As we enjoy spring’s warmer temperatures, the stormy weather can turn backyards into muddy messes. While walking your pooch, follow these five tips to avoid tracking the worst of the mud into your home.

#1: Check the forecast before walking your dog

Dreary, gray skies can hide oncoming thunderclouds ready to unleash lightning and buckets of rain during your pup’s daily walk. Before heading outdoors, check the forecast, and choose a walk time with the lowest chance of rain, when no lightning is expected, to help ensure your safety.

#2: Walk your dog in a wooded area to avoid downpours

If your dog is desperate for fresh air and a long hike, despite daily spring showers, pick a route that provides some shelter, such as a wooded trail, or a city block lined with awnings. Although trees can provide some respite from a heavy downpour, check your forecast before heading outdoors to avoid thunderstorms with high winds and lightning.

#3: Stay off busy streets when walking your dog

Stick to less-crowded streets when walking your dog, to stay safe from puddles, and reduced visibility and traction. If you walk too close to a busy street, cars whizzing past can splash muddy water on you and your pet. Or, as you hurry to head back indoors, with your head hunkered down against the rain, you may not see an approaching vehicle. Heavy rain can decrease visibility for you and drivers, and create hazardous, slick road conditions.

#4: Deck out your dog in rain gear

If your dog is already accustomed to wearing booties to protect her feet from ice and snow, use them for another season to battle springtime mud accumulations in furry paws. A raincoat will round out your pup’s springtime gear, ensuring she stays warm and dry.

#5: Create a doggy mud-clean-up station

Create a doggy clean-up station by your door to avoid a mud-tracking sprint to the bathroom when you come back indoors. Stock your station with a bucket filled with water that is mixed with a small amount of dog shampoo, towels, and a thick mat to trap water. You may need to dunk your dog’s feet in the bucket and wipe off her belly, to remove large areas of splattered mud.

Has your dog become a muddy furball? Give us a call to schedule vaccination boosters, to ensure she’s ready for her spring grooming appointment.