# Dopers who live in very cold/snowy winter climates: how do you walk your dogs? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 11, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812 "2009-12-11T02:40:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/21 "2009-12-11T17:21:56Z")
People who aren’t used to cold probably suffer more walking their dog when it’s 35F out than someone in Wisconsin at 15 degrees. The good thing about marked cold is that when you let the dog out in the back yard, there’s a lot less sniffing around and dilly-dallying. The beast becomes less picky about site selection and just wants to get back inside\*. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > Actually, as much as I dislike winter, I’m always happy when it dips below 32 and stays there because the dogs bring a lot less mud into the house. Also makes those frozen little turds a little more pleasant to pick up. Just make sure you don’t let too much pile up under repeated snows, or things can get pretty disgusting come spring. Very true, especially when we’re talking Labrador or other large dog. You don’t want to attempt a massive cleanup after spring thaw. \*one must however ensure that the dog has actually performed its task and isn’t hustling back indoors to take a dump. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/22 "2009-12-11T17:22:31Z")
Just got back from 1 hr walk in park. It is warmer than yesterday but the north wind is very biting. It actually feels colder. They both waited to get home to dump in the yard. ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/23 "2009-12-11T17:59:06Z")
N. Wisconsin here. This is the first real cold we’ve had with the new puppy. We have a fenced backyard so we let him out and he goes there just fine. Our previous dogs didn’t have any problem with cold, but new puppy was lifting his feet last night on a walk. I suppose I could get him booties, but I know he’d hate wearing them. Me, I have no problem with the cold. Bundle up and I’m fine. I do worry about the dog. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/24 "2009-12-11T18:09:18Z")
We live less than a mile from a leashless dog park, so we bite the bullet. My husband handles mornings, I do evenings, and on weekends we often go together. It’s good for all of us. One of our two dogs is about half Border Collie, and has energy to burn. We’d all be miserable if she didn’t get enough exercise. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/25 "2009-12-11T18:12:30Z")
The wind is howling, the snow is blowing and the wind chill was in the -20’s when I walked my dog this morning. I just got back, brrr. You bundle up; heavy insulated boots, hat, scarf, gloves + mitts, long, down filled, puffy coat with a hood, sweater. Oh, and my fleece pyjama bottoms tucked into my socks, underneath my cargo pants really help.(Don’t tell anyone!) As for the dog, he doesn’t care at all. He’s a golder retriever/poodle combo and his hair is currently quite short, as I just gave him a cut. Every now and then he limps a bit if the longer hair around his paws freezes up. It means I haven’t cut it short enough, but I just stop and warm it up by rubbing it with my mittens. It seems to do the job! The answer is: the same way we get by in cold climates, dress appropriately. I feel sorry for the 50,000+ students, as we’re currently experiencing a transit strike and they have exams. I saw some actually riding bikes today. Brrrrr! Heartless bastard bus drivers! I hope they all get coal in their stockings! I’m off to start a fire! ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/26 "2009-12-11T18:50:59Z")
I need to get my little guy some booties and a coat. He is very fluffy - but the fur is fine, and underneath he is pretty skinny. I took him for a walk to my daughter’s school to pick her up - it was about -25\*C and he couldn’t walk back - he kept lifting his feet, whining and shivering. I had to carry him - good thing he is small. He hates it when the snow gets high enough to touch his belly, and he is pretty short so my hubby usually plows a play area for him. He keeps asking for a walk, but doesn’ enjoy it when he is out there - it’s been silly cold this week -38\*c with the windchill. As for going out, he goes out, but does his business right away and comes back in like a shot. If I am not waiting at the door, he cries pitifully like he is dying. I had a black lab puppy a few years ago that I got in Oct, and he had less of a problem going outside in the cold. I get him back in the next year or two (when he retires from the RCMP). Dogs go to the bathroom outside. That’s the rule. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/27 "2009-12-11T18:53:25Z")
We are the only full time residents on a dead end road. We have snow about 6 months out of the year. As others have said, we bundle up. Usually we just walk the dogs down our road. Sometimes we will put our snowshoes on and walk behind the house. Our property is adjacent to national forest. The dogs will just follow in your tracks. After a few times, we get a good trail going. We also use mushers secret on the dogs paws. We have a doggie door for our girls, so they can come and go as they please. Used to have a fenced area for them, put in the winter, the snow would just cover it and they would just walk over it. I took a section of it down so they pretty much have the run of the mountain. I don’t totally agree with this, but it does not seem like they wander far at all. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/28 "2009-12-11T19:25:43Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Presumably nobody walks them during a blizzard, but how about just, say, a week long period snow and ice and single freezing temperatures? Do you just bundle up and bite the bullet and take them out, or do you paper train them, or… what exactly? Yes, we walk him in a blizzard. We also walk him when there is snow and ice. That’s why they make winter clothing. Our dog also comes on a lot of winter hikes and some snowshoeing trips. He’s wooly and doesn’t need additional clothing, but he has a dog version of rubbers for his feet to protect them from road salt (he doesn’t need them out on the trails where there is no salt.) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/29 "2009-12-11T19:29:05Z")
Thank **enipla** , I think I’m going to get me some Musher’s Secret, I’d never heard of it before! ---
