Which flooring is easy to maintain with pets around?

I’ve been dreaming of replacing my home’s 17-year-old wall to wall carpeting. The problem is, we have a 18 month Shih Tzu pup who sometimes excitedly pees. It’s mostly when someone comes home, but he sometimes even pees when one of my daughters comes downstairs to see him! We let him outside to see family members when they come home (so he pees outside), but he still has accidents inside from time to time. I’m worried hardwood could be tricky for us. I don’t want vinyl or laminate because I worry about the chemicals in them. Not sure what to do!

  5 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 22, 2019

    Ceramic floor tiling, hardwood floors or linoleum. Use throw rugs on these take can be picked up and washed. Bummer but some breeds of dogs seem to get so excited that they have accidents.

    • Lauren of Mom Home Guide Lauren of Mom Home Guide on Aug 22, 2019

      Thanks, Mogie. I’m thinking I might have to keep throw rugs in his prime pee spots. I also should go back to a stricter schedule of when we take him outside, like when he was a puppy. (Right now he swats at bells on the door when he wants to go outside.)

  • Gk Gk on Aug 22, 2019

    Every kind of flooring has chemicals that could be an issue for you. Ceramic floor tile would be something to consider for the easiest cleanup. I would choose water resistant laminate planks for easier installation--DIY! That's how I plan to replace my old carpeting for easier cleanup with 2 dogs living in my home.

  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 22, 2019

    Was it difficult to train him to swat at the bells? That is such a good idea.

  • Allison Allison on Aug 23, 2019

    Have you considered a belly band? They work for your situation beautifully. If he is only submissive urinating, they will do the trick, provided you don't keep him in full coat...it will definitely mat the fur. You make your own with fabric and velcro, then add a sanitary napkin for absorbency. He will likely outgrow his piddling, but in the meantime have him sit/down before anyone gets close enough to cause the reaction.

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    • Allison Allison on Aug 23, 2019

      All he needs is some confidence and maturity. I did rescue for 30+ years and had a lot of piddlers come through, unless they had a physical problem, all stopped within a few months. Have your daughter train some tricks, with lots of praise and that will help with his confidence. Little dogs live is a very large and scary world. He's barely the size of a man's work boot. Imagine that coming at you. lol