4 Ways to Reduce Muddy Dog Paws

April Shower brings May’s dirty carpets!

Is your dog’s middle name "Mud"?

Remember P.A.W.S. to stop your puppy’s muddy paws from dirtying your carpets and home

PAW HAIR
Ask your groomer to pay special attention to this issue. Shave hair between your dog’s foot pads as short as possible. Long hair flows out between the toes and grabs dirt, then swishes it around your floor like a dirty mop. A good groomer should be shaving this hair already, but better request it for best results. Don’t forget to check for nicks later. Also consider an overall shorter haircut for the muddy season, or at least trim leg/paw hair shorter. Trim nails as short as possible; ask for nail-grinding to smooth our rough surfaces that might hold dirt.

ALTER ENVIRONMENT 

Look for an alternate walking route, or changes to your yard, that would reduce puppy’s contact with mud. Cross the street before sidewalk puddles, try a slightly different route (turn left instead of right?), or check your local bike paths to see if dogs are allowed. If your yard is muddy, a little research may greatly improve your yard. Solutions I found included healthier grass and covering high-traffic areas with pea gravel to help drainage.

WASH FAST
I know it’s a pain, but wash Fido’s feet before he gets into prettier areas of the house.
1) Put a large, absorbent towel or mat just inside the doorway before you leave for the walk. Leave a second towel and a tall cup of water within reach from the doorway.
2) Stop your dog on the towel when you come back. If needed, lock the door and tie your smaller dog’s leash to the handle. Dunk and swish pup’s first paw into the cup, then use the towel to dry it.
3) Repeat.

SCRUB EARLY
Clean any offensive dirty spots as soon as you notice them, but let caked-on mud dry first. Use a stiff-bristled brush to comb away the chunks. Commercial and homemade cleaning combinations are easy to find and vary by carpet type, but simple warm water may work for many.

What about products?
Some dogs tolerate boots or a product like the Paw Plunger (a special cup designed to wash and scrub dog’s feet).  Puppy wipes (look for the kind without alcohol) can also help if you need a quick surface cleaning. Dog boots or shoes may eliminate the need for cleaning at all - if your dog will keep them on.  You may be out of luck with products if your dog doesn't like his feet touched. 

Good luck with those carpets!