**Author:** ![BaconAndEggs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@BaconAndEggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaconAndEggs)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/30 "2009-12-11T19:36:35Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > We pay someone. Well, this year we don’t…the dog has bad hips and we want to keep him off the ice. So he gets his exercise in the house. Big dog, medium sized house. But he is three years old now, so he is starting to slow down. He is three and already slowing down? ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/31 "2009-12-11T19:54:54Z")
> [@BaconAndEggs](#): > > He is three and already slowing down? Probably meant he’s finally growing out of the frenetic high-energy crazed mutt phase. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/32 "2009-12-11T22:17:24Z")
It can get pretty frikin’ cold here - it will be about -27 C on the weekend (about -17 F) and I’ll take my dog out with a sweater, coat and booties. When it gets down to the - 40 range, he uses the cat’s litter pan. His choice. ---
**Author:** ![kathmandu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kathmandu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kathmandu)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/33 "2009-12-11T22:40:05Z")
I have a Bernese Mountain Dog, so she’s pretty much good to go no matter what the weather (cold is much preferable to heat for her). If I bundle up, I can deal with all but the most severe weather (which in Alberta, can be pretty severe). If it’s really windy or there’s a blizzard, though, she just goes out into the back yard to do her thing. If it’s miserable out, she goes pretty quickly and hies it back inside. If you have a shorter coated dog, I think you just have to bit the bullet and put some clothing on it for brief walks if it’s really frigid. I’d be extremely leery about getting into the habit of putting down pads inside - I think that’s a recipe for future accidents. ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2009, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/34 "2009-12-11T23:01:23Z")
That reminds me, a number of years ago, I used to see 2-3 times a week on my way to work @ 6:30 am, this lady, walking her dog in -20 C temperature, wearing a fancy fur coat, gloves and boots, and carying the little shit-bag. My only reaction was: “God, she must love that dog” ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/35 "2009-12-12T00:02:35Z")
I suppose ultimately the surprise at walking dogs in that weather is that _ **I** _ can’t imagine living in that weather. It’s a rare day when I have to wear a jacket heavier than a windbreaker, and I could count on my fingers the number of times in 43 years I’ve been out and about in single-digit weather, let alone negative degrees. Also my dogs are spoiled. The rat terrier doesn’t even like to get his feet wet if it’s been raining. I try to explain to him that “your ancestors lived in caves when they were lucky and mushed through tundra and on frozen rivers when they had to to catch wild prey”, but before I even get to the ‘mushed’ part he’s rolled his eyes, gone back upstairs, and gotten back in bed underneath the comforters so I don’t think he understands. (Last night the other dog, a Jack Russell mutt, actually stole my comforter- true story- dragged it off of me with his teeth and rolled up in it.) ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/36 "2009-12-12T00:08:20Z")
In Calgary, with two dogs: they get walked all winter. We don’t take them out in colder then about -25C or so, or they get frozen paws. But they’re dogs, and most dogs grow winter coats and fur in between the pads if they are exposed to it enough. We make our dogs stay out more then usual in the fall to promote the winter fur growth. They LOVE the snow, too! But smaller dogs…my sister has a daschund and she has a winter coat and boots, and gets cold very easily. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/37 "2009-12-12T00:09:48Z")
> [@Plan\_B](#): > > I’m not sure what the mystery is. You walk the dogs the same way you walk to and from other places. Even if the only walking you do is to and from your car. It helps to wear a hat and warm clothing. For the most part the difference between really cold weather and pleasant weather is that it takes a little longer to get dressed for the cold. Word. ---
**Author:** ![Nunavut\_Boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e95f7d/32.png) [@Nunavut\_Boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunavut_Boy)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/38 "2009-12-12T00:49:24Z")
People here do 1 of two options: 1. Bundle up in arctic gear 2. Drive to the road to nowhere (we literally have a street called ‘Road to Nowhere’ with a sign and everything; it goes about 5 km to a sand quarry type thing where city trucks get sand to sand the roads) and walk the dog while driving. I’ve seen people with dogs on short leashes running beside a truck moving slowly. Yes, this is probably dangerous but it’s damned cold here. Some friends of mine have actually taught their chocolate lab to run on the treadmill. He appears to love it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/39 "2009-12-12T02:30:05Z")
Passive solar home here at 11,200 feet. We count on the sun a lot. And some propane. A week at below 0 F starts to make us change our routine. Especially if the sun is occluded. That’s the big thing. We also count on our 2 SUVs and my 1976 Chevy plow truck. When it’s under 0, I rarely take the dogs out. They do have their doggie door to do their business during the day. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2009, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812/40 "2009-12-12T15:13:03Z")
Most dogs I know here love the cold; we’re talking about mostly dogs like labs or one Samoyed or a couple of Clumber Spaniels. The chihuahuas aren’t so happy about it, but they survive. Cold and snow=fun for doggies! I see lots of bundled-up people walking their dogs all over town. **Sampiro** , I had never lived in a climate like this until I moved here, but unless it’s under 15F or so, I do fine. Far better than in heat and humidity. It’s all in what you are, or get, used to. It’s snowing and is supposed to get up near freezing today and that’s going to feel downright _warm_ after the last week! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-who-live-in-very-cold-snowy-winter-climates-how-do-you-walk-your-dogs/520812.md?page=3)