This post is sponsored by Rug Doctor. Take 10% off a new FlexClean All-In-One machine with the code LIVEFREE10!
Adding a dog to the family is like adding a baby, in a lot of ways. You have to rethink your schedule to allow for potty breaks and feeding time, entertainment and exercise. Our sweet 2-year-old Aussie Quincy Jean tags along with me almost everywhere I go, and I also love to take her on some dog-friendly summer activities while the weather is nice! Here are 4 of my favorites and how I clean up after the inevitable mess from bringing the outside in!
1. Take a Hike
Most dogs LOVE the outdoors, and what better place to explore than out on a hike. You can go somewhere nearby like a local park, or head to the nearest mountains or nature preserve for a getaway. Our pup loves to run free, so I try to take her to out-of-the way trails where she can cruise off-leash safely and happily.
2. Play in the Sprinklers
Beat the heat and still play outside by turning on the hose or sprinklers and letting your dog get wet! Quincy Jean is obsessed with the hose and really enjoys chasing the water across the yard. As a side effect, the lawn and plants get a healthy watering while we play!
3. Visit the Water
Head down to your nearest body of water and spend some time enjoying the shores…or even get out on a boat or paddle board! We live about 2-hours from the beach, where we can find a dog-friendly beach to run around on. If we aren’t up for a day trip, we can head just ten minutes down the road to the river. We always see other dog friends, and come home happy and worn out.
4. Go Camping
When we were choosing a breed, we decided on one that would be great for taking camping, because it is one of our family activities, and she loves it! Getting out into the wilderness is good for the soul, and the pups! Make sure you check ahead to see if your camping spot is pet-friendly, and if it is, expect to see lots of other dogs out, too. We have even stayed at some camp grounds with dog parks on site!
Cleaning Pet Messes from the Floors
Quincy basically comes everywhere possible with me, and follows me around when we are at home. She is wonderful, and she can also be super messy. Especially when we spend a lot of time outside in the summertime, she tracks in all of the mud and fun from the activities.
Rather than restricting our fun dog-friendly summer activities, I am prepared for the inevitable messes with a powerful and versatile new machine! I was thrilled to learn about the new Rug Doctor FlexClean multi-surface floor cleaner that transitions easily from cleaning rugs and carpets to cleaning tile, sealed wood hardwood, and laminate!
In our new house I have all hardwood floors with rugs in every room! One of the reasons I love rugs is that they feel easier to clean to me than wall to wall carpet. I was so happy to find a carpet cleaner that can handle the different rugs and do the deep cleaning they need to remove muddy paws and other pet messes, while at the same time cleaning wood floors and tile. I can quickly switch the heads for the different flooring, and grab the upholstery tool for cleaning up messes on the couches or chairs as well! One machine to buy, maintain, and store sounds just right.
Right now, Rug Doctor is hosting a fun “Dog Days of Summer” contest with a whole variety of different prizes. Just follow @RugDoctor on Instagram and then share photos featuring your summer adventures with your dog, using the hashtag #DogDaysFlexClean. You could win a new Rug Doctor FlexClean All-In-One Floor Cleaner, prize packs, BarkBox subscriptions and more! Click here to learn more about the Dog Days of Summer Contest.
