--Tidy up with a toy box. Corral all dog toys in an easily accessible trunk, box or basket. and keep itin a corner of the room. The container keeps rooms free of toy clutter, and the dog always knows where to find a favorite ball.

--Use washable bed covers. If a dog loves to sleep on a bed for people (most do, because it offers your comforting scent), choose washable duvet covers, bedspreads and blankets. Forget the fancy coverlet.

--Choose slip-free flooring. Older dogs especially may slip or lose their footing on a slick polished floor. Consider rugs with padding beneath to prevent slipping. Hard floors may also be hard on the joints of older dogs. Or, be creative....cover the floor with sisal squares. ``When the pup brings in dirt from the garden, it can either be vacuumed or scrubbed. If the smudges look permanent, simply replace the square.'

Snooze on the furniture.....sure! Learn early on that you have to train your dog when it's still a puppy not to jump on chairs and sofas, use throws and blankets to protect the furniture.

FIT FOR A DOG

Here are more suggestions for dog-friendly and durable decor.

--Go for comfort; durability will follow. No fabrics are both soft to sit on and totally impervious to chewing, dog hair, drool and the scratches of dog nails. Rather than sitting on a bulletproof sofa, it is wise to choose the fabric you like, then to select a throw or slipcover in a washable fabric, like linen, cotton canvas or cotton.

-- Yes, you can have leather upholstery. It's is one of the sturdiest materials.

Wiping leather with a damp cloth seems to remove little scratches and dirt. A quick once-over with a thick wool sock makes the leather shine like new. However, it may be wise to cover a leather chair or sofa with a washable flannel sheet or a sturdy washable wool blanket to prevent wear and tear.

--Choose light colors for wood floors. Dark colors like ebony or deep walnut show scratches and dog hairs.

Waxing may make the floor a little slippery for dogs. Instead, wipe the floor with an appropriate cleaner once a week, or consult with a floor-finish professional about clear or matte finishes for wood floors.

--Pick easy-to-replace floor coverings. Squares of sisal, coir, seagrass and other natural fiber floor coverings are practical and hard-wearing, and they are easy to replace. Seagrass, which has a harder surface, is more forgiving; you can wipe it clean with a damp sponge.

--Learn to love those nose prints. No matter the weather, always leave a window slightly and securely ajar so the dog can sniff the fresh air. Yes, dogs leave smudges on the glass, but cleaning up after a dog is one of the pleasures of living with your canine companion.

Fashion leaders like Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry, and designers like Todd Oldham are all now making dog beds, leashes, dog bowls, carry bags, jackets and dog toys,

Dogs certainly seem tolove colorful and fun products, and they respond enthusiastically to new shapes, textures and designs.