Musher's Secret

[tinomino]

Has anyone used this on their dogs to keep them from getting abrasions from the asphalt or hard surfaces? How does it work?

I found out this last week on vacation that Quinn loves to come with us when we go bike riding. We went to Myles Standish sate park and they have paved bike trails. Well needless to say after our first 4mi ride he was bleeding from one front pad. I felt so bad. So when we went out the next time I wrapped his pads in vet wrap. Great idea except for the fact that I didn't wrap the whole foot to allow him to move his toes. Well it shifted up and he ended up with another big cut on his other front pad.

I want to keep taking him out because it's great excersize for him and he loves being with me and John. I thought about booties but I have heard they don't stay on well and I don't want him to be hindered in his movement at all. And I feel kinda silly with booties on my dog's front feet. but if I have to to keep him healthy I will.

Any suggestions would be helpful. thanks guys

[SandyMM]

Iditarod competitors use booties on their dogs, I'm thinking they must stay on - they can't be jumping off constantly to replace them. I know there are some cattle working dogs that wear boots to protect their feet from sharp rocks/cactus, etc...

here are some sites I found... there were lots more... I googled "working dog boots"

http://www.dogbootsactive.com/dogpag/dogboots.htm
http://www.sleddogcentral.com/equip&supplies.htm
http://www.lcsupply.com/Product/Dog-Boots-Vests/
http://www.uberpest.com/booties.html (make your own)

[motorgypsy]

Yup - lots of doggie boots out there. We've never used them I've seen them in use.

[kteufel]

Guide Dogs for the Blind uses booties on their dogs, usually for extremely hot or icey conditions, and on escalators. We use RuffWear Bark 'N Boots grip trex booties. They stay on nicely and wont interfere with movement, though most dogs will walk funny when first wearing them. They'll step high, like a hackney horse, or may freeze up and not want to move. Just do the jolly routine and use treats to reward any step foward. Then the best thing to do is just WALK. They'll get over it quickly.

Mushers wax is also used at Guide Dogs for dogs whose pads are wearing down and making them tender over rocks or gravel. It works okay as a preventative, but I doubt it would prevent bleeding if the dog is running on cement for long periods. Especially since your dog has already "worn off" his pads a bit. Booties are the safest bet.

[CarolU]

Guide Dogs for the Blind uses booties on their dogs, usually for extremely hot or icey conditions, and on escalators. We use RuffWear Bark 'N Boots grip trex booties. They stay on nicely and wont interfere with movement, though most dogs will walk funny when first wearing them. They'll step high, like a hackney horse, or may freeze up and not want to move. Just do the jolly routine and use treats to reward any step foward. Then the best thing to do is just WALK. They'll get over it quickly.

Mushers wax is also used at Guide Dogs for dogs whose pads are wearing down and making them tender over rocks or gravel. It works okay as a preventative, but I doubt it would prevent bleeding if the dog is running on cement for long periods. Especially since your dog has already "worn off" his pads a bit. Booties are the safest bet.

Isn't Musher's Secret really to fill in the space between the pads and keep snowballs from forming? I think boots might be the only way to protect the pads.

[kteufel]

You can use it that way, yes, but you can also rub it onto the pads themselves as a protective barrier. It helps repel water that tends to soften pads and make them wear faster. We have to apply it twice a day.

If that doesn't work, then we try an iodine tincture.

But yes, boots are the best choice. Mushers Secret is more of a preventative, and was designed with snow/ice in mind rather than unrelenting pavement.

[tinomino]

thanks guys. Booties it is I guess. I just don't want him to hurt himself anymore. That's the most important thing. :)