Review: Dog Boots

After getting our set of Ruff Wear dog boots, we quickly noticed there's hardly anything in the world that gets you quite as much attention as walking a dog who is wearing sneakers.

The reactions we get from people vary widely. Some people have puzzled expressions on their faces. Others give you a look that suggests they think you're putting your dog through some kind of unbelievable torture. Little children usually point and exclaim, "Mom, that dog is wearing sneakers!" And many people will stop you to ask questions: Why is your dog wearing boots? What are they used for? Where can you buy them? How did you train your dog to accept them?

Hopefully I can address all of these questions in this post, along with a review of the boots we currently use.



Product Name
Bark'n'Boots Grip Trex

Manufacturer
Ruff Wear

Where to Buy
Ruff Wear online store
hiking and outdoor stores

Price
$59.95


What it Promises

Ruff Wear promises that the Grip Trex dog boots represent "revolutionary design", based on an anatomical mold like human footwear is. The non-marking rubber sole made by Vibram is "high-grip, high-traction, high-performance". The mesh uppers are "comfortable, breathable, durable, and drainable".


Features

Ruff Wear's dog boots are designed based on the way human running and hiking shoes are designed. This starts with an anatomical mold so the shoe conforms to the size and shape of the dog's paw.

The rubber sole, made by Vibram, provides grip and traction, no matter how the dog is running or walking, or which surface he is on. The sole covers the entire underside of the dog's paw and is flexible and comfortable. Most importantly, it protects from sharp rocks, broken glass, and other things commonly encountered both on hiking trails and in an urban environment.

The upper part of the boots is made from breathable mesh, which dries relatively fast. Each boot has an elastic gusset at the top to make putting the boots on and taking them off easier, and each boot closes with a reflective Velcro strap. The reflective feature adds an additional safety factor when walking or running in low-light conditions.

Overall, the boot design is very simple but effective. The stable rubber sole prevents the boots from turning around on the paw when the dog is moving, and the adjustable Velcro closure ensures a good fit so the boots don't come off. On the inside, seams are flat and non-irritating to the dog's paw.


Flaws & Problems

When I purchased my dog boots, the most obvious flaw was the fact that they were available in only two colors: blue and red. I'm the type of person who likes a nice, subtle, tactical black as an option for all her dog gear, but alas - black wasn't an option at the time. I ended up buying the red ones and, after awhile, succumbed to not liking the bright color and dying them black using leather dye. Incidentally, Ruff Wear has since released the same boots in Obsidian Black.

When the boots are first put on, they require some adjustment to ensure the Velcro straps are neither too lose nor too tight. This is something that is usually done within the first 15 to 20 minutes the dog is wearing them as you observe movement and tighten or loosen them as necessary. Some signs that the straps may be too tight can be the way the dog is walking or messing with his paws, or if they look uncomfortable. A sure sign of telling they're too loose is when the boots come off.

While these are well fitting and experience few problems with turning sole-side up (a common problem with other types of dog boots), they still have the ability to come off the dog's paw if they are too loose, the dog is stepping on his own paws (for example, when running and taking tight turns) or if they get caught. It's important to check boots frequently to make sure they're where they need to be and to adjust them when problems with fit and wear occur.


Verdict

Without a doubt, Ruff Wear's Grip Trex boots are the best dog boots currently on the market. They fit well, are designed well, and are made well. They offer a great deal of protection to the dog's paws while still allowing normal movement.

Getting the right fit was fairly easy as well because Ruff Wear offers a pretty comprehensive fitting guide based on measurements (not breeds - thank goodness). Place your dog's paw on a piece of paper and trace it, then measure across the widest part of the paw to select your size.

Abby wearing her boots in Colonial Williamsburg.

Dog Boots FAQ


QUESTION
Why / when would a dog need boots? What are they used for?

ANSWER
The purpose of dog boots is to protect the dog's paws and paw pads. Even though dogs normally have very durable pads that do not require additional protection and that are much, much tougher than the naked human food, there are some situations where dog boots can be a useful addition to your gear chest.

One such reason is protecting an injured paw from contamination and infection. For example: you are hiking in the back country and all of a sudden, your dog cuts his paw pad wide open on a broken piece of beer bottle dumped on the hiking path by some idiot who came before you. Not only is the cut painful and uncomfortable for your dog, it can also possibly become infected. Having dog boots on hand allows you to clean out and dress the injury, then cover it with the boot for added protection, keeping on the bandage, and adding some support to the paw so you can get back to your car and return home.

Another such reason would be to protect paws from becoming injured if you are in an area where injuries to the paws may be very likely. For example, Search and Rescue teams often work in difficult terrains, especially searching in urban areas where there may be broken sidewalks, broken glass, nails, and similar dangerous items that can injure a dog's paws. Protection from those types of injuries is the reason German police are issuing their dogs with these boots.



QUESTION
Where can you purchase dog boots?

ANSWER
Almost all pet stores and even some department stores (Target, for example) usually carry at least one type of dog boot. When looking for dog boots, it's important to know the difference between fashion dog boots, which have no real protective function and exist more for small dog owners to "dress up" their dogs, and quality working dog boots that offer protection to the dog's paw. Researching online can go a long way to finding a quality boot - and finding a great deal on one, too.

Another place to check for dog boots are hiking and outdoor stores such as REI or Bass Pro Shops, which often have a section specifically for dog equipment. At places such as Bass Pro Shops and Gander Mountain, that section is usually geared mainly toward hunting and field dogs, but those also offer a good selection of different types of well-designed, serious-use dog boots.



QUESTION
How can I train my dog to wear dog boots?

ANSWER
The short and simple answer to this question is, without being flippant, "one boot at a time". Whenever you put your dog through something new, whether it's fitting a dog pack or fitting dog boots, it's important to take it slow and give your dog a chance to get familiar with this new thing.

When fitting dog boots, it really helps if your dog is used to having his paws handled - which should be a requirement for all good dogs, since it makes trimming nails and inspecting pads much easier for the owner!

As always, let your dog check out the boots before you put them on. Give him a chance to sniff and investigate them. Then, armed with a hand full of really yummy treats, have your dog stand still and lift one of his paws, putting one boot on. Treat and praise for good behavior and let your dog get the feel of having the boot on. Move to the next boot - again, praise and treat for being good and not putting up a fuss.

Once all four boots are on, let your dog walk around the house for a bit to figure them out. Most dogs will shake their paws, prance, or jump at first because this is a new sensation for them. If your dog seems really focused on the boots and is really trying to get them off, try to redirect his focus from the boots onto you by offering treats and praise for basic obedience commands: look at me, sit, down, heel, etc. If the dog is focused on something positive and something he knows, the transition to the boots is often easier. I always make it a point to do something really, really fun when I introduce a new piece of equipment, such as going outside to play or taking a walk with my dog wearing the new gear.



QUESTION
My dog has degenerative myelopathy and drags her back paws, wearing down the nails. Can I use this type of dog boots to prevent wearing of the nails and protect her paws?

ANSWER
No. These dog boots were designed for dogs who have normal feeling and movement in their front and back paws. They should not be used on dogs whose medical conditions prevent them from having normal feeling and movement in their paws without first talking to your veterinary specialist. There are many companies that specialize in boots for special needs dogs.