So those of you who follow us on Facebook know that Hubby and I had a bit of an argument on Saturday. It was all about boots for the dogs.
Saturday I bought the dogs some foot covers. Actually they really just look like balloons, but for the sake of this post, I’m calling them boots (mostly because I’m not getting paid to endorse this product and besides which, I’m not endorsing it.) Anyway, when I brought the boots home and showed them to Hubby we had an argument.
Now someone who knows my husband would probably think it was because the boots in Sampson and Delilah’s size are purple and with Sampson being a boy dog….well you get the point.
Turns out I was wrong. He didn’t care about the color, he wanted me to get a warmer boot.
Let me back up a bit.
On a couple of our walks of late either one or both of the dogs have lifted one foot and held it up. At first my heart jumps in my chest because I worry it’s an ACL injury, but each time I wiped the dog’s foot with my glove and they continued on our walk.
In my mind, they were lifting their paws because there was snow/ice/that shit they put on the roads stuck in their paw. Hubby thought it was because their foot was cold.
I said, “I’m not so much worried about the cold as I am about the snow/ice/shit they put on the road stuck in their paw.”
Hubby said, “That’s obvious.”
And then we had an argument.
First we argued about why the dogs needed the boots, was it the cold or the snow? Then Hubby said I shouldn’t be walking the dogs in sub zero weather. I begged to differ. The dogs love their walk and when it’s super cold I either cut the walk short or we walk very quickly.
So I posed this question on the Facebook page, “Husband says they lift their foot because their paw is cold and I say it’s because they have snow (or that road crap) stuck in their toes…..What’s your opinion on this?
There really was mixed comments, half thought it was cold and half thought it was ice.
So Sunday I asked, “How do you feel about walking your dogs when it’s below zero?”
The responses were limited but the four of them agreed it was okay to walk in the cold, using common sense of course.
So there’s the back story, now about those dog boots I bought on Saturday. 🙂 I didn’t want to spend a lot of money initially because I wasn’t sure how the dogs would do with boots. I mean, would they wear them, or would they turn stubborn lab and just plunk their butts down?
Okay, a good dog owner, would condition their dogs into wearing the boots. But it’s January, it’s cold and ain’t nobody got time for that! I grabbed a bag of treats and put the boots on Sampson’s front paws. He got a treat. I put another boot on his other paw, he got another treat.
Delilah saw that Sampson was getting treats so she came over to get hers. We’ve had Sampson since he was a pup and we always played with his feet. Delilah has some scarring on her feet and can be snarky sometimes if you move to fast near her feet. Although she does tolerate having her nails trimmed and will even lift her paw so I can do it. Since I had a treat, Delilah let me put the boots on her front paws. Then she took the treat and ran into the other room and tried to bite the boots off.
I took the boots off and put them away until it was walk time. At that time, I grabbed the boots and put them on all four paws.
Delilah ran into the other room and tried to bite the boots off again.
Sampson did this.
I might have to wear these ‘boots’ but I don’t have to like it!
BUT once they realized we were going for a walk….
You mean I can wear these and snow won’t get in my toes?
They’re for walking? Well why didn’t you say so?
The reason I chose these boots was mostly because I wasn’t sure how they would tolerate boots and I didn’t want to spend big money on something I couldn’t use. Now that I know the dogs will wear the boots, I’m on the hunt for traditional dog boots.
Do you use boots on your dogs? Do you have any recommendations for us?
I’d also like to congratulate the winners of our Rejenease giveaway.
Linda Pagano Emma Sand Spring Chesapeakes Kevin Sue Cat Cupcake Gemma Lana Wallace Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s Mom Please check your e-mails, Steve has sent you all the information you need to receive your free bottle. And for those who didn’t win, remember you can still order Rejenease from Amazon and get 25% off by using the code HEARTDOG.
Hey Jodi,
Well I must say we LOVED the Pawz ‘boots” when we lived in snow country. The girlz didn’t seem to mind wearing them at all. The first couple of steps were always entertaining but then it was all good. Be mindful that your Kidz might not like the traditional boot cuz it will still feel weird to them, pawz is like wearing nothing. Oh and remember not to laugh too hard at them, it hurts their feelings!! 🙂
I’ve used doggie boots a bunch of times! I believe they would hold their paw up for both reasons!! Mine always held their feet up when they were cold. We’ve had great luck with muttluks, they actually stay on! I don’t usually walk mine for very long if it’s freezing but we still go out for a bit.
When I wasn’t using the boots for snow/ice outings, I used them to protect Zoe’s feet from the wet grass in Oregon. She’s allergic to it and can get paw infections in her feet if I’m not careful about drying them and keeping them clean.
These are the only “boots” I use. They do protect their feet from the crud on the roads and somewhat from the cold, because the heat of their feet is contained in a single boot and creates a heat source. I tried other kinds of boots and always got that funny high-stepping walk from them. They clearly hatesd them. These they do not seem to be as much an issue for them and they walk normally in them. Daisy has had hers for at least 4 years (she wears purple too!) and they are still going strong. Jasper? Not so much. He pokes holes In them while chewing on sticks.
