How To Train Your Dog To Wear Boots

Dog boots are not just a cute accessory. They are crucial for protecting your dog's feet against ice, snow, salt, chemicals, and hot or cold pavement. Don't just take our word for it. Science and research backs up the need for dog boots. However, many dogs can be resistant to wearing them. If your dog is one of these reluctant pooches, you can still get the benefits of dog boots, you will just need to do some training first.

Purchase the Right Size Boots

First, you need to make sure you buy the correct size boots for your dog. Boots that are too big may fall off or be difficult to walk in, while small boots could constrict your dog's feet. To get an accurate measurement, put your dog's paw on a piece of paper and press gently on the top, so that it will approximate the way your dog's foot will spread out when she walks. Make a mark on the paper by both sides of your dog's paw, the base of the heel pad and the tip of the toe pads. Measure between the two side marks and the front and back marks to help you choose the right size boot. Look for a sizing guide on the product information page of the seller's website for assistance.

Have a High-Value Treat Ready

While it can be tempting to just put the boots on your dog and giggle while she runs around like a maniac, if you actually want your dog to wear the boots, it is important to make her experience with them a positive one. The best way to do this is through positive reinforcement. Choose one of her favorite dog treats to use as a reward during the training process. While you are doing the boot training, try to reserve your dog's favorite treat for this training only. However, since you will probably have to treat your dog repeatedly to reinforce the behavior, it is best to choose something small or break a larger treat up into smaller pieces. If your pup is not particularly food motivated, try using a favorite toy instead.

Let Your Dog Get Used to the Boots

Before you attempt to put the boots on your dog's feet, first let her get used to them. Put a boot on the floor and when your dog gives it a sniff, give her a treat. Pick the boot up and let your dog sniff it again and then give another treat. Next, rub the boot gently against her foot and then treat her again. This will help build a positive association with the boot.

If your dog is doing well at this point, put a boot on one foot, give a treat and then immediately take it off and give her another treat. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise. You want the experience of wearing the boot to be extremely rewarding for your dog. Repeat the whole sequence, starting with letting the dog sniff the boot and finishing with putting it on and taking it off again, giving a treat after each step. Be sure to treat your dog both when you put on the boot and when you take it off. This will help prevent you from struggling to remove the boots down the road.

Establish a Special Place

If you already have a place in your home where you take your dog for grooming or training, you can use that. If not, you should pick a place in your home where you will always put your dog's boots on and take them off. Once you are in the spot, start by doing a bit of grooming and then get the boot and give your dog a treat. This will help establish that whenever your dog sees the boots, something good is going to happen. Next, put a boot on and give another treat and lots of praise. If that goes well, put a second boot on and treat and praise again. Then take off both boots and give your dog several treats.

Leave the Boots on Briefly

Repeat the previous steps, but this time instead of taking the two boots off immediately, leave them on for about 30 seconds and then take them off and treat. Repeat this process until your dog seems to be getting comfortable with the two boots.

Put on All Four Boots

Once your dog is doing well with the two boots, it is time to try putting on all four boots. Repeat the process of letting your dog sniff and then touch and then take the boot on and off, while treating after each step, with all four boots. Once you have all the boots in place, give your dog a big treat and lots of praise.

Let your dog keep the boots on for a while. If she does anything you do not want, such as acting crazy, falling over, trying to pull the boots off or whining, ignore it. You do not want to unintentionally reinforce the behavior you do not want. Make sure to treat your dog while she is being calm and accepting the boots. If she panics, do not scold. Simply remove the boots without giving any treats.

If you are consistent with this training, the whole process should take about a week, but if your dog is progressing slower than that, do not worry, just keep trying. Eventually, your dog will get used to the boots and wearing them will just be another part of her normal routine.