How to prevent dogs from damaging hardwood floors and how to protect hardwood flooring from dogs are topics covered in the Log homes guide.
Dogs and hardwood floors don't mix well.There are things you can do to make sure that your dog can have fun.
Dogs ruin hardwood floors by scratching them.You can prevent this damage by coating your floor with a stronger finish, placing carpets in frequently-used areas, or trimming your dog's nails.
There are more ways to prevent damage to your hardwood floors.If you are just about to install new flooring, you can consider the types of floors that will take less damage than hardwood floors.If you want to learn more about this, read on.
If you are just training them if they are pups or senior dogs, they might relieve themselves on the floor.If you catch the mess in time, you can wipe it off.As long as it isn't there for a long time, most hardwood floors can get a bit wet.
You might have a serious issue with hardwood floor damage if it sits there for a long time.As urine oxidizes, it can damage the floor.The ammonia in the urine can enter the wood through the top finish of the floor.The problem is more difficult to solve.
If your pet is alone in the home for a longer period of time or if they relieve themselves on the carpet that is on top of the hardwood floor, this is more likely to happen.As the hardwood floors degrade and the situation gets worse, most of the urine will trickle through the carpet fibers.
If you think that a urine stain has been sitting on the hardwood floor for a while, you will want to spray it.It is more likely that the damage won't spread with the help of the vinegar.
You might have to do some corrective actions.The damage will be worse if your dog returns to the same spot and disposes of urine again.
Dogs can scratch your hardwood floors.The scratches are not as bad as urine, but they look unattractive, especially on darker hardwood floor varieties.
Depending on the thickness of the coating, the scratches can go through the finish or just be in it.The scratches can be sanded out.Adding more coats or stronger ones to your floors is the best way to avoid having to sand the floor.
If you have a dog, you might want to rethink your decision to install a new floor.There are some types of floorings that look just as good as hardwood.
It's possible to pick factory-finished wood floors that come pre-sealed with a finish stronger than anything you could apply at home.It could be more resistant to scratch marks and urine stains than regular hardwood floor and commercially available finishes.
There is a very strong layer of wood on top of engineered wood.Dogs that are prone to accidents, like senior dogs or small pups in the training stage, will have a much easier time with these floors.
Another solid option is distressed wood, which will give your home a rustic look, and the scratches will be much harder to see.Similar properties can be found in hand-scraped wood.If you don't want the inevitable scratches to be visible, any wood with more character marks is a good choice.It's a good idea to have more graining on the floors.
Make sure that the floor you choose is one that ranks well on the Janka test, which will help you find the perfect, strong wood for your floors and avoid scratches and stains.
In order to keep your floors looking great, you have to learn how to prevent damage.
One of the best ways to prevent scratches is to trim your dog's nails.Dogs have big, strong, sharp claws, and they damage the floor easily.If you trim them regularly, you should not have a problem with scratching.
The best way to do it is to take them to the vet or a dog groomer, since they will know how to perform it without hurting your dog.If your dog is large, this is a good option.
You can do it on your own, but make sure you don't leave any sharp edges and stop trimming where the tissue with blood vessels starts.
In areas where your dog spends most of its time, rugs are an excellent idea.You can't damage your floors by scratching.It's important that you remove and dry the carpet before putting it back.
When it is on a carpet, urine has a hard time drying, so you will have problems later on.If you allow it to dry before you use the rug or carpet again, you shouldn't have a problem.
Dog boots are useful if you want to prevent your dog from scratching the floor.You can find them in most pet stores.
If your dog is calmer and you get them used to the booties, they will do a good job, even if they don't stay on for long.
You can get nail covers for your dog if the booties can't stick.The rubber they are made of won't bother your dog.You can take your dog to a salon to get them applied, because there are many brands making them.
A stronger coat of finish is a good way to protect your floor.It will keep the scratches at the finish level without you having to sand your entire floor, and it will prevent the urine from doing the damage too quickly.
If you see a fresh urine puddle, wipe it down.Don't let your dog pee in the corners of your home and take them outside whenever they need to.
While dogs and hardwood floors don't match that well, the situation becomes easier if you apply some protective measures like clipping their nails and wiping urine as soon as the accident happens.Several coats of finish or a stronger finish help.
It is important to have realistic expectations.No matter how weak or strong the floor is, it will develop scratch marks and stains over time, so make sure to invest some time every year or so to repair some of the damage and reapply the coating.