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The Kitchen Table

dog hair problem

11 years ago

In May, we got a new dog, after our other one had to be put to sleep because of advanced cancer. We chose a Beagle. This, we shouldn't have done, problaby, as we knew nothing about that breed. For the first while, we thought we were going to have to return him, but he settled down and is a great companion. For the first while, he shedded a little, but very little. For the last while, with this very hot weather, he is shedding a great, great deal and hair is everywhere. We have a lot of hardwood floors, so it isn't too hard to clean from there, but we have quite a few very rough black mats which he loves to lie on. Also we keep the chesterfield and arm chair covered, but the hair is sticking to the cover very badly as well. The Swifter vaccum works well on the hardwood, but do any of you have any suggestions about the rugs and furniture? Is there a special vacuum that you would suggest. I do not like tag alongs. Our furnace and air conditioner have a fan running all the time to circulate the air, regardless of whether they are running. Of course it is making a good job of circulating the hair as well. I'm finding it on the counter, on top of the stove, etc. etc. Any suggestions? We're not getting rid of the dog.

Thanks

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Comments (8)

jennmonkey
11 years ago
My dog's hair seems to get stuck "into" the couch and a vacuum won't remove it. Neither will a lint roller. I had to go to the pet store and buy a special fur brush to remove it. I'll add the link. It will depend on the fabric on your couch, but this "shedding blade" doesn't ruin my couch. Other than that, we usually keep sheets on the couch and remove it when we have company. Not ideal but that's the way it goes.

I don't use rugs at all because of my dog and his massive amounts of fur. All hard floors for easy cleaning.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shedding Blade
Sally Brownlee
11 years ago
Brushing him everyday will help a lot. I have a Bissel and a Dyson for upstairs and down - both work very well I think.

Dont forget to clean or replace your air conditioner filters often...they get dirty with hair very quickly and make your units work all that much harder.
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fully2 - Mia is gorgeous! Is she a Shepherd? I have always had Shepherds (long hairs usually). Roombas have been a huge help the past 5-6 years or so, with our hardwood floors. I do need to clean them daily. Hunter (3 year old gsd) ruined one control panel (trying to turn it off) so now I tape plates on top to foil his attempts.
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Sally Brownlee
11 years ago
oh, and I use a Furminator brush and LOVE IT!

Here is a link that might be useful: FURminator
karenmay_gw
11 years ago
Although my dog doesnt get on the settee, she lays with her back up against it. Ive found that the most effective thing to use is a slightly damp rubber glove. If its just rubbed across the fabric in circles it lifts the fur from the fabric quite easily!

Karen UK
sushipup1
11 years ago
Get several big throws, ones made for dogs are at Costco (not dog beds, and not ones that have to remove a cover in order to wash it.) Just the big quilted throws. Train your dog to hang out there. I have several and they are even on top of the oriental rugs, and can be whisked away in a flash when company comes over. Or the big fleece throws like the ones I've links. Get big ones.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fleece mats
mary3444
11 years ago
I know what you are going through. We have 2 dogs, the smaller one 50 lbs has short hair & is not bad with shedding. I will now get to the big one he is over 100 lbs & a Great Pyrenees. If you don't know about these dogs they are mostly used for tending to sheep. We don't have sheep he is a house dog but they don't just have 1 coat they have 3 coats. He sheds 12 months of the year. Make sure you brush as often as you can. Clean the floors daily & at least once a month clean under the fridge as the hair will get into the bottom of it. For us it is a non-stop job but well worth it. Good luck
coffeemom
11 years ago
I also vote FURminator. I use a fabric sweeper, like this one, on my couch because of my cats.

Here is a link that might be useful: fabric sweeper
lydia1959
11 years ago
There is some special type of high powered water bath that removes a lot of excess hair in the process... I forget what it is called, but some groomers in your area may have the equipment. If you did that a few times a year I'd bet it would really help.

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