Living with Pets in Apartments: What to Do with Dirty Dogs?

With today's post I would like to do something a little different. I would like to pose a question to you, the reader, and hopefully spark a discussion that will assist our little community here to become a little more involved, a little closer.

Since you are here there is a very good chance that you're a pet owner. I would also be willing to bet that some of you live in apartments and that those of you who own your own home, at one point lived in an apartment. I am a pet owner, like most of you, and I do currently live in an apartment.

Living in an apartment does not afford me some of the conveniences I remember from growing up in my parents' home. Simple things that we may take for granted until we no longer have the luxury; a backyard, a driveway and water hose with which to wash your car on a Saturday afternoon, or a garage to keep that car out of the elements or simply hang out in with your buddies and play ping pong later that same afternoon when it is raining because you did in fact just wash that car…it never fails. Of these luxuries, especially as a pet owner, I really miss the backyard AND the aforementioned water hose.

My dog, Hollis, is a dirt and dust magnet. Keeping him, and by extension, my apartment and car clean is a constant challenge. I should add that Hollis, although not a large dog by any means, is a 40lb Blue Heeler. I once gave him a bath in the bath tub which, as you may imagine or even have experienced with your own pet, ended with me cleaning not only him but pretty much the rest of the apartment in his wake. I am fortunate enough to have a friend that owns his own home and is gracious enough to let me use his backyard and water hose to bathe Hollis from time to time. It really helps. I can get the job done quickly and efficiently and Hollis is free to shake, roll around the grass, and basically go through his little freak out without having to make a mess in the apartment.

So here is my question to you: what are some creative and resourceful ways you have come up with to work around this particular limitation that apartment dwelling poses to a pet owner? Do you dog crate your dog?  Feel free to respond with your experiences, ideas, suggestions, and/or solutions in the comments section. I would really love to hear from those of you out there that share this dilemma. Let's reach out to each other and start a pet friendly  discussion. I look forward to hearing from you.