What can one do about too much dust?

It is mainly a fraud perpetrated on consumers. In order of complexity you can solve your problem as following:
a) Get a HEPA or other fine filter for your AC
b) Leave your AC fan on even when you are not running the AC
c) Do not leave doors or windows open

If that doesn’t work
d) Get an air-purifier
e) Install a device to create positive pressure within the house
f) Have the dust analyzed to determine its source.

Duct cleaning works well, in my experience. There are also filters you can put over your registers that help catch particulates and they are much cheaper than a full cleaning.

Make sure you don’t have drafts coming in from around your windows/sills. You can grab a candle and pass it over the area, the flame will show you where the drafts are. It’s a simple fix most of the time, with some caulk.

Good luck on the Great Dust Fight. I’m currently battling a dustbunny invasion myself.

You could wipe your dog’s paws and bodies down at the door as they come in from outside.

Get a cleaning woman.

I use to have a real problem with dust. I got hepa filters for my a/c unit and I also bought two air filters. Do not get any of the once that work with ion. They can actually make you feel sick and your air will smell like peroxide. I rather deal with dust. Any how I do that and keep 2 damp towels to wipe my dog down when he comes in. I let one get dry over night so it doesn’t get moldy by keeping it wet all the time and I wash them 1 time a week.
Put the air filters in the dustiest rooms you have.
Biggest problem may also be that you don’t clean with something damp. If you only use some sort of duster all you do is kick it back in the air and it floats around till it settles again.
When sweeping mop your floor first. This will pick up most of the dust and only leave grains of dirt your dogs probably bring in.
When vacuuming make sure to use a hepa bag. You’ll be surprise at how much dust a regular bag pushes back into your house.

Dupont makes a chemical called Avitex E which de-statics anything on which it’s used. It’s static electricity which causes dust to adhere to things, so wiping them down with Avitex E will keep them from getting dusty. Use it on a monitor or television screen and it’ll almost never require cleaning. You’ll have to go to a janitorial company which manufactures its own cleaning supplies to get it, since it’s not generally available in stores.

Dust is mostly composed of dry skin. So keep moisturized and exfoliate. Do you live in a dry climate?

@JLeslie I live in a very humid climate (my mom calls it “air you can wear”). Dust may not be the best description because I think dog dirt is a major contributor so I appreciate the answers around addressing that concern.

@SmashTheState Can you use Avitex E on wood furniture?

@Kayak8 Absolutely. You don’t use Avitex E on its own, though. It’s generally added to other cleaning chemicals. Your best bet is to call a janitorial supply company and ask if they have any general quaternary cleaner with Dupont Avitex E in it.

@SmashTheState Are you a cleaning professional by chance? I had to go look up quaternary cleaner because my cleaning vocabulary includes dust rag and sweeper.

I sold janitorial chemicals for a while, and the company from whom I purchased my supplies had their own professional chemist who mixed their chemicals, so I learned a lot about the actual chemistry of cleaning.

I bought HEPA filters, only to be told by the heating/air people that they cause your system to work harder because the unit is not getting as much air when it has to be filtered through the denser HEPA filters. That may or may not affect your choice, but it can make a whale of a difference in your utility bills.

Use better filters in your furnace
Have ducts professionally cleaned (it’s not a scam)
Consider register filters

I have seen special dust-prevention window screens in Arizona; I have no information about them though.

@Kayak8 Dirt and dust are very different. I don’t think filters will help with dirt. Dirt does not really fly around as much, maybe it will help a little. If it is dirt on your dogs coat, and then she is shaking it into the air, maybe ther eis some sort of moisturizer that will help the dirt stick to her, and just wash her more?? I don’t have a dog, so I don’t know if such products exist.