The Solution for Dogs Afraid of Slippery Floors

You may love gleaming hardwood or tile floors, but to some dogs, they are like skating rinks. Slippery floors are apt to strike fear in puppies in particular, but a dog of any age can be affected.

One solution is no-slip doggie socks. Some of them have silicone all around, so they provide traction even if the socks turn while your pet is running around. (See box below for a quick look at the sock market.) And while they can be snug enough to stay on, they don’t have to be so tight that they cause any circulatory compromise. Also, some dogs are happy enough to go into the middle of the “ice” with just two socks on.

That said, some pets simply don’t like the feel of the socks and work to get them off and, if they can’t, remain miserable in them.

For such dogs, the other available option is to mar the look of your interior design with runners. It may not be visually appealing, but which is more important — your dog’s sense of safety and security, or aesthetics?

Think of runners the way you may think of all those large, brightly colored plastic toys strewn about the house where a young toddler lives. They’re not great to look at, but they sure provide lots of amusement and comfort for little ones. And they’re not there forever, just as your dog and her runners won’t be.

Note that some dogs can be jollied out of their fear of shiny floors. A runner can get a dog out there, and once she is, you can distract her with toys, food treats, and gentle stroking. After a while, she may come to see walking across shiny surfaces as all in a day’s work.

When the problem isn’t fear but a physical challenge

Of course, for some dogs it’s not fear that keeps them from being willing to venture out on smooth surfaces but limited mobility and balance. Later in life, for instance, when a dog has arthritis or another ailment that makes it hard to go from lying down to standing, a slippery surface may cause a skid as she tries to get up. If that’s the case, it’s not about getting her used to shiny floors; it’s about adjusting the floor itself to remove the challenges it poses.

Sock Options

Any of these favorably rated socks will provide traction for your dog on slippery floors.

-Grippers Traction Dog Socks, set of four, provide a soft rubber grip that wraps the entire paw, providing traction even if the socks twist around. Comes in XXS for dogs 5 pounds and under to XXL for dogs up to 90 pounds. Available on dogquality.com and amazon.com for $16.95.

-Mihachi Dog Socks Rubber Sole Paw Protectorswith Velcro Straps Traction Control Anti-Slip Waterproof Boots are 80 percent cotton with a bit of nylon, polyester, and spandex to maintain shape and elasticity. Silicone rubber soles offer traction even for slippery turf, with strips helping to keep the socks on your dog’s feet. Set of four comes in Medium to Extra-Large on amazon.com for under $15.

EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks Traction Control for Indoor Wear, Paw Protection, provides traction to prevent splaying. An anti-slip silicone gel print on the socks’ soles provides traction while elastic ribbing on the top of the socks keeps them from sliding off. A set of four is available on amazon.com in Extra Small to Extra Large, ranging in price from $9.99 to $12.99.