Best boots for Dogs...
 

We have a 70lb and growing German Shepherd that I really want to take to the lake with us....anyone have experience and recommendations on boots for dogs so they do not destroy the seat?!?

I realize it's not boots but I saw a malibu that had covers made for the seats and sun pad. The material was like a thick shower towel. It may be an option. I'm considering it just to preserve the interior and keep from burning myself on the hot sun pad

I am sure that I will get chastised for saying this, but we have had no issues with dogs.

We put 100 hours a year on our boat with a dog (or two) and never have they torn up a seat. Our last boat had 8 full seasons on it and the upholstery was still in great shape. The only issue with our type of dogs (Labs) is that their hair gets everywhere!

Agreed. Dogs walk on their pads, not nails. I've never ever seen a boat interior torn up by a dogs nails. Lazy people on the other had, can shred an interior in less than a season. My 80 lb dog has never come close to causing damage, but the hair all over is a pain.

I've got an 85 lb lab mix and we take him out on the boat all the time. No problems at all.

Our dog uses Ruffwear boots for hiking and they work great. He is active enough that his nails are not sharp enough for me to worry about him shredding the interior. Dingo also uses a Ruffwear lifejacket while the boat is under way.

I tried the Soft Paws years ago when we first got our boat and both dogs chewed them off in a couple days. Like others we have never had an issue with the dogs ruining the upholstery and both our dogs are 70+ pounds. The shedding is another story though :banghead:

I grind my boxers nails with a dremel so they are smooth. She minds it less then the cutters and no tears so far.
Now like others have said, the hair is another story.

I would probably go with kitten mittens if your dog is making to much noise on the boat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fP4emqw7O4

She weighs 45 lbs -- zero vinyl issues...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_DEan3JD0S4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

+1 for the ruff wear boots,just puts my mind at ease. My only worry would be how they worked while swimming, but my dogs don't care for the water that much so no issues yet.

Have had my 65lb pup several times on the boat and also was paranoid about the interior.

All you need is well trimmed nails an no worries.

Wife made seat covers out of terry cloth type material(fabric store bought by the yard) and elastic. Helps a ton in heat as you don't stick/feel the hot vinyl.
We have lab/husky mix, and I found to get the hair out of the carpet was best done with a wet/damp foot and just drag it across the floor into a ball and pick it up.
Before the seat covers we just used regular boating towels and tried to keep him down to those seats only. (Yeah right).

Two 70lb black labs, first summer was towels on the sun pad and seats. A pain and always soaking wet. Since then we have done nothing and have yet to see any tears in our 12 year old seats. I think the trick is to take the dogs swimming to tire them out before you even put the boat in the water.

Bowz

Shredtastic has the right ones.. Nice