Dog Boots

**Yorkie Lover** · 01-05-2009, 12:54 PM

I found a pattern and made him some boots. They are great, but I lost one. when I get them all together I will post a picture. Funny thing is, I put on one boot to see how it fit, and he started walking around. But he walked on that one foot so funny! He'd barely touch the ground and think wow, that feels wrong! and then send his paw flying in the air!

I need to video it, it's hilarious! I got a camera for Christmas, I'll use that!

**wolf_Q** · 01-05-2009, 01:13 PM

I have boots that look just like that, except in blue and pink. I'm not sure if they are the same brand but they are the exact same style. I purchased them through pet edge. They've worked out well, though I don't use them much. They sometimes slip off but they do stay on better than other boots I've tried.

The only time I have really used them is on friends dogs actually. I keep them in my dogs hiking packs just in case but they've been on 12+ mile hikes fine, long walks in the snow fine, etc. I think their pads are tougher because of not using booties and regular walking...which makes it so their pads do not get torn up like I've seen on my friends' dogs....(one I used them on gets his main exercise chasing frisbees and running around on grass and the other does not get walked regularly at all). Maybe if you didn't use the boots as often her pads would be tougher? Just a thought. It just seems extreme that her pads would get so bad after such a short time in the snow. I think its a good idea for the hot cement though, when I walk my dogs in the summer its on dirt roads/trails so its not hot like that. Good luck!

**shepgirl** · 01-05-2009, 03:26 PM

My friend who happens to be a vet also, dropped in for lunch and I was mentioning boots for the fur pups. She put a lid on that idea real fast. She said it makes the dogs more tenderfooted and that their pads if healthy can withstand anything. My dogs run on slate, shale, hot pavement and I've never had a problem so maybe she's right. Or it could be our colder climate gets them toughened up. Only time she's seen dogs with boots are during the races. Not all dogs need them though, just those that have problem feet or have deep cuts and she doesn't think they should be running in that case.

**NicoleLJ** · 01-05-2009, 03:36 PM

Shepgirl keep you comments to your self when it comes to my posts. I have notice that no matter what I post you have to post that in some way it makes my dogs unhealthy. Well your wrong. My dogs are extremely healthy. And so are their feet. These dogs spend a lot of time in doors which is why they can not with stand cold temperatures for long periods of time. As for the hot pavement I sure would like to see you walk across or even stand for hours on sizzling hot pavement at a fair barefoot during very hot weather.

I am not trying to prove my dogs can handle certain weather. I am trying to protect their feet and make sure they are comfortable. You on the other hand are spending all your time trash talking. DO it all you like. I on the other hand will continue to look for boots for my very healthy Service dog so she can be comfortable when she has to work in minus 30 below weather or extremely hot weather.

This year she starts college with me so I want her as comfortable as possible for the long waits for the bus and walking on the cement.

**shepgirl** · 01-05-2009, 03:49 PM

I was speaking dogs in general. Police dogs work on every kind of surface without boots. My shepherds are strictly indoor dogs also In summer they go 4 miles on hot pavement for exercise with no ill effects.
Dogs in Florida are also on hot pavement and there are lots of Shepherds where we go. Not putting boots on a dog doesn't mean someone doesn't care, it just means the dogs have tough feet. To quote a friend...if you can't stand the heat etc.... Chill Nicole no one is accusing anyone, this is a public forum.

**NicoleLJ** · 01-05-2009, 03:56 PM

Actually you are wrong there. Some police dogs are now wearing boots. And I have seen quite a few Shepherds wearing them. In fact I have seem many breeds wearing them. So it has nothing to do with tough feet or not. I asked a cop once why his dog was wearing them and he said because he was protecting his dog from running over glass. Well Sheena has had to walk on many a side walk with glass also. So there are many reason to wear the boots. Tough feet has nothing to do with feet sticking to ice in minus 30 below weather and bleeding. Your the one that mentioned that if they had to wear boots then they must be unhealthy. I am the one saying you are wrong. Protecting a dogs feet has nothing to do with it being healthy or not. It is being proactive in it's health. I can't afford for Sheena to be hurt so I will use the boots.

**Nomilynn** · 01-05-2009, 04:11 PM

I was watching a news clip recently and some vets/ dog handlers are actually recommending boots for the simple fact that many ice melt products have chemicals in them that can make dogs ill when they clean their feet and lick them off. My parents have boots for their dog, and they said they would use them if they walked her on city sidewalks where ice melts and salts are used, but they try to keep her in alleys that aren't treated with anything. I believe that they have the type of boots in the picture.. they adopted her from a rescue and the boots came with her though so I'm not sure of the brand. What about phoning a pet store and asking to speak to someone on what they recommend? Maybe they could give you some suggestions.

Here is the link to the story I saw:

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/pets/coldwxdangers
http://www.ontariospca.ca/press_rele...005_jan18.html

I watched the piece on the Weather Network news program

**caseysmom** · 01-05-2009, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

Actually you are wrong there. Some police dogs are now wearing boots. And I have seen quite a few Shepherds wearing them. In fact I have seem many breeds wearing them. So it has nothing to do with tough feet or not. I asked a cop once why his dog was wearing them and he said because he was protecting his dog from running over glass. Well Sheena has had to walk on many a side walk with glass also. So there are many reason to wear the boots. Tough feet has nothing to do with feet sticking to ice in minus 30 below weather and bleeding. Your the one that mentioned that if they had to wear boots then they must be unhealthy. I am the one saying you are wrong. Protecting a dogs feet has nothing to do with it being healthy or not. It is being proactive in it's health. I can't afford for Sheena to be hurt so I will use the boots.

My vet also recommends iams and eukaneuba...don't mean they are right because I sure don't feed that.

**caseysmom** · 01-05-2009, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by NicoleLJ

Shepgirl keep you comments to your self when it comes to my posts. I have notice that no matter what I post you have to post that in some way it makes my dogs unhealthy. Well your wrong. My dogs are extremely healthy. And so are their feet. These dogs spend a lot of time in doors which is why they can not with stand cold temperatures for long periods of time. As for the hot pavement I sure would like to see you walk across or even stand for hours on sizzling hot pavement at a fair barefoot during very hot weather.

I am not trying to prove my dogs can handle certain weather. I am trying to protect their feet and make sure they are comfortable. You on the other hand are spending all your time trash talking. DO it all you like. I on the other hand will continue to look for boots for my very healthy Service dog so she can be comfortable when she has to work in minus 30 below weather or extremely hot weather.

This year she starts college with me so I want her as comfortable as possible for the long waits for the bus and walking on the cement.

I have noticed it also, its actually pretty hard to miss.

Shepgirl, why do you constantly do this to Nicole?