[nagdu] Extreme Cold

[Daryl Marie]

Dudley,
Very true!  Since I don't know what type of climate we're talking about, I think this general advice is a good start!
Jenny doesn't mind the winter; she wears her PAWZ boots because of the ice and snow and salt on the sidewalks, particularly when it is cold (I live in Alberta, Canada, where for 3-6 months of the year the temperature is constantly far below freezing).  I also ahve sweaters for her, and they make working in the more extreme cold much more pleasant for her (she doesn't shake as much), and I am thinking of getting her a 3-way jacket with the warm liner and the waterproof shell.

We don't walk more than we have to in the extreme cold, but Jenny's a trooper and will even play outside for brief pariods if it is cold but not windy.

Nimer, where are you from? Perhaps then we can provide more information if we know what you are dealing with?

Daryl
----- Original Message -----
From: Dudley Hanks via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: 'Nimer Jaber' <nimerjaber1 at gmail.com>, 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 07:53:07 -0600 (MDT)
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Extreme Cold

As with people, every dog is different;  some work well in cold, others
can't take it.

In general, my Guides have had no trouble with extended walks down to about
-25C, after that, a couple have worked eagerly down to around -35C, but one
couldn't take it because of thin 
Fur on his ears.

If you experience temps below -35, I'd look for a mall to walk in and
exercise and try to minimize exposure to an absolute minimum.

Obviously, at these temps, even a light breeze can really cause problems.

Above all, use common sense.

Check if your Guide is lifting it's paws when not walking, whining, head
shaking, or general shivering.

If you put boots on your Guide, you shouldn't have trouble with snow getting
caught in between your Guide's toes.  But, if you have a Guide who hates
boots and your Guide starts limping because he or she has little snowballs
stuck between the pads and the toe webbing, clean them out immediately.

Also, try not to let your Guide eat too much snow.  It can induce shivering,
and can wreak havoc with your Guide's relieving schedule.

Whatever your routine, your Guide will get accustomed to it, but a longer
than normal walk or a colder day than normal can be tough for your Guide to
work through.

Take Care,
Dudley, with Michener

 : nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nimer Jaber via
nagdu
Sent: September-28-14 4:10 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Extreme Cold

Hello,

While I have dealt with cold before, I have not dealt with the extreme 
cold that will be present where I reside. Does anyone have any 
suggestions or recommendations for working a dog in these types of 
conditions? Boots will come on if it gets too cold and/or they begin 
putting salt down and I have done this before...but are there certain 
things that I should know about working in this type of an environment?

Thanks.

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