How to Put Dog Shoes on a Maltese

Dog shoes serve a very practical purpose and are more than a fashion statement for your dog. They help protect the pads of their paws from blistering when walking on hot surfaces such as sidewalks for long periods, rough terrain, or from sliding on your hardwood floors. They also help protect your floors from scratches caused your dog's toenails. Dogs tend to resist them at first since they are so foreign, but these easy steps should assist you in putting on the shoes and keeping them on.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog shoes
  • Maltese dog
  • Treats/leash/anything else needed to take dog on walk
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Instructions

  1. Putting on the Dog Shoes

    • 1

      Undo all the straps on all four shoes and place the shoes comfortably within reach. Being prepared ahead of time, especially when putting the shoes on for the first time, will enable you to put the shoes on quicker with less agitation to you and the dog. Read any instructions that came with the shoes for manufacturer tips and tricks specific to those shoes.

    • 2

      Shoes should be put on with the dog standing in order to ensure they are securely fastened with the dog's weight fully on the paws. Take one shoe and make sure that it is fully open before placing the dog's paw into it. Gently lift your dog's paw and place it into the shoe. Run your index finger through the shoe to ensure that the paw is fully in and placed appropriately at the front. Begin praising your dog for accepting the shoe.

    • 3

      Set the leg down before you strap the shoe close. With the dog standing on the shoe, tuck in all fur and strap the shoe closed tightly. Some dogs have dewclaws, which are functionless claws or toenails on the side of their paw a little up the leg on the inside. If your dog has dewclaws, do not pull a strap directly over the dewclaw as this can cause your dog discomfort. If your dog stands still with the shoe one, praise the dog for good behavior. If the dog squirms with the shoe on, tell the dog, "No." and try to get the dog's attention on something else. Talking to the dog keeping him focused on you or holding out treats are methods of distracting the dog.

    • 4

      Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the remaining three legs until all four shoes are securely on. If this is your dog's first few times wearing shoes, as soon as you secure the fourth shoe, immediately start walking the dog again getting his focus off the shoes and onto something else. If just walking isn't distracting enough, placing or holding treats away from the dog forcing him to walk to the treat is a good distraction. This enables the dog to get used to the sensation of the shoes without realizing they are there.