Here’s a problem from a reader. If you guys would like, you can take a shot at solving it:
Help! I have two dogs that make a mess of my house! They stay outside in the back yard while I’m at work – the problem is when they come in! They are both still puppies, one is 9 months and the other is a year and four months, so they love to play and wrestle and get DIRTY! I wipe them off really well before letting them in the house but they still have residual dirt and mud on their paws and coats. I already tried wood chips in the kennel to help keep the mud down and rotating them between two yards to let the grass grow back, but so far it hasn’t done much to keep the dirt out of the house. I sometimes let them in the basement to dry off before coming inside. We have door mats as well. Any suggestions to help keep the floors and carpets cleaner (at least not dirty brown) and keep me from scrubbing and shampooing all the time????
If you have any ideas, go ahead and post a comment!
Beatrice
March 22nd, 2005 at 8:02 amHI…
We have a puppy as well. When he comes inside we usuall hose him down in the shower . It is a bit of hassle but keeps the carpets clean….
I am not sure if the way from your entrance is carpet or not but ours isn’t so we can let him walk there.. first he hated it but now he wants to go outside to go get hosed down afterwards…
hope this helps…
beatrice
Karen
July 25th, 2007 at 1:53 pmWe have a large chocolate lab who loves to dig in the dirt, but is a house pet. We had dirt issues too. We put a small baby pool on the deck outside the back door and taught her to walk in the water a few times and “wash her feet”. Then I kept a towel on the floor inside the door. This helps quite a bit. Also keeping her nails trimmed lessened the caking of dirt in her claws
jeff
August 10th, 2007 at 11:47 amDidn’t you realise having large dog you can’t keep a clean house. I have 2 mastiff’s keeping you house clean is a hourly job. First get rid of the carpeting you will never keep up with dirt and dog hair, go with some tile or wood floor where the dogs are keep. Keep your dogs on one level of the house (family room) with the door close to where you let them out.3/4 stone fill for the dog kennel keeps their feet clean.use large 1-1/2″ engineer rock for dog that like to dig holes. Keep dogs in a kennel or a dog run on stone or concrete. Dogs and grass don’t mix it becomes mud. Best way to clean rugs and floor is with a steam cleaner I use it all alot.
Kathy
October 30th, 2008 at 8:17 pmBe careful about washing your dog too much especially in the winter. They need the natural oil in thier coats for winter protection. Small dogs- in house. Large dogs pretty much outside.
Dodie
November 6th, 2008 at 3:17 pmKathy, this may not be what a vet wants to hear, but my solution to the dog washing problem was to wash my dog with baby shampoo. After the shampoo, when I have dried off most of the water, I put baby oil on my hands and run it through his fur. Then I finish drying him with a towel. His itching skin problem has disappeared and he smells great.
Dani
September 24th, 2009 at 4:31 pmGreat Job..very helpful..
Thank You!!