[nagdu] dog winterization

Sun Dec 4 20:20:02 UTC 2011

I only use a coat.  That just keeps the snow off Holly's fur.  Boots she 
won't wear!  I don't work her when the ice is jagged and rough outside 
because it tears her pads.  Otherwise, we work anytime!  I figure if huskies 
can survive outside all of the time, Holly can go about an hour or so. 
Usually, its not that bad.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Parisian" <eggmann at shaw.ca>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 12:30 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] dog winterization


> Well, here's my 2.5 cents worth.
>
> I live in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada which claims on average to be one of 
> the coldest cities in the world overall during our winter.
>
> Any booties I have tried on my five dogs have either had a tendency to 
> fall off, or collect water when getting on and off various buses, or 
> entering and exiting buildings.  Of course, that means they can freeze in 
> our kind of cold.  We can get weeks where the temperature never reaches 
> above minus 10 Fahrenheit, and that doesn't count wind-chill.  The one 
> positive is the fact that we don't experience a lot of freezing/thawing 
> cycles.  By the way, our prairie summers can be absolutely scorching.
>
> I've had my dogs working quite happily in minus 40 degrees; the real 
> brutal part is waiting for traffic lights, especially on bare cement which 
> tends to be a lot colder than a snow surface.  The same is true when 
> waiting for a bus, unless one is able to use our several bus shelters, 
> some of which are heated by radiators under the bench.  I have placed my 
> dogs on these benches.  Unfortunately, being inside one of those shelters 
> can result in missing a bus.  Depending on other shelterers to tell me 
> when the bus is coming (my bus that is) is a little like Russian Roulette. 
> My eventual planned cell phone should help in that regard since I can then 
> use the various transit tools for bus schedules and the like.
>
> Anyway, I've never had a dog with injured or sore paws in 35 years; I make 
> a point of a foot check including a wipe after each winter trip, 
> especially in the fall and spring.  Maintaining a brisk pace in cold 
> weather helps a lot as well; and if I feel cold, rest assured my dog will 
> also feel cold.  Think of it; these animals don't put on extra clothing 
> before leaving a temperature of 72 degrees into minus 20.  That in itself 
> is amazing to me.
>
> If you have a yard or safe play place, allowing the dog to spend 
> supervised free time is a strategy I've found to be helpful by way of 
> acclimatization; damn, this even works for me.
>
> Doug: never lick a cold lamp post!
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Robert Hooper" <hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu>
> To: "NFB-NAGDU" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 10:17 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] dog winterization
>
>
>> Hello All:
>>
>> I have a few questions regarding winter weather and dogs. Because I live 
>> in Ohio, I experience all kinds of weather-varying from very hot in the 
>> summer and very cold in the winter. Although we rarely experience 
>> temperatures below 0 Fahrenheit, it is not uncommon to see regular 
>> temperatures in the lower thirties, twenties, or teens. I am wondering 
>> how long Bailey can remain outside in such weather. Obviously, I will 
>> forego going outside if it is snowing heavily or dangerously, as that 
>> impedes my navigation ability and would be dangerous for both of us. 
>> However, it is inevitable that I will be outside while snow is on the 
>> ground and the temperature is low. I know to put booties on him if the 
>> sidewalks and roads are salted, but is that the only scenario in which I 
>> would use booties? What is the lowest temperature dogs (German shepherds 
>> in particular) can endure comfortably and for how long? I expect that the 
>> answer varies based on a number of factors (breed and age of the dog, the 
>> dog
>> itself, the pace at which the dog is accustomed to walking, etc.), but I 
>> would still appreciate anyone's input and experience with winter weather, 
>> both mild and harsh. For example, will winter weather clothing be a 
>> necessity for him? Although I ride campus transportation a lot, it is 
>> still likely that I will be outside in 10-15 minute stretches throughout 
>> the day while walking home, to other classes, exams, lunch, etc. I not 
>> only want him to be able to survive this weather, I want him to be 
>> comfortable enough to work in this weather. The only apparel I have for 
>> him at the moment are his booties. Once again, need I concern myself with 
>> anything extra? I appreciate any tips, advice, anecdotes, exhaustive 
>> research and experimentation, etc. that anyone has to offer.
>> Sincerely,
>> Robert Hooper
>> Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu<mailto:Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu>
>> The Ohio State University
>> 0653 Buckeye-Cuyahoga CT
>> 653 Cuyahoga Court
>> Columbus, Ohio 43210
>> (740) 856-8195
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/eggmann%40shaw.ca
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lkeeler%40comcast.net