Cracked Paws and Boots for Dogs?

NotJennay

Miss Gloria started her classes to work towards getting her CGC today and while she excelled at sitting politely for petting, she epically failed having her paws looked at. 

While the poor trainer was risking her life and limb looking at Gloria's paw, I noticed that they're starting to crack, again.  We've seen the vet about it, who recommended adding fish oil to her diet.  That didn't work, but switching to the TOTW salmon did solve the cracking paw issue - at least, for a little while.  They are definitely not as bad as they were, but they are starting to crack again. 

I think it may be environmental.  I'm not sure if it's an allergin or the pavement, so I'm contemplating buying booties for her - both to help her get used to having her paws touched and to protect them.  Does anyone have any thoughts (or recommendations) on either dog booties or cracking paws?

Amavelle

Haven't used boots, but have used several varieties of paw balm throughout the winter to keep my dog's paws from cracking in the dry air. I'm still working on a jar of bow wow butter balm from last winter and I'll probably buy another of that brand when done.

NotJennay

Thanks for the tip!   I'll have to get a jar and try it on her paws!  From the description, it sounds like it even smells good. 

TheLinkBride

I use Mushers Secret on paw pads.

As for getting used to exams for all parts of the body, I started by following Sue Alisby's advice and making a little game out of it every day when my dog was a young puppy, touching the part, saying "this is my paw, this is my ear, etc".  Just like you would if you were teaching a skill, I would also have training sessions for exams where I would go over an area like hold a paw, treat and praise.  Slowly build up so you hold it longer before rewarding.  It's the same thing as if you were trimming nails with doing one paw at a time and rewarding the calm behavior (which if you don't do regularly would help get her used to exams).  Ears and sometimes tails are another area of sensitivity that you might want to practice with a lot.

For conformation, my dog had to get used to exams and standing still during them and I would talk to him during the exam and reword for good behavior.  I would first start with me doing the exam, then with my husband, then with someone he knew, then with strangers.  Always praising the good behavior and treating.

Also, I have found that this really helps with vet visits if the dog is used to being examined.  It's important to talk to them and tell them what you are doing as that usually is comforting if you talk in a normal voice and don't bring in extra tension.  

NotJennay

TheLinkBride:

I use Mushers Secret on paw pads.

As for getting used to exams for all parts of the body, I started by following Sue Alisby's advice and making a little game out of it every day when my dog was a young puppy, touching the part, saying "this is my paw, this is my ear, etc".  Just like you would if you were teaching a skill, I would also have training sessions for exams where I would go over an area like hold a paw, treat and praise.  Slowly build up so you hold it longer before rewarding.  It's the same thing as if you were trimming nails with doing one paw at a time and rewarding the calm behavior (which if you don't do regularly would help get her used to exams).  Ears and sometimes tails are another area of sensitivity that you might want to practice with a lot.

For conformation, my dog had to get used to exams and standing still during them and I would talk to him during the exam and reword for good behavior.  I would first start with me doing the exam, then with my husband, then with someone he knew, then with strangers.  Always praising the good behavior and treating.

Also, I have found that this really helps with vet visits if the dog is used to being examined.  It's important to talk to them and tell them what you are doing as that usually is comforting if you talk in a normal voice and don't bring in extra tension.  

Thanks for the tips!  Making it a game will make it more fun for both of us, I think.  I'll try treating when I trim her nails, I haven't done that before.  Thanks for the tip to sweet talk to her; I've been trying to use her "wait" command with little success.

She'll pretty consistently let me look at her ears and teeth, it's primarily the paws that we have problems with, which is ridiculous, because she'll wag her butt and high five me all day until she realizes that I'm examining her paws.

MrsOjoButtons

I use Neosporin or lanolin on cracking paws.  The best dog boots I've found are from Ruff Wear, pricy, but they actually stay on when we hike.  After a paw surgery for fox tails, we don't hike without them.