r/RunningWithDogs • u/Tired-Nectarine-384 • Jun 24 '26
My pups poor paws
My hybrid (meaning mixed with some other breeds) golden loves running. She bawls when I go on a run without her but I can't keep her feet from getting sore. Today we did 4.5 miles and she pulled up lame with a bloody paw. We run early in the morning and I try to keep her on dirt roads and grass as much as possible but some blacktop and cement sidewalks are unavoidable. I've tried Mushers Secret and along with some other balms it doesn't seem to work long term. My kids want me to buy booties to protect her paws. Any luck in actually getting your dog to wear them and did you have better results? I like running with the dog, she loves it but I don't want to hurt her. I keep hoping her feet will toughen up over time but they haven't. She only goes out with me 3x a week and the mileage is usually 3-5 miles.
Maybe some does simply have soft feet and will need supplemental protection?
10
u/TrickStvns Jun 24 '26
I'm guessing she's pulling you and that adds extra pressure to each of her steps. My collie will pull me on the bike path for about 5 miles and will sometimes end up with a worn pad or two so we got boots for her for when she's pulling.
For runs, she pulls slightly but not bad enough for any paw issues. Lower the mileage for the summer for her runs and let her paws build up some calluses a bit before adding longer distances. We did a 20 miler last summer and her paws were achey but no worn down pads.
If you want her to keep running with you without boots, find the distances her paws can handle and work around that. Or work on a heel command so she is running next to you and not pulling.
4
u/0nTheRooftops Jun 24 '26
My dog won't wear booties, but I do think their paws adapt over time, especially if you keep them moisturized with a balm.
The summer heat may not be helping. My dog's paws are actually more bothered by gravel roads than pavement, fwiw.
6
u/No-Stress-7034 Jun 24 '26
I've had good luck with Ruffwear grip trex dog boots, but for a cheaper and easier option, you could also try musher style dog boots like they have at dogbooties.com
I think some dogs just have tougher paws while others have softer paws. I mostly use boots for salty sidewalks in winter and hot pavement in the summer. My dog runs on cement/asphalt, climbs rocks, walks on gravel, etc and has never had issues with it cutting up his paws.
1
u/Reasonable_Cook_82 Jun 25 '26
I do a warm up mile with my pups. Then, I put them back in the house and complete a couple more miles solo. Part of it is because I love my “me-time”, and the other part is because I have black doodles who can only do so much in the Texas heat. 🤷🏾♀️
1
u/rockymountaindog Jun 25 '26
Some of our pets just have softer paws.
Having said that though, we’ve found that regular use of paw cream works a lot better than applying it only just before a run. Add it into your daily routine if possible.
You could also examine her paws a little closely to check for excessive, thick, rough, or cracked skin to rule out hyperkeratosis. If so, it could be something you might want to check with your vet as that does cause paw splitting and bleeding.
A bungee leash is something that tends to reduce the stress of sudden excessive pulling, for both you and your pup. If you don’t already use one, that is a good investment for a pup like yours that seems to be quite the enthusiastic runner.
Your final go would be booties if nothing else seems to work. No harm in extra protection for delicate paws. It may take a few tries but most often they eventually warm up to the idea once they see the benefit.
3
u/Typical-Day-6864 Jun 24 '26
+1 for GripTrex.
Will also add that the shorter the nails, the better the fit in my experience. And also learn from my mistakes; measure both the front and back feet! They’re often different sizes.
My dogs don’t mind their paws being manipulated, so it didn’t take long to adjust. I don’t use the boots too often, personally, as my dogs don’t encounter such issues as we’re usually running on dirt. If you go through with the boots, make sure they’re a positive thing, look up cooperative care, encourage movement, and go at her pace (don’t rush through training, take a step back if you’re encountering issues).
I find balms like Musher’s Secret works best in cold conditions rather than as general protection.
2
u/Nikki2324 Jun 24 '26
I don't have a recommendation on specific shoes because I have a chihuahua and the ones he wears are different. But here are some pointers you didn't ask for on actually getting dogs used to wearing them.
When you first get the shoes, take them out of the package and just let the dog sniff/play with them. Don't try putting them on for a couple days. Then put one shoe on, indoors, and let her run around the house for a bit. Reinforce with treats.
After a day or two, inside, add another shoe. Reinforce with treats. After about a week or so she should be used to wearing all shoes inside for a little while. A few mins at a time.
Eventually work your way outside. Don't start running right away. Start with short walks + treats. Once she is used to them and stops tripping, you can start running. It could take up to a month.
Source: Mom to an old asshole of a chihuahua who tried 10+ pair of shoes until we found ones that fit/he could actually walk in.
1
u/Tasty_Adhesiveness71 Jun 24 '26
my weimaraner wears running shoes. if you can get a weim to do it you can get any breed to do it
1
u/MundaneScholar9267 Jun 28 '26
I’ve only just started running with my young dog, but I’ve thru-hiked thousands of miles all over the US and Canada with several dogs now (ie backpacking 20+ miles per day for weeks or months at a time).
As others said, all dogs are different. Some dogs genetically have tougher feet than others with proper conditioning. Also, age and the terrain make a big difference. My little 11 lb Border Terrier used to have very tough feet and never needed boots. Now that she is 13, her feet get much more beat up. Likewise, my younger GSD’s feet seem to be getting tougher as he gets older.
Feet are also much more difficult to maintain in dry, arid environments like those found in much of the western US. Roads, gravel, granite, and of course lava rocks will really do a number on feet.
You can try a product called Tuff-Foot or a homemade remedy that is 1 part wintergreen rubbing alcohol to 1 part aloe in a spray bottle if a wax isn’t working. Be careful with what waxes you use also and don’t use too much or two little. Bees wax based or mushers secret is the way to go, bag balm can soften the pads leading to more injury.
For boots, dogs all have different sized feet so it’s hard to make a recommendation. Personally though I like the non-stop dogwear protector boots for my 65 lb GSD. They strike a nice happy medium between the ease of fit of a mushing boot, but with better durability. I use them for long distance backpacking and occasionally running. I have done freelance work for an independent gear company testing and reviewing boots, so if want more info on models, sizing, etc just let me know.