Home & Garden

Raising two dogs vs one dog. Should you raise one dog or two dogs? That’s a question I asked myself for years — until I decided to try owning multiple dogs (usually 2, but sometimes 3) at the same time. Because multi-dog household aggression is real! It’s one of the signs of Littermate Syndrome when you’re raising two puppies. I’ve been at this for decades now! Here’s how to introduce 2 dogs. Signs one dog doesn’t like the other. Pros & Cons of having more than one dog. Ways to simplify life when you have multiple dogs. How to get dogs to get along. All my best tips for how to raise two dogs in the house together!

Is Littermate Syndrome real? YES! Most experts strongly advise against raising sibling puppies — because they may become difficult to handle as they mature due to Littermate Syndrome. What Is Littermate Syndrome? Littermate Syndrome (sometimes called Sibling Puppy Syndrome) refers to issues that are more likely to arise when puppies from the same litter (or […]

Love sleeping with a down comforter, but hate washing and changing the duvet cover? (Me too.) I recently found a quick way to make your bed AND have fresh bedding as often as you like! Try these hotel bed making secrets for a faster, more luxurious way to make the bed without the need for a duvet cover. Turns out the best way to make a bed is to do triple sheeting! Here’s how…

I found the most modern night lights ever! You can replace a regular wall outlet cover with an LED night light outlet cover… using just a screwdriver. I did! No more plug-in night lights — so all my outlets are still free for other things! Here are 3 things to know before you get an outlet cover night light.

If you can’t read small print up close and need a quick (and FREE) DIY hack when you’re at home, read this! This easy hack works every time. (I use it when I’m reading instruction manuals, recipes, the mail, and dosage instructions on prescription bottles.) I’ve also found a great magnifier for reading small print and tackling other household projects (like removing splinters and ticks, fixing jewelry, etc.) See the 7 reasons I think it’s the best magnifying glass for reading small print.

How well you prepare and pack your computer BEFORE moving will impact your productivity AFTER moving — especially if you use your computer to earn money and/or organize your life. Here are 9 steps you should take when packing a computer so it won’t get damaged during the move, AND you won’t be left without a computer or important files, AND you will be able to quickly reconnect your computer correctly at its new location! Plus tips for packing other electronics — like printers, scanners/copiers, TVs, stereos, iPads, tablets, cameras, digital photo frames, stereo systems, DVD players, kitchen appliances, etc.

See how well Roombas and other robot vacuum cleaners work on stairs, hardwood floors, with rugs and other obscacles. I like iLife robot vacuums because they’re more affordable. (Actually, I have two — one upstairs and one downstairs!) These photos and videos tell the whole story about the iRobot Roomba and other popular robot vacuum cleaners — HOW they work, how WELL they work, which are the BEST ones, and how to CLEAN them. My personal experience with robot vacuum cleaners and pets.

If you’ve ever wondered how in the world you’re going to brush your dog’s teeth yourself, I’ve got SO MANY helpful tips that will make it incredibly easy for you to do! See exactly how to clean your dog’s teeth. Handy gadgets that make the process MUCH easier. The difference between plaque and tartar – how to tell which one your dog has (and which one is the most harmful). Plus some scary facts that will become your reality if you DON’T start brushing your dog’s teeth. 80% of dogs have dental disease by age 3 – so it’s crucial that you start now!

If your dog still pees or poops in the house, read this! Top 7 reasons dogs have accidents & best the DIY remedy for each. Top 5 dog potty training gadgets… that work! And our best tips for potty training puppies and adult dogs.

Here’s proof that a basic dog collar (and even your dog’s ID tags) can be dangerous, causing your dog to get entangled — even strangled! It happened to me twice with 2 different types of dog collars. See which types of collars they were — and which types of dog collars are safe to use.

Wish your George Foreman grill wasn’t such a chore to clean? Want to see how to clean a George Foreman grill with very little effort? Here are 3 tricks that make cleaning George Foreman grills super easy. (The aluminum foil idea is the best!)

I have finally discovered the correct way to hang the toilet paper roll! RIGHT: rolling down from the top. WRONG: rolling down from the bottom. It was always intended to be this way, according to the original patent for the toilet paper roll.

Is your dog nervous in public places? Does he always have his eye on strangers and watch their every move? A dog trainer shares 2 important ways to make your fearful dog more comfortable around strangers. Is your dog even afraid to play? Here’s how to help a scared dog build confidence in themselves and become less fearful.

Good apartment dogs come in all shapes and sizes — your best choice will be one with an energy level that matches your lifestyle! See a list of the best dog breeds for apartments. Plus, important things you need to know before adopting a dog that will live in an apartment. Finally, see how to find dog friendly apartments nearby. And tips for getting apartments that allow dogs to accept YOUR dog!

