Is it spring yet! Have you had enough of dealing with muddy dog walks and washing dog paws this winter?
Our dogs need the freedom of running free and being able to be dogs, regardless of the weather. UK winters, wet weather and active dogs make for muddy paws and smelly cars and homes.
What can we do to help keep everything that little bit cleaner and fresher smelling during these winter months with our muddy dogs?
1) Keep a towel or mirco-fibre mitt handy in the car or by the door and dry off muddy paws before your dog enters the car or the house after a muddy dog walk.
Muddy dog tip: Practice getting your dog comfortable with being dried at home first and reward them for standing still with treats to make it easier for them (and you) when drying them after a walk. You'll have clean dog paws in no time!
For extra luxury: Wrap the towel or mitt around a hot water bottle while you are out walking for a nice warm massage for your dog when getting dried off, with the added bonus of warming your hands.
For extra luxury: Wrap the towel or mitt around a hot water bottle while you are out walking for a nice warm massage for your dog when getting dried off, with the added bonus of warming your hands.
2) Newspaper is your friend. Old newspapers can make a cheap, easy to clear up runway to protect your hallway floor from your muddy dog after a muddy walk.
Muddy Dog Tip: Scrunch up the newspaper hide treats in it to reuse it afterward for enrichment, a perfect rainy day dog activity. (supervision recommended)
Muddy Dog Tip: Scrunch up the newspaper hide treats in it to reuse it afterward for enrichment, a perfect rainy day dog activity. (supervision recommended)
3) Before you go out on your dog walk, cover your dog’s bed with a large towel so that when your muddy dog comes in, you can ask them to go to their bed and the towel will already be there to help clean and dry them and to protect your dog bed.
Muddy Dog Tip: Waterproof dog bed covers like these are very handy at this time of year and save on washing machine usage.
4) Install a warm outside tap and hose system to wash down your muddy dog. It might sound a little extravagant but it is totally possible and a great solution if you have the space and the money.
Muddy Dog Tip: Try not to use cold water to wash your dog off with, as well as the effect on muscles and joints, it’s just not very nice for your muddy dog on a cold winter’s day.
Muddy Dog Tip: Waterproof dog bed covers like these are very handy at this time of year and save on washing machine usage.
4) Install a warm outside tap and hose system to wash down your muddy dog. It might sound a little extravagant but it is totally possible and a great solution if you have the space and the money.
Muddy Dog Tip: Try not to use cold water to wash your dog off with, as well as the effect on muscles and joints, it’s just not very nice for your muddy dog on a cold winter’s day.
5) Switch to biothane dog collars and biothane dog leads such as these. Biothane leads are easy to wipe clean and don’t hold doggy smells like fabric dog collars and leads can. Biothane leads also don’t get soggy, so feel much nicer to hold in your hands on wet days than fabric leads do.
Muddy Dog Tip: Choose your dog’s favourite colour for a matching biothane collar and lead combo.
Muddy Dog Tip: Choose your dog’s favourite colour for a matching biothane collar and lead combo.
Don’t be scared to let your dog run through mud and have fun this winter. The dirt and nature under their paws are great for their well being and happiness. A muddy dog is a happy dog!
Have you thought of great ways to wash dog paws or do you have a top muddy dog tip? Drop it in the comments - we’d love to hear it.
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