Will my dog scratch my hardwood floor?

Some people are concerned that the dogs nails would scratch the wood and would have to refinish them every year or two.

Some questions they ask are:

I thought there are hardwood floors that are more durable than others, what are they? Also, even if you do get the durable wood what type of maintenance would there be? What does it mean to 'refinish' them? Do we have to buff and seal every year? I would really like to make a case as to why we should have hardwood floors! I actually love the large planked, old looking type floors

Your dogs feet and claws should not damage the floor, but you should check the hardness of your flooring material first.

So you should consider three coats of an oil-based urethane finish in a satin sheen to provide the best protection and clip your dogs nails on a regular basis. Sweeping and vacuuming weekly to remove dirt and fur. Be sure to wipe up any spills immediately since standing water can damage floors.

That brings us to water bowls. Choose a bowl with stable bases that prevent tipping. Some bowls even come in stands. Hardwood floors can be a healthy choice for homes with dogs. Unlike carpeting, wood floors don't harbor animal dander, ticks, fleas or other allergens.

As for the dog they my slide on the flooring so it is important that you have area rugs in the most highly trifurcated areas. You will also want to have a dog bed for the dog to lay in. If you went form having carpet to new hardwood floors, your dog will not have a cushioned place to lay down. If you live in colder parts of the country choose a bed for your dog that will provide warmth, especially in the winter.