We've always had dogs. And I think having one gets me and DS out of the house for some exercise/walks a few times a week when the weather is nice.
We do keep him off the furniture -- he has a dog bed in the family room where we spend most of our time. He sleeps in a crate during the night. With dogs it's important to brush them regularly -- the more you brush, the less dander and hair you deal with. I've been bad this summer, so I noticed this morning I need to get the vacuum out. I usually run the vacuum and steam mop once a week --- more so if I notice hair in the corners or wafting across the hardwood floors. Sometimes if we have people over I'll run a swiffer thru the house.
Spring and winter does get a little messy, I keep a towel by the back door and some sorta doggy foot brush to wipe off feet that may a little muddy. If it's GIANT mud paws, he gets to stay out on the patio until I have time to get a basin and get the clumps out. We usually don't have that issue, because we put straw down to cover our garden, but sometimes he still manages to find mud.
We do keep him off the furniture -- he has a dog bed in the family room where we spend most of our time. He sleeps in a crate during the night. With dogs it's important to brush them regularly -- the more you brush, the less dander and hair you deal with. I've been bad this summer, so I noticed this morning I need to get the vacuum out. I usually run the vacuum and steam mop once a week --- more so if I notice hair in the corners or wafting across the hardwood floors. Sometimes if we have people over I'll run a swiffer thru the house.
Spring and winter does get a little messy, I keep a towel by the back door and some sorta doggy foot brush to wipe off feet that may a little muddy. If it's GIANT mud paws, he gets to stay out on the patio until I have time to get a basin and get the clumps out. We usually don't have that issue, because we put straw down to cover our garden, but sometimes he still manages to find mud.