Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey have you ever tried to use pad healfor hunting, racing, and working dogs? It says it is suppposed to toughen the pad for rigorous working. I have some and am going to start using it as the weather is better and can take him out alot more. Do you have any better brands, or methods? Thanks,
LATER

I usually started my dogs as young pups working or exercising along with older dogs. There was never a need for anything. On an older dog who had not been conditioned we would work him along slowly until he was in condition. We found out by doing this by the time the dog was in condition to work or hunt his pad were tough enough. I don't really like to use anything unless it is very necessary. Even on hunting hounds, who sometimes will run for days if not caught, we don't use anything except conditioning. Some dogs were conditioned on treadmills if impossible to free run, which we enjoyed as much as the dogs.
I have seen dogs who had bare pads but was usually from being lost and running for days nonstop. Under normal working, hunting, running, sporting dogs we have never had a problem. Maybe some one else can give more info. I did know a man who exercised his dog on the pavement while riding a bicycle who had problems but he had other probles also and when he found another way to exercise his problem went away.

I have heard Bag Balm is good for healing worn down pads, but I don't have first-hand experience.

Tasha

Yeah? Well, this stuff is supposed to heal if the pad is torn or whatever. Then if the pad is fine it has some ingredients to make the pad more elastic and water proof. Over a period of time it is supposed to make the pad really tough. Running on concrete is pretty hard on the paws and if on something softer then it isn't so bad. So I have no choice but to work him out on grassy areas and go easy on the pavement.