Hi guys n gals Just a question for larger breed dog owners ( labs/retreivers )...also ones that are out in the snow.....I have tried numerous "boots" to aid in keeping the snow from packing in my retreiver's paws) I am having no luck with the neoprene style as he tries to chew them off, and or they fall off while we are out in the woods....am I farther ahead to try and make some out of leather or tanned hide? Without the boots on he packs up enough snow in between his toes that it actually will bleed when he pulls the clumps out, which makes it for a short day in the woods. Any thoughts or guidance is appreciated Thanks again Reese
do you have him loose when he's with you in the woods or leashed? if he's loose not sure what to tell you, but if you have him on a leash then you can try a "haltie" or whatever their called, when he pulls or starts to try and chem them just a little tug will close his mouth and he'll stop fast, trust me. another thing you may want to try is a shock collar. as he goes to chew on the boots or as he's chewing, shock him with a low setting, after a few times the last thing he'll want to do is chew on the boots. i have a lab/shepherd/ something else? mix. he's 2 and is only 45lbs. he doesn't like being out in the cold for long, after a few minutes he's tri-podding around the yard cause his feet are cold. mabey this will help, hope you find a solution
I have large breed dogs but the hair on their feet is very short and they do really have the problem of snow sticking to the hair. I would just trim the hair. E-collars can be very useful with a dog that is already trained to obedience and understands negative reinforcement. If the dog is not already trained to be obedient an E-collar can lead to confusion on the dog's part and make training more difficult.
Not that large of a breed(50#) but my dog has lots of fur between her pads. Trimming seemed to help out pretty good with keeping it from getting froze up.
Before you go out side spray your dogs feet with "Pam" the no stick cooking spray. It prevents the ice from sticking, and be sure to keep the hair trimmed back to his pads. He might lick his feet for a while but its safe and works well.
I've never had that problem with my lab as far as the hair, but this year she tore one of her pads and I had to get her boots to continue hunting. These are by far the best boots I have found simply because they stay on her so well. I only had them on her when hunting so she usually forgot about them pretty quick but maybe your dog will not and will try to chew. If your dog really chews on them, I would suggest coating them with tabasco sauce. I have used this for my lab on other things she tries chewing on and when that hot taste hits her she stops real quick. http://www.ultrapaws.com/
Thanks for the insight guys....local pet store has the ultrapaws in stock. Funny story about the tabasco sauce...I think he has become immune to it, either that or he loves the stuff. Girlfriend put some on her winter boots to stop him from having a snack. Needless to say, I was out 150bux for a pair of boots. Thank god he outgrew the chewing stage LOL. He is normally off leash when we are shed hunting. I guess it depends on the snow conditions as last year out ice fishing he had zero issues unless we were out all day and he was in and out of the ice hut. I will give these ultrapaws a whirl. Thanks once again Reese
