FOOT CARE - Page 1

A FRIEND'S GSD HAS BEEN HAVING RECURRING FOOT PAD PROBLEMS WHEN EXERCISING THE DOG ON HARD SURFACES.IS ANYONE AWARE OF ANY PRODUCTS WHICH WILL HELP TO HARDEN THE FEET PADS?

I use the product bag balm when my dogs pads gets hard and ruffled up. It helps very well. Also it would help if your friend would exercise his dogs on the grass rather then on a hard cement pavement ground. Just take off your shoes and socks and start running on the hard cement pavement ground, you’ll know what I’m talking about ;)

I have seen this alot on house dogs and also kennel dogs who spend alot of time on soft/smooth floors and get limited exercise. Since I train alot of tracking and air scenting dogs they are exposed to rough ground from a very early age. I have seen other dogs "freeze" up as they get into stickers or thorn etc while searching while my dogs would run right over the same area with no problems. Other than buying "pads" for the dog to wear I am not sure other than try to toughen up the feet over time. Not much help but good luck.

Try Happy Jack Tuff Pad or Kote or something like that.... it is blue and stains everything so needs ot be done outside but I've been told by several people it works very well.... Your friend should probably only exercise the dog for short periods of time and gradually build up the toughness of the pad.. I used to go barefoot a lot as a kid and I could walk over a lot of stuff at the end of a summer !!

You can also use musher's secret. It lubricates the pads so they don't crack as easily. Great stuff and does not stain whatever their pads come in contact with.

Many Thanks for all your advice, it is geatly appreciated.