Fairbanks winter weather and dogs (fit in, credit, house)

[gshurley]

Hello everyone (or anyone),

I am looking at moving to Fairbanks to attend UAF, but am concerned about the cold in the winter for my dogs. They are indoor dogs, but certainly need to go outside to "do their business." How do dogs do in the winter in temperatures so far below zero?

I have 3 boxers (so short hair). Has anyone else had to deal with short haired dogs in Fairbanks? I currently live in a desert environment, so the change would be drastic for them (and me).

Thanks for any info from other dog owners!

[Teak]

Originally Posted by gshurley

Hello everyone (or anyone),

I am looking at moving to Fairbanks to attend UAF, but am concerned about the cold in the winter for my dogs. They are indoor dogs, but certainly need to go outside to "do their business." How do dogs do in the winter in temperatures so far below zero?

I have 3 boxers (so short hair). Has anyone else had to deal with short haired dogs in Fairbanks? I currently live in a desert environment, so the change would be drastic for them (and me).

Thanks for any info from other dog owners!

Your boxers will probably grow some thicker hair once the cold weather sets in, but maybe not enough to become outdoor dogs. I know that some people keep indoor dogs and allow them to do their thing indoors, on paper or other material (wood chips, sand), and clean up later.

You are probably quite attached to your dogs so the next bit of advice would be for those who have not yet obtained dogs. Like winter clothing, it is best to wait until you arrive in Alaska to get your dogs. That way you will get dogs that are adapted to the state's weather and you will fit in with the locals right away. Sled-dog breeds always live outdoors and are well-adapted to it.

[RayinAK]

What Teack said is fine. You can wait until you arrive here. I imagine that you would want to use paw booties for the dogs, and also a sort of jacket (more like a quilted blanket) that is placed over their backs for a few weeks until they can get used to the cold. Since your are indoors dogs like mine, all you have to do is to take them outside for short periods of time so they can do their thing. Soon enough they learn to be fast But keep your eyes on them in case their paws get cold, in which case you may have to pick them up and bring them inside. I imagine that you will live off campus, because dogs aren't allowed in campus housing.

Now, if you are arriving in the middle of the winter, you may want to buy some "dog coats" ahead of time, and a set of booties for each. Take a look:
dog coats - Google Search
Don't buy coats made with plastic materials, just something soft and war such as Fleece and such. Plastic materials are fine in warm, but not cold weather because it stiffens and restrict movement (sort like when wearing a tight-fitting set of Carhartt coveralls)

[Teak]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Now, if you are arriving in the middle of the winter, you may want to buy some "dog coats" ahead of time, and a set of booties for each. Take a look:
dog coats - Google Search
Don't buy coats made with plastic materials, just something soft and war such as Fleece and such. Plastic materials are fine in warm, but not cold weather because it stiffens and restrict movement (sort like when wearing a tight-fitting set of Carhartt coveralls)

Dog booties and coats sound like a good idea.

If I had an indoor dog that needed the outdoors for toilet duty, I think that I would get a few straw bales in storage. Then, when doggy wanted to go, I would scatter some straw over the snow where I wanted him/her to go. (Tramp the snow down first.) This would allow doggy to have feet on straw rather than cold ground. It would also mark where doggy was going so that humans could avoid the area. And finally, in the spring, carbonaceous straw plus frozen dog turd (high in N) would be a great addition to a compost pile.

Just a thought.

[gshurley]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Yeah, if I did not have dogs already, I would never have boxers in Fairbanks!

One of my dogs is brain damaged, so little booties or a coat will not work for him - he will act out very badly (he gets aggressive when scared). Long story, but trust me, he is the most challenging to work with in this situation.

I read online that the biggest threat to dogs in the winter is frost bite to their feet. That was when I started thinking about an enclosed area for the yard so they would not have to walk in snow or experience the coldest temperatures (at least no wind chill).

I have been thinking of basically adding on an enclosed/partially insulated area to the house (I would be buying - I am an adult returning student), which would include some of the yard and straw as the "floor" - connect to the house through two sets of doggy doors (doggy door, tunnel, another doggy door) -- or is this idea insane with -60 degree weather? I am thinking the enclosed area still would be just as cold as the outside temperature, minus any wind chill. Anyone else every done something crazy/stupid like this?

[akpls]

You see lots of "indoor" dogs around. The dogs are not stupid.....when it's really nasty cold outside they go out, do their thing, and head for the door back inside.

[girlbuffalo1]

Well Indiana isn't Alaska but my dogs do just fine in the few subzero weeks (and they are small 17 lbs and 7lbs)--I only let them out for a about a minute and that's all they get to go. Sometimes I put a coat on the smaller one.

You can always keep the show shoveled on the section of yard that you want them to use.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by gshurley

Thanks for all the suggestions. Yeah, if I did not have dogs already, I would never have boxers in Fairbanks!

One of my dogs is brain damaged, so little booties or a coat will not work for him - he will act out very badly (he gets aggressive when scared). Long story, but trust me, he is the most challenging to work with in this situation.

I read online that the biggest threat to dogs in the winter is frost bite to their feet. That was when I started thinking about an enclosed area for the yard so they would not have to walk in snow or experience the coldest temperatures (at least no wind chill).

I have been thinking of basically adding on an enclosed/partially insulated area to the house (I would be buying - I am an adult returning student), which would include some of the yard and straw as the "floor" - connect to the house through two sets of doggy doors (doggy door, tunnel, another doggy door) -- or is this idea insane with -60 degree weather? I am thinking the enclosed area still would be just as cold as the outside temperature, minus any wind chill. Anyone else every done something crazy/stupid like this?

You will see boxers, hairless dogs, and everything in between in Fairbanks and vicinity. You asked the questions, and got some answers from people who have indoor dogs (including myself). You can add a heated walkway or a tunnel if you like, but believe me...you will be the only person doing that in Fairbanks Frostbite to their "paws" is very possible if you let them stay outdoors for a long time. Booties help with that when the dog goes outside for just a few minutes. When -35 or so outside, I put a dog coat over my dog and let her go out. It takes a minute of two before she is done.

[gshurley]

All good info for me and the dogs. Now if Congress extends the home buyer tax credit, I can buy a house by late winter and start packing!

[roadfamily6now]

Originally Posted by girlbuffalo1

You can always keep the show shoveled on the section of yard that you want them to use.

Good Luck with that!