Dog shoes

[Blissful]

Found this interesting -

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/dog_shoes


Who uses dog shoes for their pup while hiking, does it really help them, what kind, etc?

[AlwaysHiking]

I carry them for injuries to help hold gauze in place if needed but don't actually hike my dog wearing them.

I have my own homemade booties that I use. The bottom is made out of leather and the top is nylon.

As a side note, the boots from the article are made by Ruffwear and are on sale right now at REI if anyone is interested.

[Phreak]

My dogs wear the Ruff Wear brand in icy/snowy conditions. Prevents ice from packing 'tween their pads.

I carry them with me in the first aid kit for my dogs during all of our hikes.

[wrongway_08]

Ruff Wear, during the cold, ice weather.

Also on the sand during summer...... if you cant walk on the sand and stand on it without shoes......... dont ask your dog to it without shoes either!

[Rouen]

I have a set of ruffwear boots for my dogs, I only really use them when one of my dogs has a foot injury. dog feet sweat a good deal and I dont think any dog boot is made to allow the moisture to evaporate quickly.

[Mercy]

I use the Ruffwear boots sometimes, too. My dog is a service dog, and I often use them when the pavement is hot, or when I'm worried about glass. There are places we walk near here that the limestone has a lot of sharp edges.

I take them when we're hiking just in case. I don't know if we've ever used them for more than a couple of hours at a time.

By the way, just like the shoes you hike it, your dog needs some time to break them in.

Oh, and I have a nylon mesh bag I keep them in, hanging off my pack. Yep, my girl sweats through her feet, and the boots can promptly stink to high heaven!

[Nomad94]

I use leatherdog boots from cabelas http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...oots&noImage=0

Their primary use is in rocky/gravelly areas-- we hike over some dams by me that are covered in sharp gravel. Between her toes gets pretty knicked up & raw without them.

They are a bit of a pain to put on & not for snow/ice (imo), but they shape to her feet perfectly (soak & let dry to shape) and really seem to benefit her.

I replaced the laces w/shock cord & cord locks--works out better for me.