Q: Why does my dog need shoes? Shouldn’t we just let dogs be dogs?
A: In a natural environment dogs would not need shoes, but because they engage in human activities with their human partners they are often not equipped to handle the wear and tear that comes with it. Booties protect them from painful injury and enable them to fully participate and enjoy activities with their human friends.
Q: Putting booties on my dog is a hassle. Should I make my dog wear booties all the time? When is it necessary to put booties on my dog?
A: Putting booties on your dog every time you leave the house is unnecessary and probably not good for your dog. Dogs should be allowed to develop natural calluses on their paw pads. If you take your dog on regular walks under normal conditions, booties are probably not necessary. However, in extreme conditions; hot asphalt, snow, hot sand, or rocky terrain, paws can easily blister or cut. Excessive running or hiking can also do damage to a dog’s paws. The problem is dogs have a high pain threshold and are so determined to enjoy the fun that they ignore their own injuries until it’s too late.
Q: How long do Woof Hoofs last?
A: Just like human shoes a lot depends on how you use them and how often you use them. It is also important to know that dog shoes are different than human shoes in that the more rugged you make them the more rigid and uncomfortable they can be. So there is a trade off between durability and comfort and flexibility. The Woof Hoofs philosophy is to make Woof Hoofs affordable enough so that dog owners can routinely replace them without breaking the bank.
Woof Hoofs is primarily concerned with the comfort and protection of your dogs’ paws and maximizing your dog’s enjoyment. We won’t compromise that for the sake of fashion or by producing shoes that are impractical or painful to wear.
Q: Since I started using Woof Hoofs my dog’s feet stink! What’s going on?
A: Dogs sweat through their paws. Normally this sweat simply evaporates. However, booties trap moisture just like human shoes do. To address this you should hand wash your Woof Hoofs with water and mild dish soap. It is also a good idea to sprinkle some foot powder in the booties to absorb moisture and reduce friction and odors.
Another good idea is to invest in a large pack of hand and face wet wipes. When you come home from a long walk, wipe down your dog’s paws and wipe down his coat while you’re at it. He or she will be huggably fresh. Now if you could only do something about the breath!
Q: I see so many booties available that are much cheaper than Woof Hoofs, why don't I just save a buck and buy those?
A: Woof Hoofs began as a result of that very question. The need to find an affordable, yet durable and comfortable shoe so that dogs could enjoy outdoor activities and adventures with their human companions free from injury.
Most low price dog shoes may look stylish, but they're often made of inferior materials and simply cannot perform in real-world situations. Woof Hoofs were designed with performance in mind. We could easily have imported cheap shoes and just passed them along to our customers, but the day we do that we may as well close our doors.
Our boots are vigourously field tested for comfort, durability, traction and performance. So we are confident in the boots we sell.
At the same time we recognize that customers shouldn't have to pay through the nose for a good quality dog boot. We seek to strike that balance between quality and value.
Q: I see other high quality dog booties that are much more expensive than yours. Are Woof Hoofs really as good as the others? If so how can you offer them for less?
A: Our concern first and foremost was to offer a boot that performed well, lasted long, and that your dog would enjoy wearing. We also know that dogs aren't slaves to fashion like we are, so if we compromised anywhere it was style. We happen to think, however, that Woof Hoofs look pretty cool, but we'll let you be the judge.
Q: Can I place orders by phone?
A: We currently only accept orders online. Check back for updates on payment options.
Q: Can I pay by check or money order?
A: We currently only accept payment via Visa, Mastercard or PayPal.
Q: Do you ship outside the U.S.?
A: No. If you cannot find Woof Hoofs in your country, contact your local retailer and request that they carry our boots.