[nagdu] Your thoughts on cold-weather gear

Thu Nov 20 11:05:30 UTC 2014

I live in Nebraska and it gets artic here.  Last week was the first cold of 
the season.  It moved in literally overnight.  We went from mid 50's to 
single digits.  Everyone was miserable.

Usually the temps slide down over weeks so we all have time to acclimate. 
It makes a big difference when you have time to get used to the cold.  I 
didn't realize how much difference it makes until last week.

I  Have a Doberman and a Boxer mix and they both have coats.  My Boxer mix 
doesn't need his coat as often as the younger and skinnier Doberman.  Until 
these two I never put a coat on a dog and didn't think it necessary.

Ways I can tell when they are cold...They are each a little different, so 
it's important to know your dog and notice when they are acting differently. 
Shivering, being reluctant to go outside, outright refusing to go out, 
lifting feet, stopping for no apparent reason when working, slowing down or 
moving much faster are all signs of being cold.  My Doberman will also arch 
her back when she's really, really cold.

So here's what I do.
When we are outside I keep them moving.  No standing around.
I keep them dry.  Wet and cold is way worse than just cold.  If there is 
slush the Doberman wears the boots.  The slushy snow doesn't seem to both my 
Boxer mix, unless there are chemicals in it.
When it first got really cold, I minimized the length of time we were out 
but increased the frequency.  I needed her to get used to the cold, but 
didn't want her to get frostbite or something.
In her relieving place, I realized it was important that she have a patch 
where there wasn't any snow.  We also rearranged some bins and the snow 
blower to make a windbreak for her relieving spot.   I don't think this will 
work all winter, so I'll have to get creative, but for now it's working 
great.
For the first few days of artic cold, I mainly worked her in indoor places 
where I could get a ride to.  There are no buses in my town.  Yesterday was 
the first time I took her for a long walk strictly for leisure and exercise. 
I put on her coat and boots and she did great!  No shivering, no lifting her 
feet, no refusing to move.  I think she enjoyed getting out after a 
significant break.  We had been walking a couple of miles outdoors daily 
before it got cold.
I also increased her food a bit.   She's a skinny thing with so very little 
body fat, if any.  I don't want to have to put her on a diet come spring, 
but she's such a long, long way from that I can't see it as a problem.

I also think it depends a lot of the fur your dog has.  My oldest dog is a 
lab and something mix.  As she's aged she's really gotten furry.  She 
actually likes the cold.  She'll go outside just to lie on the patio and 
sunbathe...yes, even when it's snowing.  I've never seen her shiver or even 
look like she's slightly chilly.  She's never worn a coat or boots.

Anyway the skinny Doberman is telling me it's feeding time.  I had better 
go!
Julie

-----Original Message----- 
From: Emily Michael via nagdu
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 3:59 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Your thoughts on cold-weather gear

Good afternoon, everyone,

We’ve been having some crisp and chilly days here in sunny Florida, and I’m 
wondering what to do for my pup. Since I’m a first-time handler, York and I 
are experiencing our first winter together. I have a few rudimentary 
questions:

How can you tell when your pup is too cold? What are some easy ways to 
monitor your pup’s temperature?

For chilly days, do you use a sweater or other garments? We don’t have snow, 
so I know he won’t need cold-weather booties, but we walk several outside 
routes during the day. We’ve had temperatures in the low 30s and high 20s 
this week.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

With best,
Emily and York

---
Emily K. Michael
emily.k.michael at gmail.com
Blog: http://areyouseeingthis.wordpress.com/

"Nowhere, Love, will world exist but within."
- Rainer Maria Rilke

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