subject: How to Measure Your Dog for Boots and Tips for Wearing them [print this page] Once you have convinced yourself that dog shoes are a great idea for your puppy, you must know just what size to purchase, the proper way to put them on your dog, and the way to get your pet accustomed to wearing them.
Picking The Right Size Dog Shoe
If purchasing a durable set of winter dog shoes online, don't simply assume you know what size to get. Just like people, pet's feet are all various sizes and should be appropriately measured in order to decide what that size is. Here's an easy way to measure your puppie's paw:
1. Measure the length of the paw starting with the back of the large base pad to the end of his toenails.*
2. Measure the width from the outer edge of the two outside pads.
3. Choose the shoe size by comparing the width and length you measured to that upon the size chart for the boots you desire to purchase. Generally each and every boot style will have a different size chart.
*The following is a tip for a simple method to measure your dog's paws. Have your dog stand (not sit) upon a piece of paper and use a marker in order to mark the top, heel, and each side of the foot. Then use your ruler to measure between the markings.
Placing the Boots on the Dog
Ok, you now have some snazzy new hiking dog shoes for Boomer. Placing them on is the next step. Many shoes or boots are available with Velcro straps that wrap all-around to hold the bootie on. Here are some tips for putting on that type of boot.
1. For the front boots, stand over your dog with your legs straddling your pet just below the rib cage. Carefully hold your pet there with your legs.
2. Pick up a paw and insert it into the boot. You could use your thumb like a shoehorn by placing it down the back of the shoe, tucking the foot in while pulling upward on the outside of the boot in order to secure it in place.
3. As soon as the paw is inside the boot, place the foot down so your dog is standing steadily on the boot. And then tuck any excess hair inside the shoe, wrap one part of the strap over snugly and secure the Velcro. You could actually raise the opposite leg in order to make sure full weight is actually on the boot.
4. If the boot has a long Velcro strip, wrap it around and around the dogs paw right beneath the dewclaw and secure it.
For the back paws, stand perpendicularly to your canine and press your leg against their side. Put the booties on the exact same way as you did the front boots.
Getting Your Dog Used to to His Booties
The very first time you set booties on your dog they are bound to feel a little odd to him. He will most likely high step and perform a funny little dance because the ground probably feels unusual to him. Take your pet outside right away and attempt to get your pet into a regular playing routine. In other words, draw attention away from the booties but examine them periodically in order to see if they are still nice and snug upon his feet. Attempt this a couple of times before you really take him out on their stroll, run, or hike. This will not just break in the new boots, but break your pet into wearing them too.
How to Measure Your Dog for Boots and Tips for Wearing them
