20 Your Dog November 2017 http://www.yourdog.co.uk40 ways
to get
through
winter
Writer and dog lover
Karen Bush has
written numerous
articles and several
books on dog care
and behaviour. She
has two adopted
Whippets, Archie
and Angel.ABOUT KAREN
Karen Bush provides the
best tips to get through the
coldest months.
Winter is coming — but it’s not all doom and
gloom. Some aspects are hugely enjoyable:
watching your dog romp through freshly fallen
snow, for example, or taking companionable
canines together through a landscape which
has been transformed overnight by a hard
frost into a glittering wonderland. Of course,
the other side of the coin is the mud, the short
dark days, the rain, the cold,
and lots more mud. But it’s
not insurmountable — use
our 40-point checklist to help
you survive! It’s important to wrap up
on wintery walks.BEAT THE COLD
1
Take your dog’s age into account during all your activities
together — young puppies and elderly dogs are less able to
tolerate cold than those in their prime.2
Don’t leave your dog in the car in cold weather, as your vehicle
can rapidly turn into a fridge.3
Make sure your dog is warm enough at night; it can become
quite chilly once the heating has gone off. Check his bed is out
of any draughts, and provide plenty of cosy blankets or a duvet to
snuggle into. Thin-coated dogs may enjoy the additional warmth
of a fl eece.4
A variety of pet electric blankets, or heat mats or pads are
available; check they are pet safe and low voltage, and always
carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions.GOING OUT
5
Work at improving your dog’s lead-walking so he doesn’t
pull — it makes life nicer for both of you at any time of year,
and during the winter, will ensure he doesn’t pull you over on the
slippery ground.6
Keep an eye on your dog’s fi gure; if he is getting less exercise
than usual, he may burn less calories. On the other hand, if you
are still able to fi t in long walks, he may burn off more in the cold
weather and need a little extra grub.7
Many dogs love playing in the snow, but don’t overdo things
— he’ll be getting more of a workout leaping and bounding
around than he normally would.8
Even a small amount of antifreeze can be fatal if ingested,
so clear up any spillages. Keep your dog away from puddles,
which may be contaminated with
it, and wash his paws thoroughly
on returning home. Although
propylene glycol-based products
are less toxic than the traditional
ethylene glycol type, no
antifreeze is entirely safe. If your
dog does ingest coolant, contact
your vet immediately.Let your dog enjoy the
snow — but watch he
doesn’t burn too
much energy.20-21 YD Winter Care CS CC.indd 20 22/09/2017 15: