Yes boots! Slick floor? Boots help. Hot pavement? Boots help? Needles on sidewalk? Boots! Hiking or exploring on rough terrain? Boots!
Ruffwear are nice, but I personally can't justify the price. Especially if a dog is still growing. These are almost as good - My SD has climbed mountains with me in them, walked on asphalt in 110 degree heat, and trekked all around Portland at night (needles)
QUMY Dog Boots Waterproof Shoes... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYITJ4S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I use these booties from Amazon. I wasn't about to drop a ton of money on higher-quality ones my dog might never get used to. They work, and they stay on fine (once your dog is used to them... mine accepted them quickly.) I use them only when the pavement is very hot or there's salt out in the winter.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYITJ4S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_EpmBFb268H9QW
This seems to be them. Found them on amazon comparing the photos.
My lab wore these on our hardwood floors, he got used to them quick. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LYITJ4S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Got a whole bunch, but in no specific order.
A stiff waggy tail is an excited / alert doggo that should be avoided or interacted with cautiously. A loose waggy tail is a happy friendly doggo who is less likely to be an issue.
Several dogfights I've seen have been caused by young dogs playfully nipping at other dogs. And 50% of the time the people with those other dogs just got them or were dog sitting / etc. Puppy play fighting is a thing, and a good behavior to learn and nurture. But when you're passing by a random dog at the park on the sidewalk you need to approach every situation cautiously. You will learn to read dogs and their behaviors as well as the humans with them.
On a related note, have a routine so you and your dog get to know the dogs/owners you frequently interact with at the local dog spots. This also means when several dogs are together you might know 8 out of 10 of them and then only need to really be mindful of the two new ones.
Dog parks are like prison yards. Don't space out on your phone, hard lessons and bad habits will be learned there. You need to be actively involved with your dog at them, it's not a time to unhook them and space our on your phone.
Dogs need exercise, for some walking is not enough and they need running. If you run and are open to bringing your dog along, start with your dog early. I hear Rock Creek trails are popular, just keep your dog on leash as off leash dogs are commonly cited as issues there. Especially those running ahead of their owners and finding themselves coming upon a reactive dog whose on leash.
If you you have neighbors and your dog barks when you're gone, get a bark collar. It will shock them once or twice and then they will no longer bark when it's on. This will cause them less stress in the long run and you can get collars they give an audible warning before shocking. And then the shocks start low and grow in intensity. Again, the dog will likely not trigger more than once or twice. Just be there with them when they are wearing it the first few times or maybe force a bark by having someone else knock on the door/etc.. so you can be there to comfort them.
During the winter the sidewalks get salted and this can hurt your dogs paws. We tried several and settled on: https://www.amazon.com/QUMY-Waterproof-Reflective-Velcro-Anti-Slip/dp/B01LYITJ4S?th=1
AtlasVet on H Street is incredible, 100% recommend them as your vet if you can make it over there.
Based on some recent threads, avoid Life of Riley in Adams morgan for any grooming / daycare needs. We use Doozydogs on 14th and Florida and have never had an issue.
The Line hotel / restaurant / cafe in Adams Morgan is Dog Friendly. You can bring your dog inside, have a coffee or even a full meal / drink because it's a "Hotel Lobby". It's beautiful and completely unique in DC.
These have been amazing! QUMY Dog Boots
I put baby socks on underneath to prevent friction. :) Here’s the link: QUMY QUMY Dog Boots Waterproof... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYITJ4S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Not yet, we are relatively new to the shoe game with it finally being summer in coastal Texas, don't have much need in winter. We had him wear them around the house for about an hour before we felt comfortable trying them out. They're flexible enough that I don't think they'll cause any dew claw issues. We did about an hour or so of walking around town, no discomfort that I noticed. Ours drags his back feet though, the tops/toe points will wear out quickly, haha.
We bought the Qumy Pets shoes from amazon, did a size 6, our boy is 55lbs:
Please please please consider an alternative. Declawing is very painful to an animal and oftentimes changes their behavior for the worse after it has been done (no surprises really, as declawing is not just removing the nails, it is removing the bone as well. think of it like removing your finger up to the second knuckle). How about try something less intrusive/costly first? There are booties you could purchase: https://www.amazon.com/QUMY-Waterproof-Reflective-Velcro-Anti-Slip/dp/B01LYITJ4S/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3OW12TD5FRSDR&keywords=dog+booties+for+hardwood+floors&qid=1569187744&s=gateway&sprefix=dog+booties%2Caps%2C263&sr=8-4 Or you could file your doggie's nails down with a dremel, so they aren't nearly as sharp (they make pet specific ones for those too): https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-7300-PT-4-8V-Nail-Grooming/dp/B003TU0XG4/ref=sxin_1_osp54-3d58a629_cov?ascsubtag=3d58a629-5407-463d-bdc4-ae4dbba21da4&creativeASIN=B003TU0XG4&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osp.3d58a629-5407-463d-bdc4-ae4dbba21da4&cv_ct_p... I use the dremel on my boy, and he doesn't mind it at all compared to the nail clipper! Just had to entice him with enough cheese when introducing it lol.