Re: frigid temps, older dogs have a harder time with the cold, so when Daisy and Cupcake start lifting paws, we go back in. Of course, we are not walking on that road crud either so I know it is cold.
Well if they tolerate boots it can’t do any harm can it and anything to protect their paws in the cold can only be a good thing. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Whoo-hoo! We won! Mom already checked the email and followed the instructions. We will help our friend Rocky feel better. Thank you!! xoxo
Sampson’s first reaction to wearing boots is hilarious! I usually walk like an out-of-control-marionette with mine. Mom wants to try the balloon type of boots. My regular boots have Velcro to hold them on, but my feet are so tiny, it’s impossible to tighten the velcro enough to hold them on, so the minute we hit the streets, boots are flying everywhere!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I love how Sampson has just accepted that the boots are going to happen to him!
I admit Im bad I gave up on boots for the pugs, I need to try again
retro rover
I love the pic of Sampson laying in the hallway!!
First of all – Yay! I’m a winner! Thanks, Jodi!
Boots. Jeffie has worn boots for years and we’ve tried many different kinds and brands. Currently he wears a set of Comfy Dog Boots that we’ve had for 2 years now. Love them. Here’s a link to the review we did http://www.talking-dogs.com/2013/02/comfy-dog-boots-for-jeffie-product.html
I’m so happy to see this post today! I have been dealing with the same dilemma all weekend and couldn’t find anyone to talk to about it. I bought the Paws, but they only had medium in stock, and they ended up being too small so I need to swap them out. Since those didn’t work and I had the same concern about them being warm enough, I went to REI and bought the Ruffwear summit trex with rubber soles. They also had limited sizes available and I think the ones I got are a little big. But I got them on Lola and I don’t think she can handle it. She’ll get up and walk with them but in the most awkward way possible! So I’m going to go get the Large Paws today and go back to that idea. Hopefully they work as well for lola as they did for your guys!
I have heard people put boots on their dogs for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes the terrain is hard on bare paws. Sometimes it is the cold. Sometimes it is the ice and stuff that can collect in between toes. Sometimes it is to protect against salt. Sometimes it is to cover an injury. I don’t think there is any one reason. If it works for you then go for it. Our dogs really only lift it is really really cold. We do not walk in subzero temps though. We will let the dogs run a bit but that is it.
Hey Jodi…I guess you’ll never know if you or hubby was correct on that argument, as the dogs ‘aint talking! LOL!
Meadow definitely holds her feet up because she is cold AND doesn’t like the snow. BUT, she’s a Vizsla, with a really short coat, and she’s not built for the snow and ice like Lab is, so your hubby is NOT allowed to use her as an example for his side of the argument.
I bought cheap boots for my crew too (meadow’s for the cold and Leah’s for traction), because I didn’t know if the dogs would need them either. They didn’t hold up great to the washing machine, but they are still kicking around, and since my budget has only shrunk, I won’t be getting new ones this year, maybe next.
I know you saw my Ruffwear summit trex boot review. I think they would be great in the cold and shit on the road days. More expensive than what you bought however. Did you get my email yesterday about the boots? Torrey loves them, and I think they are perfect.
This morning was -17, so a boot morning for us, but we have the “blue balloons”, Katie has purple. We don’t like them, but we walk just fine in them anyway. We actually stayed out in the yard to play a bit after the walk because our paws didn’t get freezer burn from the snow with the shoes on. They don’t last long for us, a couple walks and they tear, or get holes so we flip them over for a few more uses, but we buy several packages on clearance in the spring which makes the short life span more tolerable. We ordered the Rejenease this morning and will see how it works out for Katie. Thank you!
Because Standard Poodle’s have hair that constantly grows in their pads, I definitely find dog boots to be a lifesaver. Best invention ever (plus there’s that whole comic relief effect if you’re bored and the dog tries to flick them off with each step). There’s nothing worse than being half a mile from home and Sam going lame because ice balls formed in between his toes and pads. He gives me that pitiful ‘woe is me’ look like I’m the worst fur-mom ever to have let this happen. Now I just strap those puppies on the puppy and voilà! no more guilt trips (sheesh, you’d think that dog was a travel agent the way he can send you on guilt trips with ‘those’ looks). Sure he hates ’em, but he’s (mostly) tolerant and I’m much more happy not having to try and coax, cajole, or carry his sorry a$$ home. Plus I don’t have to worry he’ll try to lick off that awful road salt/chemical crap that burns paws and causes stomach issues. Win-win. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense. I mean, I won’t go outside in the snow without shoes, he shouldn’t have to either. 🙂
I do not use boots on Blueberry. Although I do use Musher’s Secret regularly. I guess someone could pose the same question to those of us in the extreme heat – should we be walking our dogs? Of course! Dogs are really interested in the walk – most of them don’t get all grumpy and mopey about the weather – they just want to get out of the house for a bit, catch up on “mail”, and see some of the world. Of course, that means making sure they are as comfortable as possible for however long they are out in those extreme temps. I try to keep our walks in the summer in the “coolest” part of the evening (only 105 as opposed to the 115 of midday) around 20-30 minutes. But it makes Blueberry happy. If we lived in the your neck of the woods, I’m sure I’d make her wear a dog jacket and the boots as well.
