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BOOTS FIT FOR A DOG

DOG BOOTS FOR WINTER?

Why Woof Hoofs Make an Excellent Winter Bootie for your Dog

A number of people considering buying our dog boots have asked if Woof Hoofs are good for winter use. A simple “yes” won’t do, so here are a few helpful insights into the thinking behind the design of Woof Hoofs. I hope this will help illustrate why they are an exceptional choice for use in snowy, slushy and chilly conditions.

Neoprene, How do I Love Thee? Let me Count the Ways.

When Woof Hoofs was in the initial design and testing phase, three primary characteristics were essential: Comfort, performance, and durability. With that in mind, it became clear that choosing a form-fitting material with a stretchable quality was critical. A loose fitting shoe would naturally increase friction between the material and the dog’s paws, especially the top of the paws where there is very little padding. Conversely, a tight shoe with no give would be very constricting and uncomfortable. It also had to be a durable material that would stand up to wear and tear. Neoprene addressed these issues very well. The aesthetic quality of a form-fitting shoe was also a nice bonus.

Another important advantage of neoprene, however, particularly in wet and cold conditions, is its unique insulating qualities. Before going on, let’s dispel the myth that there is such a thing as a truly “waterproof” dog bootie. The fact is, regardless of what the boot is made of water will eventually find its way in. And once the water is inside, unless the material is permeable, it isn’t coming out.

At Woof Hoofs, we took a page out of surfing technology. In wetsuit design the theory is, “If you can’t keep water completely out then make it work for you.” Wetsuits work on the principle that when you hit the ocean the suit immediately absorbs the cold water. Your body heat then quickly warms the water trapped in the neoprene. This then acts as a barrier, keeping the outside, colder water from getting in. This principle is what keeps surfers nice and cozy while sitting out on their boards waiting for the next set to come in.

Even dry, neoprene is a good insulating material. Ever use a koozie to keep your can of soda or beer cold? While Woof Hoofs can be treated with a water-repellant solution to help keep water out, if you’ve ever spent a day on the ski-slopes, eventually that “waterproofed” gear is eventually going to get wet. Depending on how long your dog is outside; when the booties do get wet it’s nice to know that they have a second line of protection against the elements.

Strap in, It’s Going to be a Bumpy Ride.

Performance is an essential characteristic for a good set of dog boots. What I mean by performance is that once properly fitted on your dog, the boots will stay on and do what they are intended to do. There is nothing more frustrating than spending five or ten minutes putting your dog’s winter gear on, including booties, head out and not get 100 yards before one boot has fallen off and another has flipped upside down. Cold winter conditions take the frustration to an even higher level. Snow poses a major challenge for boot designers like me. Deep snow can easily suck them right off a poor pooch; and good luck finding them.

Therefore, it is critical that the fastening system have exceptional “stay-on” qualities. With a little common sense and a proper fitting, Woof Hoofs allow a dog to run and play in the snow with very little worry of losing a boot.

‘O Sole Mio

Traction is vital in wet and slippery winter conditions. The cold weather can also cause cheaper, plastic soles to become increasingly rigid and inflexible, making the boots more uncomfortable and harder for the dog to run free and easy.

Woof Hoofs uses a material for the sole of its winter booties called ToughTekTM. ToughTekTM is a durable, rubberized material that resists abrasion, stays soft and pliable in cold conditions, and provides exceptional traction.

It’s Snowtime!

I hope you find this information helpful in knowing what to look for in a good winter dog boot and that you’ll consider trying out Woof Hoofs. In fact, don’t take my word for it, check out the video posted on the website. See for yourself the company spokesdog, Baxter, plowing through deep powder and running and jumping to his heart’s content in the Winter Wonderland of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Now don’t let Baxter have all the winter fun, while your dog misses out! Make sure your dog is properly geared up to get in on the action!

- Jim Leal, aka, The Dog Cobbler, is the founder and owner of Woof Hoofs Co., “Boots Fit for a Dog.” The company began out of a desire to share his love of the outdoors with his dog, Baxter. You can ask Jim questions by writing him at jim@woofhoofs.com. Find out more by visiting the company website: www.woofhoofs.com.

*Reprints, excerpts or electronic posts are prohibited without the expressed written consent of Woof Hoofs Co.

