Springtime in particular is a time of year when mud becomes an issue for many homes with dogs. Not only does the rain cause mud, but for our pets there are many new smells to explore on the ground. More squirrels scampering, birds and other small animals visiting our yards, and worms within the soil are all temptations that can entice dogs to sniff, dig, or roll!
From the mild (moist paws) to the wild (the entire dog covered in dirt), most owners will agree that we don’t want the mud indoors. Here are some steps you can take to enjoy both your pet and your home this spring and throughout the year.
Be sure to have a mat by your back door where the dog usually enters the house. This will both protect your floor, and provide a clear boundary of where he’s supposed to stay when he first enters. Also keep a towel there, for the purpose of wiping the muddy paws.
Work with your dog daily on obedience commands. By doing this, you’ll much more easily be able to train him to sit and stay while you clean each paw, and to stay on the mat instead of barreling into the house. Be sure to praise your dog when he holds still for the wiping of each paw.
When your dog is outdoors, supervision can help dramatically. Spend some time outside training your dog to stay out of flower beds, where soil tends to be the loosest and most tempting. By practicing some obedience outside, your dog will understand more clearly that this is a location where he’s also supposed to ‘listen’. You may need to work with your dog on a long line at first, and it can also be helpful to put up a small wire garden border to provide a boundary line he can recognize not to pass.
Last but not least, do not allow food or bones outdoors. Your dog can still have outside toys, but is much less likely to want to dig and bury a frisbee, than a rawhide bone or a biscuit.
With a little obedience and supervision, your dog can learn to be well behaved in the yard, respect the areas where he’s not supposed to go, and calmly tolerate the wiping of his paws. Now, if only we could teach him to mop the floor!
Lori Verni-Fogarsi has been an author, speaker, small business consultant, and Certified Master Trainer for 18+ years. Her novel, “Momnesia,” (contemporary women’s fiction) has been designated a National Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist, and her nonfiction book, “Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs,” has been widely acclaimed in its genre. To learn more, please visit www.LoriTheAuthor.com and join Lori on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LoriTheAuthor.
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