How to pick the right kind of Dog Boots

So it's been hot here in Arizona! The long summer months make it hard to do things with your dog. If you want to take your four-legged best friend with you, you probably considered getting him/her some doggie boots.
In this blog, I want to answer some commonly ask questions about dog boots. How to choose the right type of boot, how to properly fit them, and how to get your dog comfortable wearing them.

Why get them?

 

If you walk your pet on asphalt or concrete you should consider them during the hot summer days.
Dog boots aren't just great for protecting your dog's paws during extreme temperatures, like hot summer days in Arizona. For cold winters, boots can insulate your dog’s feet from cold snow, ice, and salt, and are great for keeping your dog's feet clean when it's really muddy outside. If you hike in different kinds of terrain, boots can make sure your dog's paws aren't injured by protecting from the dangers of sharp rock, brambles, burrs, cacti, and foxtails. If you have a senior dog or one with mobility issues, boots can help with traction on slippy floors in the home.

 

What kind should you get?

 

There are plenty of choices when it comes to buying dog boots for your canine companion. In general, depending on the need for boots, different types should be considered.

• Boots with thick rubber soles are best for extreme temperatures and rough terrain.
• Waterproof boots are great for mud or during winter time
• Breathable mesh boots are better for hot summer days
• Lightweight sock like boots are great for indoors to help with traction on slippery floors
• Taller boots are better for rain and snow 

 How to get the right size boots for your dog

Sizing varies with style and manufacturer, so don't just buy by size, but rather take a moment to carefully measure your dog's paws. To do so, take a blank sheet of paper and let your dog stand on it with his front paw. With a pen mark around the paw. Do the same for the hind foot. Now measure the width and length of the paws using the outline on your paper. The most important measurement is the width, as it mostly determines the size. With these measurements in hand, review the sizing chart of the brand you are buying.

Train your dog to be comfortable with his boots

It's important to give your dog some time to get used to the boots. Don't just put them on his feet, rather take the time to gradually teach him/her to be comfortable wearing them. The biggest mistake owners make is to just put the dog boots on their pet and leave them to get used to them.

Start with only the fronts and make sure the boots are properly secured so they will not fall off. Then put your dog on the leash and walk around the house or backyard for a few minutes. By walking around, you give your dog something to do, and s/he will not just sit and chew off the new boots. Once your dog is walking normally with the boots on, you can toss a toy or ball off-leash.
After a few minutes, take the boots off, but continue to play to reward the dog. Repeat for a few times and eventually add the hind boots to this routine.

Once you use the boots for regular outings, make sure to check his/her paws for soreness or wear marks. Just like human shoes, dog boots fit differently on each dog and you want to be sure your dog is wearing boots that fit without hurting his feet.

You may also like our YouTube video on the same subject:

I hope this information is helpful to you and would love to see your comments on the subject.
As always stay cool and keep your paws on the road!

Bee Walker

Toys for Shelter Dogs – How One Arizona Businessman Makes a Difference!

As the owner of a pet waste removal company, people often ask me why I got into the business. I usually just say that I love dogs and I saw a great business opportunity in a niche market. But truth be told, I was simply burnt out of working for other people and had declared that “I would rather pick up dog s*** for a living than do this anymore!”. Never one to be all bark and no bite, I followed through with my declaration and began building my business.

Certainly, I had plenty of doubters when I got into this business and I was constantly questioned. Thankfully, my sarcastic attitude and a desire to prove them all wrong got me through it...

“Why would you want to do that?”

Yes, Susan, I’ve always dreamt of picking up dog poop for a living.

“Ugh, the smell must be horrible! How do you do it?”

Yes, Wendy, it’s dog poop and it smells bad. I use a scooper and a bucket.

“Do you really think you can make money doing something that I MAKE my kids do?”

No, Bob, I just want to relive my childhood when my dad MADE me do it too.

I started off with a small handful of customers on the weekends which brought in a little bit of extra money to help out with the bills. Even as my number of customers began to grow, I honestly wasn’t sure if it would ever be more than a part-time side job to supplement my income. But word continued to spread and within a year of starting the business, it was already time to make the leap to full-time. It is safe to say that I severely underestimated the demand for this type of service!

Now with a thriving business underway, I find myself in a great position to give back to the furry friends who helped me get to where I am today. There are so many dogs in shelters, rescues, and foster homes that just need a loving family to call their own and I want to help them all! I began using some of the company profits to purchase toys and treats for the dogs at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. I remember being so excited about purchasing 150 dog-friendly tennis balls and bringing them to the dogs!

 As I walked through the facility, handing out a ball to each dog in their kennel, I realized that I would not have enough. There were over 300 dogs being housed at this one facility alone! It was then and there that I realized that I had to do more.

Having spent the last year building a network of animal lovers, I knew  I had a platform to make a bigger difference. This is when I started the Poodini Pals Toy Drive. I asked my customers to donate any toys, treats, blankets, leashes, or other supplies that could help the dogs feel more comfortable in the shelter and ultimately give them a better chance of being adopted. My customers answered the call and I quickly collected several trash bags worth of supplies.

I began contacting local businesses to see if I could put up a poster and leave a donation bin. Fortunately enough, several businesses jumped at the opportunity to help my cause. Word began to spread and there was a flood of donations coming in. 

 

At my next visit to the shelter, I had a full truck load of supplies with me!

If you would like to support Mike's efforts, please contact him at toydrive@poodiniaz.com to see how you can help!

Thanks to the love and generosity of so many compassionate people, I have been able to continue to supply the shelter with much needed supplies on a regular basis. Though managing the toy drive can be quite laborious at times, if it helps even one dog to be adopted, then it is totally worth it! I feel very fortunate to be able to help and honestly wish that I could do more.

Dogs have been good to me, and I can only hope to be just as good to them!

Mike Casten

Dog lover and owner of Poodini Pet Waste Removal

Poo happens...We make it disappear! Visit us at https://www.poodini.com/