We received the most wonderful housewarming gift for our new home: the Ring Video Doorbell. See what I like best about the Ring WiFi Doorbell in my Ring Video Doorbell review…

Green (eco-friendly) moving tips to help you save money while being environmentally friendly at the same time. Some of the ideas include: find a moving company with sustainable business practices, reuse green moving and packing supplies, and don’t move every single item from your old house to your new house!

These are actual tax deductions, as quoted by people ‘in the know’ who share their advice about tax write-offs, as they relate to dogs. (Including dog foster parents, dog breeders, guard dog owners, Instagram influencers, and more!) Most of us cannot deduct our dogs or any expenses associated with them on our IRS tax returns. But that doesn’t stop people from trying! Lots of funny dog write-off stories here, too.

Buying a house for the first time? These are the most important things that a first time home buyer needs to be aware of BEFORE beginning the process of buying your first home. 8 important Do’s and Don’ts you need to know!

I used to work at a vet. Here’s my secret to having a quick (yet thorough) vet appointment! Plus a few other ways I’ve found to speed up vet visits.

Can dogs be traumatized by fireworks? YES! If your dog becomes traumatized after fireworks, read these helpful tips. A dog’s hearing is 10 times more sensitive than a human’s, so the fireworks are likely to cause your dog some anxiety, stress, and fear. Here are 11 things you can do in the hours leading up to the fireworks to keep your dog from stressing out. Plus, 7 things you should do during the fireworks if you notice your dog becoming overly stressed by the loud noises and bright lights.

At some point, your dog will need a professional teeth cleaning from a veterinarian. This article will answer all of your questions! See how much it costs, signs that a dog dental cleaning is necessary, and what you can expect before, during, and after the dog teeth cleaning procedure.

I know how challenging raising two dogs together can be — especially when one is jealous or aggressive. It’s downright scary at times! See how we dealt with many long months of sibling rivalry of the worst kind in our home, what dog jealousy and aggression look like (photos and videos), and how I managed to stop dog on dog jealousy with my dogs.

Whether it be because of employment circumstances, moving, or another personal situation, living in extended stay motels could be the affordable housing solution you’re looking for! Cheap extended stay hotels can be comfortable and practical — for yourself or your entire family — as temporary housing for a few months. Here’s what it’s like living in a motel, how much it costs, and how to find monthly hotel rentals that meet your needs best.

See why I think Google Docs is the perfect recipe organizer. Not many people use Google Docs for organizing recipes, but it serves my purpose well. I can save everything from the recipe in just ONE click (recipe title, ingredients, cooking directions, nutrition info, photos, notes, comments). Turns out, Google Docs is a fairly sophisticated way to organize recipes… and it’s FREE!

How many of the following tricks can your dog do? Does your dog perform any cool tricks that aren’t on this list? I honestly can’t imagine many more dog tricks that could possibly have been left of this list! These are the best dog tricks… ever!

When I’m stuck at home and experiencing cabin fever for whatever reason AND my dogs are there with me, I find myself searching for ways to do these 2 things: save money and get organized! Specifically, I’m always on the hunt to find new ways to save money on stuff for the dog (dog treats, dog food, dog toys, dog beds, dog grooming items, etc). And I’m also looking for clever ways to re-organize all of the dog’s gear and supplies (like I way I organized all of the dog treats and dog food in our house). Today I’m going to share with you some fun ways to do BOTH of those things while spending good quality time with your dog at the same time!

Some say that the best dog toy in the world is a tennis ball. Others think Kong toys are best. I have a hard time arguing against either of those, but in our house of many dogs, the best balls for dogs are clearly Splash Bombs! Followed by Zogoflex durable dog balls, Kong LARGE tennis balls, the Wicked Ball, and the Omega Tricky Treat Ball. See why these are our top 5 picks for best dog balls!

Want to dye your dog’s fur a different color? The safest dog hair dye is food coloring (juice from colorful foods or organic food coloring). Here’s how to dye dog hair yourself at home — without making your pet uncomfortable… or sick!

Here is the best list of foods you should AVOID giving to your dog (human foods that are poisonous or toxic to dogs) + Foods that you CAN give to your dog (human food safe for dogs) — according to pet experts. Plus, what you should know if you decide to offer table scraps and other people foods to your dog at some point.

Doorstops are easy to make. See 10 of my own makeshift door stoppers using everyday household items, 6 DIY door stop tutorials from other clever people, 16 of the most unique door stops on Amazon.

Are you trying to compare Home Depot Tuff Sheds vs. Heartland Sheds from Lowes? I did all the research so you don’t have to! Before I bought my wood Tuff Shed, I thoroughly explored all the options regarding Home Depot sheds and Lowes sheds. In this article, I will answer the following questions: How much does a Tuff Shed cost? Do you need a permit to put up a Tuff Shed? What are the similarities and differences between a Home Depot Tuff Shed and a Heartland Shed from Lowes? Are Tuff Sheds good and would you buy one again? What is the Tuff Shed installation process like? Why is a wood shed better than a metal shed or plastic shed?

