How to Clean a Muddy Dog
Medium
10 - 30 Minutes
1 Day
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Introduction
Wait! Before you let your dog in the house, get the mud off of him or it will likely be on everything.
If you’ve ever had a dog who’s played in the mud, you may understand what it’s like when he comes in the house. The power of mud all over a dog’s body somehow makes them excited, leaving your house vulnerable to muddy paw prints and swaths of mud left on the couch and on your beds. Murphy’s Law probably says something like ‘if your dog is muddy outside your house, he will be twice is muddy when you let him inside.’
Get that little guy cleaned up and free of mud before he does anything else.Â
Dog's Perspective
Your dog may be excited after playing in the mud, or he could potentially even be scared. Either way, your little guy may be anxious or subdued and will wonder if he’s in trouble or if you plan to help. Though it might be frustrating to you, it’s likely just as uncomfortable, now that’s he’s done playing, for your dog.
The Rinse and Wipe Method
Effective
0 Votes
Towel
Step
1
Rinse
Use a hose outside, or bring warm water out in a bucket of this happens in cold weather, and rinse as much of the mud off your dog as possible. Allow the water to wash to wash away as much mud as possible while still outside.
Step
2
Bins
In warm weather, keep a bin near your door that you can add water to and have your dog step in to wash off muddy paws. This can help in cooler weather as well, just be sure to use warm water to prevent chill.
Step
3
Cloth
You can use a hose, cups and warm water, or a bin of water and a wipe or cloth to wash off mud from your dog’s coat.
Step
4
Wipe
Have wipes handy to wipe off muddy paws and legs before your dog comes inside.
Step
5
Towel dry
Keep towels near your doorway to dry wet paws after rinsing, washing, or wiping. In really cold weather, a towel can help to warm your dog while you clean mud off his feet and body.
Step
6
Keep warm
If your dog is muddy because he stepped in mud while going potty or if he’s covered from rolling in mud, he’ll likely be wet and chilly. Keep him warm and comfortable while you are getting the mud out of his fur and once you bring him inside.
The Let It Dry Method
Effective
1 Vote
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Towel
Step
1
Stay outside
When possible, keep your dog outside and let the mud dry. If it’s cold, extremely hot, snowy, or raining, this might not be possible, but you may be able to allow your dog into a garage, laundry, or utility room. An alternative is to allow him into your kitchen or bathroom but block off that room from others where he might get hard-to-clean areas dirty.
Step
2
Towel dry
If your dog is soaked or could shake, flinging mud everywhere, use a towel to dry him off. This will soak up some of the mud as well, but the goal is to simply remove any excess water or dripping mud.
Step
3
Dry mud
Give your dog some time away from the main interior areas of your house for the mud to dry. To help keep him from feeling like he's being punished, feel free to give him a snack or toy to chew on while he’s drying.
Step
4
Brush
Once the mud is dry, use a slicker brush to brush out what you can. This certainly won’t clean the mud off, but it might be easier to get the bulk of the mud out.
Step
5
Bathe
Once the mud is brushed out of your dog’s fur, give him a quick bath. You might be surprised at how much mud came off as dry dirt during the brushing. Pay close attention to his paws and bottom. Dried mud on paws could be licked off and dried mud on his bottom could result in a messy potty time.
Step
6
Dry and brush
Once your little guy is clean, towel dry him and brush again. As you are brushing, look for any muddy areas you may have missed in the bath. If your pup is fluffy, it may take a couple of baths for heavy mud to come clean.
Caution & Considerations
- Dogs like to go potty in the grass, and wet grass can cause mud.
- Muddy paws are easier to clean than an entire muddy dog.Â
- When the weather is wet, snowy, or rainy, try to keep a close eye on your dog to keep him out of the mud.
- Mud can be fun for your dog to play in, but be sure to wash it off a quickly as you can to keep bacteria from growing in your pup's fur or on his skin.Â
- Brushing out dried mud may be easier than washing out wet mud.Â
- Though a brush cannot remove all the mud, you are likely to get tangles out of the fur and chunks of mud out with a dry brushing before bathing.
- Consider placing a small bin or tray of water your dog can step in outside your door so you can easily remove any mud from his paws before letting him inside.Â
- Train your dog to wipe his feet before coming in.Â
- Keeping a runner at your door either inside or outside can help keep paws wiped before entering your home.Â
- You can buy grooming tools to help clean muddy feet. These tools, from paw washers to cleaning mitts for paws or the whole body can help remove mud from a repeat offender.Â
- Preparedness is key in handling mud on your dog.Â
Conclusion
AÂ muddy dog might be the perfect candidate for a timeout in the doghouse. Give him some time to dry out or wash off the mud right away. Either way, get him clean and back to cuddling as quickly as you can. No dog wants to lose time stuck in the doghouse just for playing in the mud.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
billy
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