Sampson is hilarious. He just kind of flopped down in resignation, didn’t he? Delilah’s reaction is something more along the lines of what Blueberry would try. It’s like, give her all the treats you want, if she has a chance, those flim-flamming boots are coming off!!
Sugar wears those EVERY time she goes out… YEAR AROUND…
Now we do NOT have any Salt or other Stuffs being uses here on our hill… butt when it gets bitterly cold… we BOTH Lift our feets and CRY… Mom always goes OUT with us… beclaws sometimes our paws get SO cold… INSTANTLY… that we don’t want to walk…and she CARRIES us back inside… butt we do not have Boots… just lots of Coats and a MOM to Carry us… since WE are Small enough fur that… WINTER is the WORSTEST.
As for WHICH thingy causes Paw Lifting…. They BOTH can… and so can a Bee sting or a cut… SO we thing Everybuddy was correct…
The Iditarod racing Huskies almost all wear boots so I’m guessing that when dogs get used to them they provide good protection.
We used those types of boots and Kobi and Sheba didn’t mind them at all, but Cricket hated when I put them on. I haven’t tried Luke yet but he doesn’t like having his paws handled so it probably won’t go well. I always figured that type of boot protected their paws somewhat from the cold, since they didn’t come into direct contact with the ice and snow.
I thought the ones that Mary reviewed with Torrey sounded great though.
Now, my hubby doesn’t think dogs should wear anything…boots, sweaters, I can barely get him to put a harness on them to walk them. I thought sure you were going to say that’s what your hubby thought!
We use boots! For hard terrains like lava rock which destroy a dogs pads we use the “Ruffwear Grip trex boots”, but for snow these boots didn’t work (hard to keep on) and caused sores I think because they were wet.
We like to play in the snow, and go snowshoeing and we want to try skijoring – dogs pulls human on skis! I’m part of different mushing/skijoring communities and the boots that come out on top for winter wear for both snow and ice are the Pawz dog boots like the ones you picked up, and Muttluks boots for dogs.
But for your use the rubber booties will work just fine especially since you aren’t outside for very long (long to me means all day). The rubber boots do trap in some heat but mostly just protect your pets paws from the elements – it is doubtful that your dogs suffer from painfully cold feet unless you were outside all day of course. Labs have fuzzy feet! 🙂
~DzDogs
We walks at sub zero temperatures all the time it’s not until it gets about -30Celsius when we start to worry. And yes, our dogs will lift their feet when they get too cold too. Doesn’t happen often but did last couple time when it was -41 with windchill.
We discussed boots many times. But for now we’re just using Musher’s Secret.
No, Chester and Gretel don’t wear boots. Mostly this is because I can’t fit any to fit their twisty dwarf feet/legs but also because dogs have a mechanism for keeping paws warm (in simplest terms – that is where they release heat – wish I could find the great blog post I just read about it). In winter, if I am worried about salt and ice, I use Musher’s Secret balm on their paws. It forms a breathable, protective barrier on their pads that keeps snow/ice from sticking to them and salt from burning them.
First, congrats to the winners!
As for the “boots” – we’ve been using them for CindyLu for some time now. You must be right, it’s the snow junk stuck in the toes. When there’s snow/ice/road salt she can’t walk more than several feet without the beginning of “the dance”. With the boots on? There’s no limit to how far she’ll go or for how long. CindyLu’s tootsies don’t get cold or irritated with those on. I swear by them!
Sampson must have thought those were slippers for lounging in 😉
Could a pair of socks (like kids socks) be worn under these for extra warmth? We’ve never had to use boots here in AZ, so I’ve been enjoying reading everyone’s posts/comments on these booties.
Monty and Harlow
There seems to be a craze for doggy shoes! And look at all your’s! LOVE it Jodi and dogs!! 🙂
Woofs from Earl, Ethel and I at Earl’s World!
I’m impressed that the dogs tolerated these so quickly. I guess I’ve seen too many YouTube videos of dogs looking irritated by their boots.
I’m astounded at how hardy Honey is. It hasn’t been too cold for her yet. And she’ll even bark to make me let her outside so she can roll in the snow.
I’m thinking I should wrap her around my shoulders instead of wearing my winter coat.
I think it is great that you put them on since the places they will be walking will have salt on the roads and such. Glad they took to them really well. I’m excited to have won the giveaway can’t wait to try it out. Thank you so much!