Wondering what to stuff inside of your dog’s Kong toy? Here’s a list of the best Kong recipes that have worked well for lots of dog owners. These dog recipes make delicious treats that you can stuff inside a Kong toy!

One way to save money on your wedding invitations is to make them yourself. This can be a very fun project — especially if you’re creative. Today, it’s easier than ever to make your own wedding invitations. Here are some ideas to get you started…

Wondering how to get help with vet bills for your pet, and don’t know where to start? The Brown Dog Foundation helps dog owners who are facing expensive vet bills in order to save their dog’s life. As long as you are willing and able to pay a portion of the veterinarian’s cost to save your dog’s life, the Brown Dog Foundation will help pay the rest! If you don’t live in Tennessee, see our extensive list of other organizations that help pay vet bills by state.

Dealing with a bad case of dog diarrhea? I used to work at a vet. While there, I learned a few home remedies for dog diarrhea. Diarrhea in dogs can be serious. See which dog diarrhea treatment works best for my dog, and when you should see a vet for doggie diarrhea. Vet-approved dog diarrhea home remedies… that work!

As an entomologist and pest control expert specializing in both urban pests and agricultural pests for the past 25 years, I’m going to show you how to get rid of moles in your yard – from my most favorite to my least favorite methods. Lots of ground mole removal methods ranging from mole poison and baits more humane options. I’ll even show you how to get rid of moles naturally using items you already have at home!

Use these tips to clean, disinfect, and remove mold, mildew, bacteria, germs, soap scum… like a pro! A list of all the best cleaning products for the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, bathtub, bath mats, refrigerator, chrome, mirrors, appliances, carpet, upholstery, glass, wood trim, baseboards, cabinets, hardwood floors, vinyl flooring, fingerprints, painted walls, scuff marks, crayon marks, stovetop, stainless steel, and polishing the furniture.

Wondering exactly how other people stuff Kongs for their dogs? I’m going to show you how to stuff a Kong toy for dogs + A few Kong stuffing tips for first-timers.

The Wicked Ball dog toy is one of the best interactive dog toys I’ve ever seen. It’s 100% automatic – it rolls and moves all by itself and even turns itself ON and OFF! It’s great for preventing dog boredom and entertaining your dog when you’re not home. See why my dogs like it so much…

Let’s talk about hairy dog paws!… Does your dog have a lot of fur that grows on the top of his paws, between his toes, and even underneath on his paw pads? If so, should you trim the fur or just let it keep growing? I trim it… and I’ll show you how to do it yourself.

Without question, the one part of your house that gets beat up every single day is your floor! Shoes, boots, heels, and cleats are just a few of the menaces that torture your flooring. Moving chairs and other furniture also add their fair share of damage. When you consider these factors, combined with damage from moisture getting on the floors from spills, stains, rain, mud, and snow days… eventually you’re going to be faced with replacing your old flooring. But what type of flooring should you put down? As a flooring installer, I have some thoughts about luxury vinyl flooring including — 1) How durable, waterproof, and scratch-proof vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring is, 2) How to install luxury vinyl as a DIY project, 3) How to clean vinyl plank flooring, and 4) How vinyl tile & plank flooring compare to natural stone and wood flooring.

A list of Universal Design new home features you should consider BEFORE building or remodeling your house. Plus reasons to consider “aging in place” in the home of your dreams! I encourage you to give these Universal Design principles a lot of thought before building or remodeling your house!

We bought 2 sets of down pillows from Hilton Hotels — because we LOVE the pillows every time we stay at a Hampton Inn hotel. But here’s a TIP… don’t buy them from Hampton Inn online. Buy them from Pacific Coast instead. They’re cheaper! Here’s what you need to know…

You know what a dirty bathtub ring looks like… Now imagine what that soap scum buildup is doing inside the jet plumbing of your bathroom jetted tub! Sure, you can clean the surface of the tub itself. But once you start the air jets, all kinds of nasty looking black specks will come floating to the surface if you don’t clean the jets, the nozzles, and the interior plumbing system too. (I know because it happened to me.) Those pipes behind your soaking tub with jets quickly become contaminated with infectious bacteria — some you can see, and some you can’t. Fortunately, cleaning the inside of your air tub’s pipes, jets, and nozzles is really easy! The hardest part is taking the time to do it on a regular basis — to prevent biofilm (nasty residue that forms around bacteria in your plumbing lines) from building up in the jets. Here’s how to properly clean a jetted tub and remove biofilm yourself in just a few quick steps. See how to make your own jetted tub cleaner and ones that are available in stores.