Flooring - wood vs. carpet

[shepherdlady]

We have 2 GSD's that live in the house. Our carpet is old and needs to be removed. I would love to have hard wood installed, but DH said "NO".
They dogs will have problems with sliding on the floor.

What are your experiences - preferences? Your opinions are very much appreciated.

Maggie

[WesF]

We have had both. Our first month with Samson was with all carpet and then we moved to a house with NO carpet at all. He was being potty trained on both and needless to say hardwood flooring is much easier with cleaning accidents. Or if he had a case of bad diarrhea and couldn't make it out in time hardwoods much better. He has never had a problem sliding on the hardwoods unless we really clean them with a wood cleaner then they get a little slick. I even slipped down the steps once but after a day it isn't so slick. The only time I have seen him slide around was on laminate hardwood flooring but we don't have that and he is fine. He still runs around after the cat and plays little bit of fetch and doesn't slip. We absolutely love our hardwoods and believe cleaning is much easier. You will notice with hardwoods that hair will collect in little balls around the house. Just sweep it up and thats about all there is to it. Nothing really for the hair to get trapped in like carpet.

[shepherdlady]

Thanks so much. Just what I wanted to hear.

[JakodaCD OA]

I have wood, but also have alot of area rugs around. I've found when my dogs get older, they have a hard time with slipping on the wood/linoleum, so I buy inexpensive throw/area rugs ,,Luckily we have an outlet supplier that I just paid 225$ for two HUGE area rugs ,,both 9 x 12. if they last me a couple years, I'm happy)

[JKlatsky]

Our dogs slide on the laminate when they run, not so much if they're just walking around. We also put a good number of rugs around, so we really don't have too many problems with it.

Much easier to clean. Feels like the hair builds up faster because it doesn't stick to the carpet but creates tumbleweeds and migrates to corners and under tables, but all you do is sweep it up. Much easier to clean up accidents, dirty paws, general dog grossness. Also easier on my allergies.

[LaRen616]

Jklatsky said exactly what I would have said. Those tumbleweeds are very easy to clean up and IMO laminate is better looking than carpet and it'seasy to keep clean

[Liesje]

If I was going to re-do the floor, I'd do hardwoods (or tile, I love that!) and get some nice area rugs. I do like carpet for the dogs so we can do training indoors and they can play without sliding and getting hurt, but if I was already spending money to do the project I'd do something nicer and use rugs in those areas. I keep a cheap rug under my crates, even on top of the carpet, so if there's ever a sick dog and it's really bad, I can just toss out the rug.

We have real hardwood upstairs and carpet down. I vacuum several times a week regardless so I don't notice much difference as far as cleanliness.

[onyx'girl]

Agree with above! I have carpet and pergo, the pergo has stood up to the dogs nails, mud, hair and I hate that the carpet holds all the dirt, dust mites and is just sooo unhealthy-no matter how often I vacuum.
When we rip up the carpet in my bedroom and living room, we won't put carpeting back down...I'm thinking of going with a cork or bamboo floor, more sound absorbent and cushioned than the pergo.

[shepherdlady]

Thanks to all for your feedback. This is a great place!!

I think I will be going for the wood floor with area rugs - DH just has to live with it

[holland]

I have hard wood and carpet too...I probably eventually will replace the carpet but I like carpet in the bedrooms and think it gives the house a warmer feeling...but the hardwood is easy to keep clean