DIY Dog Traction Boots

You might want to protect your dog's paws and provide extra traction if you and your dog like to hike on rough terrain, wet rock or snowy trails. City dogs need boots in a snowy winter, to protect their paw pads from the drying and cracking effects of salt. If your dog has an cut or other injury on a paw or paw pad, a boot with traction on the bottom will make recovery much easier.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Fleece fabric
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Velcro
  • Elastic
  • Kitchen or bathroom caulk
  • Puff paint (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make a pattern. Measure all the way around the widest part of your dog's foot. Add 1 inch for seams. Determine how high you want the boot to go on your dog's leg. Cut a rectangle that is half of the foot measurement and twice the length you want the final boot to be. For example, if your dog's foot is 4 inches around (including the inch of seam allowance) and you want the boots to be 6 inches long, you need four rectangles 2 inches wide and 12 inches long -- one for each foot.

    • 2

      Sew the boots. Fold the long rectangle in half lengthwise. The fold is the toe of the boot. Sew the side seams. Fold over 1/4 inch around the top of the boot. Fold again and stitch as close to the first fold as possible to hem the top of the boot. Turn the boot right side out.

    • 3

      Attach Velcro to secure the boot. Pin a 1-inch long tab of the soft side of your Velcro to the back of the boot. Cut a piece of elastic one inch shorter than the circumference of the boot. Pin one end of the elastic under the soft Velcro tab. Stitch the Velcro tab all the way around, sewing the elastic in place. Sew a corresponding hook tab to the other end of the elastic, hook side in. The elastic will wrap around your dog's leg and the Velcro will hold it in place, keeping the boot on your dog's foot.

    • 4

      Add the traction material. Dab bits of bathroom or kitchen caulk on the bottom of each boot. Allow to dry thoroughly. Puff paint from the craft store will also work as traction material. Apply it as you would the caulk.