My Muddy Dog

[Murph and Me]

So it seems that every time I take the dog out for a walk he will find a way to get dirty. I do not take him on the "concrete"walks as the Mrs does. I take him through the parks meeting dogs, chasing skwurls ect and invariably we come home filthy. Needless to say Murph has to have a shower or hose off to get clean. I'm wondering if there is something I can do to make his skin not get dried out from all this washing. I try not to use the dog soap but he does love the mud and the only way to get him clean is a wash and dry. If it was just me I'd just brush him a bit and leave at that but I have to keep the rest of the house happy. Thanks for any tips.

[Pat and Traveler]

I have a brown dog, so it's easier to ignore minor dirt and mud.  :)

[Murph and Me]

I'm thinking of dying him mud so it will be easier to just quick brush him.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I dry mine off in the crates if they are muddy and the dirt falls off. If needed I will brush a bit. I rarely wash between groomings.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If you can let him dry, most of the mud and dirt falls off.

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

i bought the most amazing product that helped me with this, my doodle used to run outside like Clydesdale horse and rip ip the grass til my yard was just dirt basically... throughout the entire winter months he would come in with muddy paws up to his elbows.. i would have to have many towels on hand and grab him before he got in to wipe all 4 paws... well.. i came across a lifesaver...called the paw plunger!!!! its amazing!!! basically it looks like a giant coffee cup, (they come in different sizes) and inside is bristles like on a brush... you  fill it with warm soapy water and put their paws in and plunge up and down..take the foot out dry it on a towel.. amazing!! google it! :)

[Murph and Me]

Do they make one to dip the entire dog into?

[Sally S Miles]

Mud is wet dirt, when dry it falls off and when wet it wipes off.  We keep towels by the back door, yes they are often mud brown in a hurry :) and I shake 'em and wash. Pacific NW is mud country - this is constant.

I use the Earth Bath Wipes for quick fresh ups and they make a foaming wash for heavier dirt.  Dogs are dirty - no way around it, but a damp wipe on feet and a quick rub down takes off a lot.  Too much bathing will dry skin and hair - (years ago we took our GSD to training class and every darn week he came home a mudball, we bathed and after so many weeks of that we gave up and just let him dry out - everybody was happier :)  ).

 

Side note - have a friend who insists hubby carry dog in house after walk, wash feet, and do brush out - white carpet and cream sofa are not canine friendly.... Meanwhile I have a black dog, brown floors, and nobody is going to eat off my floors except the dog - half the mulch comes in on dog and the other on our shoes, I sweep and toss back outside.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I even have brown sheets now : )

[Murph and Me]

I got wood floors in the home and when Murph gets up it looks like Pigpen from Charlie Brown was here. I'm thinking of somehow setting up the leafblower to blast off the mudpuppy before he comes into the house. I'm SURE he will love it.