Handling Fit Issues with Dog Socks
Socks generally fit because the elastic helps them adapt to a range of sizes and shapes. Still, looking at the shape of the paw, then the size of the paw, will account for a good fit in general. Still, you may need some simple, straight-forward “customization” for the perfect fit.
Foot (paw) shape. Begin by determining the paw shape. Not all dog paws are the same shape, and not even all dogs of the same breed have the same paw shape. What are the shape options? How do you determine what you need? It is as simple as looking at the bottom of the paw. Most dogs have a pad group that is approximately as long as it is wide. This shape is often described as “regular”, “even”, or “wide”. The other shape is a pad group that is far longer than wide. Words used for this shape include “long”, “skinny”, and “like people feet”. This shape includes the “hare-footed breeds” like Greyhounds and Poodles, but it can also be the back paws in many of the working and herding breeds. We’ve discovered that many Labs, Goldens, Rottweilers, Shepherds, Collies, and Aussies can have either or both shapes! A good fit is achieved by having a foot wear product that matches the pad group, and it might require two shapes (or sizes).
Size. Having identified the right shape, most fit issues can be eliminated by choosing the right size. The size should look small, then stretch to become the size of the paw. Note that the right size will never look like the right size! Ultimately, the goal is to have the dog standing on the grip, which will yield the benefits of both traction and paw protection. Check the match of pad size and sock grip by putting your hand under the paw when a sock is on. You will easily be able to feel the pads and determine if they match the grip well.
Customizing the fit. Frequently, if there are fit issues when the shape and size of the sock are right, the issue can be identified as “skinny ankles or legs”. It sounds funny, but if this is the case, it’s hard for the elastic to hold, so the sock may twist. Many breeds can have a skinny ankle or leg when compared to the size of the paw. The fix is simple, and often involves just washing in warm when you have laundry going, or washing and drying on warm. If that results in a better but not perfect fit, there is one more thing that can be done. You may be familiar with Vet Wrap, or Coban. Both are self-sticking wraps. An appropriate size for the dog would go direct on the leg, two or three times around in the same spot. With the wrap in place, the last step is to put the sock on top! Note: the wrap on the inside, and the sock on the outside, means you’ve fixed the skinny ankle, given the sock a reason to stretch to hold, and the wrap is easy for the elastic in the sock to grip.
Buying socks (or shoes) for your dog that match the shape of the pad group will eliminate many fit issues. Choosing a sock that stretches to become the size of the paw, which also provides a good match of the grip on the sock to the pads on the paw, will bring you even closer to a perfect fit. And customizing the fit is often as simple as machine washing and/or drying, but certainly concludes with the wrap if not perfect before that.
Find out more about socks versus shoes, many ways to put socks on, and weather-related topics like heat or snow in other blog posts from Woodrow Wear.