Booties

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

This is a practice that can often be overlooked because we don’t notice how hot or cold the ground is since we typically have shoes on our feet. Our dogs are also very good at hiding when they’re in pain, so you may not notice a problem until it’s too late.

To begin the conditioning process you will need the booties and a reward. Pick a location that is quiet and calm for your dog.

It’s important that your dog is already comfortable with you holding one of their paws, if not, you might have to back up a few steps and work through that first.

Choose a position that is comfortable for your dog. Then try the following:
-pick up paw
-touch booty to paw
-put paw in first 1/2 of booty & remove
-put paw all the way in booty & remove
-put booty on and fasten then remove
-have dog walk a little & then remove booty

With each step in this process you will give your dog a reward. You will want to repeat each one several times. You may not have to complete every single one though, go with what your dog is giving you. If your dog needs you to slow down, then slow down, if you can speed up, then speed up.

Repeat all of the steps for each paw until all 4 paws are covered and your dog is able to walk with all four of them on. Once you reach this point, just let your dog walk around the house. Encourage him to follow you around. If he won’t move, you can put a leash on him to encourage him but don’t force it.

Keep the session short. Try not to overload your dog if he’s feeling super uncomfortable instead do these steps over several days.

But when your dog is ready, practice outside as well. Some dogs are so excited to go out for that walk that they completely forget they are even wearing booties once they head outdoors.

I even like to keep them on my dogs in the house until they eventually choose to rest in them and once they got comfortable I removed them but I did not reach that point on day one. I took my time getting there.