Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Does your dog love resting in a sunny patch on your front porch or spend a lot a time romping in the backyard? If so, the winter season can prove to be a rude awakening for your four-legged bestie. While some dogs are covered in fur, most of them are simply unable to bear low temperatures for prolonged periods.

This winter, you need to make sure that your little pup is well-cared for and stays warm for the harsh weather conditions – whether it is for going in the backyard to play and having fun or simply for a short stroll on the road. While every dog may have different preferences and needs, these 9 tips to prep a dog for the winters will help you get started!

Don’t Go for a Walk with Your Dog Too Often

Your dog should spend minimum time outdoors. The more time your four-legged companion spends outside in the chilly weather, the more likely it is to get frostbite or hypothermia or ingest antifreeze. Whether yellow or white, your pup shouldn’t consume excessive amounts of snow as it may be covering hidden harmful objects that can cause an upset stomach if ingested.

Buy a Sweater or Jacket for Your Pup

Some dogs come with their own lush coats, such as malamutes and huskies. These breeds can cope with the winter chill more easily than dogs with little to no hair. If you own a whippet, Chihuahua, miniature pinscher, or greyhound, it may be best to get a warm sweater or jacket for your pup if you decide to spend outdoor time with it.

To get a sweater that fits your dog well, measure the size of your dog from across the shoulders, around the chest, and around the neck. Search for jackets or sweaters that provide a perfect snug without being too tight. Opt for one that is free of any extra accessories or irritating zippers that can easily become a choking hazard. Remember, not all dogs tolerate wearing a piece of warm clothing. If your dog refuses to wear one, simply limit outdoor time for your precious one.

Provide Your Dog with a Cozy Spot to Rest

A thick blanket and a soft, cozy bed can provide sufficient warmth for your pet dog during cold seasons. If your pup has its own little sleeping corner that it prefers to rest in and is particularly chilly, get a self-warming pet mat that can help retain the body heat of your dog. You can also opt for a mat that comes with a microwavable heating pad. Your top priority is to provide your dog with maximum comfort. Therefore make sure that it can easily get in and out of bed on its own.

Allow Limited Outdoor Time

While you may love winters and the chilly breeze that comes with it, even the furriest of animals can get cold during cold seasons. Their tail, paws, and ears are prone to frostbite. Even though exercise, playtime, and frequent walks are essential for your pup’s health, leaving it outdoors during winter for a long time is highly discouraged. Supervise your pet at all times and once you see that it is uncomfortable, get inside right away.

Protect Your Pooch from Heaters

Since most of the dogs are not too fond of the winter season, they often seek heat by snuggling to heating sources. If you want to avoid getting your pet burned, it is best to install baseboard radiator covers instead of space heaters. Even fireplaces can be risky for your dog. Therefore, remember that a pet-proof system is crucial for keeping your heat-seeking pup out of harm’s way!

Do Not Overfeed Your Dog

When you decide to provide your dog with an extra layer of protection in winter, make sure that the layer comes from a coat and not fat. Cold temperatures translate to lazy behavior and, therefore, require animals to consume fewer calories. Keep a check on the activity level of your dog and adjust the amount of food you provide it accordingly. Whole foods that are of high-quality can ensure sufficient energy and a healthy coat for the wintertime.

Moisturize Your Pet Dog

Cold and dry weather can harm your pet dog’s skin. Add a coat and skin supplement to your pup’s food to prevent flaky, dry skin. You can also use natural moisturizers such as coconut oil to keep your dog’s coat healthy. If you see that your pet’s tail, ears, or paws cracking, you can use coconut oil topically as well.

Keep Your Pup Hydrated

Your dog can easily dehydrate in the winter. While many pups tend to eat snow, it isn’t an adequate alternative for clean freshwater. If your dog loves spending time outdoors, even in the winter, make sure that it has access to a water bowl at all times. Moreover, check the bowl often to see if any ice has formed on top.

Watch Out for Frostbite or Hypothermia

Dogs are sensitive to cold and are susceptible to frostbite or hypothermia during winters. However, if you, as a dog parent, are well aware of these conditions, you can easily keep your pet safe. Extended exposure to chilly weather can result in hypothermia, which is a life-threatening condition. Frostbite, on the other hand, is a tissue injury related to the temperature that often occurs on a dog’s tail, feet, scrotum, or ears.

If you see any symptoms like shivering, weak pulse, lethargy, or shallow breathing in your dog, it may be suffering from hypothermia. If the signs are more inclined towards skin discoloration, blisters, swelling, it may have frostbite. No matter the case, it would be best to take your pooch to a warm, dry place immediately and visit a vet as soon as possible.

Bottom Line

When you adopt a dog, you decide to take on a huge responsibility. Whether it is summer or winter, you need to provide all the necessary care to your pup. Therefore, use the tips mentioned above to keep your dog warm, safe, and protected during the chilly winter weather!

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.