Need help with PAWS - Page 1

My Maltese has got old and he is having issues in maintaining traction both indoors & outdoor. He keeps on falling and skidding. Also, his claws leave scratch marks on my hardwood floor. Are there any suggestions?

https://toegrips.com/

I started using these for my German Shepherd. They are amazing. After a few times putting them on, you'll get the hang of it. Email me if you have any questions or if you get them, I can help "talk" you through putting them on. blmeese@yahoo.com

 

I have already tried toe grips on him. Toe grips are useful in protecting hardwood floors from scratch marks, but in case of traction, it is not much help. Any suggestions on these: https://doggyshoe.com/dog-traction-socks-booties-for-hardwood-floors/, found it on the internet yesterday.

I'm sure they would work great. For me, they'd be a pain in the ars to constantly take off and put on. They shouldn't be worn 24/7. The toegrips aid in lots of grip for my elderly German Shepherd. And I only have to change them out every month.

To be honest, when our dogs get to be seniors and start having trouble keeping their footing on smooth flooring, the safest solution for both the dogs and the floors is to provide surfacing that makes it easier for the dog to move around, in the form of carpeting or textured rubber runners, or those soft foam tiles that interconnect like puzzle pieces which are often used for kid's play areas, all of which can usually be found in the big box home improvement stores. Lay these out in runways the dog can travel on to get to the places he needs to go in the house and the places he hangs out, and you'll find they generally catch on quickly as to where they can walk or run without slipping and will choose those paths of travel themselves.

You'll want to find ways to secure those surfaces in place, so they don't slip out from under the dog or the humans in the house. I've had good results using clear silicone caulking applied to the back of carpet runners, mats and area rugs, which makes them anti-skid without leaving the residue of the double-stick tape that's sold for area rugs and runners.

The boots can be helpful, but even if the dog readily accepts them they're really not something you can leave on the dog full-time--their skin will need a break from the friction the boots will create, no matter how well they fit. The fewer areas in the house your dog needs to wear boots in order to keep his footing, the easier it will be for him to age gracefully and enjoy many more years with you.