6 minute read
Simple ways to stop your pets destroying
Adopting a new pet is incredibly exciting, however it's important you pet-proof your home to minimise any damage. From hiding away scented candles to trimming your canine's nails, there are plenty of great hacks to help you protect your space. What people don’t tend to prepare themselves for is the damage that pets can do to your home.
Need some help? Take a look at the tips to help you reduce the chances of your pet wrecking your home...
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1. MAKE SURE YOUR PETS ARE WELL EXERCISED
Full of energy and life, our pets need regular exercise to keep them stimulated. Just like humans, pets too can get bored at home, which is why it’s vital to ensure they are entertained.
“When dogs don’t have an appropriate outlet for this innate desire, it can lead to ‘problem’ behaviours that can cause damage in the home,” Rachel Rodgers, dog owner, says. “For some dogs, this may be digging which can manifest as ripping up soft furnishings like pillows, quilts and mattresses.”
To prevent any destructive behaviour, try giving your dog a ‘destruction box’ for them to rip up. Something like an old cardboard box or packaging is a surefire way to provide them with hours of fun.
2. USE AN ANTI-CHEW SPRAY AT HOME
Protect your furniture and accessories by spraying an anti-chew spray. With a naturally unpleasant taste, it will discourage your pets from chewing on carpets, curtains and furniture.
3. THINK TWICE ABOUT SCENTED CANDLES
Be careful with reed diffusers, scented candles and wax melts if you have pets. While they’re incredibly calming in the home, animals can easily knock them over. “Make sure that any scented candles are pet friendly and placed high up where your pet can’t reach them or knock them over,” says Lauren Rosenberg, an anxiety, fear and phobia expert.
4. CREATE A COSY SPACE FOR PETS
Give your pet a cosy, relaxing spot to unwind at home. Whether it's their own den or a soft bed, this will help them to give them a place to feel settled.
The team advise: "Crates are a quick way to do this but you can also convert furniture or even purchase furniture with spaces ready-made for dog beds, cat baskets etc. Having a little den gives pets a place feel safe if they are nervous or new to the family and have somewhere they are not being disturbed by other pets or family members!"
5. REMOVE ANY AT-RISK ITEMS
Nail scissors, tweezers, jewellery, medication or fragile vases can be easily discovered by inquisitive pets, especially young puppies. Keep anything like this well out of reach or tucked away in a drawer to prevent it being chewed on.
Pets love to explore, so it’s up to you to keep an eye on what they might find. Pay close attention to places such as bedside cabinets, sideboards or small bathroom bins.
6. KEEP YOUR BEDROOM PET-FRIENDLY
While a previous study found that sleeping with a dog in your room can improve your health, it’s important you do all you can to keep your bedroom pet-friendly. If you do choose to allow pets into your room, keep it a safe place that deters disruptive behaviours. Cats, for example, may scratch on the corners of your bed, so placing a scratching post in the corner is great to consider.
Cat sitter Anna Wan advises: “Keep your bedroom door open, so they can get to you if they want to, but also feel comfortable staying where they are knowing they have that option if they want it. And provide them with a place to sleep outside of your room which is their own.”
7. OPT FOR PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
If you are struggling to train your dog, why not enlist the help of a professional? Many dog trainers have moved their services online, making it easier for owners to get help at home.
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South Gloucestershire development wins national award for design
A new South Gloucestershire community has been named amongst the best large developments in the country in a prestigious national award scheme.
Ladden Garden Village, Yate, which is being built by local housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has been highly commended in the recently announced First Time Buyer Readers' Awards. With hundreds of people now living in the thriving new community North of Bristol, this development is rapidly becoming one of South Gloucestershire's most sought-after destinations.
Almost 2,500 homes will be built at Ladden Garden Village over the next ten years, surrounded by 32 acres of public open space, 3 acres of allotments, 4 acres of new woodland and hedgerows plus new play areas, sports pitches and 4.5 km of footpaths and cycleways.
The rapidly growing development was praised for its wide variety of house types, designs and materials, its high levels of sustainability and the size and approach to public open space, nature and wildlife.
The homes’ designs were also commended for highly sustainable features to reduce energy use and carbon emissions and save residents money. These include enhanced insulation and double glazing to minimise heat loss, highest efficiency-rated boilers and water saving taps, showers and toilets. Receiving the award, Louise Ware sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: "We're really proud of the new community we're building at Ladden Garden Village - both for the wide range of high quality, stylish homes on offer and also for the wide-open space and access to nature that this vibrant new neighbourhood will offer."
Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Bristol, which covers the wider Bristol area, added:
"Ladden Garden Village is really taking off now as a flourishing, new community within easy reach of both the city of Bristol and the glorious countryside of South Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. The homes on offer here are stylish, spacious and highly sustainable, so it's great for the team to receive this recognition as we work to deliver on our commitment to becoming the leading national sustainable housebuilder."
Ladden Garden Village, Yate, offers a wide range of homes in a growing new community, from one and two-bedroom homes ideal for first-time buyers or people looking to downsize or retire, to three-storey town houses, semi-detached and detached homes, suitable for growing families. Once complete, the new development will also include a primary school, nursery, community facilities and shop. Construction on phase four of Ladden Garden Village is due to start next year.
A flythrough of the third phase of the development at Ladden Garden Village can be seen here. Construction on phase four of Ladden Garden Village is due to start next year.
