Ok, well here is my problem.

Tucker is part Border Collie, so he has a high energy & drive level. In order to tucker him out I play fetch with him for about 20 minutes in the park on our walks.
We had a bit of an icestorm down here a week ago, and since it hasn't been warm enough to melt the ice, there's a nice crust of it on the grass. When Tucker reaches the ball he slides along the grass a bit and scoops the ball up. But now becasue there's a sheet of thin ice under the snow, its cutting his paws HORRIBLY.
Now he doesn't seem to care, but i felt badly for him when I saw what it was doing.
Tried the boots..forget it, he hates them and they just don't stay on a dog that is running through some snow. I tried them for 2 weeks and although he will still chase the ball with them on, its an awkward run and he trips himself up all the time.
I've racked my brain to think of an alternative but can't come up with anything. And I can't not play fetch with him because just walking him on a leash is not gonna do it.
So, i thought maybe someone on here could recommend something?

Well, not sure it would work, but there are things you can put on the dog's feet including Vaseline or, if you're super-serious about it, Musher's Wax. That will protect from some ice cuts, snowballs, and salt.

http://www.lucy-the-dog.com/musherssecret.html

If it's more of a physical thing you've got going on there, where the ice literally cuts him up because it's sharp, where is it occurring? Is it occurring ON his feet? If so, no suggestion... But if it's occurring more up his leg, you can "polo bandage" him...

You hit the nail on the head, the ice is literally cutting his pads. Its mostly around the sides and not on the bottom of the pads. Its when he skids in to get the ball. He puts his front paws out to stop his momentum so they kind of crash through the sheet of ice, and its sharp! It doesn't do anything to his legs, its just the pads on his paws.
This didn't happen last year, but since the ice is under the snow, its not melting. Its all crunchy snow...its snow with a thin layer of ice on the top and bottom.

I wish I could suggest something... Other than trying a different style of boot, and helping him get used to them (on lead) I'm afraid I don't have many ideas. I do know that mushers use boots so perhaps looking into whatever style THEY use might be best? As opposed to something from the pet store?

How's this?

http://www.dogbootcompany.com/

Sled Dog Central has a links page with a few companies listed.

Thanks Jennifer,
Those are the style of boot I tried, but perhaps i just need a better brand that was actually made for dogs that run, like the ones you suggested.
I figured after 2 weeks he would've got used to them. I did put them on him all the time, inside, walking on lead which he was ok with...its the running. Its a little comical to watch him trying to run in them, but I feel sorry for him when he trips and gets a bit tangled up with himself. The problem with them coming off I think is because he's running, full sprint stretched out running more like a "flyball" dog running.
But, i'll give a better pair of boots a try, and if it doesn't work i'll maybe have to start looking for a better field to play in until the ice melts.

http://www.naturmix.com/pages/products/PadGuard.html

For protection.


http://emtgel.com/

For heeling.

Other options....

 Quote: Valerie Tietz-Kelly

http://www.naturmix.com/pages/products/PadGuard.html

Val, would this prevent slipping on a hardwood or laminate floor, by chance? I have carpet currently, but when we visit my parents their ENTIRE house is hardwood, and the dogs slide around like they're on skates.

 Quote: Valerie Tietz-Kelly

http://www.naturmix.com/pages/products/PadGuard.html

For protection.


http://emtgel.com/

For heeling.

Other options....

AHHHH...now that just might work!!! Lets just hope they ship to Canada.
And don't worry, I put stuff on his paws to help with the cuts as soon as we walked back in the door. I don't anyone to think i've still been playing fetch with him and just allowing his pads to get cut...i just decided to stop with the boots yesterday. I'll have to find another way to tucker him out on our walks for now.
Thanks for the info Val.

If it provides stability in the ring probably would provide stability on HW floors...give it a try. We use it when we run through the wood with the dogs over rough terrain.

 Quote: Jennifer Ruzsa

 Quote: Valerie Tietz-Kelly

http://www.naturmix.com/pages/products/PadGuard.html

Val, would this prevent slipping on a hardwood or laminate floor, by chance? I have carpet currently, but when we visit my parents their ENTIRE house is hardwood, and the dogs slide around like they're on skates.

I have the same hardwood floor problem. My only concern is that the website didn't seem to say anything about the toxicity of the stuff. What if you have a foot-lickin' dog?

I may e-mail them about this and I'll post their response if I get one.