Bleeding claws

i have three border terriers, one English bulldog and one Boston Terrier.
The only game they all love, and truly beyond measure, is to take and shake a length of tatty sisal rope about two metres long. The pleasure they get from this is inconceivable, but none of them more so than the Boston. He is by far and away the smallest and the most game. He is also the one that invariably initiates the game by finding the rope wherever I have hidden it. However, latterly he has participated in this game to the point extent that he has completely worn away one claw on his front foot and abraded his toe. This started when they played on the cobbles of the court yard, but still continues even though they are now confined to the paddock. It would break his heart to be prevented from playing the rope game with his mates. Any suggestions please as to how to deal with this problem !

 

I have thought about a boot. Have you any experience whatsoever about them ?

 

You are so right. This is exactly the conclusion I have come to, although I assumed that little if any pain would be felt due to the high threshold of pain that dogs have ( doubtless due to the adrenaline surge ). The trouble is ,though, that they all get so much pleasure from the rope game, especially the Boston terrier. That being said, I guess that either abstinence or boots are the answer. Many thanks.