Cut pads

[deb]

Well I have been trying to work and walk my guys on the crust of snow, but they now have cut feet. So yesterday I decided to make boots for them. So I went out today to do some blinds. Well before we got 80' to the first blind she had lost both of the boots on her front feet, so I put them back on even tighter. Going out to the first blind both of them came off again. I thought about sending her to retreive them but I didn't want to confuse her, so out I go to retrieve the boots and put them back on even tighter. Out she goes for the next blind and this time only 1 falls off, so out I go again. Well things went OK after that until the next dog. I bring the next girl out and before we get 40' from the house she looses one and I never did find it. Back I go and get another boot and put it on. I think she lost her's twice each and I put them back on tighter each time. Well out for the first blind and she looses one and out I go to retrieve it. The next blind she looses one boot so out I go to retrieve it. She looses a boot one more time so I decide it isn't worth it. The next guy I don't bother putting the boots on. Soooo my questions is what do you all do to keep from getting cut pads?
deb

[kinderdoggin]

What kind of boots are you using?

I don't use boots very often but when the snow is icy or sharp out I work my dogs with simple fleece booties that are secured with velcro. I learned to sew them myself back in my dog sledding days and they work great compared to the commercially available versions - if the snow is quite deep just tape the velcro with a round of hockey or athletic tape so they don't come undone.

There are also products you can use to help toughen up the pads. My current dogs all have good feet but I've had dogs in the past that were very tenderfooted and the toughener did help a bit to prevent cuts. What is the name of that stuff? I'm sure someone on here will be able to remember it... there is a spray version and a pasty cream.

Erin

[deb]

I made the bots out of fleece with a canvas shell and velcro on the top to hold them tight. I fit them so they are not to loose. They seem to come off when their foot goes through the crust. I was thinking the fleece was to slippery allowing them to slide off easily. I will try taping the tops next time.
deb

[rhomerj]

There are also products you can use to help toughen up the pads. My current dogs all have good feet but I've had dogs in the past that were very tenderfooted and the toughener did help a bit to prevent cuts. What is the name of that stuff? I'm sure someone on here will be able to remember it... there is a spray version and a pasty cream.

Erin

I know one popular one is Musher's Secret (waxy kind of stuff I think)

[kinderdoggin]

We used Musher's secret to keep iceballs from forming in the fur between the pads, but there was a different product for toughening pads... a quick google search brought up this page with a few options: http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/products.asp?CID=0&BrowseList=957&dept_id=650

I think it was the Tuf-Foot stuff that we used most.

[Bryan.M]

I've been using bag balm all winter with good success.The dogs pads didn't chap and crack.I trained hard this winter up until recent rain and freeze,now I'm mostly doing wagon wheels,8 handed casting in yard to avoid ripping out toenails and long walks in the field.

Praying for spring regards,

Bryan.

[krakadawn]

Bag balm and vaseline work well-keep them soft.

Use 'crazy glue' to tighten cuts on pads.

Or migrate south!

Jim

[kinderdoggin]

Or migrate south!

Jim

No doubt this is the best way to avoid ice-induced wounds ;)

It's +2 here today and beeeautiful but we're going to need a month of that before I'll be able to see the lawn...

~Erin

[captainjack]

Get out your training books, dvds etc and dog. If allowed, have the dog lie beside you on the couch. Turn on your dvd or open your book and brush up on your training knowledge.
Running on dog on crusty snow in my opinion is a no no. Perhaps we need some no no drills for dog owners. Sore feet can create severe attitude problems and take the style out of your dog.
This winter has been for other things than dog training.

Just my opinion.

Peter.

[Labber]

This winter has been for other things than dog training.

Just my opinion.

Peter

You're getting soft.
Shouldn't you be south with the rest of them?

[captainjack]

Thanks Scott, heading to Texas on Saturday. I have seen enough of the great White North. Looking for a puppy name - maybe I will call her Softie!

Peter.