Argh ! Autumn weather + dogs+ kitchen floor = ever so slightly muddy

[JessaJackOLantern]

am torn between the need to mop the arsing floor every couple of hours and my inherent laziness (and lack of time).

Any thought on how to reduce the degree of mess ( I know someone will suggest getting rid of the dogs ).

We have a tiled floor. The dogs have to be in the kitchen as it adjoins the garden and they aren't allowed in the rest of the house.

We have same problem -dont know what type of dogs you have but we have three bearded collies.We keep their naturally long coats quite short in the winter (dont feel sorry for them they live in the lap of luxury ).We found this helps. Our inherited tiled kitchen floor is a mid grey colour, very unattractive but hides dirt quite well. I have seen advertised in those little gadgety type catalogues that come with Sunday supplements some mats -called 'Dirt trapper' or something similar.Picture shows wet golden Retriever and nice clean floor -oh if only life was like that.Ive never bothered with mats as I envisage them ending up in crumpled heap and just soemthing else to clean.When our dogs are very very muddy from a long walk we do hose them down but its a bit too much to do everytime they go out into the garden.We have also fenced off the lawn in our garden so they only have access to patio so they dont get as muddy as they would on grass.PS my grandma, who is a domestic icon to me, used to wash her poodles feet in the utility sink every time she went outside!!And my fil wipes his dogs bum with babywipes after she has had a poo when out for a walk!!!!

This will be the sort of thing you mean, Janebracelet. Or there are these mats that claim to do the same thing. I can understand why it would be fine for people, but useless for dogs. Have you got a microfibre mop? They're very good and very easy and quick to use.

Have one border collie and one jack russell...have considered dirt trapper type mats...but am convinced the jack russell will just shred any mat that appears on "his" floor. I can cope withn the occassional dog sized splodges where they have sat down, it's the myriad of muddy pawprints that obscure the floor that are a bit much.... Maybe I should fit them with canine wellie boots!?

And I thought you were joking!

Ahhhhh Lakeland dont you just love them.

jackie no head - I am rethinking the clothes/loft idea.

Probably wise if they're really precious things, Janebracelet.

Towel on floor at entrance to soak up dirty feet!! those mats look good though.
I am of the "leave it and mop every week" variety, not everyday as you would be doing it constantly......

I have also kept a store of old towels in a whicker basket (very Anthea) by door and tried to dry their feet but it took ages and noone else in the house bothered to do the same so I gave up. It was more effort than mopping the floor.I have in fact used the towels to clean the floor and just pushed the towel around the floor with my feet to clean up paw prints whilst still wet and then chucked towel in washing basket-seemed quicker than mop and bucket but you have to catch mess whilst still wet and results arent as good as mop and bucket.But my standards are low.

lillymolly you pipped me at the post

That's why I like my microfibre mop - you can use a microfibre cloth, wring it out so it's just slightly damp, attach it to the mop, wipe, then take the cloth off, rinse it out, and put it back on ready for next time (when it might still be wet and ready to go at a moment's notice, iyswim).

Hmmmm I am now contemplating trip to local charity shop for a few old towels, an dtrip to local cheap homeware type shop for suitable tub in which to store said towels (anthea basket would be dog toy fairly swiftly I suspect!)
I have done the "chuck towel on floor and 'skate' about on it" trick before...better than nothing!

I only have 1 dog (Irish Terrier) so it's a little easier, however I use the wipe feet with old towel before she enters the house approach. She then has to dry off in the hall (wooden floor plus mat) before being allowed in the rest of the house.

Jessa you should have a family like mine - all my towels are hand me downs from husbands family -no need to go to charity shop.All my family know I will take any old crap off them and find a use for it! Children complain bitterly though when I am behind with washing and pass them one of these towels -'but thats a dog towel' they wail.Ho hum

I have ordered a turtle mat to try and get rid of the muddy footprints - will let you know how good it is when it arrives.
We are also soon replacing our laminate floor in the kitchen with black slate so that will probably make it a bit more bearable.

I had a friend that never had a problem with her dog leaving mud on the floor. He would go on his back as soon as he got in the door to have his feet wiped and would not move until it was done. It was so cute to watch. They taught him from a puppy age to roll over and have his feet wiped.

I have a sheltie - she is however on the large side for the breed, and her favourite passtime is digging! She is usually absolutely filthy within 10 minutes of being in the garden - my solution - her bed is a cage which is position by the wall at the entrance of the patio door (which is our only back door) when I want her to come in (because she is barking at everything that moves) I open the cage door - (wall on one side cage ooor on this) then open the patio door just wide enough for her to come in and the only place she can go is in the cage! I throw an old towel in if she is really wet - let her lie on that and within about 30 - 45 minutes she is dry and clean. I know this won't work for every one - due to no of dogs back door location etc - but someone might be able to give it ago. My floor - stays lovely and clean - I am happy!

Bath mats just inside the back door work even better than towels. I've got some of the tumbletwist type bathmats in dark colours which are really good as they absorb the moisture (& dirt) from muddy paws. Even springers can be taught to sit/lie on them until dry!

Our dog waits at door too and rolls over to be dried!!