Just because your dog is big and muscular or has long hair doesn’t mean he isn’t cold or cold-natured. Super Smiley is a big, muscular dog, and he is super cold-natured! So Megan Blake, The Pet Lifestyle Coach®, has some grrrreat Cold Weather Tips for our Best Friends.
Here are her Top 5, from her We Begin Now™ Dog Training series:
Keep ‘em indoors! Exposed skin like paw pads, noses and ears are extra vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite.
Dress for winter! Yep, get your dog a sweater or coat! That extra layer of insulation may be just what he needs to stay warm on walks or even in a cooler than normal house.
Avoid salted or chemically treated sidewalks or surfaces while out walking. The salt or chemicals could be irritating or seriously damaging to paw pads.
Know your pet! Smiley is a big muscular dog, but when he hiked across New England in the Winter, Megan discovered he was Mega cold natured. So watch for what your dog tells you with his body language. Know his physical condition. Is he thick coated or almost bare? Does he have short legs that will put his body closer to the cold ground? Does he have a physical condition like diabetes, kidney disease or a hormonal imbalance that makes it hard for hid body temperature to regulate? Is he old and thin? Your dog will let you know he needs something, and he’s counting on you to see his signals and help him!
Take her signals seriously! Is she’s shivering, slowing down, shutting down, whining, stopping, looking for a place to burrow or climbing up onto your lap, get her inside and warmed up immediately. Frostbite is very serious, can leave permanent damage, and may not appear for several days. So if you suspect your pet experienced hypothermia, call your veterinarian right away.
Stay safe and warm everybody! And… Be sure to join Megan’s “We Begin Now™" Dog Training Classes on Zoom every Sunday at 4:30ET. Email Megan directly at WeBeginNow8@MeganBlake.com to get the Zoom link and class info! It’s free! Presented by Greensboro Downtown Parks. To learn more about Megan’s dog training, go to www.WeBeginNow.com!
And remember, wherever you are with your dog, We Begin Now!
Need a brush up on more from Megan? Check out more from her under the Pets tab of our blog.
The Pet Lifestyle Coach®, Megan Blake is a Greensboro Downtown Parks program partner. The work she does with us is critical to providing FREE pets programming to our park community. As we make our way through these unprecedented times, consider how you might support local Greensboro non-profits like us, as well as businesses like, artists, entrepreneurs, makers, and more. We'll continue to bring you free programming through our digital platforms and look forward to having you join us and Megan back in the parks soon!
GDPI Pets Programs are sponsored by Green Lincoln.
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