There are very few things in life that can compare to the pure joy that comes with owning a dog. Second to kids only, raising a dog will make your heart swell to an unimaginable size. When you think about it, it makes sense.

Much like a baby, taking care of a pup in any life stage requires a lot of time, energy, love, and compassion. It can also, at times, cost you quite a bit of money.

Thankfully, millions of people across the world have been blessed enough to know the joys of owning a dog, and they’ve shared a few tips and tricks that they’ve learned along the way. Here are 20 of the most useful dog care tips to keep your pup feeling happy and healthy without breaking the bank.

1. You can actually make your own dog shampoo

A good dog shampoo is worth its weight in gold, to be sure, but why spend that kind of dough when you don’t have to? Believe it or not, you can actually make your own effective dog shampoo that leaves them fresh, clean, and smelling heavenly for just pennies on the dollar. This simple recipe only calls for 3 ingredients; baking soda, lavender essential oil, and corn starch.

2. Carabiners are a God-send

Just trust us and do yourself a favor by keeping a carabiner or three on your leash at all times. You can use it to clip multiple leashes together to walk your dog with its friends, and you can hang different accessories from them at the same time. When you need to hitch them up to a post for a quick minute, you can easily clip the carabiner to it instead of undoing the leash to tie it up first.

3. Learn to sew

All dog lovers want to keep their fur babies comfy, but those fancy dog beds can come with a hefty price tag. This isn’t so bad if it’s a one-and-done situation, but it likely isn’t. Dogs, especially young, energetic ones, can easily burn through their doggy beds. Cut costs in a major way by stuffing an old sweater with a pillow and sewing up the ends.

4. You can also DIY your dog toys

One of the biggest costs that come with owning a dog is a voluntary one; toys. Everyone wants to keep their dogs entertained, but playing with the same toys day in and day out can get boring. Buying new toys for them to just destroy, though, can quickly get expensive for you.

The compromise? Make your own dog toys from used clothes instead. To make a braided toy, just cut three wide strips from an old shirt or sweater and tie a knot in one end. Braid the three strands together and then secure the bottom with a second knot and you’re done!

5. Make your own tasty doggy treats

The holidays are in full swing and, for a lot of people, that means a ton of baking is going on. If that’s the case with you, you’ll be glad to know that many of the things we use in our own baked goods can be used to make some delectable dog treats, as well. Just type in a quick search for homemade dog treats on the Googs and get to pinning!

6. Nothing beats a squeegee when it comes to dog hair

Believe it or not, it’s totally true. No matter how great your vacuum is, if you’ve got a shedder in the house it won’t do the trick. What will though, oddly enough, is a squeegee. The rubber blade works like magic to scrape up long, stubborn dog hair off of any fabric surface and carpets.

7. Fake your dog out instead of chasing them

One thing you’ll learn quickly is that dogs love to play chase. If you want or need your dog to come back to you, sometimes it can be much easier to trick them into doing so.

Call their name and when they don’t come back, fall to the ground and act like you’ve been badly hurt. Most of the time they’ll be running to you before you can get off the ground. Sure, it seems a little cruel but if it keeps your pup from running into a dangerous situation, it’s worth it.

8. Dish soap is an effective flea killer

Flea meds can not only be expensive, but they can be toxic to your dog’s health as well. If it’s flea season and your dog’s dealing with a minor case of the crawlies, try dousing him in a bath with dish soap.

9. Wear your dog out by throwing the ball downhill

If you’ve got a dog with loads of energy to burn and you don’t have the energy to match, take them to a park or open space with a big hill. This is going to be the best place to play fetch with them.

Stand at the top of the hill and throw the ball or stick to the bottom. Not only will they take off like a lightning bolt downhill, but they’ll bolt right back up it the same way. The added uphill exercise will be sure to take it out of them by the end of the game.

10. Protect paws in winter with vaseline

Most of the country is expected to have a harsh winter this year, which means a lot of snow and ice. When this happens, most states break out the salt bags to sprinkle the roads and walkways with to melt the ice. A lot of people don’t realize that the salt can damage a dog’s paws, though. Of you expect to be going out on winter walks, slather your pup’s paws with vaseline to protect them from the cold and salt.

11. Freak out with excitement when they potty outside

People may look at you sideways as you stand there and clap your hands while you sing your puppy’s poopy praises, but trust us when we tell you it will really pay off for you in the end. Freaking out with happy excitement every time they go potty outside will help them pick up their housetraining exponentially faster.

12. Teach them to catch treats with popcorn

While a lot of dogs seem to come by this ability quite naturally, some less enthusiastic pups are quite content to mow down only after their food hits the floor. A great way to train them to snatch their food from the air is to use popcorn. It’s a low-calorie treat that they will have fun trying to catch.

13. Bright colors are your best friend

If you’ll be letting your dog off-leash in a crowded place or at night, put a bright colored vest or harness on them so they can be easily spotted. This is especially helpful while camping or out on a hike in the woods.

14. Keep a dog first-aid kit handy

While it’s not possible to plan for everything, there are a few key things that generally come in handy while dealing with dog injuries. You can either pick up a pet first-aid kit online or at a pet store, or throw your own kit together. Things to include are cotton balls, alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide, gloves, tweezers, scissors, antibiotic ointment, absorbent gauze, tape, ice packs, dish soap, oral syringes, styptic powder, tear gel, and saline solution.

15. Chicken and rice eases an upset belly

Just like with people, there is something so soothing about chicken and rice to a dog. If your pup is experiencing an upset belly for some reason, try switching out his regular food for a simple dish of boiled chicken and rice. It will make them feel better while keeping them full, and it’s uber affordable to make.

16. Baking soda will help you maintain your sanity

No matter how good your doggy is or how potty trained, accidents do happen. Of course, they happen A LOT more frequently when you’re raising actual puppies. The good news is that baking soda is all it’s touted to be when it comes to absorbing both smells and stains.

If your dog has an accident, soak it up with paper towels or a rag as best you can before sprinkling with baking soda. Let it sit 20 minutes to a few hours and then vacuum up and be amazed.

17. So will attaching a toy to your foot

Another thing about dogs is that they love to play. While you know that you can’t play with them 24/7, this is a concept they just don’t always understand. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to keep them happy and still get some things accomplished. Just attach a rope or some other toy around your ankle and you can twitch your leg and keep them entertained while you get some work done.

18. Use baby oil and cotton balls to protect your dog’s ears

Some dogs are just prone to ear infections, poor things. While you should always take your dog to a vet if you notice an infection, you can help prevent them at home. Simply soak a couple of balls of cotton in some baby oil and then gently place them in your dog’s ears before bathing. The baby oil will soothe the skin of the inner ear and the cotton will help keep any moisture from getting into the ear canal and causing an infection.

19. Turmeric kills pain for dogs too

Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and pain-killing properties in people, but few realize the miracle ingredient is just as beneficial to dogs, too. If you have a doggo in a lot of pain, be it from an injury, arthritis, or something worse like cancer, try adding in some turmeric to their daily feeding. You will both be relieved at its effectiveness.

20. Bubbles can keep you and your dog entertained for hours

The thing about dogs is that they are smart, and the thing about being smart is that it’s all too easy to get bored. Unfortunately, when dogs are bored they usually end up seeking out trouble. To keep both yourself and your dog entertained for hours on the cheap, spend an evening sipping some wine and blowing thousands of bubbles for your pooch to chase around and pop. It won’t get old and will give you the best photo-ops with your favorite furry friend.

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