How to Get Your Dog to Wear Dog Booties

When my dog Baxter and I go for a walk and he’s wearing his boots, we always get a lot of smiles and positive comments, but occasionally I hear the remark, “I tried getting my dog to wear boots, but he hates them and won’t let me put them on.” Then they ask me, “Does your dog try to pull them off?” I can see the look of skepticism on their faces when I tell them that Baxter not only enjoys wearing them, he eagerly gives me his paws if he even thinks I’m going to put them on.

It got me thinking about writing down why I think Baxter likes wearing his dog boots and for that matter why some dogs don’t. He’s generally a cooperative dog, but not out of the ordinary. In fact, in the product development stage there were many prototypes he didn't like and he let me know it. So I'm confident that the boots we produce are comfortable to wear.

A History Lesson:

The first thing to consider if your dog refuses to wear dog boots is that maybe at some time in the past they have had a bad experience. Maybe the boots were too stiff, too loose or too tight? The first thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to dog boots, fashion must never come before function. Wearing boots is primarily for your dog’s benefit, not for amusement.

If your dog has had a bad experience, that’s not a reason to give up. It may just mean an extra dose of patience is required. But there is no reason why a dog can’t be trained to wear boots and even enjoy them. That’s right I did say trained. There is some basic training involved. It’s not like simply putting a new collar on. However, it’s well worth the effort and your dog will thank you in the long run. You’ll be making outdoor trips a lot more enjoyable, comfortable and safer. It may even save you a visit to the vet to treat a cut, blistered or infected paw?

First Thing’s First: Not all Dog Booties are Created Equal:

No amount of proper training will compensate for an uncomfortable, ill-fitting boot.

Here are a few basic characteristics to look for in a good dog boot:

Flexibility: It should move with your dog’s natural paw movements and not force your dog to change its natural stride.

Form fitting yet not tight. If the boot is too loose and the material is too rough it can cause friction and irritation. Foot powder can help with this as well, by absorbing wetness and reducing friction.

Well-designed boots that stay on without over-tightening. If you need to over-tighten the straps, you may restrict your dog’s circulation. Too loose, however, even good boots may fall off. It just takes a little practice to find the right balance.

Good traction. Hard plastic or smooth soles will only make your dog feel more unstable and insecure when wearing boots. A boot with a rubberized sole will provide traction and will help your dog’s confidence with having them on. Dogs get a lot of their sense of balance and control from their paw pads. It’s challenging enough to not have direct contact with the ground. Making them slip and slide on plastic or slick soles may cause your dog to resist wearing them even more.

Once you've got a good quality, well fitting set of dog boots, the most important technique to get your dog used to wearing them is consistent, positive reinforcement and association.

Is there a single dog in the world that doesn’t get excited when their owner reaches for the leash? For your dog it means there’s a 99.9 percent chance that a walk is coming. There’s no reason why your dog cannot make the same association of putting dog boots on with an exciting, fun, adventure-filled walk.

If you put the boots on and then just let the dog wander around the house for a while, it may only add to your dog’s frustration and anxiety. Make sure, especially in the beginning, that as soon as the boots are on you head out for a quick walk of about five minutes. Not only is it a positive association, it’s a great way to take your dog’s mind off of the fact they have boots on. There are just too many other stimulating distractions to enjoy! Also it’s a great way to release any stress or anxiety your dog may have from having these strange contraptions on. Gradually increase the walk time over the course of a week and your dog should adapt to them. It is also important to remove the boots right after the walk and don't give the dog permission to try and remove them on their own. If necessary, spraying some bitter apple on the boots can also discourage your dog from trying to remove the boots.

Dogs respond better to different forms of positive reinforcement than others. You know what works best for your dog. You can do any or all of the following:

Praise your dog for letting you put the boots on as well as during and after the walk.

Give them their favorite treats throughout the experience.

If you can’t go outside, engage in a fun activity while the dog has the boots on, like playing fetch or some other game. Dogs love attention and abhor boredom. Positive, fun attention is a great way to establish a positive association with the boots.

I’m confident that if you apply these suggestions and take a dedicated, consistent approach to getting your dog used to wearing dog boots, pretty soon your dog will beg you to put them on; just like Baxter.

*Reprints, excerpts or electronic posts are prohibited without the expressed written consent of Woof Hoofs Co.