How to Keep Muddy Dog Prints Off the Floor

Rinse your dog's paws to avoid muddy paw prints on your floor.

Cleaning muddy paw prints can be time-consuming, particularly if your dog runs across light-colored carpeting. Some mud can stain light-colored carpeting. In some regions, the soil is red with a high clay content. This mud can stain fabric and carpeting, particularly if you don't clean it immediately. Preventing muddy paw prints from soiling your floors requires a bit of preparation, but it will save a lot of time since you won't have to mop or scrub and shampoo your carpets every time your dog goes outside during rainy weather.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic tub
• Water
• Towel or absorbent mat
• Leash

Instructions

1. Fill a plastic tub with 2 inches of water. Place the tub just outside the door to your home before your dog goes outside.

2. Lay a towel on the floor just inside the door before bringing your dog outside. If your dog frequently tracks mud into the house, consider placing an absorbent rug, like a bathroom mat, just inside the door.

3. Bring the dog outdoors and keep him on a leash at all times.

4. Walk your dog into the tub or dip his feet in the water before entering the home. If the dog's feet are extremely dirty, rub the dog's paws with your hand to remove the mud.

5. Walk your leashed dog into the house and pause on the towel or absorbent bathroom rug. This will dry the dog's feet, preventing slips, falls and wet footprints.

6. Unleash the dog.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog uses a doggy door, place a large water basin just outside the door. Use a large, shallow tub, like an under-the-bed storage container and position it in front of the doggy door, so the pet cannot avoid it when entering the house. Place an absorbent bathroom rug inside, right in front of the doggy door.

• Trim the fur on your dog's paws. Long-haired dogs in particular tend to have a lot of hair between their paw pads. The fur tends to capture dirt and mud, and it can result in slipping when the dog's feet are wet.

• Limit your dog's access to muddy regions of your property or eliminate muddy areas by planting grass or spreading crushed rock over the area.

• If mud is unavoidable, consider providing your dogs with booties. Booties will protect the dog's feet from mud, ice and snow, while providing additional traction on slippery surfaces.

• Make sure your dog's feet are dry before you unleash him. Older, arthritic dogs are especially prone to slips and falls when their feet are wet. Slips and falls can result in serious injuries.

References

• Right At Home: Pet Proof Your Floors