Appreciating Boots

Winter boots

 

There are several good reasons to put foot protection on your hounds in cold weather, among them are cold temperatures, snow in its many forms, and road chemicals.  Any or all of the above can cause pain and discomfort to your hound.  So getting your hound to wear boots is not an option if you live in Minnesota. 

 

Most of the sources I have read suggested teaching your hound to tolerate wearing socks around the house.  That just did not make sense to me, and who thinks of starting to do that until the weather gets cold – like now. 

 

So now that it is too late to teach your dog to tolerate wearing socks in the house, how do you teach your hounds that boots are a good thing?  There might be other ways, but here is what has worked for me: 

 

I carry a boot or four in my pocket.  When my hound begins hopping on three feet, I put a boot on the foot that is being held up, and we walk on.  The foot with the boot should immediately be warmer, and stepping on that foot no longer painful.  I continue walking in the same direction a short distance until the hound is walking normally again.  Then you can put one or more boots on the dog and continue walking. 

 

There are two reasons I continue walking in the same direction:  First, so that the dog does not learn that hopping on three feet will make you terminate the walk, and secondly, the dog learns that the previously cold foot, is now warmer and the only change was adding a boot.  By walking a bit farther you have the opportunity to put all four boots on your hound and more time for your hound to recognize that boots are a good thing. 

 

It may take several walks and waiting until the hopping happens before your hound remembers that boots are a good thing, but by the end of the winter you will be able to put boots on your hound in the comfort of your house.  You will probably have to repeat this every year when the temps drop, or the road chemicals are applied, but preventing sore chapped feet in the winter is worth the effort. 

 

I have tried several brands of boots on my hounds, the ones my hounds prefer are the boots made by Voyager.  They are long enough that the boot, which looks like a sock, covers a good portion of their leg and keeps snow out of the boot, the velcro straps are positioned so that the boot stays on without binding or cutting sensitive skin, and they are machine washable. 

 

NLGA will have boots at the Boutique on December 7^th, and 14^th from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM.  We will also have other winter wear necessities, coats, hats, snoods, and jammies.  Shop early and get your hound set up for cold weather.  Your hound will thank you by continuing to enjoy winter walks.  Hope to see you and your hounds at the boutique. 

 

Don’t forget Santa will be there too, maybe your hound has other items on their wish list – like a new brother or sister. . . . . .