Most pet owners will do whatever they have to in order to ensure their furry friend is happy and comfortable at home. Some will indulge in a luxury dog bed, others will have a basket of premium toys for playtime and almost everyone has delicious treats for the best friend.
But there are some people who believe money can’t buy happiness – even for our dog. They think it’s not what you give your dog, but how you set up their home environment.
Enter feng shui: The 6,000-year-old Chinese Eastern practice that uses the five elements, or forces needed for human life — metal, earth, fire, water, and wood —as well as Chinese medicine, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, or natural energy. According to some, it can be very helpful in improving the behavior of unruly pets as well as it improves the general energy of the home.
“Feng Shui is all about energy, or chi. In essence, you can think of feng shui as acupuncture for your home. It is a way of keeping the energy flowing in and around your home,” says Patricia Lohan, a feng shui expert. “The practice of feng shui is about making that energy as positive as possible, aligning your home for the highest good for you, your life, business, relationships, opportunities and the home itself.”
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Not only can this practice help create a serene environment for your pup, but your dog can also help improve feng shui in your home.
“Dogs benefit from your loving energy and home and they will return the favor with their unconditional love!” says Lohan. She says that our pups emit a protective energy that help make the home feel more safe and secure. So, every time your dog barks or wags their tail they are emitting joy into the space thus contributing to the overall essence of the home.
To ensure you are getting the most out of this ancient practice, we provided four ways to introduce feng shui into your dog’s world right now.
1.Reduce Clutter

An easy way to help introduce some feng shui into your home is to “reduce pet-related clutter that attracts negative energy,” says Lohan.
She recommends throwing out dirty and tattered toys. Lohan also says you should always make sure the space smells as fresh as possible. Consider essential oils (lightly fragranced as your dog’s scent is strong), rather than air fresheners that smell of citrus fruits like lemon or orange.
While removing old toys is super important, you should always have chew toys around for your dog, so she isn’t destructive.
Dog’s make messes; this is an inevitable part of owning a dog, but by cleaning it up right away the energy in your home will not be impacted.
2. Create a Safe Space for Rest

Since dogs spend a good amount of their day curled up sleeping, it’s important to create a safe space for them to rest. Dedicate a clean and safe area for them to sleep.
Once you have determined a good space, make sure their bed is facing a solid wall, meaning they aren’t facing windows or doors. Also, keep their bed away from any doors that may open and disturb them, yet, ensure they can see the door from where they are laying. This will promote a sense of safety and calamity when they sleep.
By finding bedding that has earth tones, such as brown or gray, a hyper dog’s energy will be stabilized. Eliminate the color red around where your dog is sleeping, as it is a fire element that can disrupt your dog’s energy and focus
Also make their sleeping area is as cave-like as possible. If your dog is crate-trained then they already may have a cave-like dwelling, but if not, choose a comfy bed and add dark colors to the space for a cave-like feel Add area rugs or mats so that they don’t slip on hardwood or tile floors. Another important tip is to keep their bed away from their water bowl, kitchen or bathroom. These places have high water energy which can disturb their sleep, says Lohan.
3. Establish Boundaries

This is going to be a hard one for many dog parents, but one thing Lohan could not stress enough was that dogs do not belong in YOUR bed.
“This is especially true for couples. When a pet shares a bed, it can sometimes divide the couple, getting in the way of romance, and sometimes, the relationship,” she says. “It would be better if the animals were not in the bedroom of a couple, but if it comes to choosing between pets sleeping in the room on the bed or the floor, go with the floor, never the bed.”
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4. Energy Is Everything

The last bit of advice that Lohan had for dog parents was to keep the relationship with your pet stable.
“Keep your relationship with your pet in balance, for the benefit of you both, and for the good energy of your home and the benefits that good feng shui brings to your life,” she says.
Related: 4 Ways to Get Your Hyperactive, Crazy Dog to Calm Down