loppy weather can transform the lovable family dog into a footprint villain, farming tracks across an otherwise pristine landscape of living room carpet. Owners find themselves in a tangle of legs, arms and tails, by the back door, wresting with an animal that by instinct does not enjoy having their feet grabbed and wiped clean. Not only does this aggravate both parties involved, it still requires the maintenance of the towels which almost always wind up on the floor wadded in a ball.

A more sophisticated approach can
mitigate this seasonal tussle, using strategically placed mats, barriers and treats to keep your dog in the right area. The key is to try and maximize the amount of steps and the amount of time your dog takes on the mat area.

First, choose a single door for your dog's entry and exit. The dog will appreciate the consistency and become familiar with the routine of coming in and getting his feet clean. Put mats both on the inside and outside of this door, doubling the amount of real estate Fido has to clean his feet.

Outside, look for a mat with natural bristles that will brush away the dirt and mud from those paw pads. Plastic bristles can be stiff and unforgiving and your dog may not want to step on the mat and either jump over or dance around the area. If you want to be literal, Cabela's sells a mat emblazoned with the phrase
"Wipe Your Paws" on it for just the occasion. (You can order it at www.cabelas.com.)

Inside, find a more absorbent mat, something that can soak up the water while your dog stands on it. Here the key is time; the longer your dog sits on the absorbent mat, the better off you will be when they move inevitably to the room you just finished vacuuming. Keep a stash of handy treats here, and bribe your dog into sticking close by. If your dog is very hyper and goes dashing through the house and back for the treat, try creating a simple barricade if the area permits. Some strategically placed chairs or a baby barrier can make a great deal of difference and contain the dog long enough to get clean.

If your dog is like most, he will jump around at the sight of a treat, perhaps even sit or lie down. During the long winter months, see if you can train your dog to do both for a single treat while they are on the absorbent mat. This helps with other dirt and moisture on the hindquarters and stomach area as well.

Despite your best efforts, Fido may still be damp even after he shakes out on the mat. A quick run-through with a grooming brush can remove any residual dirt and some water, as well as keep him or her looking well manicured.

Finally, keep the fur trimmed on the feet and in between the toes. This helps reduce the dirt and water pickup while they run around outside.

Turning a post-outing cleanup into a game rather than a Greco-Roman grapple can help preserve the sanity of owners and teach some new tricks or commands as well. Ultimately, it will minimize the time spent scrubbing away at carpets, removing those four-toed footprints that seem to wind up there every year.