Chilly Weather
Keeping your dog healthy and happy in the cold
While some dogs are built for the cold, many of our family pets are not quite cut out for it and won't realise it until they are very cold.
Simple steps to keep your dog safe in the snow (and ice)
Prepare and have fun!
Snow and Ice days
While we don't get the harshest weather here in Ireland too often, when it does come around we are all eager to make the best of it, especially if we are due some real snow. However, because we don't get it often, we are not often prepared for it, either with tools or with training. A lot of the issues around snow days are greatly eased by having certain behaviours already worked out with your dog. However, even if you don't have those down now, you can work on them between now and the next cold snap and still enjoy this one while it is here.
Being prepared for the cold weather and taking your time to suitably manage it for your dog will make everything as fun as it can be.
Your dog's coat & feet
Even if your dog does not end up with big snow balls matted in their fur like the picture, they can still gather little bits of ice in the hairier parts of their coat and in particular between their toes. It is very important to keep an eye on them running around in the snow and look to clear off any accumulations both obvious and not so obvious. This is a bigger issue on dogs who have longer lengths of coat but the snow and ice can catch between any dog's pads. Watch for your dog lifting their paws higher than usual as they walk in the snow or ice as an indicator that they are getting a little too cold.
Treats and water
I am a big proponent of treats, especially searching for treats in the grass or in scrub that is safe. However, in the snow, as fun as this is, you will need to keep it to a minimum. Remember that when snuffling through the snow your dog's nose is pushing through the snow and so significantly cooling the blood running through those blood vessels and thus cooling down the body. They are also then swallowing a lot of colder water which will also cool them down faster. The same goes for water, ideally only give them room warm water during these cold spells.
Try to keep to giving treats by hand or getting your dog to catch them if they have learned a catch yet.
Drying off and warming up
Once you are home or in the car to head home, remember to spend time drying off your dog and warming them up gradually. There are excellent microfibre dog mats and beds that help them dry off quickly while they lie on them. Check all the nooks and crannies to make sure everywhere is dry. This includes in the ears, under the chin and between the toes.
If you haven't taught it yet, something very important to teach your dog is 'towel hugs'. This is a defined stop at a mat inside the door where we dry our dogs from head to toe going over all body parts to make sure they are dry and warm.
Winter gear
There are lots of different options for jackets and boots for dogs, some excellent, others more of a gimmick. While I strongly recommend jackets and potentially boots for some dogs, especially for those dogs without a double coat, they should not be bought and put on straight away. You need to spend time teaching your dog how to wear them and be comfortable wearing them, just like you would for a good harness.
One thing that most dogs are very comfortable with, but only to be used under supervision, is a doggy microfibre dressing gown. It is just like a jacket but very useful for the trip home from the park in the car to help dry them off en route.