but in training for the AD, my dog's front feet are getting pretty torn up -> bloody pads. Tryin to make the late Sept. AD, so time is not really on my side. Has anyone used the sled dog/SAR type of boots before or that resin "tuff feet". If so, how did they work, best types and where to purchase?

Wuss suit in place so let 'er rip. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hi Jo - there is nothing wussy about looking after your dogs feet! Mushers have a saying "no foot - no dog" check out http://www.dogbooties.com
they have a really good selection of various syles and materials depending on what type of surface you are running on etc. I would stay away from some of those resin type hardeners as they can dry out the foot and make it more prone to cracking. If you are running on hard surface you might need the toughtek booties - they are on the website.

Maybe dumb question here
Is the dog allowed to run the AD with boots, or is this just a training aid?

Just a training aide, he's on his own for the actual test. once he heals up a bit, I will probably use the booties every other run so as to toughen up the feet a little at a time.

Dog boots are commonly fitted to stock dogs in Australia on long droving trips when moving stock along roads. Nothing wussy about it, horses have to be shod and people wear boots. I think the drovers make their boots out of a patch of raw hide. BTW. I was asking a guy about raining dogs to ride on horses. This man owns about 12,000 acres of prime country in the Victorian high country as well as half a dozen dairy farms. He runs thousands of head of cattle. He has a lot of stock dogs and is a expert horseman.
He started out droving cattle as a kid, he said he always taught his dogs to ride on the horse, the dogs would appreciate a ride back to camp at the end of a long day. Some dogs never would do it but most caught on quick and realised a ride was better than walking. He said that if the dog wouldnt leap onto the horse another way was to just call them and when they jumped up to grab them by the scruff and drag em onto the horses rump.

I remember reading how in europe when they used to drove geese along roads to markets they used to get them to walk over a patch of sticky tar and then over sand. The sand would stick to the tar and then the geese could be walked to market without going lame. Spose if things get really tough you could try that one.

Speaking of really tough times I have a friend who recently had one of his dogs kill another one in a fight. Hes doing it hard financially at the moment so he figured why waste good protein so he cut the dead one up with a axe and fed it to the rest. They ate it, Ive heard of natural diets but I think hes taking this too far. Its like something out of Jack Londons 'Call of the Wild 'They ate a koala bear too a while back that was foolish enough to get out of its tree whilst they were around. And people wring their hands over should they give their dogs this additive or that. They seem to do preety well on road kill. Dont all jump down my throat about this I dont do it, Im just mentioning it.

Tiggy2, which type would you recommend for all purpose use?

The 330 denier cordura ones just about everybody is using - they are very lightweight and though the material looks thin it is very tough. polarfleece ones are still ok though they pick up more snow and ice(but they are dirt cheap and you can sew them up out of polarfleece scraps.) The dogbooties.com link also sells the 330 denier cordura as yardage if you want to sew your own. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for the info. I haven't had reason to use booties, but I'd like to carry a set in my search pack just in case. I'm not much of a seamstress, so I think I'll stick with the pre-made, thank you very much! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I haven't read a post yet on this THREAD to can relate to a WUSS!!!
I only read post from concerned K-9 owners, as they should be. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I don't think a dog working S&R in urban areas should be without protective footgear.JMHO In the wilderness, it would depend on area being searched.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

OK, veering off topic, but since you mention it, Butch, the current thinking on booties is that they can interfere with the dog's ability to grip when climbing around on rubble piles or other uneven surfaces. Proper pad conditioning should eliminate the need for booties in most cases. Bringing along a set just in case the dog starts to have problems isn't a bad idea, though.