How do you cope with messy dogs?

[Marilize]

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?

[gardengirl77]

That's part of the wonderful thing of having them trained to a potty pad.
No dirty feet!

[Jinger]

Originally Posted by gardengirl77

That's part of the wonderful thing of having them trained to a potty pad.
No dirty feet!

(But my son hates the potty pads in the bathroom...not like he can't use a different bathroom, but I think he likes to harrass me

[Marilize]

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?

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by gardengirl77

That's part of the wonderful thing of having them trained to a potty pad.
No dirty feet!

ditto!

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.

[Jinger]

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.

[Britster]

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.

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

ditto!

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.

I do this too with the baby wipes - i just get cheap ones from a dollar store (had enough of buying the expensive ones when me son was a baby). I also have dedicated "dog towels" - again just cheap things from a dollar store. I keep them in the kitchen too for rainy days so I can dry off the dogs' whole bodies.
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).

[chachi]

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

[Princess10]

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.

[Marilize]

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?

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by Marilize

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?

I think this is your best bet- even if they are well trained not to go on the couches when you are there, they very well may end up there when you are not home. As a kid I remember my parents teaching the cats not to go on the kitchen table- they never ever did when we were there- then one day we pulled up and looked through the kitchen window and there was the cat sprawled out asleep on the table

[mscat]

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.

[TxVicki]

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.

[Perrella]

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.
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