How Do I Deal With Paw Pad Breakdown With Sa Digging In Yard?

[Guest avadogner]

Hi GT Friends,

I am in new territory with Augie's different personality. Our angel Ava was always very comfortable with being home alone. Augie not so much. Ava went to the bridge in March and Augie has been having some SA issues. No surprise there and we are trying to work on it.

 

The weather has been brutally hot here in Alabama so we have to take shorter walks in early a.m. and at dusk. We have paved sidewalks and neighbors do not want dogs on their grass. About a month ago I noticed his paw pads were getting smooth and thinning. He has full access by dog door to a medium sized fenced backyard. He has been digging quite a bit further wearing his paws down.

 

As of today, pink areas on the verge of breaking open are on 4 toes. I clean them daily with mild cleaner and then apply triple antibiotic cream. I also apply Vasoline to his feet before walks. I have closed the dog door and will supervise him in yard to curb digging. His digging habit seems to be his way of releasing anxiety/stress and we have had problems with him chewing on the cofffee table again. He did this the first week home and then stopped. He has plenty of chew bones, bully sticks, Kongs to use but the table is where he shows discontent. Bitter apple deterent has been sprayed on the corners but he still chews.

 

We are not in the posistion to adopt a buddy right now. I am home full time waiting on transplant so he is rarely alone. Does anyone have any ideas on what else we can do to ease his SA and keep his paws from breaking down any further?

 

Thank you and sorry to ramble on. I would appreciate any ideas and experience y'all may have to share.

[krissn333]

Is it at all possible for you to not allow him to use the dog door right now so that you can be aware of when he goes outside and can discourage him from digging?

 

Could also try Composure tablets....they seem to help with anxiety.

[Feisty49]

If it were me, and I thought the heat from the sidewalks was part of the problem, I'd put socks on his feeties. A few year ago I saw for the first time how hot cement or macadam can burn a dog's pads and it was just terrible. I'm thinking also that something like Musher's Secret on his feet would work better for protection.

[Batmom]

Stop moisturizing. With use, his pads will get nicely callused, and that is what you want to happen. Short walks on sidewalk at a.m. and dusk shouldn't be a problem.

[krissn333]

Woops, sorry, just re-read your post and saw you're going to close the dog door for now. It was too early for me to be reading

 

I hope his poor feets feel better soon...do look into the Composure for the anxiety though/it's helped a lot of dogs that I know.

[Guest avadogner]

Thank y'allfor the suggestions. I ordered a set of dog shoes on line to try out. He refused to stand or walk with child socks on but maybe the dog shoes will fit better. I am now about to Google Mushers's Secret and Composure. Thanks again!

[Yamaha_gurl]

What Batmom said, when you think about it moisturizer helps soft things right? You need the opposite effect.

[jamngrey]

My crazy friend was moisturizing her dogs paws. They were nice & soft BUT he couldn't walk cause his feet hurt. So yep don't moisturize.