Hard weather is approaching, and it's already cold and snowy in many places!
And that question will pop up in many minds:
How do you make the winter dog-walking experience as pleasant as possible for both you and your canine companion?
*Well, First, of course, make sure that you're appropriately dressed. Layers is the trick and making sure that your face is covered. Hats and gloves. Double socks.
Others recommend thermal underwear, thermal socks and earmuffs. And for icy conditions, consider slip-on shoe attachments that provide traction on ice, such as Yaktrax or Get-a-Grip spikes. Ok, maybe we already know this, right?
And what about the dogs — do they need outerwear when it's cold?
*It depends on the breed you have. If you have a husky, they would stay out longer than we would. They just love it. But you have the smaller ones like a Chihuahua, the more delicate ones, and they'll start shivering without even going out. Smaller dogs like that should always have coats on! The big factors are the dog's breed and length of hair.
*And what about doggie boots, which are fancier and more varied than ever?
Well, some animals don't like boots, and some don't mind them. If they've been wearing boots since they've been young, they don't know any different, adding that owners should get their dogs' nails trimmed during the winter, because that gives them more traction if they walk on ice.
There are certain dogs that are bred for cold weather, and they don't need anything. … But for dogs that were not designed to be in the cold, smaller dogs or even some of the sleeker bigger dogs,it's recommended boots to keep their feet from chafing.
*Another concern when you walk your dog is that people put that salt down and that can really eat away at their paws.
Salt, everyone agrees, can be a big problem. It not only dirties floors if dragged in, but it can damage a dog's paws, leading to infection. And the problems are compounded if the dog licks its paws.
In 2005, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center issued an alert about the potential dangers of dogs ingesting ice melts, especially those containing calcium chloride and sodium chloride.
The most important thing is to clean off the paws with a towel when you get home. Make sure all the salt is off their paws.
*If you have a fenced-in yard, it's tempting to just let the dog outside and let him back in when he returns to the door. Is there anything wrong with that?
Note at all! If the dog is willing to go, you've got no problems.
There are some dogs that are just not very good on the leash, and some owners prefer to not
*How long should you keep a dog out in the cold and snow?
It all depends on the breed, If you have a small little dog, 20 minutes may be way too much for the animals. But if you have a Weimaraner with lots of energy, 20 minutes is absolutely fine.
The dogs will give you a good indication if they want to stay out or they don't.
That's it, take care of your dog and yourself! Let's enjoy the dogwalks even in cold weather!
