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How do you cope with messy dogs? Okay, so I've always allowed my Yorkies on the sofas and beds because I didn't see anything wrong with it. But now, I'm starting to seriously judge the wisdom of this. I'm having a really tough time keeping everything clean with them jumping on and off the couches with their dirty feet. I've started closing my bedroom door during the day because I hate coming home to a dirty bed. I started doing this after they messed up newly washing bedding before I could even sleep in it. So, my question is: Are your Yorkies allowed on the furniture? How do you keep everything clean? I'm getting a new set of light-blue sofas soon and I don't want the dogs to spoil them. I work full-time and I'm getting really tired of having to clean everything all the time. But then again, if I'm just being a lazy housekeeper and dog owner, please tell me! How do you keep your house clean? |
That's part of the wonderful thing of having them trained to a potty pad. No dirty feet! :D |
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(But my son hates the potty pads in the bathroom...not like he can't use a different bathroom:rolleyes:, but I think he likes to harrass me;) |
I already have issues with them messing inside as soon as the ground gets wet, so training them to use potty pads would actually be a great idea. But how? |
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But I also keep a container of baby wipes by the door and clean their feet as soon as we come in from outside- this prevents dirty feet- if we go to the park or something where they get really dirty they get thrown right in the tub when we get home. |
Zoe was first "trained" to go outside, but it was winter and she was sick so I switched to pads. I put pads down in our master bath and guest bath. I took her in there every 30 minutes or so (all the normal Potty times), shut the door, and told her "hurry up, use your pad". When she walked off it, I just gently put her back on it, repeating myself. As soon as she started to potty, I quickly said, "Goooood hurry up, Zoe!". When she finished I gave her a tidbit of dried beef liver (reserved just for potty treats). Now, she does have an occasional potty accident, but for the huge majority of times goes in and uses her pads. |
Honestly, I have no issues.... Jackson is outdoors a LOT and does not use pads or anything, and he's always on all furniture. Dirt tends to go off him by itself a lot of times... if that makes sense. It doesn't really 'stick' to his hair. The only time I must dry him off is when he gets out of the pool otherwise he rubs himself dry all over the couches... or it was it REALLY rainy muddy outside then I'll wipe him off. But in general I hardly ever wipe him off and he doesn't get anything dirty. He gets a bath about once a week or so, sometimes every 2 weeks. |
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My Beagle is really the only one who brings dirt in the house on her feet (she digs a bit in the yard and dirt and grass get stuck under her nails) so I always just check her feet before she comes in, get the dirt off then baby wipe once she's inside the door. All the pets go on our furniture except the Akita and there's never any dirt (now shedding from the others besides Alice is a different story:rolleyes:). |
Right now its a problem because we are putting a koi pond in our backyard so we have alot of dirt and mud areas but eventually we will be putting land scape fabric down and mulch aqnd we wont have that problem. I just have to live with the dirt about a month longer |
Have you thought about buying some shoes from AllDogboots (Karen)? I can't remember what they're called but she has these little disposable ones that are supposed to be really easy to take on & off. |
Thanks for the input :) It seems like you all have a system that works for you already. My problem is that they track in dirt and leaves (it's autumn here at the moment) and it'll only get worse when it's winter and raining all the time. I work full-time and they have the run of the house and garden while I'm gone because they are fairly well behaved in other respects. What do you think about retraining them not to get on the couches? I've been trying to train them and my oldest male is still stubborn, but I hope he'll get it soon. The other two have more trouble getting on the couch, so maybe that's why they don't mind as much. If I get them trained, they won't be able to get on while I'm here. And I'm also thinking of using a little gate to separate the lounge from the kitchen and backyard. That way, when I'm at work, they can have access to the kitchen and a little warm nook where I'll put their beds, but they won't be able to get to the lounge and onto the couch. What do y'all think? |
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I think using a gate is the best idea for you and your Yorkie's. I really do not know how to retrain the dogs from using the couches . My 2 are inside most of the time, but when I do take them on walks they usually love to roll all over the grass. I do not let them go out after it has rained . But, if their paws do get dirty i'll just wash them off in the sink. They are small enough to just pick up and do this without too many problems. I use pee pads in the hallway. They do fine . But, have seen one of them pee on the bathroom floor . So we have to keep doors closed to prevent this from happening. |
I have blankets on my couches. They aren't allowed in my bedroom unless I am with them. I also have a towel and baby wipes by the back door to wipe feet. |
