Missy and I must give thanks to Scary Yankee Chick for her reccommendation last year of Musher's Secret. It is a balm rubbed into dogs' pads and hair between the pads, that keeps the snow from balling up. Missy has been snowball-free this season (except the feathers on her legs) and she no longer hobbles around from snow packing up on her feet.
I also put some on Prince's pads. He has never had a problem with snowballs forming, but he would feel left out if I gave attention to Missy and not to him. So although he doesn't get so much use out of the balm, he thanks SYC too for the attention he gets.
Welcome!
Posted by: Ruth | January 20, 2013 at 09:17 AM
That does seem the thing to do for Missing (and Prince). Cool! Had you tried other preparations - such as petroleum jelly? - or is this a new process, totally? Now that you mention it, I seem to recall having seen booties to serve the same purpose - perhaps on mushing dogs up north?
Posted by: Cop Car | January 20, 2013 at 11:12 AM
P.S. Good show, Ruth!
Posted by: Cop Car | January 20, 2013 at 11:12 AM
Yes, this is a new routine. I've never tried anything else, but imagine they would just lick off petroleum jelly - the balm has a pleasant to invigorating scent, but the dogs don't lick at it.
Mushing dogs use boots - they are to prevent wear and tear on the pads as well as keeping the snow out.
Posted by: bogie | January 20, 2013 at 02:19 PM
If the dogs DO lick it, its safe. I know of a Lab who licked up a whole tub of it. She got diarrhea, but no other side affects. I did have to pick up booties for Arty this week. Our sub-zero temps were just to much for his feet, but otherwise the Musher Secret does the job very well!
Posted by: Ruth | January 26, 2013 at 09:31 AM