how to open latches or cabinet doors. Solve this problem by fitting a childproof latch, especially in low storage areas where most household chemicals are stored.

5. Ban dogs from the dinner table.

Does your pup like to lurk at the dining table, hoping for some table scraps? Nip this habit in the bud as soon as possible because it will be harder to establish the rule if you have dinner guests over who might not be comfortable with dogs.

According to PetMD, feeding dogs table scraps is also a bad idea because this could raise their risks for health issues like pancreatitis, gastrointestinal problems, and food toxins. Human food has high calories and high-fat content compared to dog food, which may seriously impact their health.