[alaskayorkie]

My Yorkies were born and raised in snow country, and I swear by booties. If hubby questions the need, ask him to look at pictures from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race -- where Alaskan huskies bred for snow country wear booties to protect their feet!

When my Yorkies were pups, they were the most playful dogs ever in summer. Come winter, they started to balk on their walks. I tried coats and they helped, but they didn't embrace winter until I discovered booties. Not just any booties, but simple fleece booties without hard soles. I find dogs don't need hard soles, but they do appreciate getting their pads off the ice.

It takes a little conditioning to get them used to booties. At first, some throw a fit and you start questioning whether it's a good idea or not. But if you just lure them to a treat or a ball one step at a time, they slowly forget they have them on their feet and start appreciating winter.

The simpler the better, though, in my opinion. If you sew, make them yourself. A stretchy elastic velcro at top makes all the difference because they tend to want to fall off.

And you're right about salt. The dogs hate it.

Here are a few pics of my dogs in their booties just this week.