Rough pads

When my dog Rex and I took the TD class we were told that we have to train our dogs, especially the large dogs, not to place their paws on people.  This was a bit challenging since my DH had taught him to shake hands.  I did teach him not to put his paws on people and he is doing great.  I'm sure every class and situation is different but we visit a nursing home and elderly skin is very thin and tears easily. 

I don't know what would soften his pads maybe Bag Balm.  It sure softens my rough heels! LOL

I did't take a class but when I was trying to get Blaze started Callie really stressed to me "Four on the Floor"  Elderly skin can be fragile anyway and she said some of there meds make it even more so.

Bag Balm!

Paw wax will help prevent the rough pads but probably won't help heal them.  Whenever Neiko will be out running around, just slather some on and he'll be good to go.  It helped keep Joey from getting blisters while at the dog park so no, it won't cause them to tear.

Bag Balm for sure -- and be very regular about it.

But yeah -- "Four on the Floor" is a biggie with pet therapy.  Elderly skin can be super fragile and just *weight* can tear their skin much less rough skin or nails.

Bag Balm!

 OK, I will make sure that he doesn't crawl up on people when we visit. He likes to give what I call "Neiko hugs" where he crawls up your lap and puts a paw on either side of your head.

I got out the bag balm last night and tried to put it on his paws but all the aussies just kept trying to lick it! It was very difficult haha.

TheDogHouseBCMPD

I did't take a class but when I was trying to get Blaze started Callie really stressed to me "Four on the Floor"  Elderly skin can be fragile anyway and she said some of there meds make it even more so.

I also did training with the local group and did their test plus the TDI and both wanted to see that the dog had a way to access people in bed.  For Kenya, we taught "paws up" which means she gently places her front paws on whatever object I touch.  That doesn't mean she is allowed to jump all over people.  Four on the floor always applies to general greetings and she must stand or sit in place until instructed otherwise.  Many people are lying down or cannot bend over so the dog needs to get up to their level (bed, chair, couch) without actually getting ON them so the "paws up" is what the therapy groups around here train and test for.

Kenya's paws are getting rough too and I've been looking for this stuff I used when I was in gymnastics.  It's a lot like Utter Butter but the ingredients are safer and more natural.  I had a big tub of it b/c we used it on our hands every night.  I know I saved it somewhere, I figure it will work just the same as Utter Butter or Bag Balm and is apparently safer (designed for humans not livestock). 

 Haha! While you guys are trying smooth or soften up the paw pads, i am trying to do the opposite. Chloe's pads are really soft and smooth while Scout's is rough. The rougher the better as they need traction on the mat.

I've heard that Bag Balm works really good, but when Cleo's pads started to get really cracked, we'd use vasaline.  It worked too, just the feet are a little greasy for a bit.