topic Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog in Community Chat

Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

Marp2 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 17:56:11 GMT

We are under a Wind Chill Watch: "Wind chill values...as low as 25 below due to temperatures 3 below to 13 above zero...and winds northwest 15 TO 25 MPH with gusts up to 40 MPH."

It will be the coldest I've experienced since I lived in upstate NY in the late 60s. My little 12 pound dog has never experienced anything near as cold as forecast.

Keeping in mind that when my little guy sees me reach for his jacket he runs and hides under the bed to avoid having it put on anyone have any suggestions for when he has to go out beyond keep it short?

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

Luv2Decorate — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 17:58:36 GMT

Keep the area shoveled and clear. I'll stand outside with him if he won't go out. However our yorkie stands by the slider to go out and bark at the snow! I have to yell for him to come back in

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

pattypeep — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 17:59:37 GMT

My little guy didn't like his coat at first, either. He would go into his crate. I started closing the crate door before reaching for his coat. Now, he just lets me put it on him.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

bells4me — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:06:17 GMT

My Chi's love the snow. They run out, do their business & come right back. My older one will only go as far as the front deck & go.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

kdgn — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:13:43 GMT

Grab him first, then grab the coat. Put it on him in an enclosed room where he can't hide before you attempt to put his coat on him.

Have a treat handy too-sometimes bribery works.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

RedTop — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:14:24 GMT

Here in southern WV, we're under a winter storm warning and wind chill advisory as well, and are preparing to bring our two 60+ pound dogs into our basement. The dogs are outside dogs, and will not be satisfied in the house. Regardless of weather, they are happy outside. Most of the time you will find them lying on the ground outside, instead of inside their dog houses. Both dogs hate insulating materials inside their dog houses; whether it's pieces of carpet, old rugs, old blankets, or cedar bedding, and they take less time pulling it out than you spent putting it in there. I fully understand the need to bring them in, and we always heed the warning to do so, but it's never an easy, or pretty situation.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

scotttie — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:16:42 GMT

I worry more about my dogs paws...than a sweater.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

AnikaBrodie — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:22:00 GMT

Our two dogs, a cairn terrier and a keeshond, love the snow!! I and/or DH always go out with them and limit their time outside in this bitter cold weather. My cairn will go out, do his potty routine, come in and in 15 to 20 minutes want back out to eat snow. He loves to eat snow. Why? I do not know.

Our kees loves the snow too. She has a warm double coat (the warmest fur coat you can have) and would stay out for hours if I'd let her. That's not happening in sub-zero weather we're having these days. She loves to romp in the snow and will never stay in the path made for her.

Yesterday's real feel was minus 18; I think today will be better. But they're predicting freezing rain for this afternoon and evening. Now, that's another story.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

patbz — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:28:21 GMT

I set up a fenced run in the garage and line it with brown paper. My proxies do their business there if it is much below 20, then they come back inside.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

PIT-HAG Melissa — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:32:42 GMT

My girl is 50 Lbs and I have to carry her when the ice and salt hit her paws... ( she will not wear boots or a coat for anything)

In order to keep her warm I bring a thick towel or small blanket..put her down to go then pick her back up and wrap ASAP..

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

scotttie — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:36:09 GMT

On 1/5/2014 EMTHeart13 said:
My girl is 50 Lbs and I have to carry her when the ice and salt hit her paws... ( she will not wear boots or a coat for anything)

In order to keep her warm I bring a thick towel or small blanket..put her down to go then pick her back up and wrap ASAP..

THat might work for us. My Milo is only about 20-22 pounds.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

PIT-HAG Melissa — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 18:38:30 GMT

beammeupscottie-

It DEFINITELY helps...

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

Voots — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:02:56 GMT

Poor little Teddy! Jasmine goes quickly when it's really cold. Not much sniffing around. Of course she's more accustomed to the cold than Teddy. She's been wearing a Snuggie, which she seems to like.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

Marp2 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:19:48 GMT

The small blanket idea might work, he really likes the fleece throws. A towel, on the other hand, is even more dreaded than the jacket. Towel=bath.

I'm beginning to think that making him hold it until the last possible moment so he has to rush might be my best approach. He is one of those so many trees, blades of grass, leaves, etc. so little time kind of dogs. Sniff, sniff, sniff and then start over and sniff, sniff, sniff. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

kdgn — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:30:05 GMT

When it's been unusually cold in the mornings my two do not do the sniff every spot in the yard before they go. They hit the ground running, do their business and head straight on in. Once it starts to warm up it's a different story.

When it's snowed they investigate. I'm freezing and they're checking out the snow.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

AnikaBrodie — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:35:59 GMT

On 1/5/2014 beammeupscottie said:
I worry more about my dogs paws...than a sweater.

We use a veterinary ointment called Sergeant's Veterinary Balm which is available at most pet stores. We routinely apply it to the dogs paws this time of year and, although it has an odor, they don't mind it being applied. Its use includes dry cracked skin and paws, superficial abrasions and chafing. It can be used for dogs and cats and lasts a long time.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

Marianne1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:36:32 GMT

I have a peekapoo that rings the bell to go out constantly to play in the snow. She is small, but furry!

The rain, not so much, but the cold is ok by her.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

PIT-HAG Melissa — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 19:38:41 GMT

Well we just came in and I forgot to mention my baby LOVES running in snow but forgets she is getting older ...Once we cleared the salt I put her down in the park across the street and she went crazy and found herself sunk ..I dug her out then she finished the rest of her business quickly..

EVERY time someone sees me carry her they stop to make sure she is ok... It's very sweet especially since most know how feisty she is toward strangers...

ETA- Marp towels don't bother Nala at all... She has special microfiber doggie ones so she doesn't even notice the human kind...LOL

BUT as SOON as she hears my shower/bath water she darts to the corner and tries to shove herself behind/under anything... It's hilarious..

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

occasionalrain — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 21:28:41 GMT

For dog paws try Musher's Secret on their paws to protect them. It what is used on dog sled dogs. You could also train your small dog to use a pee pad indoors. They are sold in pet stores everywhere.

Re: Suggestions for Bitter Cold & Small Dog

CrazyDaisy — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 21:44:23 GMT

On 1/5/2014 occasional rain said:
For dog paws try Musher's Secret on their paws to protect them. It what is used on dog sled dogs. You could also train your small dog to use a pee pad indoors. They are sold in pet stores everywhere.

I agree with Musher's Secret, it is very effective in the bitter cold weather. I have it disagree with training them to go indoors. It is better to train them to go on command. This is the best thing I have ever done. I will tell my dog to "go potty" and she knows no sniffing and to do her business. It is very helpful when you are in a hurry or otherwise do not have the time to wait for nature to take its course.