Lovin’ Your Dog in the Winter

I am married to a veterinarian, so it goes without saying that there will always be animals living in our home. Our rescue dog, Grace, loves to play in the snow, running like a jackrabbit. She often returns to the house with a snow-capped nose, having been searching the ground for the scent of a squirrel. Yet we must monitor the amount of time Grace stays outside in the winter. She was mistreated in her first home and suffered enough abuse that she no longer has hair on a large patch of her coat. The exposure to the cold could cause damage. However, if Grace doesn’t get proper exercise she can be naughty, turning over garbage cans, pulling food off of counters, tearing up her toys. So, to be sure she gets enough exercise, I spoke with Michael Turner, local canine consultant in Southwest Michigan, for tips on how to effectively exercise a dog in the winter.

 

“If you don’t give dogs something to do, they will find something to do you don’t want them doing,” says Turner. “They are inbred to think, ‘What can I get into?’” There are several indoor activities he suggests. 

 

 1. Play hide and seek.

The owner hides, calls the dog, and the dog finds the owner. 

 

2. Play hide and seek a treat.

The owner hides a treat and calls the dog to find it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of these activities also effectively train the dog. “They re-establish you as the boss,” Turner explains. “There is mental and physical stimulation. Also, a well trained dog is easy to live with.” Even with space limitations many of these games can be played in a smaller home.

 

While indoor exercise can do the job, it’s just not the same as allowing a dog to run free outside. “Nothing truly substitutes for outdoor play,” says Turner. Yet, cold, snowy conditions can lead to problems an owner must consider. 

 

My husband, Dr. Ed Blesy, gives some general advice about taking your dog outside in the winter. “No dog can sustain in very low temperatures for a long time. Certain dogs handle winter better than others. If a dog is groomed short, it might need outdoor wear. Small, thin haired dogs need the extra protection if taken out for a longer period of time. The pads may also need to be protected.” 

 

There can be a variety of health related problems for dogs kept outside too long such as cut pads, dermatitis from exposure to harsh salts or frostbite on exposed skin. Yet he agrees with Mr. Turner that exercise is very important and should not be ignored just because of the cold. “The most common problem I see in my patients is weight gain which can lead to a variety of medical conditions.”

 

You must maximize the amount of time you do spend with your dog outside in the winter to ensure healthy weight as well as to use up some excess energy. Mr. Turner offers the following suggestions:

 

1. Take the dog for a walk, but vary the route to give the dog new smells and sights. 

 

2. Allow a dog to run in a dog park or large open field.

 

3. Play Frisbee or catch with a ball.

 

4. Let the dog outside (like in a fenced yard) for a very short time to allow for different exploration and stimulation. 

 

“Vary the activity outside,” says Turner, “and make sure to shovel a potty spot in deep snow. People sometimes think dogs are content to sit on the couch. They have to get up and move.” Really, moving is something the whole family can do together. 

 

We are lucky to have Grace in our lives. Though her puppy days are gone and she no longer puts my son’s pacifiers in her mouth, she still has boundless energy that we are sometimes too tired to acknowledge. But she still needs us. She needs us to play in the house, and she needs us to lug on our boots and head outside. She deserves it, and we will be rewarded with a happier, healthier, better behaved dog!