Winter Walking

As the days are short and the weather not always king, it is very easy to get into the rut of cutting down on outdoor exercise. But with a little common sense and planning, you can make he most of the daylight that you do have. Here are a few things to think about:

Plan ahead and check the weather forecast so that you know what you are dealing with
Keep your walks short and frequent in colder weather
Keep them away from icy water
Think about a reflective or flashing collar when you are out in poor light
Think about a coat for an older dog
If it does snow
- Don’t let them eat too much – you never know what chemicals may be present
- Dry their feet when you get home and check for any splits in their pads
- Keep the hair between their toes clipped
Know the signs that your dog is feeling the cold
Shaking or shivering
Cold ears
Slow movements
Hunched posture with tail tucked
Whining or barking
Seeking shelter
Reluctance to keep going or trying to turn around
Lifting paws off the ground or limping is a sign of cold feet