Hi Otis...Good advice from Steve to harden his pads, but do not put any on until his pads have healed up...COMPLETELY....As the others have advised...Bathing in warm salty water or with well diluted hibiscrub will aid healing...Paw Wax or vaseline spread over his paws will help to protect them...The other option is dog boots...But it takes dogs quite some time to get used to wearing them, if indeed they ever do learn to tolerate them...