canine paw protectionCustomers often refer to our Grip Trex™ and Skyliner™ boots as “winter boots.”  But did you know these boots were first created to provide paw protection on the trail year round?

There are major advantages to protecting your dog’s feet in the summer months.  Among them, boots will prevent injury from over-exertion, new terrain, hot surfaces, and sharp rocks.  If your dog has ever had a paw injury on the trail, you know that carrying a dog (especially a large one) back to the trailhead is no fun, so preventive paw wear should always be a consideration.

Go farther, longer.

As humans increase the number and duration of their activities, dogs are often not conditioned to do the same. Our gear-enhanced activities allow us to go farther, longer and on unusual terrain that unprotected dog paws are not equipped to handle.

Avoid the prickles.

Not only will these boots keep your dog’s paws in good shape, they can protect against nuisances such as crab grass, foxtails, stinging nettles, and snowballs.

Protect against paw injuries.

Dog boots can prevent a variety of injuries from the surfaces we walk and run on, on the trail or in urban environments. Trail running and walking is hard feet and paws alike—rocks, roots, mud, snow, or ice can be torturous. Generally, dogs’ paws become conditioned to run on familiar surfaces after a few weeks, but new terrain and changing environmental conditions can cause stone bruising, cuts, and blistered pads.

Hot surfaces are hard on paws.

Pavement can be just as hard on dogs’ paws.  Pavement comes in thousands of textures and can be extremely abrasive—hot in summer, freezing in winter and sometimes riddled with glass and sharp metal debris, and laced with oils, solvents and de-icing chemicals.

One more important reminder.  Don’t forget that just like your hiking boots, your dog’s boots will require a break-in period. And don’t forget…for most dogs, footwear is a new concept. The first time your dog tries on a pair of Bark’n Boots™ it will be difficult not to laugh at what we call the “boot dance.” This is normal. Once you have the boots in place, immediately engage in your pup’s favorite activity (chasing a ball, catching a flying disk, or just running). After this “break in period” you and your buddy are ready to explore.