If there’s one thing you can guarantee will be around at this time of year – as well as festive cheer – it’s thick, black mud.
And if you’ve got a dog, chances are it’ll bring some of that icky mud into your home after every walk – and that’s not nice, particularly around Christmas when you’re likely to have more guests than usual.
“For many dogs at this time of year, having access to green space may well mean having access to mud,” says Paula Boyden, director of veterinary at the Dogs Trust.
“With so many sniffs and sensory benefits for a dog to enjoy, we may not wish to restrict this access, but having to deal with the mud at home can be less enjoyable for us.”
But cleaning expert and dog owner Lynsey Crombie, aka Queen of Clean, promises: “If you do get muddy paw prints over your floors and carpets, it’s easy to remove.”
Here, Crombie and Boyden give their tips for keeping mud off your dog and out of your house…
1. Be prepared
Don’t just think about dealing with muddy paws when you get back from a walk. “Before you head out, make sure you have the tools and environment set up for your return,” Boyden advises. “Do you have a towel to hand – perhaps even a damp one and a dry one to aid with cleaning? Is there a mat or towel on the floor for the dog to stand on? Are doors shut to prevent access to other rooms? Do you have treats ready to distract or reward your dog while you clean them?”
And author, blogger and Instagram influencer Crombie, who’s best known as TV’s Queen of Clean from her appearances on This Morning, advises dog owners to set up a wash station before going on a walk. “Leave a bowl of water and some old towels by the door or use your outside tap with a hose,” she advises, pointing out that large microfibre towels are great for cleaning dogs.
She also advises dog owners to keep old towels in the car, and says if you regularly walk the dog out of your local area, it may be worth investing in a Mud Daddy, which she says is like a mini portable water station with a hose.
2. Choose your route carefully
As well as choosing parks with wide paths for a slightly less muddy walk, Boyden says it’s wise to have the muddy part at the start of the walk if possible. “This can give your dog a little time to dry off towards the end before getting home,” she explains. “Some time spent having a walk or sniff around on wet grass after muddy patches may help naturally wash some of the mud off.”
3. Have a routine when you get home
Dogs can benefit from a predictable routine, stresses Boyden, so if you’ve got more than one dog, for example, having an order of which gets cleaned first, which towel they’ll stand on etc can really help. “Always reward your dog to help make it a positive end to your walk,” she advises.
4. Train them so your wet and muddy measures are easier
“Putting in time to do some basic training with your dog can make life with the British weather a little easier for everyone,” promises Boyden. She suggests training your dog to…
Wait on a mat or towel; offer you each paw one at a time; have positive associations with washing or grooming equipment such as towels and brushes by introducing them gradually; be relaxed and confident while being washed, dried or groomed; be relaxed and confident spending time alone with some enrichment in an easy-to-clean and dog-safe room; only jump up on furniture if a specific blanket is there for them to lie on; sit in front of someone for attention rather than jumping up.
5. Dog coats
Whatever your thoughts on dogs wearing coats, they can definitely help keep your pooch’s coat mud-free, and Crombie says: “There are some great little coats and body protectors for smaller dogs which really help keep the mud at bay.”
But Boyden stresses: “If your dog is going to wear a coat for their walk, ensure it’s introduced in a positive way.” She says there are tips on the Dogs Trust website on how to introduce dogs to wearing a coat, including leaving the coat on the floor first so they can sniff it, and putting it on very slowly.
6. Buy heavy-duty doormats
Crombie advises dog owners to invest in heavy-duty doormats that absorb water and dirt as you come in. “Encourage your dog to stay on the mat for a minute or two to take the brunt of the mess,” she says. “I would advise you to get a few and ensure they’re machine-washable.”
7. Grooming is important
“Keep your dog well-groomed, especially their paws,” advises Crombie. “The more hair, the more chance of mud sticking to them.”
8. Try to keep muddy dogs away from carpets
Crombie advises dog owners to have a carpet-free entrance if possible, and to close off carpeted areas until the dog has been cleaned.
9. Use paw wax
There are many different dog paw waxes available, and they aim to protect dogs’ paws from harsh conditions, including snow, ice and salt, but can also help to reduce the mud on their paws. “Add a wax to their paws that will help to repel mud,” Crombie advises.
10. Wait till any mud in your home is dry before removing it
Crombie says her best advice is to wait until any mud brought into your home is dry before you try to clean it. “Dry mud is so much easier to clean up then wet mud,” she says.
“Vacuum off as much of the mud as you can and then mix warm water, washing-up liquid and white vinegar and use a soft bristle brush to clean marks off the carpet. Leave the solution on for a few minutes to work and then, using a white cloth, blot dry – using a white cloth allows you to see the mud being lifted from the carpets or rugs.”
11. Don’t mop
If your dog gets mud on your hard floors, use a large floor cloth to remove the marks, advises Crombie. “Try not to mop, as you’ll just push the mud around on to other areas of the floor,” she explains.
12. Slap a coat of washable paint on your walls
If your muddy dog has a habit of shaking or rubbing themselves up against the wall, try to ensure your entrance area is decorated with washable paint, Crombie suggests. “Then you can just use a damp cloth and remove it straight away,” she says, adding that if you’ve missed stubborn mud marks, use a damp Magic Eraser to avoid any paint damage.
