10 Minute Dog Boots

Yes, my dog may hate the boots but when it gets colder than -20C she refuses to go outside. Her feet get cold and she will try to lift all of her feet at the same time, I find it to be quite sad.

These boots are made of fleece and have a nice grip pad on the bottom and more importantly no matter how much she plays in the snow they will not come off.

The fleece allows them to dry out quickly and the basic design allows for quick putting on and taking off.

All that said each boot takes less than 10 minutes to make. You will need to make 4 in most cases and they can go on any foot. Having made several of these due to wearing out I am able to make 4 in less than 10 minutes.

No dogs were harmed in this Instructable. She does seem to be embarrassed by having the boots on though...

NOTE(FEB15) Due to popular demand (Xena's) and Valentine's Day, I have made a set of booties out of pink fleece and those picture have been added to the steps... Enjoy...

Step 1 Materials and tools

1. You will need several feet of a suitable material, I used black fleece which sells locally for about $6 per meter.

2. I used 4 - 2 inch circles of suede that I had from a previous project. Any durable material will work from canvas to cloth backed vinyl, Just make sure that it will not be slippery in the snow and on the ice.

3. 4 - 6 inch (approx) strips of double sided Velcro. I have found that this offers the best retention of the boot.

You will also need a sewing machine capable of sewing light leather and Velcro. Only if you have chosen these materials. You may have to use canvas or denim of your machine cannot handle the materials.

Standard sewing scissors and heavy duty thread are also required.

A pencil and a regular sheet of paper are also needed.

Comments

[grizman]

i like it but is it a need for a dog to have boots??? My dog is a Labrador and i dont give her any boots an she has no problem sleeping outside in -17 Celsius i just give her some hay and thats all

[kiwi16877]

Well, she's probably freezing!

[doctor_barbie]

I think it's more for the snow than the cold. I have a Golden Retriever mix and he has super sensitive paws (we try not to tease him too much) The snow causes the skin around his toes to turn pink and itchy and it really seems to bother him, so I made him some booties to keep his paws from being irritated. Of course we're stuck in 100 degree heat right now, so they won't be tested out for a while.

[sronicker]

Love your -able!! I just used your instructions to make mine (wife did the sewing, I'm no good with a sewing machine). I used old AF BDU sleeves, mainly the elbow (which is double layered). Also, I cut a much larger leather pad that went up over the toe. My wife is amazing with a sewing machine and stitched all the pieces together wonderfully!

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks. Good to hear that you have someone that help out with the tough stuff... :-)

[sronicker]

Logan didn't like them at first, understandable... but once he went out into the snow (even just to use the bathroom it's too late at night for a run) he LOVED them and was jumping around like a 3yr-old puppy (he's over 7yrs old!)

[gabbsy123]

Really good idea!! i also have a black Labrador and he has trouble in winter when theres snow to walk i tried to sew some boots but they didnt work out i sewed these ones and they are really good!!! Adorable dog by the way...:)

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks and I am glad the boots worked for you.
Sorry for the delay in responding to your post.

[fonzuzu]

I love them but i just cant us fleece cuz i live in a really hot climate and my lab would probabl she them off. :( i wonder if i can make them outta denim or something just for fun !

[Random_Canadian]

I Appreciate all of the comments. The only advice I can give is do not laugh at your dog when she is wearing or trying new things. Support the new look and go with it.

Xena passed away on the exact day of her birth at the end of August. I miss her greatly and there can be no one to replace her.

New pictures are not possible and she is greatly missed....

[hedgehoggirl3886]

verry verry sad :*(

[White_Wolf]

Sorry to hear about the loss of your furbaby. {{{{Hugs}}}}

[wellnesser]

My dog hates these boots...any trick how to get my dog so far, that he likes his boots?

[SamK92595]

 You have a very gorgeous dog!

[kimvellore]

Oooo it is such a sweet doggy. Glad its got a awesome owner.

[Random_Canadian]

Thank you. She will be 6 in August, And she loves people.

[SamK92595]

 I had a black lab but she had to be given away due to moving, i think they make great dogs

[msspurlock]

There might be breeds as good, but none better!

[Random_Canadian]

I have to say that she is the best. She has more personality than I know what to do with... Sorry for your loss...

[bart_eu]

Good idea but look at that photo. This dog isn't happy at all! Keep it in mind when u dress your pupils!

[msspurlock]

The look says, "Dog booties, huh? Drag me out into the cold, huh? Expect a surprise in your shoe tomorrow morning."

[tinyknits]

If you want a template for the shape of the booties, the Domestik Goddess has one on her blog. 

http://domestikgoddess.com/sew-your-own-winter-dog-boots/

[Random_Canadian]

I saw these, They appear to be the ones that I used to buy. My dog seemed to take to these these the best of all the store bought brands.

The vinyl pad can be slippery on ice and snow before the surface begins to wear off.

[SixTwelve]

A little scuff with 40 or 80 grit sandpaper should give her traction a head start, and give that "already broken in" look that's so hip with the CEGgers*.

* Canine Emo/Goth -ers. I'm told they make the "C" sound hard, because dogs love beer. That's also why the Straight Edge movement never took off in their culture.

[vanisle]

Your dog looks much happier with the black booties Vs. the pink ones. :)

[MARLAKAY]

Thanks for posting these instructions. I love the pictures of your dog. She is very beautiful! I must include that I also have a black lab. "VELVET"
Maybe Xena just doesn't like the pink colored ones. She looks happier with the black ones on! (I have a daughter who hates pink). Just a thought.

[miha_nik]

It's cool! =)
StroiArsenal

[WhyHello]

hehe *dances cuz i live in cozy Texas*

[Random_Canadian]

Xena is saddened by the lack of votes for her....

[sdhardie]

So how hard would these be to hand-sew? Since my dog only weighs 5 pounds, I'm thinking it might not be too bad??

 

[Random_Canadian]

I haven't tried hand sewing these but the stitching is quite basic so it shouldn't take too long. You may have to use an awl to punch holes for the velcro and suede pads if you use these.

Also a smaller dog will have to adjust the pattern sides to accommodate for the smaller foot.

[Random_Canadian]

Xena Wanted some Pink Boots... How Could I say no?

[scoochmaroo]

the pink ones are adorable!

[Random_Canadian]

Thanks.

Xena probably won't get to wear them out this year since it has been warm here. It is starting to snow right now so I could be wrong....

[SixTwelve]

Thanks for this! I hate shoes, too, but I live in Minnesota and it doesn't take long to damage your feet when it's as cold enough you might as well measure in Kalvin.

[Yerboogieman]

Kelvin?

[SixTwelve]

Nope, I meant Calvin. It's when it's so cold you'd cut your stuffed tiger wide open and crawl inside like Luke in a tauntaun.

Actually I probably meant Kelvin. Thanks for the correction. ;)

[Random_Canadian]

BRILLIANT!!!

I believe we now have a new cold standard...

[Random_Canadian]

Oh man.. Minnesota... now that is cold. At least we get the Chinooks here and the cold doesn't last for more that 2 weeks.

[capt.tagon]

The Snow Eater - 70 degrees and the snow just peels off. That and what we call the Hawaiian express are the major cause of floods here.