The dilemma: you've got a beloved dog and pricey tile flooring - these two things don't always go together well. Most dogs and cats, no matter how highly trained, cannot help but scratch up specific kinds of flooring. Depending on the plan of your home and the type of flooring, it can be hard to keep your pet off of it absolutely. Plus, it is a situation which would probably not be ideal for your dog, due to the confined space you'd be allowing your pet to roam in the house. If you can, that is great. Problem solved. But this doesn't have to be the sole solution.
Keep Off the Floors
If you can stop your dog from entering the area where the damageable flooring is found, do it! This is the easiest, most fail-safe solution to the problem. Use dog gates to hinder entrance to areas where there is exposed flooring. It's possible to get custom pet gates, freestanding pet gates and extra-wide pet gates, so actually there is an option for every sort of space. If you can't limit access to the whole room, try localizing where the dog is permitted, eg on a runner or rug, and reinforce this rule with treats and positive encouragement. Try and make these designated parts of the room tempting to your dog so that they naturally prefer to be there. Try placing toys, bedding, and other comforts in these areas.
Protecting Your Floors
Place rugs and other safe havens for your pets in the areas where you have damageable flooring. This could minimize the natural wear and tear from the pets trampling the floor. Depending on the floor type, you can use wax or sealants to protect the finish from scratches.
Dog Dens
Going further with the idea of providing a protected haven for your dog, try making a cozy den for your pet. Regardless of whether you have flooring to protect, your dog should have a den area in your house. Dogs like to have comfortable, den-like areas to retreat to for snoozes and relaxing. They're naturally den animals and will expend a lot of time in these places, lessening the time they spend directly on your flooring. This really works to reduce damage! Utilise a crate or a dog bed.
Dog Proof Flooring
Two words: laminate flooring. This kind of flooring is inexpensive, comes in a large variety of colors and finishes, imitating most wood and stone types, and looks wonderful! It is also resistant to scratching and scuffing. Laminate flooring offers a great permanent solution to floor damage due to pets. It is easy to install and straightforward to replace. Worth a shot!
Restoring Damaged Floors
If you like the floors you have, don't sweat. There are techniques to remove and restore the damage that has been caused. There are multiple refinishing systems, varying from floor type, for example tile, cork and stone that may be protected with sealant that can be reapplied once it's lost its original finish. One of the best things you can do to keep your floors looking wonderful and prevent damage is to wash regularly. Removing dirt as soon as it appears prevents dullness, scratching and staining. Carpets should be cleaned professionally every year.
Keep Off the Floors
If you can stop your dog from entering the area where the damageable flooring is found, do it! This is the easiest, most fail-safe solution to the problem. Use dog gates to hinder entrance to areas where there is exposed flooring. It's possible to get custom pet gates, freestanding pet gates and extra-wide pet gates, so actually there is an option for every sort of space. If you can't limit access to the whole room, try localizing where the dog is permitted, eg on a runner or rug, and reinforce this rule with treats and positive encouragement. Try and make these designated parts of the room tempting to your dog so that they naturally prefer to be there. Try placing toys, bedding, and other comforts in these areas.
Protecting Your Floors
Place rugs and other safe havens for your pets in the areas where you have damageable flooring. This could minimize the natural wear and tear from the pets trampling the floor. Depending on the floor type, you can use wax or sealants to protect the finish from scratches.
Dog Dens
Going further with the idea of providing a protected haven for your dog, try making a cozy den for your pet. Regardless of whether you have flooring to protect, your dog should have a den area in your house. Dogs like to have comfortable, den-like areas to retreat to for snoozes and relaxing. They're naturally den animals and will expend a lot of time in these places, lessening the time they spend directly on your flooring. This really works to reduce damage! Utilise a crate or a dog bed.
Dog Proof Flooring
Two words: laminate flooring. This kind of flooring is inexpensive, comes in a large variety of colors and finishes, imitating most wood and stone types, and looks wonderful! It is also resistant to scratching and scuffing. Laminate flooring offers a great permanent solution to floor damage due to pets. It is easy to install and straightforward to replace. Worth a shot!
Restoring Damaged Floors
If you like the floors you have, don't sweat. There are techniques to remove and restore the damage that has been caused. There are multiple refinishing systems, varying from floor type, for example tile, cork and stone that may be protected with sealant that can be reapplied once it's lost its original finish. One of the best things you can do to keep your floors looking wonderful and prevent damage is to wash regularly. Removing dirt as soon as it appears prevents dullness, scratching and staining. Carpets should be cleaned professionally every year.
About the Author:
Pamela Noble is the author of many articles on pet care articles for BabyAndPetGates.com. You can find more information on pet products on the Baby and Pet Gates Website.
