Z-Control Skid Boots
Frequently Asked Questions
What payment methods do you accept?
I now accept PayPal in addition to checks, and cash at tournaments.
How long does it take to get a pair of boots?
If you e-mail me with your shipping info, your dog's stats and your colors and quantities desired I can usually have your order ready to ship the day after I receive your check (or sometimes that same day, depending on the time of delivery). The boots are shipped via first class mail and usually arrive within three to four working days anywhere in the continental United States. So if you pay by check figure a week to ten days from the time you mail your check out (custom orders may take a few days longer).
If you go the PayPal route I can usually ship the day after I get your e-mail, or, again, sometimes the same day, depending on the time I get the order. So figure four business days for delivery within the continental US.
I don't have a measuring tape, only a ruler. How can I measure my dog's wrist?
Take a piece of not-too-flimsy paper (don't use toilet paper) and cut a reasonably straight strip. Notebook paper is good because it has nice straight lines already marked. Wrap it around your dog's wrist as described in the measuring procedure, and use a pen or pencil to mark the point where it overlaps. Measure the strip with your ruler.
How can I tell if my dog's boots fit correctly?
As mentioned in the previous page, the boots should fit snugly to keep them from riding up during power slides. You should have to stretch the boots a little to close the velcro. It gets easier with practice, and also as the boot molds to your dog's leg.
You should be able to turn the boot on the dog's leg to adjust the position of the leather reinforcement over the stop by twisting slowly and firmly.
How tight is tight enough? Think "sports bra" or "elastic knee brace", not "Scarlett O'Hara's corset". If it takes two people, and your foot braced in the dog's chest to get the boots closed, they're probably too tight.
Uh oh! My dog's boots don't fit. Now what?
If there are any difficulties with the fit, drop the boots back in the mail to me and shoot me an e-mail describing the trouble. I try to get exchanges out as soon as I get word of a problem - I don't wait for the original pair(s) to arrive.
How long do Z-Control Skid Boots last?
That's sort of like asking how long a pair of running shoes lasts. It depends on how often you use them as well as your dog's running style. Boots worn by a fine-boned, lightweight dog who only skids on accident every now and then will last longer than boots worn by a big dog who is a habitual power slider.
You can prolong the life of your boots by allowing them to dry completely between uses if they get wet. Having a second pair of boots so you can rotate extends the life of both pairs. It also helps to remember not to leave your dog unattended while wearing the boots so they don't get chewed up.
Replace the boots when they start getting loose enough to twist or ride up on the leg, or when the leather reinforcement is burned through.
Having said all that, with proper care most dogs should get *at least* 30 or 40 races worth of use from a correctly fitted pair of skid boots, which makes the boots economical compared to vetwrap, as well as convenient. That's *races* - 3 to 5 (or 6) heats to a race.
How should I put my dog's boots on?
You have to work out what's comfortable for you and your dog. My Zane is an especially maniacal BC. I kneel behind and astride him and reach around to put his boots on. This gives me decent control, and puts my face out of snout and tongue range, although he can still manage to clobber me with the top of his skull if I'm not watching out. Some people have their dog sit in the shake-hand position to get their boots on, and others have their dog lie on their lap, paws up, like a baby. If your dog is used to being vetwrapped, use that posture are a starting point.
Are there any safety issues I should take into consideration?
Like any other protective wrapping, Z-Control Skid Boots can cause the feet to swell, or the dew claw to dig into the side of the foot if left in place for prolonged periods. Unlike vetwrap, with a little practice you should be able to put your dog's boots on in 30 seconds or less, and you can have them off before you leave the ring so there's really no reason to leave the boots on for extended periods.
Dogs who enjoy diving to a stop in the runback area will quickly learn to count on their boots in much the same way that football players rely on their protective gear. However, a football player would probably notice for himself, or be reminded by teammates or the coach if he headed for the field without his gear on. A power slider who is accustomed to running in boots can be badly injured if the handler forgets to put them on. Make a boot check part of your pre-race ritual. If you have teammates whose dogs wear boots, make a point of glancing at them, too.
Z-Control Skid Boots are made entirely of non-toxic materials. However, consuming leather, neoprene and velcro can cause intestinal obstructions as well as frantic pre-race scrambles to locate that emergency roll of vetwrap. Don't let your dog eat his boots.
Are there any other advantages to Z-Control Skid Boots?
The neoprene body of the boots provides protection to the front of the wrist in the event of a collision with a jump.
The boots have also been purchased by handlers whose dogs, while not prone to skidding, have a tendency to minor hyperextension of the front feet during running.
Also, if your team has a lot of BCs, and you find yourselves rotating dogs and or handlers during racing, having different colored boots on the dogs offers your boxloader an extra chance to identify which oreo-colored dog is hurtling towards him.
Those flame boots are cool! How can I customize my dog's boots?
The flame boots were painted with regular artist's acrylic paints. They show up best on the Tennis Ball and International Orange boots. If you want to customize the darker colored boots I recommend Neopaque Fabric Paint, available from Dharma Trading Company.
When you're painting your boots, pay attention to top and bottom so you don't wind up painting one of your boots upside down (been there, done that). Obviously it won't affect the wear of the boots, but it looks silly.