Instructions
Check the footprints for claw marks. Dog footprints will typically include claw marks above each pad, while other animals' tracks typically won't.
Look closely at the shape of the heel pad (the largest, bottom-most pad) of the footprint. There will be four imprints above the heel pad, which represent the toes. The bottom of the heel pad will curve upward in the middle. This is because that part of the pad is located higher on a dog and therefore doesn't leave an imprint. Also, the top of the heel pad will show one bump, not two as in other animals.
Examine the toe imprints. If you're looking at a dog footprint, the top two middle toe imprints will most likely be side-by-side, or nearly so. The outer two toe imprints will be almost triangular in shape.
How to Identify Dog Footprints
Dog footprints actually include several different types of animals. Along with domestic dogs, the tracks you're seeing could also be from a red fox, gray fox, wolf or coyote. All of these animals have very similar tracks. You might think it would be difficult to mix up a dog footprint with a cat footprint, considering the differences in sizes. But remember that dog tracks include foxes, which can be quite small, and cat tracks include bobcats, lynx and mountain lions, which can be quite large.