I Have a snow problem.....?

Question

I have two shelties, and every time they go outside, their paws are packed with snow, and I get to spend 15 minutes pulling the snow out! Is there any way to avoid this without buying dog booties?!

Answer 1

You might try smearing vaseline between their toes -- I think I've even heard of some people using non-stick cooking spray -- so that the snowballs can't stick to the hair between their toes.

You can also trim the hair between their toes, as well. I do that for my "furrier-footed" sled dogs in the winter when they're running.

ADD: A_a: Good point. Guess I'm kind of "old school" ;)

Answer 2

When snow and ice get stuck in between the toes on your dog's paws, it can cause very bad cuts.
You should keep your dog's nails cut short and the fur between his toes trimmed. But don't do it too much-if the hair so too too short, the fur won't protect from the snow anymore, and the dog might loose traction also...
If where you live there's a lot of snow- boots might not be such a bad idea. BUt if it snows every now and then, and if snow still packs on your shelties paws, you should just let it melt on it's own, no cold, no hot water. Pulling it would rip hair and that isn't pleasant even for dogs..



.

Answer 3

Trim the fur between their pads and snow won't build up as much. Spraying the paws with cooking spray before going out can help keep snow from sticking. Booties are inexpensive if you buy them from a sled dog equipment supplier. Go to sleddogcentral.com and click the equipment links. Pay attention to snow conditions and temperature. In time you will know when to expect a problem with ice balls in their feet.

Answer 4

How about some self adhering sport wrap? Newborn socks? Better yet, a combo of the two, the socks on first, and the wrap holding them on. If you don't want to go the socks route but still want a bit more padding than just the wrap, use gauze under the wrap. The wrap is re-usuable I do believe, at least one time. Depending on how thrashed it gets. This stuff stays on better than some kind of bootie that just velcros on.

Answer 5

If you do not want to buy dog booties, perhaps giving their feet a gently warm soak after coming n from outside will make removing the snow easier on both you and your dogs.

Answer 6

Not really. You could set both the dogs in a bathtub with a couple inches of warm water in it so the snow in their paws would melt. Instead of booties, you could tie rags around their feet. Of course, you could also not allow them to go in deep snow, keep them on the shoveled areas.

Answer 7

Buy them dog shoes.

Even though you don't want to, I would buy the dog booties. They will protect their feet from the cold, snow, and salt they lay on the road.

Answer 8

There are a bunch of products out there for preventing this.

Take a look at these:
This one is called "Musher's Secret" -- if the link doesn't work just do a search on it o amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mushers-Secrets-Secret-200g/dp/B0002IJQDM

This one is called "Paw Deicer" and it is made by orvis. Just do a search on Orvis Paw Deicer if the link doesn't work.
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?pf_id=11PC&dir_id=1633&group_id=10570&cat_id=10586&subcat_id=10587&adv=12082&cm_mmc=Froogle*Prod_feeds*Prod_feeds*12082&bhcp=1

Answer 9

Trim the excess hair from between their pads.

Edit: Loki- I've seen people use spray cooking oil... it works, and is probably more digestible than vaseline... LOL!

Answer 10

why dont u get tennis rackets and put them under the shelties feet knooted up.
LOL!