How to Train Your Dog to Wear Boots

Hello, I suspect its one of two things. 1. He doesn't like his paws being touched and if tolerant when putting them on, its because he associates putting them on with going outside so sees that as rewarding, but doesn't see touch to take them off as rewarding because its not associated with something he likes. 2. He may also be resource guarding the boots, and view them as something he owns, like a dog would with a toy or bone, and you thinks you are taking them from him. 3. The boots may be rubbing and it may hurt to take them off if there is a sore spot them move over while removing. If the issue is not liking paws being touched, you would want to practice pairing gentle touches with treats without the boots put on at first. Often this can be done by putting pup's kibble in a baggie (opposed to reaching into the dinner bowl) if not food aggressive, and using that kibble that would have otherwise been pup's dinner to have pup earn their dinner, one touch on the paw while giving each piece of kibble. Only do this if there isn't aggression present at this level though. If aggression is present, hire a professional trainer and use things like a fake arm and back tie leash and starting desensitization at an even calmer level first. For resource guarding, generally you need to build trust with trading the dog the item for something he likes better, like a favorite toy. You would also need to work on building overall trust and respect through adding in a lot more boundaries and obedience command into daily life, with safety measures when needed like a basket muzzle introduced ahead of time. For sore paws, I would let the paws heal, make the boots more comfortable or buy different boots, and work on reintroducing the boots gently with rewards once comfortable to help pup get over the fear of them. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 25, 2023

Hello Abigail, A number of reasons might be causing her to dislike them. First, examine the inside of the shoes and make sure they are not uncomortable due to how they are made or fit - such as stitching that is rubbing or a lump that's digging into her paw - quality could be to blame. If the shoes are good quality and fit correctly, it could be because, unlike the soft shoes, she can't feel the ground and that makes her feel like she lacks traction while walking, or the stiffness or heaviness of them is an odd adjustment for her. I suggest using her daily meal kibble to get her used to doggie socks or soft shoes again first. Put a sock on her and reward her every few seconds for ignoring the sock and interrupt her whenever she tries to bother it. When she ignores one sock for thirty minutes, add more socks and work up to her wearing all of them - since she tolerates soft shoes, this may go quickly but do it anyway to set the expectation that this is a fun game. When she will tolerate the sock, add one shoe and do the same thing for a few minutes each session - rewarding every few seconds she ignores it, interrupting bothering it, and gradually adding more shoes later as she gets good at this game. Doing all this will help her to enjoy the shoe fitting game even before you put the shoe on her (through practice with the sock), and ease her into all four shoes and the weight or feeling or lost traction by starting with one shoes and allowing her to continue to feel like she has good traction while adjusting to the feel. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 20, 2020