dogs and hardwood floors

[leahandhailey]

I rent my apartment and am starting to realize...dogs and hardwood floors aren't such a good combo.

The entire apartment aside from our bedroom and bathroom is hardwood (bedroom is carpet, bathroom is tile.)

Not only does she slip on the hardwood if she gets excited, I'm noticing some extra scratches from her nails.

We tried to get her used to wearing "socks" (so we could potentially invest in some "socks" with rubber tread so she doesn't fall all over the place.) But she got REALLY upset with them and tore them all the bits.

Short of limiting play to outside (and possibly the tiled area) is there anyway I can maybe...get her used to socks or...I have no idea what the solution might be.
I can't get rugs, because she pees on anything even resembling a rug (but doesn't pee on hard surfaces anymore! yay!)

[bernicesmama]

You have to train her not to pee in the house first off, and then I would say get rugs with rubber in the bottom.

If your heart is set on socks put them on her and reward her with praises, treats or whatever so she learns to associate the socks with positive things. You might want to try spraying her socks with bitter apple so she won't chew on them.

[Becky]

they sell nail covers called soft claws

[msmkm]

Becarful of the dog running etc on the hardwood, particularly if she is a large breed it can do their hips in pretty quickly. I prefer hardwood over carpets any day, I got carpets when my vet told me the damage that could be caused by them splaying on the hardwood.

Socks on the dog may save the hardwood, but it will be hard on the dog, the floors will become even more slippery for her.

[leahandhailey]

where do you buy these nail covers!? that would be absolutely perfect.

and i wouldn't put "real" socks on her. it was just an idea i entertained about putting rubber treaded socks (yanno the kind they sell for kids...isotoner or something)

I am worried about her hurting herself, so i'm trying to get her to only get super excited outside, but sometimes she'll just freak out for no reason and run around. too bad her feet aren't made of sticky stuff!

[Becky]

If you google soft claws it should bring it up where you can buy them

[doglady]

Protect your furniture, floors, doors and people from scratches
*Last up to 3 months
*Help end destructive scratching
*Available in clear or black
No more clawing of yourself or your possessions. Functional and stylish, glue-on nail caps now can be used on your dog. Nail Caps protect your furniture, doors or people from unintentional scratches by your family pet. Caps should last up to three months for indoor dogs. Contains 40 caps and two tubes of glue. Please specify color and size.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...Np=1&N=0&Nty=1

You should be able to find them in pet stores or at your local groomers. This ad is from Dr's Foster & Smith catalog

[pomlover80]

yeah you should watch her so she doesn't hurt herself sliding on the floor until you find a solution

[msmkm]

Personally, before I glued anything on to my dogs nails, I would check with my vet to make sure the plastic covers and glue won't do any damage to her nails. I don't know anything about them other than what I saw in doglady's post, but I think that the glue and plastic would prevent air from getting at the nails and that a certain amount of moisture would accumulate between the nail cover and the nail. Have you tried giving her time outs when she becomes unruly? It might take a bit of time but it should work in the end if you are consistant.

[Becky]

I had used the nail caps on my kitty and they caused no damage to the nails. My vet had recomended them