Temperatures are rising fast, and especially during midday the floor in the UAE is already starting to get burning hot. Due to the fact that we wear shoes, the temperatures of flooring can be easily underestimated, and in the worst case can lead to burned paws in pets. The general rule is, if you can’t hold the back of your hand on the floor for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on. To protect the feet of your dog during those needed midday potty breaks, or other moments your dog will have to walk on flooring which could harm their feet, one can use dog shoes. However, in a lot of cases having your dog wearing shoes is easier said than done. In this article, we will give some tips on how to train your dog to wear dog shoes.
Step 1: Get a good quality and right size shoe
Dogs usually aren’t a fan of wearing anything on their feet, and even less so if the shoes aren’t the right size or wrong fit. After all, shoes are simply uncomfortable if they don’t fit right. Use the measuring tables and instructions given by the brand of the shoe you are interested in, and don’t buy shoes by guessing the size.
Step 2: Introduce the shoes to your dog
While it might be tempting to put the shoes on right away, it’s better to introduce them slowly. First show the shoes to your dog and let them sniff them, inspect them, and get familiarised with them. Praise your dog when they are showing interest in the shoes. Skipping the introduction phase and straight away going to the wearing phase, can lead to negative associations with the boots. This step doesn’t have to be completed in 1 day, and if your dog is showing signs of stress, simply stretch the introduction period out till they are comfortable around the shoes.
Step 3: Wearing the shoes
Once your dog is comfortable around the shoes, and associates it with something positive happening, you can start by trying to put one on. Be sure to work in a calm setting, and slip the foot of your dog into the shoe. Praise your dog, and after a few seconds, remove the shoe. Repeat this step, but each time leave the shoe on a bit longer. Once your dog is fully comfortable with wearing 1 shoe for an extended period of time, you can add in another, and continue the steps as before. Slowly work towards having all boots on, for an extended period of time. Again, the key is to teach gradually. It might be tempting to put all 4 shoes on at once, especially when wearing one goes well, but again, going too fast may lead to negative associations. If your dog is showing signs of stress at any point, put the boots away and try again later.
Step 4: Learning to comfortably move with the shoes on
Once your dog is comfortable with having the shoes on their feet, you can let them practice by letting them wear them indoors. By staying indoors first, you stay in the surroundings your pet is feeling most comfortable in, giving them the time and confidence to get used to the new sensations and movement. Walking with shoes will give a different sensation to your dog then they are used to, so most likely they will need some time to adjust. Play some games with your dog, and let them experience walking around in their brand new boots. By keeping your dog engaged, you can prevent them from trying to take the shoes off.
Step 5: Going on walks outdoors with the shoes on
Once your dog is comfortably wearing their dog shoes indoors, you can start taking them outside. Be sure to visit their favourite places, and let them sniff to keep their mind occupied. Start with short adventures so your dog can slowly start feeling more comfortable walking in their shoes, before embarking on longer journeys. Just like when we have new shoes, our feet have to get used to them. After the walk, remove the shoes, and check the feet for any sores or signs of friction
Conclusion
Dog shoes are a great way to prevent your dog’s paws from getting hurt when they have to walk on flooring that is hot, cold, rough, or otherwise dangerous. By teaching them to wear the boots in steps, you can make the experience pleasant, so you and your dog can enjoy for years to come.
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