Impacting Earth in a positive manner by following eco-friendly tips for dog owners is more than trying to find a way to properly dispose of dog poop in the environment. But it is also more than purchasing organic lawn care products or buying eco-friendly dog products. It is simply changing the way dog owners think and how they approach the care of their dog.

But unfortunately, the rumor mills for dog owners think that going "green" or "eco-friendly" is extremely expensive and difficult. But most dog owners who are already eco-friendly have found that going green is very inexpensive and can actually save money in the long run, while simultaneously forming a healthier and safer Earth for future generations.

What is eco-friendly?

Becoming eco-friendly with our dogs or pets simply refers to being environmentally friendly toward good ol' Mother Nature. By using eco-friendly dog products, along with eco-friendly dog services, pet owners can cause no harm on the Earth's environment. By being environmentally responsible for our dogs and pets, such practices will not only be good for Earth but also for all levels of life form.

Some basic eco-friendly tips for dog owners

*Feed your dog less meat, buying local and organic eco-friendly food. OR you can make your own organic dog food.

* Do not use pesticides or herbicides on your lawn

* When supplying daily water for dogs, use the old water for outdoor/indoor flowers or gardens.

* Lower household thermostats in the winter. Place more bedding for the dog to sleep on instead, or purchase a sweater for short-haired or smaller dogs to wear.

* If owning an inside dog, smoke outside. If owning an outside dog, try to smoke away from the dog pen or yard exercise.

* Do not let your indoor faucet run or drip to water an inside dog when gone. Fill outdoor dog pools in the morning or evening during hot summer months.

* Do not let your dog run at night, as they upset natural predator/prey balances by eliminating small prey or nesting birds.

* Wash dog dishes by hand, utilized the wash and rinse water outside in flowers or herb gardens.

* Bathe the dog with a natural pet shampoo and condition, utilizing the water in gardens.

* Use a Zen Dog Collar that is made from bamboo and cork products, considered a top notch eco-friendly green product (recyclable, waterproof, stain-resistant, and repellant to dirt, dust and grease).

~ Eco-friendly animal shelters

One of just a handful located in the United States, last year the Humane Society Silicon Valley of California had a grand opening for their new green, cageless and homelike habitat of Milpitas for strays - called the Animal Community Center. The plan is to make the lowest possible impact on the environment and also to hopefully increase the chances of animal adoption as compared to the high numbers of euthanasia in most shelters.

On the other hand, simply placing a green roof on your dog's doghouse can help the environment. A company called "Sustainable Pet Design" has introduced eco-friendly dog house roofs which "repel fleas naturally, insulate, filter water, attract butterflies, grow plants, and smell good," with each home custom-built with untreated red cedar plants, zero-VOC paint, and beeswax waterproofing. Vegetation on the roof is native to each dog owner's location.

The Project or Design Company also has green dog houses to take a look at. Can't afford them? Simply look over what they have to offer and get some good ideas to make your own dog houses eco-friendly using what you have.