The best way to keep dirt out of the house with dogs is to stop it at the door: wipe or rinse your dog’s paws every time it comes in, put absorbent mats at every entrance, and keep paw fur and nails trimmed so there’s less to trap mud. Regular brushing, fixing muddy patches in the yard, and teaching your dog to wait at the door take care of most of the rest.
If your dog likes to play in the dirt, some of it is always going to come inside. But by following these 8 tips, you can at least minimize the amount of tracked-in mess.
How to keep dirt out of the house with dogs?
1Brush your dog regularly
Regular brushing will remove any excess dirt and mud that they may have picked up. Brushing also helps to redistribute the natural oils in their coat, which can help to repel dirt and mud.
During the wet and muddy months, it is especially important to brush your dog on a regular basis. This will help to avoid any buildup of dirt and mud that could eventually be tracked into your home.
2Trim your dog's nails
Another way to keep dirt out of the house with dogs is to make sure their nails are trimmed. Long nails can cause your dog to drag mud and dirt into the house when they walk. In addition, long nails can also scratch floors and furniture, which can lead to further dirt and debris buildup.
Trimming your dog’s nails on a regular basis will help to keep them clean and prevent them from tracking mud and dirt into the house. While you’re at it, trim the hair between and around the paw pads (or have your groomer do it). Long paw fur traps mud, burrs and snow, and it’s one of the main reasons some dogs bring in so much dirt.
3Wipe your dog's paws
This is one of the most effective ways to keep dirt out of the house with dogs. After your dog comes in from outside, simply wipe their paws with a towel or pet-safe wipes (on really muddy days, dip each paw in a bucket or paw-washer cup of lukewarm water first). This will help to remove any mud or dirt that they may have picked up on their walk.
Wiping their paws every time they come in from outside will become a habit for both you and your dog. And it only takes a few seconds to do! For really muddy days, an automatic dog paw cleaner makes the job even quicker.
4Keep your dog clean
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important to bathe your dog regularly – especially if they’re the type to roll around in the mud!
Giving them a bath not only keeps them clean, but it also helps to remove any dirt or mud that they may have picked up on their adventures. How often you should bathe your dog depends on their breed and activity level. As a general rule of thumb, many dogs do well with a bath every one to three months, plus a quick rinse after a muddy adventure. Bathing much more often than needed can dry out your dog’s skin, so use a gentle dog shampoo.
5Maintaining your garden
For starters, it’s important to have a healthy lawn. If there are any bare spots, make sure to replant grass so your pet doesn’t have any open patches of dirt to dig in. You should also fill in any holes where water collects because those are prone to getting muddy. If you have any areas where grass just doesn’t grow well, try covering them with wood chips, bark mulch or stones, and consider laying pavers or gravel along the path your dog takes to the door. Avoid cocoa bean mulch, which contains the same toxic compounds as chocolate.
This will create a barrier between the dirt and your home. By taking these measures, you can help reduce the amount of dirt tracked into your home by your furry friends.
6Use mats
Mats are an essential tool for keeping dirt out of the house, especially if you have dogs. Placing mats at all entrances to your home will help to capture mud and debris before it gets tracked through the house. It’s important to shake out or vacuum mats regularly to prevent them from becoming overwhelmed with dirt.
In addition, placing a mat inside the door of any rooms that you don’t want your dog to enter can help to keep them clean. By using mats throughout your home, you can help to limit the amount of dirt and debris that gets tracked through the house.
7Train your dog
Training your dog for good manners goes a long way in keeping dirt out of the house. For instance, you can teach your dog the following:
- Wait at the door instead of rushing in
- Stand on a cleaning mat by the door until their paws are wiped
- Wipe their own paws on a special door mat (some dogs can learn this with treats and patience)
- Stay out of certain rooms in the house that you want to keep clean
8Invest in a good vacuum cleaner
Even if you take all of the precautions above, there’s still a chance that your dog will track some dirt and mud into the house. That’s why it’s important to have a good vacuum cleaner on hand to help clean up any messes.
Vacuum cleaners with powerful suction can help to remove dirt, hair, and other debris from your floors and furniture. If you have dogs, it’s worth investing in a good quality vacuum cleaner to help keep your home clean. A robot vacuum for dog hair can handle this daily without any effort on your part.
Final thoughts
There’s no doubt about it – dogs can be messy! But by taking a few simple precautions, you can help to keep dirt out of the house. By trimming their nails, wiping their paws, and keeping them clean, you can help to reduce the amount of mud and debris that gets tracked into your home. And if you train your dog and invest in a good vacuum cleaner, you’ll be prepared for any messes that they may make.
