How to Clean and Dry Your Dog After a Muddy Walk

Keep an old mat and a towel by the door so you can deal with muddy paws before your dog heads through the house. Start with the dirtiest areas and give your dog a break if they pull away.

Check paws, legs and belly first

Use a damp cloth or a gentle rinse with lukewarm water to loosen the mud. Check between the pads for grit and small stones. Use Ruff & Tumble drying mitts to pat paws and legs dry, including between the toes where your dog will let you.

Rinse the areas that need it

For a muddy belly, feathers or tail, stand your dog on a non-slip surface and rinse just the dirty areas. If the whole coat needs a wash, use a dog shampoo as directed on the bottle, keep water away from eyes and ears, and rinse thoroughly.

Dry the coat before your dog settles

Blot the coat with an absorbent dog drying towel. If the coat is still damp, a correctly sized Ruff & Tumble Classic drying coat can help absorb more moisture. Check your dog regularly while they wear it and take it off once they are dry.

Make clean-up easy to repeat

Keep a spare towel in the car and wash the mitts or towel between uses as directed on the label. If your dog is worried about paw handling, practise a brief touch and reward on a dry day so the routine feels more familiar after a walk.