Keeping your home clean with a dog inside

**thrifty gal** · 01-10-2005, 01:03 PM

We are thinking of buying a dog-not sure what we want just yet. But, I'm wondering how do all of you keep your home clean with a dog inside.

**QuilterMom** · 01-10-2005, 01:08 PM

LOL! We don't!

We live on acreage so they are always tracking dirt in. I try to wipe their paws before they come in, but sometimes there's just too much else going on and it doesn't happen.

We have to vacuum a lot - doggie fur tumbleweeds everywhere (we have 3 dogs). We do shave them periodically and that helps.

We usually have one

once a week (usually grass that they've eaten outside - vet says some dogs are just like that) so that's not the best thing in the world when it happens in the bedrooms (carpeted).

**KKCondrey** · 01-10-2005, 01:10 PM

We don't do anything different that we didn't do before we had our inside animals. We still sweep the floor daily and vacuum at least once a week.

You just have to train the dog to stay off the furniture or the carpet or where ever you want him or her to stay clear of.

**Jayne** · 01-10-2005, 02:23 PM

Well It isn't easy...Our three track in lots of mud and we have a lot of hair in the house....it is alot of work to keep things clean around here, especially since it has been raining here so much lately!!!!

**DaisyLady** · 01-10-2005, 03:01 PM

Buy a gold fish

We have two dogs who do not shed much but we are constantly cleaning. My dogs are confined to my family room/kitchen area. The rest of the house is dog free. It really cuts down on the amount of cleaning.

**slowtypinwoman** · 01-10-2005, 03:26 PM

You get used to it. Plus, we have come to be the trend setters in dog and cat hair accessories!

We have 3 dogs and 2 cats all indoors except one cat goes out durring the day. We did have four dogs, untill about 4 months ago when he got sick and died suddenly.

Really though, we sweep everyday, sometimes twice. We have Pergo floors and got them because of the dogs. There is an area rug in the living room that gets vaccumed once or twice a week. Our furnature have covers on them to keep them clean. When we cook the dogs are in their kennels. The cat's are not allowed in the kitchen at this time as well. The benifits of having our dogs and cats inside far outweighs the negative. I don't like just outdoor dogs. We see lots of roadside kill here and they are a part of our family. I don't bannish my daughter to the outside because she leaves toys out. Ok,Ok, I'll get off my soap box now. But as I type this I have one dog keeping my feet warm. The other dog is lieing on the bed as a 14 year old Alpha should. and my Dd has a dog warming her in the living room. The cats are laying in front of the fire.

**Labontet** · 01-10-2005, 04:06 PM

I am with quiltermom, We Don't!

We have a chow-lab mixed dog that is all black, and a long haired cat. We are in the midst of cat and dog hair all of the time.

**frugalmel** · 01-10-2005, 04:19 PM

If you are really a stickler about a clean house (or anyone in your place is) I wouln't recommend a dog. Most dogs shed to a degree, some more than others. There will always be accidental doggy tracks when the ground is muddy or they get into something. They will occasionally get sick inside especially if they eat something they shouldn't (ie people food). If you or someone else is home most of the time they are great. You can watch for the warning signs of accidents and he/she won't get to lonely while everyone is gone.

If you are looking for breed recommendations, I really don't know. I could probably tell you wich dogs shed alot better than I could tell you which ones don't. Someone told me once that poodles shed very little. I would recommend going to the local shelter though. There are lots of great pets who need homes.

**baxjul** · 01-10-2005, 07:08 PM

We got our dog last June at the SPCA, he is the best dog that I've ever had. He is a Boxer/German Shepard Mix. Doesn't shed too much. Very loving with children and adults!! He pretty much has the run of the house, except when we are at work, then he goes into his crate, which he loves!! He'll get in there and wait for his treat. Our house is still as clean as before we got him. It isn't too much work! I also would recommend going to the local shelter.

Okay, I'm done!!

**gkp1031** · 01-10-2005, 07:17 PM

I have an Italian Greyhound (short hair) and 4 cats. The dog doesn't shed at all which is great, but one of the cats is long hair and sheds alot. Since having the animals, I don't really do much differently now than I did before. I sweep everyday and vacuum once a week. A trained dog will stay off furniture

As a shelter volunteer, I highly recommend checking your local shelter for a dog, or if you have a specific breed you want, contact the breed rescue and see what you can find.

Good Luck

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 01-11-2005, 12:30 AM

Any dog that is clipped doesn't shed as a rule. Poodles and most terriers fall into this category.

I have one of the few short haired terriers out ther. Her coat is about 1/4 inch long and she is a moderate shedder. I vacuum regularly and she is bathed EVERY week.

My cats are both short haired and they get brushed on a regular basis. They are indoor ONLY so they never track anything in!

I agree with everyone else. Go to the shelter and look--ONLY look the first time you go. Then go home and evaluate which dogs you liked best and WHY. Shelter dogs will always be a good value. They are already altered and have their shots. Many of them have had at least basic obedience training (this is what I do as a volunteer at our shelter).

Don't forget your local library for books on the breed(s) you find appealing. Don't forget the internet (AKC.org in a good one!) sites relating to dogs.

DON'T EVER EVER EVER buy a dog or cat form a pet store. The ONLY exceptions to this are Petco and Petsmart who run adoption clinics in conjunction with the local shelters. They don't sell the puppies or kittens, only the supplies for them when you purchase a pet from the shelter that has brought the animals in. Why? Kittens and puppies from pet stores are raised by puppy (or kitten) mills. What is a puppy mill? Dogs are kept their entire lives in tiny cages stacked on top of each other. The feces and urine from the upper cages drops onto the ones below. Many animals are NEVER cleaned until they reach a pet store. The breeding animals are just thrown in together without regard to the bitch's health and she is bred EVERY cycle. They are NOT socialized and, as a result, many puppy mill pups have major behavioral issues. The parents are not tested for genetic diseases. It is not uncommon to find dogs who have been bred who are blind due to juvenile cataracts (an inherited disorder), have advanced hip dyslpasia, etc. To top it all of, a pet store puppy will cost WAAAY more that a pup from a reputable breeder and bushels more than a pup from the shelter!

I know I am off topic, but this is very, very important to me. A pet is a sentient being, not a toy to be casually tossed aside whien one is tired of said pet. A pet is for LIFE.