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What to Know About Dog Shoes
When selecting shoes for your dog it's important to pick the right shoes for where your dog will be walking. Dog boots and shoes can be helpful for dogs walking outside during extreme hot or cold weather. In the summer dog shoes can help prevent the pads of dog's feet from getting burned. Shoes can also be useful for dogs who are older, or struggle with mobility. Shoes provide traction which can help dogs walk more comfortably on slippery flooring like tile or hardwood. This traction can also make it easier for dogs to get up/down more easily without slipping.
Sizing: For your dog's comfort and safety, it's important to purchase the correct sized shoes for your dog. Before ordering, check the size guide for any shoes you're looking at, and compare that sizing to the measurement of your dog's paws. Properly fitted shoes will be comfortable for your dog to walk, run, and play in without falling off, or being too tight.
Adjusting Fit: When your dog's new shoes arrive make sure to adjust fit to be comfortable for your dog. If you notice that your dog's new shoes are slipping or rubbing, adjust the strips so they fit more securely. Rubbing or slipping will make it harder for your dog to walk and can cause injuries. Once the shoes are properly adjusted your dog is ready to walk.
Introducing your dog to shoes: Most dogs take a little while to adjust to wearing shoes but the process is easiest with dogs who are accustomed to being handled and aren't sensitive about having their feet touched. When you introduce your dog to shoes, start in a quiet place in your house without a lot of distractions. First let your dog explore the shoes and praise and reward your dog for sniffing at them. Then, put a single shoe on your dog, praise, reward with treats and remove the shoe. When your dog is comfortable having one shoe on, add a second and-so-on until your dog can comfortably wear all shoes.
Dog Shoes
It's best for dogs to wear shoes when they are going to be walking on ground that could hurt their feet. This could include hot pavement, sidewalks that have de-icer during winter, as well as sharp ice or rocks. You may also want to have shoes on your dog when they are walking on slippery floors for extra traction.
You want your dog's shoes to fit securely. The shoes should have enough room for your dog's paw to flex normally, but not so big that your dog's paws slip around in the shoes which can lead to sores and injuries.
Dogs should wear shoes while they are walking on surfaces which could be harmful to them, but they should not wear shoes all the time. When you finish your walk, make sure to take your dog's shoes and boots off to prevent irritations and give your dog a break. If your dog seems bothered by their shoes, remove them right away.
