Slip and slide Sheltie

[foxnote]

Does anyone know what could be used on a dogs toe pads to make them less slippery? He would never tolerate booties so it has to be something for the pads themselves.
Our nine year old Sheltie had been having trouble going up the hardwood stairs and we finally figured it must be due to his nails being too long. He absolutely hates having them trimmed and they had gotten out of control. It was time for a dental and so we had the vet cut them back while he was under the anesthesia. It was amazing just how quickly he ran up those stairs when we got home. But now ( just 1 week later) he's back at wanting to be carried up the stairs again and he is just too heavy for me to carry all the time let alone inconvenient. I think his little toe pads are so slippery it is hard for him to get a grip on the wood. The reason we had the wood installed is because of all the pet hair so I don't want them recarpeted. If I dampen his feet he goes up fine, so if I could figure out how to make them less slippery I think my problem would be solved. Any ideas?

[k9Karen]

I'm curious how old he is? If he's just slipping and sliding, check the amount of hair growing out of the pads. If he's walking on fur, he'll be slippery on wood or tile floors. The reason I asked his age, is that I was thinkin there might be more to it than just being slippery. Is there any chance of arthritis (or even hip dysplasia)? I've had oldsters who could no longer go up or down stairs (especially up). Another thought - has he ever fallen and hurt himself on the stairs. I have 3 shelties (I've had 5 over the years), and one thing I've found about some of them is that, if they fail in a physical endeavor, they may only try it a couple more times if they keep failing. I have one that used to be able to jump onto the bed, but I added a 2 inch foam topper, and the first time she tried to jump up after that, she didn't make it. It took her several days to try again, and she failed again. After that, she stopped trying. She does have severe hip dysplasia, and, in all fairness to her, I'm sure it hurt to fall back on her hips, so I don't blame her for giving up. I just pick her up and put her on the bed (so she can steal my pillow!)

Anyway, just some thoughts. I don't really know of anything you can put on the pads. Are they real smooth (puppy-like)? If he walks on rough surfaces (for example concrete), they will get harder and rougher, It's like the callouses we get on our feet. I don't know if trying to 'toughen up' the pads will help or not. Maybe someone else will have some ideas.

[Marty]

I think I would put some stair treads down so nobody slips...humans included.... done my fair share of slipping on my Mom's stairs as a kid...