Our big guy just had surgery on his paws. The vet said it is a chronic condition (I guess once it starts? as he hasn't had it in all these years?) and we need to get him boots. "Boots?" I asked? And he said that there are a type of boots that hunters get for their dogs so that they do not get stickers/stones/branches etc in their paws while chasing/gathering game.
So far web hunting I have only found weather and rain boots.
Do these boots have a particular name or are they a certain material different from the cloth ones I keep finding?
Also how long did it take your dog to get used to them? What tricks did you use in the beginning ? I know my 135 lb baby is not going to do this willingly after the paw bandage fiasco lol
Thanks for any and all help
I need to clarify-my dogs do ****NOT**** hunt (well not that we see when they are in the dog yard and have never brought us 'gifts))the vet just told me that so I would know what he was talking about as I guess opposed to weather and cloth
boots?
I forgot to say what it was - inter digital pyoderma. I don't know what started it after all this time from what I have found
it sounds like it is usually there from the get go though I admit I may be interpreting it wrong.
I would try looking at Cabela's or Dick's Sporting Goods or a "hunting" type store.
My dog has boots that we got at Pet Smart. They come in small/med/large/x large/xx large. Our miniature Poodle had some years ago just like these only our dog now is 70 lbs. The little dog used to jump and have a fit with them on but this bigger dog lets me put them on and although he is not crazy about them, he wears them fine and they keep the house clean after or during rain and snow, etc. The web site for mine is www.muttluks.com
My dogs don't hunt. Sorry I love that saying and I could use it in a different context. :) I used to have goldens that everyone wanted to borrow, they don't hunt, too much fur.
Try Drs Foster and Smith. Another place would be Cabelas or Bass Pro.
I did have the rain boot kind and they have a soul that would do what you need. Still if you are going for something tougher those stores may have them. My dogs never made a fuss about anything I put on them so there wasn't any training. Oh, Alpha wants me to wear boots, cool boots!
This website has a couple of brands of dog boots that meet the description you say your vet gave:
http://www.gundogsupply.com/-950-.html
The one brand "Lewis" says exactly what your vet listed (about preventing sticks, stones, burrs, etc into the feet). And another brand on that site is Black Bark'n Boots Grip Trex Dog Boots by Ruff Wear.
This website also carries the Lewis brand, as well as a couple of other brands/styles:
http://www.lcsupply.com/searchprods.asp
You might also google "prevention of interdigital pyoderma" for other suggestions/information.
Caveat: I own dogs, but am not a hunter, and I don't have any experience with keeping boots on a dog. Good luck! :)
My cousins raise Hunting dogs. Let me see if they know anything. I will contact them tomorrow and let you know
Our dog does not hunt either, but needed a skid plate vest to protect her chest at one point. I got from a website that I think is huntemup.com. You might be able to find something there, they were the cheapest on the vest I was looking for. I have used the boots with traction on our dog that were about 20 or 30 from Petsmart and black on the bottom and red, yellow, or blue on the top. Our dog shredded them running in our dirt with some rocks backyard in Arizona. I'm not sure if she was just really hard on them or not. They did replace them. To get her used to them I used a lot of treats and fun activities, once she saw her ball or leash she forgot she had them on. Good luck and hope you find some great boots.
