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Z-Control
Skid Boots
Leg armor for gonzo dogs; comfortable protection for stops and dew claws
Border Collie Tested
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Z-Control Skid Boots combine comfort and protection for your dog with convenience for you.
Dear Z-Control Customers,
Wow, it's hard to believe I'm getting ready to close out my fourth year in business. Who would have ever thought that a new hobby and a low tolerance for bothersome tasks would lead to this?
For the past three years I've been able to avoid any price increases by taking advantage of economies of scale (bulk ordering of materials and supplies) and improvements in efficiency. However, recent increases in the costs of materials and shipping have made a price increase necessary. Basically, the price of the boots, both standard and custom, will increase by a dollar a pair. This will go into effect February 1, 2007; orders received prior to that date will be priced at the 2006 rate.
In other news, I will be taking advantage of an extraordinary opportunity for travel. On January 18th I will be flying to Chicago to meet my sister and our mom, and from there we will be heading across the Atlantic to Spain. My sister is delivering a Norwich terrier puppy of her own breeding to a buyer living just outside of Madrid, then we will embark upon a 9 day tour of the country. Wish us luck - I'm having a hard time imagining how we're going to keep a 4 month-old puppy happy and quiet during the 13 hour flight.
Orders received between January 17 through the 28th will be processed upon my return.
Norwood's Scully
Dogs in *Z* News
6 year old Scully is owned and handled by 16 year old Elaine Hansen. They began flyball training together in 2002. Scully is the start dog and a core team member of High Plains Drifter's A-team, Bad Company. Scully and Elaine have several triple naught starts (0.000) to their credit and are easy to spot - look for the girl in the black hat.
Do you have an incredible, extraordinary or just plain awesome dog?
History:
Z-Control Skid Boots were born out of my frustration with other methods of skid protection. Wrapping with Vetwrap was tricky and time consuming, and was a constant source of worry at busy tournaments... "Only four races in between... Do I dare leave him wrapped, or will his feet wind up swelling? And if I DO leave the Vetwrap on him, will he shred it as soon as I turn my back?" There had to be a better way.
Next I experimented with the two-strap, leather skid boots. Better. Easy on, easy off. But the boots tended to rotate on the leg after skidding, and had to be constantly checked and repositioned. Adding darts to create more of a cup around the stop helped some, but didn't solve the problem entirely. And when I gave a pair of leather boots to a teammate whose dog had dew claws, I was horrified to discover that the lower strap could work its way under the dew claw, forcing it up and outwards. Back to the drawing board.
After that I began experimenting with different combinations of neoprene and velcro. Comfortable, easy to put on and take off, but not durable. An habitual power-slider could burn through plain neoprene in a single race. Leather reinforcement over the stops solved that problem without compromising flexibility. And the strapless, one-piece design was safe for dogs with dew claws.
Neoprene Colors:
First Place - Royal Blue w/ black interior
Relay - Red w/ black interior
Perfect Pass - Purple w/ black interior
Tennis Ball- - Fluorescent yellow w/ bright orange interior
International - Bright orange w/ fluorescent yellow interior
Go - Forest green w/ black interior
Basic Black* - Black neoprene, black leather (interior color varies)
Z-Max - Extra heavy 3 mm neoprene, camouflage w/black reverse ($3 extra charge)
And now, finally!!!!!!!
*Limited Edition Neon Green and Hot Pink*
$16.00 per pair. These have been my most requested non-stock colors over the past four years. I have searched the internet for these colors and they were simply impossible to obtain in anything but truly enormous quantities (as in an entire production run of 50 sheets 50" x 80"). I was lucky enough to locate a partial sheet of each of these colors but it was only available in the more expensive closed cell neoprene (suitable for scuba).
*Why I'm not crazy about solid black boots:
Skid Boots are first and foremost a piece of safety equipment for your dog. Optimally, you should be able to tell at a glance, even at a distance, even in poor lighting, whether your dog's boots are on and correctly aligned. Black boots are hard to see.
I carry several colors of leather reinforcement. I usually have black, white, bone, red, fuchsia pink and green leather on hand. If you have a specific color preference, speak up. At worst this will cost you a couple of day's delay on your order. Price-wise, specifying your leather color by itself does not mean you've got a custom order. Fuchsia pink leather looks especially good with black or purple boots. Green leather looks awesome with black/green neo. And white leather looks good with pretty much anything,
Sizing:
To measure your dog for his boots, use a non-stretchy measuring tape and measure the circumference of your dog's wrist. The tape should pass over the stop pad, and should be snug, and as level as you can manage.
The standard Z-Control boot is 4 1/2" tall and is available in widths to fit most dogs. Larger and smaller breeds may require taller or shorter boots, available by special order.
Pricing and payment:
I'm set up to accept checks, cash (at tournaments) and now, by popular demand, PayPal. I can accept checks or money orders drawn against Canadian banks as long as they're in U.S. dollars. Sorry, I cannot accept checks in Canadian funds - my bank socks me with huge fees.
Standard Z-Control Skid Boots are $13.00 per pair (shipping included)
Orders of four or more pairs of Standard boots heading to the same address are $11.00 per pair, plus actual shipping costs.
Custom or Special Order Boots, including hock boots, are $16.00 (shipping included). Special Order boots as part of a group order (4 or more pairs, any combination of sizes and colors, all heading to the same address) are $14.00 per pair.
Want your boots customized? Simple stuff like your dog's name, team name or lightning bolts is $5.00 extra. Want flames, hearts and flowers, fireworks, moon and stars, Mardi Gras theme, a flaming skull? $10.00 extra per pair
About Your Dog's New Boots
For maximum protection, Z-Control Skid Boots should fit snugly. Loose boots will ride up the dog's legs as soon as he dives or skids. You should have to stretch the boot in order to close the velcro.
You'll notice that the boots are marked "left" and "right" (or "L" and "R"). That's your dog's left and right. Put the boots on the correct leg, with the lettering at the bottom. After closing the velcro, check to be sure the leather patch is positioned over the dog's stop. If you put your boots on the same way each time, within a few wearings the boots will stretch slightly, and shape to your dog's legs. That's the reason they're marked.
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As with any new experience, some dogs adapt easily to their new boots, and other may need a little time to get used to them. Odd gaits, including "high stepping", are not uncommon when you put the boots on for the first time. As with any new piece of equipment, it's best to try them out in practice first. Most dogs forget all about the boots when distracted by a tennis ball or frisbee.
For longest life, store your boots with the velcro closed.
Allow sweaty or damp boots to dry completely before sealing the storage bag to avoid stinky boots.
The boots are easy on, easy off AND easily chewed up. Don't leave your dog unattended while wearing his Z-Control Skid Boots.
Just the FAQs, Ma'am...
Zane
sports skid boots in Tennis Ball, customized with a hand-painted flame motif.
Add custom detailing to your boots for $5 - $10 per pair.
(Depends on the complexity of the design)
Gift Certificates
Looking for a holiday gift for your favorite flyball fanatic, or a raffle table item?
How about a gift certificate for Z-Control Skid Boots!
For further information or to place an order: khhfm@charter.net
Z-Control
Kathleen Hansen
715 Brickingham Drive
Saint Peters, Missouri 63376
Upcoming Tournaments:
Other Stuff:
Recipe for Homemade Liver Treats
High Plain's Drifters Flyball Club
Starline Norwich Terriers and Canine Reproductive Services