A friend of mine has a young American show male. When she puts him out in a big pen to excercise, he races so much that he tears up his paw pads. This is a gravel pen. He can not be shown in the ring with sore feet. The breeder that he came from excercises her dogs with them pulling out in front of a 4-wheeler. With the Shepherds they need to pull out on the end of the lead to be judged on topline and sidegait. This boy can fly! I have heard that greyhound kennels use sand for their dogs to run on. Does anyone have any suggestions on something to put down in a big pen for him to be on so he does not tear up his pads? This boy is most likely finishable if he does not have sore feet.
2006-09-11 23:58:53 · 5 answers · asked by bear 2 zealand © 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The problem with grass is that it tears up and gets so muddy.
2006-09-12 00:08:30 · update #1
Sand would be FINE-if DEEP enough...BUT..."booties" would be HELOVA lot cheaper! *&* you might try that"tuff-pad" stuff.
2006-09-12 00:22:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
How often is he out and how big is his pen. Grass is best even if he makes tracks where he runs the most a little mud won't hurt. If it has been raining rinse and dry his legs. I have old towels just for my shepherds. Sand would also work but they'll track that in too. you could put pine shavings down for padding. Other than that a small room to dry in or a little mess is better than a sore animal. Good luck
2006-09-12 09:09:24 · answer #2 · answered by emily 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pea size gravel is good but also look at medium size smooth stone. If thi helps, some of the show handlers here in the states also use a treadmill to exercise and condition their dogs.
2006-09-12 11:49:02 · answer #3 · answered by Texas GSPS 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Using wrong gravel probably. Should only use pea gravel. It will not hurt the pads. It is soft and cushions the feet, also used in playgrounds because it does not hurt the kids when they fall..
Sand attracts fleas, you don't want to use that. and it doesn't drain as well as pea gravel.
2006-09-12 07:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
would grass be a good running tool, it is soft and it wont hurt his feet, try it,
2006-09-12 07:05:50 · answer #5 · answered by Dawn C 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