Paw Print Keepsakes

We’re dog lovers at Crafty Monkey and can take paw prints from most dogs providing they are well‑behaved, comfortable being handled, and happy for a stranger to handle their paw. 

Creating a paw print involves carefully pressing your dog's paw onto pottery, into clay, or into alginate, so it's important that your dog is calm, relaxed, and happy throughout the process.

Most dogs take part without problems. However, if your dog is particularly nervous, reactive, anxious around strangers, or dislikes having their paws touched, a paw print session may not be the right choice for them.

If your dog has arthritis, sore joints, or sensitive paw pads, please let us know at the start of your session so we can take extra care and work as gently as possible.

Your dog's wellbeing is always our priority. If they become distressed, fearful, or uncomfortable during the session, or if their behaviour presents a safety concern for our team or other customers, we may ask you to assist with handling their paw or, in some cases, need to stop the session altogether.

Should this happen, we'll happily discuss alternative options, such as one of our take-home kits, allowing you to capture pottery prints in a familiar and more relaxed environment.

Yes, all pawprint services require a pre-booked appointment to ensure we have time and materials ready for you. 

Follow the links below to find more information about the session and to book online:

• Pawprints on Pottery

• Pawprint Imprints

• Pawprint Outprints

• 3D Paw Casts

Absolutely. For pottery, we use non-toxic, pet-safe paints. For clay impressions, outprints we use clay and for 3D casts, we use, skin-safe alginate.

We understand that some pets are more sensitive. Our team is patient and experienced at getting prints or making keepsakes.  If your pet is particularly anxious, we’ll give your dog time to settle and work at their pace. We recommend bringing a favourite treat or toy if you think this will help.

If your dog becomes too stressed, we may need to pause, reschedule or stop the session for their wellbeing. Your dog’s comfort and our teams safety always comes first.

Fluffy paws can make prints and other keepsakes less defined, so we recommend trimming the fur between the pads before your appointment. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, a groomer can help. 

Clear pads = better results

Paw Prints on Pottery

These are usually ready in around 2 weeks. If you'd like us to do the decoration, it can take up to 3 weeks in the busy lead-up to Christmas.

We also offer a speedy service and your pttery will be ready between 3-5 days.

Clay Imprints, Outprints and 3D Casts

Allow around 3-5 weeks.

Yes, you’re welcome to bring more than one dog, but please let us know on the booking form.  

If your dogs are excitable together, you may find it easier to bring them one at a time or come with someone else who can look after the other dog/s while we work with each one.

We schedule 30 minutes for all paw print sessions but the actual time handling your dogs paw is just a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on which keepsakes you opt for.

The rest of the time is to allow you to choose your pottery items or decoration options and to give time for your dog time to relax, sniff around, and get comfortable before we handle the paw. If your dog is nervous or excitable, it may take a little longer.

Yes! Choose from dog bowls, coasters, mugs, plates and more. See our paw print keepsakes for ideas.

To help your dog feel comfortable and to get the best possible paw print, a little preparation before your visit makes a big difference.

Trim the hair between their paw pads   Please trim the fur between your dog’s paw pads before you come in. Long hair stops the clay from picking up the details of the paw, and trimming it is the single biggest thing you can do to get a clear, defined print, cast or imprint.

Give them a good walk beforehand   A nice walk before your appointment helps your dog relax, burn off some energy and settle more easily when we hold their paw. Calm dogs = better results.

Make sure they’re clean and dry  Wash muddy paws before you leave home. If they get dirty on their way to us we can give them a quick wipe

Bring them on a lead   For everyone’s safety, please bring your dog on a lead and keep them on it unless we ask otherwise.

Consider their comfort level   If your dog is nervous, sensitive about their paws being touched, or has arthritis or sore pads, please let us know on your booking form. We’re happy to take things slowly and work gently.  We may need you to handle their paws if they proove to be uncomfortable with us handling them.

Toilet break before entering the studio   Please make sure your dog has been to the toilet before coming in. If there’s an accident, we’ll ask you to clean it up.

With these simple steps, your dog will be more relaxed, and will help to capture a good paw print for your keepsake.

You don’t need to bring anything special, but a few things can help:

• Treats your dog loves

• A favourite toy if they’re playful

• Waste bags for any toilet needs

• Your dog towel if it’s wet outside

These little extras can help your dog settle and make the session smoother.

Yes! Crafty Monkey gift vouchers and e-gift cards make thoughtful gifts for pet lovers. They can be redeemed against any of our pawprint keepsake services.

Visit our gift voucher page for more information and to buy online.