My Dachshund and my Pug mix are both averse to clothing. Even in the coldest temperatures, they hate any sort of coat that makes them feel constricted. I’m usually able to convince my Doxie to wear a rain jacket, but her Pug brother refuses to step outside wearing sort of apparel. I haven’t even attempted booties because I know I’ll be met with total resistance.

Teddy the Golden Retriever is apparently a little more open-minded than my fur babies and tried on some shoes, then seemed to forget how to walk.

In the TikTok from @teddy.thegoldenboyy, the gorgeous Golden walked into the room but kept staring at his paws. He was wearing shoes on each paw and temporarily forgot how his feet worked. Teddy seemed like he was stepping over something every time he put a foot forward, yet nothing was there.

“First time in shoes,” the onscreen text explained, with the caption adding, “Not too sure about them.”

The precious pooch was clearly perplexed at the foreign objects on his feet. Every few steps, he nipped at his paws in the hopes of getting free from these contraptions. Teddy didn’t look like he would be shoe shopping for more booties anytime soon.

Followers felt for the fur baby’s awkward footwear experience and guessed at what was going through his mind.

“Ummm walking… doesn’t feel… normal right now mom,” one joked

“Floor is lava,” another remarked.

“Teddy said, ‘nothing is going to trip him’,” a follower posted.

“Nothing better than a dog doing the shoe walk,” someone noted.

Tips for Getting Your Dog Used to Shoes

It can take several weeks for your dog to feel comfortable wearing shoes or booties. Some simple steps can help the process go smoothly:

Related: Golden Retriever Traps People In a ‘Donut Prison’ and It’s Actually Impressive

• Be sure to get the right size — Your dog’s paws should fit comfortably in the booties without being too tight or too loose.

• Introduce the boots to your dog indoors — Let your pooch sniff the boots before putting them on. Then try them out in short segments of time while indoors so your dog can acclimate to how they feel. Once your pup is confident walking in them, you can try outdoors.

• Use treats for motivation — Reward your dog with treats every time you put a shoe on their paws for positive reinforcement.

• Be patient — It may take time for your dog to get accustomed to footwear, so don’t rush them. The more relaxed they feel, the more willing they will be to adjust.

Teddy did quite well for his inaugural stroll in shoes and will most likely master every step with some practice.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.