Boots for sensitive paws

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

Having been on ‘box rest’ and being walked out only for a few weeks, Goose’s paw issues (endless licking/multiple vet visits, no resolution) have completely disappeared. Zero interest in his paws. This has made us think that our theory of irritation due to pounding round the woods as though his life depended on it is the issue, unlikely to be environmental-fores, never hinds. So we’re looking for boots. We have some for indoors but they’re now obsolete. Can anyone recommend boots with a chance of staying on a rather lively dog? TIA!

 

[skinnydipper]

One of the reasons dogs lick and chew their paws is as a way of self soothing when they are in pain.

Could the long period of cage rest have resolved a painful joint issue so that he no longer needs to lick his paw?

 

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

Anybody??

 

[Clodagh]

I tried loads of boots with Tawny, including custom made. None stayed on longer than a minute.
Can you walk somewhere else? Or just keep him on a lead or to heel on grass.

 

[druid]

Look at the options designed for dryland mushing dogs.

However, I'd be surprised if running was the issue unless he's on very abrasive stone chippings or similar. I also wouldn't let him do it anymore if it causes that much of an issue - is there not somewhere you can stick to training/walking on grass as Clodagh says?

 

[Andie02]

I had a boot made for our old lad a few years ago when he had an injury on his back paw. I did a lot of research on boots for dogs and came across a lady in Ireland who made them, they were used for agility and for search dogs, as well as injury's to paws. I have looked her up but unfortunately they no longer seem to be available.
Her theory was that a dog's paw is more likened to our hands, so therefore a boot for a dog needs to be flexible and more like a glove, and not the type with a rigid sole, like a human's shoe.
I only have 1 of these and it's for a back paw and would be too small most likely, though it was made to fit over lots of padding and bandage whilst his cut healed.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd agree that resting the leg(s) and the licking stopping are likely related/not a coincidence,rather than it being a surface issue thing.

Ruffwear boots are OK but only for toilet breaks, not actual big long walks.
I'm nursing yet another skinned foot, rest and wound powder and not letting her tit about on any surface apart from grass are the only things that work and I've just been a bit too lax about the latter.

I suppose you could try and find out what type thr police/SAR teams use.

 

[CinnamonChristmasCookie]

I tried loads of boots with Tawny, including custom made. None stayed on longer than a minute.
Can you walk somewhere else? Or just keep him on a lead or to heel on grass.

I don’t want him on lead forever. My concern is that he’ll lose boots asap, he’s quite an active dog.

Look at the options designed for dryland mushing dogs.

However, I'd be surprised if running was the issue unless he's on very abrasive stone chippings or similar. I also wouldn't let him do it anymore if it causes that much of an issue - is there not somewhere you can stick to training/walking on grass as Clodagh says?

Mostly not, we don’t take him on the stony perimeter tracks to which horses are confined. He’s very worried about horses and we didn’t want him on the stone. A lot of our area was bombed in the war, it’s a trial trying to get fence posts into the garden.

He’s mostly on reasonably soft ground. I can definitely-and will-keep him out of the woods as this appears to be the issue. Oddly, he can do miles on pavements and is fine. It’s in between the pads on both fores that’s the problem, any tiny bit of mud not immediately removed causes obsessive licking. We have options. It will be a shame if we can’t take him to the woods with Mitch, but I absolutely don’t want him being uncomfortable/in a helmet permanently. He’s at the RVc on Monday to have his patella assessed.

I’ll have a look at Dryland Mushing, thanks.