How to Help Dogs Walk on Slippery Floors

Watching a dog react to a slippery floor can sometimes be amusing, but dogs will often learn to fear slippery floors over time if they struggle with them, and the problem can become a nuisance for pet owners. An inside dog that is afraid of slippery floors will do a great deal to avoid them, which can be difficult for both the dog and the dog owner. There are a number of solutions, however, to help your dog deal with slippery floors.

Things You'll Need

  • Carpets and mats
  • Dog hair scissors
  • Dog booties
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin training your dog when it is still a puppy to deal with slippery floors. Use encouragement, treats, and repeated exposure to help your dog become familiar with walking on slippery floors.

    • 2

      Put down carpets and mats along common walkways throughout the house. The carpets and mats will provide traction, and your dog will quickly learn to use these safe pathways through the house.

    • 3

      Take your dog to a veterinarian if problems with slippery floors begin to develop in older dogs. A problem with slippery floor surfaces may be one symptom of a health problem, such as Wobbler Syndrome, a neurological condition that affects balance.

    • 4

      Trim the hair that sticks out between the pads on the bottom of a dog's foot. If the hair is overly long it may get in between the floor and the dog's foot pads, and cause the dog to slip on the floor.

    • 5

      Purchase dog booties for your dog to wear. The booties will provide traction for the dog on slippery floors, though you may have to introduce the idea of booties to your dog over time, as many will not like them right away.