Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

How many of you have a K9 who seems to be prone to cutting his pads or dewclaws? Baks is ALWAYS doing that. It gets frustrating, but I know it's not his fault. Any of you with the same problem?

Wow funny you ask this. He just cut up his front right pad and back left pad. Now we are stuck at the lick it stage. At least the second time he has done this since I got him a year ago.

I, personally, think it is because I work Baks every chance I get. He is always doing something every shift. The other K9's aren't deployed nearly as often. I guess stats are subject to increase with more frequent use. I just hope that our Lieutenant that is over the K9 Unit doesn't get frustrated with Baks. The last time he cut his dewclaw, the LT made a comment about Baks being a "neverending source of problems." :(

I heard some of the K9s involved in the post 911 searches were wearing paw protectors. Are they to impractical for street use?

Also - are their paws like human hands - do they get callused?

I heard some of the K9s involved in the post 911 searches were wearing paw protectors. Are they to impractical for street use?
Usually yes. Those paw protectors tend to be kinda flimsy and prone to falling off. I can't imagine a street dog successfully wearing them without tripping himself up. In addition, a dog uses his paw nerves to determine what surfaces are safe to walk on - in general you don't want to cover them up or they'll lose a lot of sensations. It also doesn't allow them to spread their toes and balance as well.


Also - are their paws like human hands - do they get callused?

Yes.

Paw pads should be used on dogs when they are young so they can get used to them. Using them on working dogs without a trial run in an area prior to the field can either get you nipped in the hand as a clue from the dog to stop messing with their feet or a dog that is so freaked by the new booties that it is not productively working.