logo here

It’s that time of year again.  The air is nippy and your pup’s feeling chilly, especially during those long walks.  Walking your dog during the wintertime is a much more challenging venture for those who live in northern climates than it is during the summertime.

During the winter it can be tempting to simply stop walking the dog altogether, by letting them go in the back yard or as I am occasionally guilty of, holding the leash out the front door long enough for them to go pee.  Don’t look at me that way!  It’s very cold up here in the winter.

However, tempting this idea may be, you should still take your dog on a full on regular walk every day.  That means getting bundled up and braving the cold.  While you are getting bundled up, remember to do the same for your dog.  A warm doggy sweater can do your pet a world of good.  Most people mistakenly believe that pets don’t need the same kind of protection that we do because of their fur coats.  This is wrong.  Get your dog a sweater or a little doggy coat and put it on them before going for that walk.

Your dog’s unprotected feet are another thing to keep in mind during walks.  We don’t notice it because we’re wearing shoes, but snow and icy sidewalks are cold and can be painful.  A nice daily walk will help keep your dog exercised and use pent up energy.  Just don’t prolong their time out in the cold. 

Plus, when your dog comes in from being outdoors take an old towel and dry them off.  You may want to provide a warm spot just inside the house where the pup can sit down.  You may also notice your doggy, cleaning and licking at their feet when they come in from the cold.  Don’t worry, they are just removing the ice, dirt and irritating salt that may have gotten into the pads of their feet.