Can anyone give any advice please.

I have an 18 week old pup.
When younger she had lovely tight cat feet.
Now on some surfaces they go flat.
I am not sure what the correct technical term is.

What can be done to strengthen feet?
Is it just because she's a baby and as she gets older
she'll have the beautiful feet all the time?
Or do I need to do other exercises with her?
Our garden is down to shingle and paving slabs.
She is exercised a little on pavements to get to the park
which is grass.
I have only noticed her dong this on hard wood floors and
on some matting surfaces at ringcraft. At home on the lino
she's fine and on the carpet she's fine.

Paranoid Puppy Owner!

Hi Kirstine,
You don't say what breed your puppy is, but my guess is that you have nothing to worry about. Some dogs splay their feet on some surfaces in order to get a better grip. Collies do this alot, hard surfaces and shingle are ideal for feet, so don't worry.

My puppy is a Boxer.

She is very immature and will take a long time to finish.
Just getting paranoid as I'd really like to be able to show
her and as I bred her myself, she's extra special.

Thanks for your time

Hi Kirstine

I don't know if it's the same with all breeds but my breed (weim) can have splayed feet during teething. My 9mth pups front feet weren't looking too great and it was suggested I try to exercise him on hard surfaces particularly if you can get them to run a little but not too much because they are still babies eg. pavements, also gravel is great too. Apparently if you can get them to walk in the sea the salt water also toughens their pads but the sand will not help so you have to watch. I also keep his nails very short by clipping them once/twice a week.

His front feet are now looking much better but it definately depends on the surface he is standing on and also the position he is standing in.