Spring Cleaning for your Dog - Big Y® World Class Market®

How can you tell that it's finally spring? Perhaps by the fact that you're still sleeping when your dog drops her leash on your head - thanks to Daylight Savings Time. But the season of rebirth does compensate for this one drawback: it brings back all the animals and plants that you've been missing all winter long.
So, what are you waiting for?

Get those dishwashing gloves, the bucket and scrub brush and mop and boots, give the dog a big, new chew toy, and start cleaning.

Here are some suggestions to help freshen your home for that winter-weary dog:

Grab the pooper-scooper: in spite of your efforts, the melting snow in your back yard will inevitably reveal a three month accumulation of dog feces. Clean it up while it's still half-frozen and you will silently thank yourself on the first warm day of the season.
Rake, level and refresh trampled areas in your yard. If your dog is limited to a cable run or kennel, place fresh bedding down or move the cable run over a few yards (straw works well in areas devoid of grass).
Hose down and disinfect any outdoor housing your dog regularly uses. This would include dog houses, kennels or the "cave" beneath the deck. A 10 percent bleach solution works well for non-porous surfaces.
Clean and freshen your dog's indoor bedding. If possible, remove the cover and wash it in hot water; unzip beanbag beds to examine the contents. If necessary, purchase bulk cedar or mixed cedar filler to refill the bed. Very hot water (and a hot dryer) also works well to kill any fleas that have over-wintered in your dog's bed.
Sweep, vacuum, wash and disinfect the area around your dog's bed, as well as any other regular hang-outs.
Fleas live year-round in the "micro-environment" of your home. Now is the time to stock up on flea control products for your dog and for the home. Be sure to obtain both adulticides (products that kill adult fleas) and growth regulators (for immature fleas). One of the most effective strategies for flea control is frequent, thorough vacuuming of all floors. Discard the vacuum cleaner bag to prevent any fleas from escaping back into the living area of the home.
Hunt through the house for any pockets of dog hair that have cemented themselves into beds, chairs, carpeted corners and other surfaces through the long winter. After vacuuming, use a fabric or carpet cleaner to freshen the area. Place blankets in favored spots to make clean-up a breeze in the future (much easier than convincing your dog to follow the rules and lie on his bed at all times).
Clean, wash and disinfect all grooming supplies.
Clean, wash and disinfect all of your dog's bowls, as well as the surfaces beneath the food and water bowls and containers. Empty the dog food closet or bin and disinfect that area, too.
Gather all of your pet's myriad balls, ropes, fleece people, rubber things, disks, stuffed cats and other toys and give them a quick once-over. Discard or store any that are no longer used or are too frayed or worn (or sharp) to be appreciated. Boil or wash (with soap and hot water) any toys that can withstand it; launder or otherwise clean those that cannot.

When you've washed, scrubbed, boiled, vacuumed, scooped, wiped and disinfected everything your dog cares about, consider giving your dog the gift of a grooming appointment. A professional groomer can "spring-clean" your pet to remove old hairs and mats, clip his nails, condition his skin and perhaps even clip him down for the looming heat of late spring and summer.