06/12/2026
Summer is beautiful here in Hartford!
It is also wet, muddy, chaotic, and somehow always tracked directly across the cleanest part of your floor.
If your dog gets extra excited coming in from outside, summer can make doorway manners, paw handling, and post-walk cleanup feel like a daily event.
A few small routines can make a big difference:
Keep towels by the door
Practice pausing before coming inside
Reward your dog for standing still during paw wipes
Pair handling with treats so cleanup feels less stressful
Keep nails trimmed to make walks and movement more comfortable
For many dogs, grooming and handling are skills that can be built gradually.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is helping your dog feel comfortable enough that summer cleanup doesn’t become a wrestling match in the entryway.
If grooming, paw handling, or general spring chaos has been a struggle, Onward Bound can help make everyday care feel easier.