Well..let's see, Zhoie doesn't jump so she doesn't get up unless I put her up ;). Seriously, she sleeps on top of the covers and has a blankie that she digs up to snuggle against me with. When I sit on my couches, whichever room we are in, she has a little quilt that she lays on. She does her business outside but we use wipes each time we come in. If it's raining, she wears her raincoat, then gets wiped down when we come. If it's really wet she gets her legs blow dried. So, all in all, Zhoie doesn't dirty the house....but DH sure can:D. I think using a gate would be a good idea...give it a try. If it makes you and your sweet ones miserable...change things again, try something else:thumbup: |
I'll readily admit to being pretty persnickety about my furnishings, but any dog I've had has always been allowed on my furniture. It's their home too! And while I like nice stuff, it's a home, not a showplace. Stuff is going to get old & worn no matter what, so might as well enjoy it while you have it. I vacumn my fabric furniture weekly, not really because of ZoE, but because it helps prolong the life of it. You know how much dirt is in dust? And the forced air heat/air that I have kicks up alot of dust no matter how often filters are changed (I sure do miss the radiator heating of my England home). If I throw a blanket on the couch, ZoE is more likely to nap on it cos it's snuggly. I make my bed every morning, so even if she were to get on it, my sheets would still be clean, but I usually close the doors to the bedroom when I leave. ZoE gets a bath once a week and if we go for a walk after a rain and she gets a little muddy on her paws, I just wash them off when we get home. Having a pup does mean you have to clean a little more often, but it's sure worth it :) |
How do you deal with a dirty dog and a dirty DH?? |
chester gets his feet wiped off before coming in, I have put a basic flat sheet on top of my bed to keep it clean and the couch no problems yet |
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I feel pretty much the same way about my dogs, I don't sweat it, and they don't seem to get the furniture dirty. Of course, I would never buy light colored furniture. ;) |
I use pads and they aren't out to play when its wet. The only issue I have is the bits of grass and "stuff" they pick up in their hair, mine are in long coat. So, they get their undersides brushed as soon as they come in and it isn't tracked all over the house. |
My boys have never been allowed outside (potty pads) until recently....My wonderful DH built a "yorkie yard" (see albulms) that has rubbery type mulch for "grass"....We never have dirty dogs or dirty feet!!! Its an investment, but well worth it!! |
Thanks for all the wonderful advice! I am definitely going to try the gate to see if that helps. The thing is that they have a doggy door which gives them access to the garden and they run in and out all day, tracking in dirt. I clean them after our walks, but I can't be here to wipe their feet every time they use the garden. I usually don't really care about these things because dogs will be dogs and I want my dogs to be happy. But the couches I'm getting are a gift from my dad and they've been in the family for years, so I really want to take good care of them. And I'm finally settling in my own apartment and my perfectionist streak wants everything to be nice and perfect :) I know it's not possible with dogs, but I just want to find something that works for us. I'm going to buy some extra fleece fabric to cover the bed to keep it clean. I'll do the same thing for the couches if the dogs keep getting on. This might be a strange question, but do your Yorkies "respect" your furniture? Do they jump around on it, wrestle on it, etc. I grew up without dogs in the house, so I have no frame of reference. |
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Easy, I just yell out "Marge" |
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Well first off, I let go of my perfectionist cleaning habits once I passed 50..lol But we have big dogs too and they are not allowed on the furniture. We have slowly been transitioning to leather furniture, and that helps a lot!. Razz I've not been successful with keeping off our only material fabric couch, so I've put an afghan on it, he just loves to curl up on the blanket. I used to sweep/vaccum every day, my other three animals are horrid shedders. Now I do three times a wk, and live with the hair balls. If it is messy out, I take the pups in via the garden room, and they are crated until they dry off, and I give a quick leg/belly brush, although sometimes the scamps get ahead of me, and one day I had 12 sets off muddy footprints from the back of the house to the front of the house! I was not pleased cause I just had finished washing all the floors. Oh yes we got rid of our carpets and have hardwood and slate/marble throughout our home. Best decision we ever made. Maybe you could get arm covers for the couches and use a throw quilt over the back of the couch, that should help. |
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Marge is not at all like me. She is nice and gets along with everyone. That is why she can still live with me. |
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I bought Marge a Dyson Pet Vacuum to use when she feels it is time. I also know how to use it and do my fair share, which is about 25% of the total. |
My dogs have to walk on a long strip of scrap carpet to get from the outside door thru the garage to the house door. That pretty much cleans off their paws. Maybe a piece of astro turf outside the doggie door would help wipe off some of the mud? I also trim in between the pads of their paws so they clean up easier. |
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Mine rolls around on the couch. My IGs also like to use the back cushions to rub their backs. I've got one that will wipe her mouth on the furniture after meals if you don't watch her. THAT drives me crazy. One of the best ways to keep your babies off the furniture is to give them comfy alternatives. Find great beds that they really love. That works with most my dogs, but not my two little velcro dogs. :rolleyes: |
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