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BPO General Forum => General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws => : heidismom August 25, 2007, 07:35:47 PM

: planning for winter
: heidismom August 25, 2007, 07:35:47 PM
ok, maybe this a wierd question, and it's (hopefully) months early, but i'm a little bit worried about winter.  Heidi and I take A LOT of walks, and winter in Iowa lasts about half the year, during which they put salt and what have you all over the place.  I know it's bad for their paws, but i'm not sure how bad or what to do about it.  I have heard of doggie booties, are those a good idea? or should you just try to wash their paws off really well when they come back in?  i realize this sounds like a pointless question given that most of the country is either flooded or in a drought right now, but where darling poochie's exercise is concerned I like to have all my bases covered!  any advice would be appreciated.  thanks!
: Re: planning for winter
: marypyrs August 25, 2007, 08:18:07 PM
You're not being wierd at all. This is the perfect time to get prepared for the upcoming winter. I'm in Northern Minnesota and our winters are also extreemly long. I hate that stuff they put on the roads. The pups and I walk a combination of roads and trails. I have several pairs of doggie boots and I swear by them. This would also be a great time to get Heidi used to them.(Around the house.)

I order mine from the people who supply them to the Mushers of the John Beargrease Marathon. I LOVE THEM! I can order individuale boots which comes in handy for Pyrs. Those back dew claws require a different size than the front. There are a lot of really good dog boots out there but this is what I use.

www.dogbooties .com/

By the way. Heidi is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!  :-* :-* :-*
: Re: planning for winter
: schelmischekitty August 25, 2007, 10:39:00 PM
i'd do the boots, too!  not only are they cute, but they sure help, too!  axle always had a problem with grip when we'd walk in the ice in NC, not to mention the salt would just irritate him and make him not so excited to go for walks.  if you walk day after day the exposure to salt (if you live in the city like we did) *can* be really bad for their feet.  axle, i think, is just a wuss to start with and let it get to him more than most dogs, though.
: Re: planning for winter
: heidismom August 26, 2007, 12:38:39 AM
thank you so much for that link, that looks like exactly what i was hoping to find. ordinarily i would not dress up my dog, but we may have to have ONE picture with scarf, hat, and booties ;D  thanks for the idea!
: Re: planning for winter
: Nicole August 26, 2007, 03:37:27 AM
  But, I just wanted to say that Heidi is adorable and...

No you didn't. You just wanted to say that you don't have winter. You ain't kiddin' NO BODY, Holly. We know your game, gator.
: Re: planning for winter
: lins_saving_grace August 26, 2007, 03:49:28 AM
i'm not looking forward to winter either, mostly because of the wind and ice.  luckily Michigan Dept. of Transporation uses sand instead of salt in most places.  we get salt too in private drives.  I can't wait to ice skate as Grace pulls me across the parking lot after someone... the salt is the least of our problems.
i've heard that the booties are great...but getting the dog to let you put them on him/her or keep them on...or walk without lifting his/her paws 10 feet off the ground is a different story. 
: Re: planning for winter
: RMSChloe August 26, 2007, 04:09:09 AM
i have booties for my pup. we actually got them for her for being in the pool so she couldnt rip the liner... but im sure i will be using them for winter too! i love them, and theyre adorable! she looks like a little duckie... not only does she have little webb feet in them, but her front feet turn out from her HOD and she looks so goofy!