Snow balling up in pups paws

[hpvizslas]

Quick question

We have a new WHV pup and I have been trying to get the dogs out to run them but we have a lot of snow still on the ground. I noticed that the pup is having snow/ice balls build up in her paws. I have never encountered this with our smooth Vizslas so I am assuming it is due to the extra hair the WHV has. Any ideas on how to keep this from happening? I don't want any bad experiences for the pup and I need to make sure that they are getting plenty of exercise, so waiting until the snow melts is not an option.

Thanks
Jeff

[Sharon]

I have setters. I keep the hair cut VERY short in the paws. This almost eliminates the balling up of snow.

[mcbosco]

I have a wire-haired dog too and it happens to me. I dont trim the hair but I use Mushers Secret on the pads and in between. It is a common product on the East Coast especially NYC where salt is a problem for city dogs. Burts Bees also sells a Bees Wax hand product that works just as well and pretty much every grocery store in the world has it.

http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-produc ... salve.html

Both of these products are completely safe if the dog decides to lick it off. Be generous using it and let it dry in.

[Greg Jennings]

I have a smooth V and we clip the hair in his paws. It helps with him tracking stuff in on the wood floors. I just use the trimmers that I have for the goatee. Works great.

When we're hunting in ice, I put normal Vaseline inside their paws and on their pads. It keeps the ice from building up.

[ezzy333]

I have a smooth V and we clip the hair in his paws. It helps with him tracking stuff in on the wood floors. I just use the trimmers that I have for the goatee. Works great.

When we're hunting in ice, I put normal Vaseline inside their paws and on their pads. It keeps the ice from building up.

Vasoline works as well as any product I have tried. But do make sure you trim the hair on the bottom of the paw and between the toes. From there the dogs usually take care of any buildup that is bothering them.

Ezzy

[Mahamari]

Curious why any maintenance is necessary? I only wonder because my Drahthaar has buildup of snow in his paws when we go out and it doesn't seem to bother him a bit (though if I cut off one paw I'm not not sure he''d show that it bothered him). Is there problems that can occur with this buildup?

[Greg Jennings]

If they build up *ice* on their paws, it will eventually rub raw places.

[Ryman Gun Dog]

Jeff,
What I do about his problem is keep the hair trimmed short, then rub Cowboy Magic on the dogs paws prior to each outing. Cowboy Magic also works real well
on all feathering to keep snow ball from forming.
RGD/Dave

[hpvizslas]

Thanks everyone for the tips. Someone else told me to do nothing and that the pup would figure it out. What are your thoughts on that?

[Sharon]

Sure the dig can solve his/her problem., but it means i have to stand there and wait every 20 minutes while dog works on his/her feet. No thanks.