Design superstars Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan have landed in Canada to film their HGTV television series Colin and Justin’s Home Heist. While here, they’ve noticed that Canadians love their canines, but they’ve also seen some homes that have completely gone to the dogs. To help combat this, Dogs in Canada has some simple tips and solutions for Colin and Justin’s top six design faux paws.

Dirty digs
According to Colin and Justin, the number one thing all dog owners should be doing is keeping their home neat and clean. If not for yourself, then for your guests. “There is nothing worse than coming into someone’s home and there is dirt all over the chairs and dog hair on the furniture,” insist the design duo.

Furthermore, depending on your guest’s choice of clothing, he or she could end up “looking like they are wearing mohair from head to toe. You’ve got to keep pet hair under control!” The same goes for dog drool.

Dogs in Canada fix
Regular grooming will do wonders for keeping dog hair under control. For dogs with a big shedding problem, try the FURminator® de-shedding tool.

Slipcovers and throws are easier to clean than upholstery. If vacuuming doesn’t pick up the dog hair, try running a lint-roller over your couch and chairs.

Not so shabby-chic
A bored or anxious dog can do a number on your furniture. Dog-friendly homes are often plagued by chewed-up table legs and scratched doors.

“And if there is any damage caused by your pooch you have to attend to that damage, you don’t just let it happen,” the pair continues.

“No excuse! If your dogs are scratching at your coffee table don’t just try to pass it off as rustic. No one is going to buy that, okay?”

Dogs in Canada fix
A trainer can offer insights into your dog’s behaviour, and advice on how to curb the problem.

If your dog is bored, you can keep him busy with a treat-stuffed Kong®.

Taste-deterrent sprays such as NaturVet Bitter Yuck!® leave a bad taste on your furniture to discourage your dog from chewing.

Double duty
Though practical and strongly advisable for training purposes, crates are a design dilemma – they take up space and are often downright ugly. Colin and Justin have noticed this particular problem in Canadian homes. “People have huge big crates in the middle of their TV room. It’s a little like Silence of the Lambs. So not a good look, Canada!”
On an episode of Home Heist, the design duo encountered a family that was using a dog crate as a coffee table. “[They] had a crate with this big black Labrador in there wagging his little tail away and perfectly happy. But they had cups and a teapot sitting on it and I’m thinking ‘What if that falls over? It’s going to scald the dog.’ And it looked terrible!” recalls McAllister.

Dogs in Canada fix
Put your dog’s crate in an out-of-the-way area to keep the crate out of sight and give your dog a quiet place to relax.

Light fabric tossed over the crate might improve the aesthetic and encourage napping.

Some companies are producing stylish crates designed to also serve as end tables.

Smell no evil
Concerned that your house has a distinct doggy odour? “To be sure how clean your house is, ask people who don’t have dogs. Ask them to come over because you be-come immune to it,” suggest Colin and Justin.
“That happens with bad smells as well. Don’t think that only happens with Calvin Klein, Chanel, Hermès, it happens with dog odour as well.”

Dogs in Canada fix
Use a time-release air-freshener in areas your dog favours.

Use odour eliminators, such as products by Febreze or Fresh Wave®.

The next time you’re vacuuming, put a few drops of essential oil (such as lavender) on a cotton ball or tissue and suck it up into the vacuum to distribute the nice smell wherever you clean.

Dog-obsessed designs
When your dog is a winner, ribbons and trophies tend to pile up quickly. But Colin and Justin claim that using them as home decorations is definitely a design no-no. “It’s like an obsession. Love your dog, be proud of your dog, and if your dog is a trophy winner, that’s fantastic. Celebrate that,” the pair offer. “But you do not have to have trophies and ribbons all over the place, because then the dog is dominating your decor.”
Having your dog’s knick-knacks all over the house can cramp anyone’s style. Colin and Justin concede that “You want to spoil your pooches. Of course you do. But do you really want to sit and watch TV with bones and bowls and all sorts of other paraphernalia that your dog may have?”

Dogs in Canada fix
Frame and display just the ribbon and/or photo of a big win.

Put up candid photos, but consider starting a scrapbook for show photos. Or commission an artist to paint your dog’s portrait and display that in a place of honour.

House your dog’s toys and bones in a decorative receptacle, like an antique chest or an ottoman with hidden storage. Just make sure your dog always has access to his favourites.

Fan-atics
It’s easy to become a fan of your dog, but when you accessorize your home using your breed as the motif, being a fan of your dog becomes your identity. Colin and Justin outline a familiar scenario: “It just goes overboard and then you actually become one of those people who that is all you get. It’s a vicious cycle. Because all your friends go ‘Hmm, what are we going to buy Barbara? Oh, I know! She likes Yorkie dogs. Let’s buy her a tea towel with a couple of Yorkies on it.’ Let’s not. Let’s just tone that down a wee bit. Keep that in check. Love your dog but don’t become obsessive.”

Dogs in Canada fix
Edit your collection often. Keep only the things you really like or feel strongly sentimental about.

Group your collectables together and display them in an interesting way.

If you have something valuable that you’re not sure what to do with, think about donating it to your breed club to raffle or auction off. If you don’t love it, it’s not worth keeping.

Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan are the stars of HGTV’s Colin and Justin’s Home Heist, and the authors of Colin & Justin’s Home Heist Style Guide.

By Alison Preiss

Alison Preiss shares her Toronto apartment with a full-time boyfriend and a part-time dog. Neither cramp her style. She is the Associate Print and Web Editor for Dogs in Canada and keeps her dorky collection of dog Beanie Babies hidden in a lovely antique suitcase.

(Originally appeared in our October 2008 issue)