You have a new addition to the family…a beautiful German Shepherd Dog! You like to keep your house clean, but the latest addition makes it tricky. Now you’re pondering the thought, how can I maintain a clean house with my German Shepherd?
You know the drill, German Shepherds shed—a lot. Even with constant cleaning, their hair piles on the floor and clings to the beds, blankets, and sofas. Cleaning up after your German Shepherd can be an annoyance and a hassle, especially with a busy schedule. Yet if you follow these nine tips, your house will be clean and tidy with little effort. Read on to learn how to maintain your home spotless and well-kept with a German Shepherd.
1. Wash And Dry Your Dog Regularly
To keep your house fresh and free of that dog smell, you must wash and dry your German Shepherd regularly. Since German Shepherds have double coats of hair, they shed all year. Washing your dog will not only help with odor but prevent excessive shedding.
It’s also important to know that when washing your dog, you must use a high-quality shampoo to prevent dry skin and even MORE shedding! Pick a shampoo that is gentle but removes dirt and dander through both of their thick coats. You should use shampoos from natural, soap-free ingredients that hydrate and soothe their skin.
To prevent a wet dog smell after their bath, dry their hair with a towel or blow drier.
2. Use High Quality Grooming Tools
Washing your dog isn’t the only thing to keep your house clean from their hair; you also need to groom your dog often, which means brushing them at least every other day and using high-quality grooming tools.
A regular brush isn’t the only tool needed to groom your thick-haired German Shepherd. The most recommended tool is a de-shedding brush. This tool reaches deep into their coat and extracts the extra hairs instead of allowing them to pile onto your floor.
The de-shedding brush should be enough if you use it regularly and properly. However, if you want your house to be squeaky clean, you could also try a slicker brush.
It is also recommended to groom your dog outside to prevent loose hairs from dirtying your floors or furniture.
3. Keep The Floors Clean With A Robot Vacuum And A Swiffer
Keep your floors free from hair by investing in a robot vacuum and a Swiffer mop. A robot vacuum on carpets and hardwood floors will collect any dirt, debris, or hair your German Shepherd may bring. These intelligent devices can run on a schedule and keep your house extra clean.
Although the robot vacuum is essential when owning a German Shepherd, sometimes your dog may bring messes from outside. If you use a Swiffer, it’s quick and easy. All you need to do is attach a clean pad to your Swiffer, run it over the dirty floor, and you’re good to go with a sparkly floor.
4. Invest In Furniture Covers
To keep your furniture clean and free from any pet dander or hair, you may consider buying a sofa cover. These protect your furniture from any hair your German Shepherd sheds, claw marks, and muddy paws.
There are a variety of sizes for furniture covers, and they are easy to remove and machine washable. If you notice that your furniture is becoming full of your German Shepherd’s hair, just remove it, throw it in the washer, and put it back when it dries.
This way, you keep your original furniture clean and can easily clean the cover whenever needed without the hassle, keeping your house clean all the time
5. Wash Bedding And Blankets Often
Even without a dog, keeping your sheets clean is tedious. It is even more difficult with a German Shepherd because they trap the hair and make it difficult to get out. You should wash your bedding and blankets weekly. This will prevent their hair and dirt from collecting too much in your sheets, blankets, and pillows–keeping your bedroom and living room fresh and clean.
6. Create A Feeding Station And Provide High-Quality Dog Food
If your dog is a messy eater and you want to keep his eating area clean at all times, invest in a feeding station with a splash guard. Not only does a feeding station correct your dog’s posture, but it prevents their food, water, or drool from falling to the floor.
Talk to your Vet about using an elevated feeding station. Some owners swear by it, others believe it can cause bloating. If your Vet determines an elevated station is right for your pup, it can make cleaning process much easier.
Even if you provide a feeding station to keep your floors clean, you must provide high-quality dog food to ensure your house is free from excessive shedding. Give your German Shepherd high-quality food with real meat or put your dog on a raw food diet. Both options ensure that your puppy has a well-balanced diet and a healthy coat, which will help the shedding.
7. Set Up A Dog Paw Cleaning Station
If your dog leaves muddy tracks in the house, you need to create a paw cleaning station. Only allow your dog to enter the house from a particular area, and in this area, place an absorbent mat right inside the door. Once your German Shepherd enters the house, train him to stand on the mat and wait until you can clean his paws with a towel and water. You can also try to teach your puppy to clean their paws, but this will require additional patience and effort.
If a dog paw cleaning station isn’t an option, you can also try puppy shoes. You can remove these washable shoes before or after your dog comes inside to prevent any mud tracks on your carpet or floors.
8. Use Air Fresheners Or Candles
To keep your home smelling nice, and clean, invest in automatic air fresheners or candles These will eliminate any odors that your dog may bring into the home. Although it will not keep the rest of your house clean, it will leave it smelling delightful and welcoming to any guests.
We normally use the 3-wick candles from Bath & Body Works. They’re not cheap, but we try to buy a bunch every time they go on sale. You may also consider using a plug-in air freshener like Air Wick. These disperse a pleasant fragrance every so often, without having to do anything but refill it once it runs out. Another option is an automatic or motion-activated air freshener. There are many scents to choose from.
9. Hire A Housekeeper
This last tip is not feasible for every dog owner, but it is an option nonetheless, particualrly If you have a hectic schedule and the thought of cleaning the house is exhausting… hire a housekeeper! They will ensure that your home is squeaky clean, regardless of the mess your German Shepherd makes. Not only will they clean up the mess from your German Shepherd, but they will clean up your mess as well!
Conclusion
Keeping your house clean is difficult, especially when you have a German Shepherd. Keeping a regular cleaning routine at least once a week is the best way to ensure your house is mess-free. Regularly groom your dog and utilize a robot vacuum when you cannot do a complete cleaning. It may be challenging to keep the place clean, but it’s not impossible! Using couch covers, grooming, and maintaining a paw cleaning routine with your puppy will guarantee a clean house.