Surviving Winter

1.      Maintain and check your equipment regularly.

-        If your equipment is going to fail at any time, it will likely happen in the cold. Keep your leather goods from cracking or splitting with regular cleaning and conditioning. Store any metal pieces such as safety clips or leash snaps indoors to prevent them from sticking open or closed, and wipe them clean and dry after use. Battery powered/electric equipment such as e-collars or electric fence systems are most prone to failures in cold weather, so check that each piece is charged and working before use.

2.       Stock up on puzzle toys and long-lasting chews.

-        New England winters always include a smattering of brutal storms, often meaning a halt to all driving and even outdoor walking activities. For these days, make sure you always have bully sticks, bones, or puzzle toys on hand to give your dog something to do on days when you plan on staying in. Chewing relieves stress, and puzzle toys expend mental energy to help keep your pooch from bouncing off the walls while you work from home, take care of your children, or just relax.

3.       Wax up those paws pre-walk.

-        Hate the snowballing that occurs on your dog's paws after a romp in the frosty woods? Smear a thin coating of Musher's Secret paw wax to your pup's pads before heading outside, and the snow won't stick. That means no painful ice clumping under-paw, and no snowballs melting all over the house after your walk. This ointment also prevents pads from cracking and becoming sore on even the driest of days. If you don't have Mushers Secret available, Bag Balm does just as good a job and is easily found at your local farm supply store.

4.       Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

-        Be sure to offer plenty of water before, during, and after excursions to keep your dog hydrated in the arid winter air, and to minimize self-hydrating by snow intake. Eating snow in small amounts is no big deal, but in larger quantities, it can be unsafe. Snow may contain unknowns such as antifreeze, non-pet-safe ice melt, or other harmful contaminants. Nix excessive snow eating by always having fresh water on hand and offering it to your dog frequently.

5.      Feed as required, not as is routine.

-        The majority of dogs get less exercise during the winter season. Snow, sleet, ice, and frigid cold can make a normal 'walk in the park' less than desirable for both humans and canines. The less you are walking your dog, the fewer calories they will burn, and the less food they need to maintain a healthy weight. On the flip side, if you're maintaining the same exercise routine or have a hardy dog who kennels outdoors, they will use more calories working in the cold and deep snow and may need an increase in food intake. Be sure to regularly physically assess even your fluffiest of pooches for weight gain or loss, and adjust feedings as necessary.

6.       Know the breed you have

-        Each dog has a different threshold for cold tolerance, and this is greatly dependent on your dog's breeding. Have a Newfoundland? Great! They, and many other hardy, double-coated breeds, have a much higher tolerance to cold and can handle staying out in harsher conditions, and for longer periods of time. Your greyhound, Shih-tzu, Weimaraner, or Pug may not be as enticed by the outdoors, so bundle them up as needed, and keep a careful eye for signs of chill such as shivering, whining, excessive licking of paws, holding paws off the ground, or tucking tails. If you do see any of those signs while outside in the cold, it's time to go back inside and consider adding a layer, or even doggy boots for the next time.

7.      Exercise and train inside on the truly cold days

-        Frigid temperatures combined with wet conditions are a recipe for frostbite and chills. On the coldest of cold winter days, it's best to opt for short potty walks and indoor exercise. Now is a great time to sign up for a Zoom training class with your dog, teach that party trick you've been dying to get just right, or fine-tune your obedience skillset. If you and fido are sick of training at home, take a trip to your local dog-friendly hardware store or greenhouse for a fun and stimulating (but still cozy) change of scenery. For working breeds like the Belgian Malinois, Border Collie, or just an energetic pup, investing in a treadmill can be a true lifesaver during inclement weather. Be sure to consult your trainer before attempting to teach your dog to exercise on a treadmill, and always keep an eye on them while it is in use.

8.      Keep up on tick, flea, and worm prevention

-        The cold weather isn't as much of a deterrent for pests as common myth might have you think. Ticks, fleas, and other parasites are still out in abundance throughout the winter, which is why continuing preventative care all year long is important. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about what type of parasite control best suits your dog, your environment, and your lifestyle, to keep them protected this winter.

Aileen Whitty, Wag & Whinny, LLC; serving pets and people of the NH/ME Seacoast area