If you really want to you can train the dog to stay off the carpet...my mom did that years ago when I brought our very first dog home and she didn't want it...it was a poodle...and of course everyone fell in love with it..but while we trained the dog she didn't go on the carpet..my mom would show her the slipper and she would get off and sit on the floor....she never had accidents in our house..we had a male poodle after that and he was another story..just needed to pee for no reason now and again...just depends on the dog...my dog now, avatar, never has accidents in the house...I have both hardwood and area rugs...my problem is the hair..much easier to vacuum on floor than on rugs...