The problem: wet paw prints on the rug

The rain has stopped, but your Frenchie comes in with four muddy paws. You reach for a towel, he leans away, and the towel comes back brown.

He lives close to the ground, so mud and grit pack in between the toes. A towel moves it around on top. Ten minutes later the prints are on the hallway tiles anyway.

The fix: wash each paw at the door

Pour a little lukewarm water into the cup. Lower a paw onto the ring of soft bristles and twist. The bristles reach between the toes, where the towel never gets.

Lift the paw out, dab it dry, and move on to the next. The mess stays by the door, not on your floor.

Keep the cup on a towel so it does not slide on the tiles. Plain water is enough.

If the mud is greasy, add a drop of the shampoo you already use on him. When the water turns brown, pour it out and refill.

What you get

A cup, a bristle mat and a ring. The bristles are soft and bend under your finger, so press them into your own palm before his paw ever goes in.

After a muddy walk, twist off the ring, lift out the mat and rinse everything under the tap. Let the parts dry apart so nothing stays damp. Hang the cup by its tab near the door, the one spot where you will actually reach for it.

Who it suits, and who it does not

It suits the Frenchie who comes home muddy, and the owner who wants the dirt stopped at the door.

It only cleans paws. Legs, chest and belly still need a towel or a damp cloth, and a dog who is muddy all over belongs in the tub.

Skip it if he will not let you hold a paw. Introduce the empty cup first, with a treat, and let him take his time. If he still pulls away, wipes are the gentler choice.

If his paws look red or sore, or he keeps licking them, ask your vet before you scrub anything.

How to choose

Measure the paw, not the dog. Stand him on a sheet of paper, mark the widest point across the toes, and compare it with the size table. Between two sizes, take Medium.

Pick your size and add it to the cart.