Corralling the Puppy Clutter

With the addition of a new puppy to our family this Christmas, we are tripping over stuffed toys and bones everyday.   I have two boys, six and ten years old, and I am on them to always clean up after themselves.  Now I have two dogs, and I have yet to figure out how to train them to clean up all their toys at the end of the day! 

One thing I have made sure though, is to limit the amount of toys the dogs have.  I don’t have stuffed animal toys for them because it looks like it snowed in Southern California within a few minutes of playing with it.  It also looks like a gruesome murder as the body parts of the toy are scattered across every room in the house.  Next, I don’t buy hollow plastic toys.  Again, my small dogs become vicious killers who can’t hide the evidence.  Why buy something that only lasts a few minutes for them to play with, but takes a half hour to clean up the small pieces?!?  To corral the actual toys the dogs play with, I have utilized a low rectangular basket in our living room.  This is small enough to limit the toys and low enough that the dogs can find a new toy to taunt each other with.

Also, with new a new puppy comes other “stuff”.  I have bones (vet approved), two different foods, two beds, cleaning/bathing supplies, treats to reward good behavior,  baby gates, pens to corral the dogs from our pool, and sprays to keep the puppy from chewing on things she shouldn’t.  Where does all this new stuff go?  I cleared out a cabinet to keep all the dog “stuff” together.  Food, bones and treats on one shelf, cleaning/bathing supplies on another.   I can easily access everything I need to quickly take care of the dogs.  I also made space in our garage for the gates and playpens for when the puppy is bigger and can have the freedom to roam around the house. 

With anything you bring into your home, you should use the one in two (OK, one in some cases) out rule.  Now with bringing in a new puppy, the one in (puppy) and one out (our dog of 4 years) does not apply!  But I did need to make room for everything that I needed to make the puppy’s life here at our home a great one.  So if were a new vacuum, a new TV, a new set of furniture, new clothes, new make up or anything else you may bring into your home, make sure you are clearing out at the same time. 

What was your big Christmas gift that required you to do a little clearing out?  I would love to hear about it!

For more tips on organizing, visit my website at:  www.afreshstartorganizing.net/tips. 

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The New Adventures of the Interrupting Puppy

Dakota

This year Santa really delivered to my family.  We received a new puppy under the tree!   Dakota (a Puggle – pug/beagle mix) arrived Christmas morning and we haven’t been the same since.  She is an adorable and loving addition to our busy family.  She is also a new challenge in our daily lives.  I must admit every once in a while we have wondered “are we nuts?”

We are not rookies at the puppy training game, but I did need a refresher course.  I got back out my handy puppy books that I found helpful in rearing our other dog, Reagan.  Puppies for Dummies by Sarah Hodgson (www.dummies.com) has become our puppy training bible.  In reading about how to train a new puppy, I realized how much of what I read related to what I tell my organizing clients.     Training a puppy has similar principles to time management.  (Organizing and Time Management are like peanut butter and jelly – each are good, but together they are better) Establishing a routine is the foundation to keeping your house free of messes (puppy and human).  Schedules, routines, and good habits are things we can’t live without.  We wake in the morning and we sleep at night.  We eat breakfast, lunch and dinner around the same times each day.   Knowing what to expect keeps us feeling safe and sane!

I am finding that in establishing a new routine for Dakota, I am in need of changing my own routine to fulfill her needs.  I am being interrupted to constantly take her outside to go to the bathroom.  With my two boys home on Christmas break, introducing the new puppy to Reagan, and keeping a vigilant eye out for puppy mischief, I am just keeping my head afloat.  Interruptions are a huge time management obstacle.  New life changes, even minor ones, require us to readjust our schedules and habits.  Creating a new habit usually takes 3 weeks.  Perseverance is a necessity.  I am up to this challenge!   How about you?  What are your new challenges for the New Year? 

My next post will have to be on organizing all the stuff you “need” for a new puppy!

For more tips on organizing, visit my website at:  www.afreshstartorganizing.net/tips. 

Also, you can subscribe to my monthly e-newsletter “Fresh Ideas for A Fresh Start” . Subscribe Now