How to Keep a Dog From Making a Carpet Muddy

Our dogs bring us innumerable joys. Muddy carpets isn̵7;t one of them.

If your dog is small, keeping your carpets clean is relatively easy. You can scoop up your dog, place it in the kitchen sink, give its legs and paws a quick spray and towel dry. But even with larger dogs, you can keep your carpets mud-free. All it takes is some strategic planning.

Things You'll Need

  • Bristle mat
  • Two or three large towels
  • Deep bowl
  • Water
  • Dog treats
  • Baby wipes (optional)
  • Dog boots (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Quick Clean

    • 1

      Place a large, bristly mat outside the door. This absorbs some of the mud when your dog walks across it.

    • 2

      Place another large mat or towel inside the door.

    • 3

      Confine your dog to the mat or towel, when it enters the house. Teach your dog to stay on the towel upon entering or, if your dog can̵7;t stay on command, hold its leash or attach it to the doorknob.

    • 4

      Clean your dog̵7;s paws. Dip each one in a deep bowl of water, gently massage the pads to remove mud and debris, then dry it off with a towel. Alternatively, use baby wipes to clean your dog̵7;s paws. Praise your dog and give it some treats.

    • 5

      Rub a towel over your dog̵7;s legs, stomach and chest to remove any lingering mud.

    Dog Boots

    • 6

      Decide which dog boots you wish to purchase. They come in many fabrics and styles, and some are made especially for rainy, muddy conditions.

    • 7

      Measure your dog̵7;s paws to ensure you get a proper fit. Place your dog̵7;s front paw on a piece of paper. If your dog doesn̵7;t have its weight on the paw, gently press on it to make the pads spread. Or use the other front paw. Mark the widest and longest parts of the paw, and then measure both. Also measure your dog̵7;s back paw to be sure its front and back paws are the same size. Compare your dog's paw measurements to the size chart for the boots.

    • 8

      Make sure your dog is comfortable in the boots, before wearing them outside. To help your dog adjust gradually, put on just one boot, at first. Let your dog walk around in the boot, and give lots of praise and treats. Continue adding one boot at a time, until you dog is walking and running naturally with all four boots on.

    • 9

      Place the boots on your dog before its walk.

    • 10

      When your dog enters the house, either give it the stay command or hold its leash while you remove the boots. Praise your dog, and give it treats.

    • 11

      Rub a towel over your dog, to remove any mud on its body or legs.