Dogs during the winter (Duluth: apartment, house, dangerous)

[kedo]

Hello everybody,

I am new to the area and have dogs. They are already from a cold climate and are ok running and playing in the snow, but temperatures below 0 weren't very common. When the temps really dip and the wind chill is dangerous, what precautions (for the dogs) does everybody take when taking their dogs out? We are currently in an apartment until we get to know the area better, so we do have to walk them around several times a day.

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks.

[golfgal]

Depends on the dog. If the dog has short hair, probably a sweater if you are walking for more than a couple blocks. If its a medium to long hair dog, just make sure his/her pads are clean and free of snow/ice if you are walking through snow/ice build up on sidewalks, etc.

Our dog won't go for walks in the winter. She will walk to the end of the driveway, maybe go a block, then laydown and refuse to move . She is little and short haired. She gets plenty of exercise chasing rabbits in our back yard though.

[xandrex]

As golfgal said, it really depends on the dog.

I personally don't have one here in the city, but at my family's house in Duluth, we had up to three dogs not that long ago. It's hard to even determine a dog's ability to deal with cold based on size: My family had a chihuahua that frequently went outside in below-zero temps for anywhere from 5-45 minutes with no issues.

That said, it can't hurt to get a sweater or vest (maybe that uses velcro for easy on-off) and if your dog's feet seem sensitive to lots of snow and cold, get them some boots.

[uptown_urbanist]

My parents sometimes put dog boots (a kind made for sled dogs) on their dog when it's cold and icy outside. It's kind of a hassle, though, and it's not an everyday kind of thing. Their dog is hairy and doesn't need or want a sweater. If you have a tiny hairless dog I assume the recommendation would be different!

[MnMomma]

We are new dog owners. He has very short hair, so we did get him a coat that covers his belly and has little sleeves that we use for walks.

Just follow your dog's lead. Ours definitely lets us know when he wants to go back inside. The cold doesn't seem to bother him too much, but wind and blowing snow drive him back inside very quickly. If the weather reports says it's going to be especially blustery one day, I try to get him more exercise the day before.

[pete6032]

Originally Posted by MnMomma

Just follow your dog's lead. Ours definitely lets us know when he wants to go back inside.

Best advice. If you dog is shivering, its probably too cold. You can tell because in the summer if you let them out to go to the bathroom they'll take their time and mosy around. When its really cold out they go right away and are back and the door in 30 seconds wanting to come in.

[vivithemage]

What kind of dog? My huskies could care if it was -40F out, haha.

[katmu]

I too think it depends on the dog.

My current dog, a 3 yr old Pointer/Lab/Beagle mix was brought from a shelter in Alabama to the Humane Society here last fall before I adopted her. I will never forget the look on her face the 1st time she saw snow.

She still doesn't love walking on it but when it's light and fluffy, she wants to eat it.

My last Lab loved winter.