Comments on: People, pets and ice: Not so nice

By: Patina

Patina — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:10:41 +0000

We have a golden mix (70lbs) and after working with him for weeks he is finally used to wearing boots. We put them on him right before we go outside, then keep the leash tight so he can’t walk way out in front of us. On the very cold WI days/nights and when the sidewalks are heavily salted they are a life saver for all of us. They allow us to get our walks in without his paws getting so cold or hurting. They are well worth the time and energy working with your dog to get them used to wearing boots. We made small adjustments to the Velcro straps simply sewed the end over to form a tab so we can easily pull them off after the walk.

By: Phyllis DeGioia

Phyllis DeGioia — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:40:05 +0000

The other day at the dog park I finally saw the first set of booties I’d ever seen there - a bright orange neoprene set on a white miniature poodle, who was also wearing a coat. Without those items, that dog would not have been able to go outside for any length of time (tiny dog, less body mass to combat the cold). Of course, when I saw the dog, he was being carried by Dad….

By: The OTHER Pat

The OTHER Pat — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:41:49 +0000

The thing with doggie boots is that they need to fit SNUG. A lot of people buy them with some room, and while that works for people, for dogs, you want them to fit snugly, like socks.

And similarly, you want the velcro wrap around their ankle to be fairly tight - not so much so that it cuts off circulation - but enough that movement is essentially eliminated.

Then praise, praise, praise when they’re wearing them so they come to believe that doing so is the best thing in the world!

By: straybaby

straybaby — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:59:31 +0000

I so wish my dog would wear boots! Over the past couple years, the amount of chemical ice melts has really gone down around me. Now, a lot more sand and some rock salt. I generally keep a rag in my pocket to wipe her feet if she seems bothered on our walks by it. The bigger problem is the extreme cold. Past couple days you could tell the cold pavement was really getting to her even on “quickies”. When we have just “normal” too cold weather with snow around, she’ll get a cold foot or two and will hold them up for warming (you would think she would make the connection with keeping the feet in the snow=cold foot!) and we are good to go until she does it again. Last night, just squatting to do her business you could almost see the cold going up her legs :(

Tonight we are warming up though, so hopefully we are done with these extremes for this year. She’s good down to about 20 with a bit of wind chills and is even pretty good in the teens without the wind. Temp keeps rising, up 4 from a couple hours ago and we are now at 26. YES!!! We’re havin’ a heat wave! {grin}

By: LauraL

LauraL — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:36:26 +0000

I realize this will probably mean no END of ribbing, but I have to put in a good word for boots. You know, the ones for dogs.

Okay, yes, big dogs won’t tolerate them, and NO dog I’ve ever met would put up with the neoprene ones, either. But the fleece “socks” with the velcro ankle wraps actually work well for smaller dogs who’ll accept them.

I used to live in the Midwest, and my old terrier mix girl wouldn’t even walk out to pee when it was under 20 because the snow and salt would pack up between her pads, and it hurt. She’d just stand there, lifting one or two feet at a time and whining to be picked up.

When I put her “dog socks” on for the first time, she kicked and complained like crazy. But I swear you could see a doggy lightbulb go on over her head the first time she wore them out into the snow. No more complaints - or balking - after that. And no problems with salt or ice-melter, either - you just throw them into the washer when the salt gets bad enough they can stand up on their own.

Okay, they’re not for every dog - neither of my current guys would tolerate them - but for little ones in severely cold weather, they’re worth a try. If you can’t buy them in your local store, you can make them easily from various patterns online.

By: stellaluna

stellaluna — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:03:48 +0000

I am suddenly very thankful to be living in Tucson.

And that is an awesome hat.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 20:01:13 +0000

I didn’t even know about yaktrax or microspikes! Thanks! I have taken a couple falls walking dogs this winter in Chicago. Over the holidays I was dogsitting in a neighborhood where NO ONE took care of their sidewalks and then we got a weird thaw/ all ice everywhere thing. One of my friends dogs even sprained his shoulder and he’s a husky.

Thanks again!

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:11:39 +0000

As I was searching for dog supplies online, I stumbled upon your blog. Your post has been very helpful, especially the information Yak Trax. I always fear that I’m going to slip and fall while walking my dog.

By: straybaby

straybaby — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:54:28 +0000

I think my post may have gotten stuck in the filter because of a link, but the Yak Trax I have, have a strap over the top of the shoe. I have never had them come off. The MicroSpikes do look like they would be better on inclines, which I won’t have to deal with until next winter :)

By: mikken

mikken — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:39:16 +0000

Phyllis,

I had the same problem with the Yak Trax! But the MicroSpikes really stay on nicely - not even any slippage walking the dogs over various snow/ice-covered terrains (steep hill and all).

I highly recommend them for dog walking in slippery conditions.