My husband has just finished re-flooring our dining room and kitchen with reclaimed Oak. It looks beautiful, but my poor dogs are finding it very difficult as they keep slipping!
The youngster – a Labrador-Collie cross – skids around the corner when charging in and out from the garden and my elderly gentleman – a Flat Coated Retriever – finds it difficult to sit comfortably as his feet keep slipping out from under him! It didn’t occur to us until it was finished that the floor would pose such a problem for our dear friends but now we are trying to find a solution!
Can anyone suggest anything? I am loathed to cover the floor up with carpet!!
Gerry Slade, Derbyshire
I have rugs so then my oldie has some areas of grip! We also tried these http://www.orvis.co.uk/store/product.aspx?pf_id=3C0T&dir_id=6259&group_id=6661&cat_id=6662&subcat_id=6663
ReplyDeleteQuite good but Ellie wasn't too keen on wearing them despite encouragement so gave up on them!
Good luck
Large non-pile woven rugs (can't remember what they are actually called - could be polypropelene) with a non-slip underlay. You get various sizes and lengths specifically for hallways as well.
ReplyDeleteNicola
Only 1 idea and that is change it for Amtico. We had wood/laminate and it was a disaster! Changed it for Amtico which is an upmarket vinyl but looks fabulous, it comes in all designs including wood and tile and the dogs don't slip at all. Got to their website for a look. PS it is quite expensive though :o(
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with my 4 dogs but they got used to it and i think your dogs will in time also
ReplyDeletewe sprinkle the floor with a little baby powder and just brush it around the floor till you cant see it :) It works wonders and stops it being ultra slippy,
ReplyDeleteRugs on the floor or Grip Tex boots from Ruffwear to stop them slipping, or alternatively keep the dogs out of those rooms?
ReplyDeleteI think non-slip rugs are the best way to avoid dog-slide, and you should be able to keep some of your lovely new floor visible too.
ReplyDeleteYour young dog will probably learn to slow down on the wooden floor, but a rug might help him to do that. And your oldie will really appreciate a special rug to sit on.
I've also heard that Shaw's Paw Wax (http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=96&pf_id=51953&co=fr) can help dogs to get a purchase on hard floors, but the jury seems to be out on this. It's good for other things though (icy weather etc) and it's inexpensive, so you might want to give it a try.
I use rubber backed bath mats - lots of different colours available- strategically placed. They look nice, but then I don't really care what something looks like as long as my dog is safe and upright!
ReplyDeleteWe have wood flooring in our living room and dining room and 4 big dogs. We ended up putting large rugs down for the dogs. Wasn't worth seeing them struggling to get up and walk around and nor should they have to !! You can still see the wood flooring around the edges and on the plus side all the dog hair gets blown to the side so is easy to hoover up. For the sake of your dogs' safety get carpets.
ReplyDeletePaw wax and rugs is my recommendation!
ReplyDeleteFreshly finished floors can be a bit slippery in the beginning. Saw dust will help - also gives it a nicer shine without getting slippery - for the time being. Your dogs will get used to it, but a little help in the first few days to make them walk with confidence over this new "experience" will be appreciated by them.
ReplyDelete(And can't see why you should replace lovely wood flooring with artificial Amtico?)
Make certain that you keep your dog's nails clipped so as to provide easier contact with pads on the floor.
ReplyDeleteYou can also buy treatment for floors that makes them non-slip. I won't recommend any particular product but a quick google search brought up lots of different floor grip products. Most are like a liquid that you apply to the floor. I am sure you can find one that is safe for the dogs and the surface too. Hopefully you get to keep your nice flooring and keep everyone safe and happy.
And lastly, learn from my mistake - if you use spray polish, spray it away from the flooring onto the cloth in another room! Otherwise you end up with a very polished floor dangerous for everyone. I'm off to skate around my house...!
Karen
There is a new product on the market that is superb for stopping dogs slipping on floors. It called "Paw Safe" and its a polish that rollers onto wood, laminate, vinyl and stone. As it goes on, the polish adds minute invisible friction beads, it also gives a nice gloss finish! You can read more about what owners are saying and buy direct from www.floorsafedirect.co.uk
ReplyDelete