Lately we've ventured out of our neighborhood a lot more on our biking trips. This has led to more time on asphalt than before.

No big deal, except for one of Turbo's toenails.

On his right, front foot, the 3rd toenail from his body keeps getting very short. Hasn't bleed yet, as I've caught it before it did, but it was very close.

Every other toenail is perfectly fine. They could actually stand to be trimmed, which I'm doing right after I log off.

It looks like it is wearing on the end, as normal, and on the top like he is dragging it.

This toenail, when normal, doesn't poke out farther than any other next to it. I really have no idea how the one next to it isn't worn at all, and this one is almost bleeding.

Fatigue making him drag that foot isn't a factor either. I'm not pushing him anywhere close to his speed or endurance limit on these jogs.

Anything I can do to help this? Boots?

Or should I simply make sure that there is grass or dirt to run on?

Besides that one, stupid toenail, everything else is great. I have no idea how we made it without these bike trips.:smile:

Does he have any gait imbalances?

The only thing I can think of to protect the toenail is boots - or at least a boot.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

Does he have any gait imbalances?

Pardon my simple-ness, but please explain.

I'm slow today.

Does he walk (or run, or trot) at all crooked?

Can you watch him do each from behind and in front, and in fact videotape all of it?

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Does he walk (or run, or trot) at all crooked?

If I go too slow he does. (In between his walk and jog speed.)

His jog speed is about 5-6 mph. At that speed he has a real good rhythm(or gait, I guess), if that makes sense.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Can you watch him do each from behind and in front, and in fact videotape all of it?

I'll get video tomorrow if it isn't rainin'. If not tomorrow, ASAP.

What Connie said. Does he favour anything at all, walk/run crooked, lean to one side or roll on hips, that kind of thing.

 Quote: jennifer mullen

Does he favour anything at all, walk/run crooked, lean to one side or roll on hips, that kind of thing.

He jogs crooked when going too slow. In between a walk and a jog.

Otherwise, at a slightly faster pace, his gait looks normal to me. Key words being, "to me".

I'll probably be able to get some video tonight.

Yay video! Heh, I already made Toby watch some video you posted of biking with Turbo....'Hey! Toby! You like bikes!'

In human runners, gait often improves at faster speeds - foot strikes become optimal, etc....the trick is learning to take the movements at a faster speed and translate them into a slower speed. I haven't a clue how you would do that with a dog though. I'll be interested to see the video....

His slow speed crooked running isn't a problem, as we seldom go that slow. (2-3 mph)

Usually we go about 5-6 mph.

I'm interested in the video, too.

He's not the best built JRT structurally. He's got bowed front legs and his hind legs look abnormally longer than his front to me.

I never really considered anything serious since it was one toenail. Now I hope I'm right.

Turbo Gump

I'm not sure how much you'll be able to see here. I had to drive the bike and video without killing myself. Ashley was having trouble figuring out the camera so the coming and going clips show very little.

I was sure that I was about to video a bike wreck, though.