Our dog makes clicky noisy sounds on our floor, and even though I don't have downstairs neighbors, the noise is enough to drive me nuts sometimes. I've considered putting little doggie socks on hims sometimes, but that is more for clicking and not so much for bounding around.

Patricia and Christy:

There's something called Soft Paws that are little rubber nail caps that go over the claws and prevent the "clickety-click." They were originally developed for cats, so that people didn't have to get their cats declawed if they didn't want their furniture destroyed. Now there's a dog version, too ... just Google "Soft Paws for dogs" and you'll find it.

Carpets and area rugs will make all the difference. I don't think there's any hard flooring out there that will muffle dog sounds. I have Flor on top of Pergo and hardwood now, and it works great.

Wouldn't it just be easier to get rugs?

Rugs (or carpeting) -- the dogs will prefer it because they won't slide around. And keep your dogs' nails clipped (monthly).

If part of the problem is that your dogs are barking when you're out, try leaving the TV or radio on (softly, dogs have excellent hearing) to keep them company.

As the owner of two doggies in a apt i can relate. I suggest rugs- so when they are playing they can run about without too much fear of the neighbors- also when it comes to noises from the outside when your away- I recommend the radio or tv being on. I know it sounds silly, but jazz seems to calm my dogs down, and they like talking on the tv (calm talking- like hgtv, not fighting like on reality shows or soaps) Try these, and that might make a diff.

oh and i forgot- we put a rug on one wall that was closest to where the kids play, so to deaden the sound there. My little terrier is not fond of children and the sudden noises they make all the time frighten him.- We just took big nails and hammered it into the wall- It actually came out to be a pretty cool bed frame.

Thanks for all the help.

To create a vivid picture of the situation, let me say they are both 50 lb dogs, one of which is a year old and is at constant practice for the WWF. I have heard that it's not so much the bark, as it is the bound and pouce. On the up-side, I am sure this puts the clickety-clack into better perspective.

Rugs end up in a pile at one end of the apartment - I have watched him as he runs from rug to rug to rug, surfing each one until it comes to a stop.

I have a dozen Flor swatches in my house - does it really wash as well as they say? Even for "accidents"? I also considered Ikea flooring with their roll of cushion material underneath. Is there something better to put down under Ikea floor or Flor first?

Thanks again.

As a dog owner who has had to deal with a multitude of "accidents" as well as noise, my suggestion is to look into a canvas florcloth with a padded rug underlay. If you go to a supplier, they can make one to any size you like. Even if you don't want to paint on it, you can just polyurethane the rug and it results in a nice patina. The reason I like it so much is because it is like the EASIEST thing to clean ever. You can sweep it, mop it, and "accidents" are never a problem. (Plus the hard surface will discourage your pet from marking on it anyway.) And, because it's padded, it will stifle the sound. It's like having padded hardwood floors. That's my two cents!

Area rugs or some sort of floor cover... and a Dremel (yes, that little wood working tool) to keep their nails ground down short. W/ the grinder, you can slowly shorten the average length of their nails (the quick pulls back each time the nail is shortened) over a period of two months. After that, you can just grind their nails once a month or so and no more clicking! Bonus: Your hardwood floor finish will last longer.