Winter Dog Walking Tips: Keeping Your Canine Safe and Comfortable in Cold Weather

Winter walks offer fresh air and plenty of exercise for dogs, but cold weather brings it's own unique challenges. Sometimes these challenges are as small as not being able to get your dog out of their warm bed on a cold day, but others can cause more serious issues, like injuries to paws or gastric upset. This guide shares practical tips to keep your dog safe, warm, and happy during winter outings.

Keeping Your Dog Safe in Winter

There are many hazards to consider, and not only for your dog. Nobody wants to get caught falling over on the icy paths! Grit salt is common on paths and roads in the winter months, but walking on salted or gritty paths can cause discomfort and injury to your dog’s paws. Grit salt can dry out paw pads, cause cracking, or even lead to chemical burns. Dogs may try to lick the salt from their paws and ingest the salt, which can lead to gastric upset, and nobody wants to deal with the side effects of that!

• Wipe feet after walks: Grit salt from pathways and roads can cause skin irritation, such as redness, dryness and cracking. It is important to rinse any salt away after every walk to avoid any issues developing. You can also use this opportunity to check your dogs paw pads for any injuries or irritation. Make sure to wipe between the toes too!

• Use dog booties: to shield paws from salt and grit, especially on longer walks. It may take a little encouragement and training to get your dog to accept boots, so don't be disheartened if they don't work for your dog straight away!

• Consider keeping your dog on a lead if it is snowing: Snow can cover holes, uneven ground and hazards on the ground. Snow is also a very good sound dampener, so it can make recalling your dog more difficult. To avoid your dog hurting themselves or running off and getting lost, consider keeping them on lead so you can better regulate where they explore.

• Don't let your dog walk on frozen ponds: It is very hard to establish if the ice is thick enough to maintain your dog's weight and it can be easy for them to fall through. If your dog falls through the ice, try to encourage them to swim to you, rather than following them out onto the ice.

  Keep your dog away from antifreeze: It is a highly toxic substance to dogs, so it is important to mop up any spills, and keep bottles out of their reach. It has a sweet taste, so can be tempting for some dogs to lick.

Managing Cold Weather Comfort on Walks

Cold temperatures affect dogs differently depending on their breed, size, age and coat. Some dogs, especially small or short-haired breeds, may need extra help staying warm during the winter months, nobody wants to see their beloved friend shivering on a walk! Some dogs are just generally less keen on the cold, or may be more prone to cold stress; it can sometimes be beneficial for these types of dogs to make particularly cold walks shorter, you don't want to be miserable in the cold if you don't have to be!

• Use coats in cold or wet weather: a lot of dogs tend to pick up dirt and damp on their bellies and legs, and this can make them cold, especially in short haired or smaller dogs. Using a coat limits the contact with the dirt and wet and helps prevent them getting cold and makes for a much happier pooch!

• Limit time spent in cold water: Although a lot of dogs love to splash and swim whatever the weather, it is important to keep an eye on them and restrict playtime so they do not get too cold. Many dogs need encouragement to leave the water as they are having too much fun!

• Dry your dog thoroughly with a towel: If your dog has been swimming, try to dry as much of them as you can. Even getting the worst of the wet off can help them to better regulate their temperature. Towel drying can also help a muddy dog not look quite so bad when you get home! Letting the mud dry and brushing it off later can save lots of baths!

• Brush your dog regularly: It's a great time to inspect your dog's coat and body condition and check for debris in their coat, as well as get all the mud out from earlier!

• Watch for signs of cold stress: Dogs will often slow down, have a hunched posture, shiver and may whine to indicate that they are cold. Dry off your dog as best as possible and then get them inside in the warm and dry as soon as possible. If your dog does not warm up when dry and in warmer conditions, consult your vet for advice.

Useful Training for Winter Walks

Winter brings less cover for wildlife and more outdoor activities like bird shoots, increasing the risk of your dog chasing after animals. Whilst the risk of encountering wildlife is always present, there is often more opportunities during winter for your dog to take chase. The limited ground cover can help you track your dog if they do run off after wildlife, and consistently working on recall will ensure that they return quickly after taking chase. Training regularly with your dog is so important, and can be very rewarding! Training is a lifelong task that helps you bond and maintain trust between you and your dog.

• Practice reliable recall so your dog returns promptly when called. Try to practice with distractions such as other dog and people, as can help teach your dog to disengage even when there are interesting or fun things around to interact with, and gives you more of a chance of recalling your dog if they take chase after wildlife.

• Teach an emergency stop command to halt your dog immediately if needed. As with all training, this can take a while to teach and requires patience and consistency. If you are not sure where to start, I can help you with this cue, just ask!

• Use a long line or leash in open areas where wildlife or other hazards may appear. You can also take your dog to a safe enclosed area to blow off some steam risk free.

• Reward calm behaviour around distractions to reinforce good habits. This can be as simple as vocal praise, such as "good", or giving a small treat. If your dog struggles to remain calm, ensure they are kept on the lead, move away from the distraction, and then reward when your dog engages with you again.

Although I know plenty of us would rather be sitting in front of a cosy fire under a blanket at this time of the year, it is great for you and your dog's health to blow away the cobwebs and get out in the bracing winter air for a walk. There are plenty of tracks that can still be conquered in the wintertime, just make sure you bring your wellies!