At one point in my life, I would toss all of my 12-year-old dog Riggins’ things in a deep, low cabinet. When we moved eight years ago, I crawled into that cabinet and pulled out items I had long forgotten about. That’s no good. The key to dog gear organization is to make it as easy to access as possible. Here are a few tips on how to organize dog gear:
Mudroom hooks are a must for any dog parent. Photography by Javier Brosch / Shutterstock.
Placed by a door, these are perfect for storing leashes and harnesses. They’re easy to access as you head out, and leashes are less likely to get tangled up when hanging versus being tossed into a bin. A multi-hook system works best for dog items.
A shelf above your hooks can hold a small container filled with poop bag rolls. Or make a little drawstring bag out of fabric, fill it with poop bags, and hang it from one of the hooks. Either way, your extra poop bags are in easy reach, and those are something you’re going to need!
Gear that’s used exclusively for hiking and adventures can stay in your car. A collapsible trunk organizer keeps everything in place.
Use a storage ottoman or any sturdy box as a toy chest. You can even train your dog to put his own toys away before bed!
Look for this fun dog food storage container at sylvesterandco.com.
A stylish food can holds a bag of dog food. Of course, if your pup is like Riggins, he’ll figure out how to get into that quickly. In that case, invest in a vault-style container made for dog food. Note: Wash the container out fully after finishing the dog food before putting in new dog food. The remnants left behind can turn rancid.
Self-dog wash places have little baskets full of cleaning and grooming supplies. You can do this at home, too. Keep shampoo, conditioner, small towels, brushes and other grooming supplies in a shower caddy for easy transport to wherever you need it. Plus, it makes for fast and simple storage under the sink.
Mountainsmith’s K-9 Cube Travel Pet Bag lets you keep all your dog’s travel accessories in one convenient pack.
Your pup’s suitcase can double as a place to keep items you don’t need all the time like his extra-long leash and beach frisbee. You’ll find many bag options online or at your local pet store. Personally, I’m in love with the Mountainsmith K9 cube.
Pinterest is a great place to look for organizational ideas. Here are a few I find clever:
No matter how you organize your dog’s gear, I’m sure he is happiest when it is in use!
A dog watching his toys getting cleaned. Photography ©Jevtic | Getty Images.
If you’re not sure whether that old well-used toy can be cleaned or should just go in the trash, check out these tips.
Thumbnail: Photography by Corey Gaffer Photography.
Wendy Newell is a former VP of Sales turned dogsitter, which keeps her busy being a dog chauffeur, picking up poop and sacrificing her bed. Wendy and her dog, Riggins, take their always-changing pack of pups on adventures throughout the Los Angeles area. Learn more about them on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheActivePack and on Instagram at @wnewell.
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!
Read more about how to keep your home clean on Dogster.com:
Wendy Newell | May 31st 2018