Winter Activities for You and Your Dog

Did you know that January is National Walk Your Dog Month?

I was recently reading an article from the Ontario Veterinary College about this initiative.

Honestly, my first thought was, “What were they thinking?”.

While I applauded the initiative, I questioned the logic.

But this is the time of year when we want to be more active and get into a consistent exercise routine. All those New Year’s resolutions, right?

So, shouldn’t that extend to our dogs?

While it would be so easy to curl up inside with our pooches and ignore the cold weather, the fact is, our dogs need to go outside more than just to do their business.

So, taking them for a walk is a great solution. It’s good for mind, body, and spirit for you and your canine companion. Keep it shorter on bad days but try to stick to it!

But there are also times when the risks of a walk outweigh the rewards. And, frankly, this winter, there’s been a lot more risky days than good ones.

So, then what? What winter activities can you and your dog do to keep them healthy, happy, and safe?

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Risk vs. Reward

Risks of Winter Walks

Walking your dog in the wintertime, while important for the health and well-being of your dog, can come with a certain amount of risks that you need to take into account for the safety of you and your pooch. Canadian winters can catch you off guard and turn on you quickly so you need to be prepared.

Hypothermia

It’s important that you protect yourself against harsh temperatures, and your dog. Small dogs, puppies, senior dogs, and those with thin fur coats will need extra protection.

Wet fur cannot insulate your dog so it’s important that you keep your pup dry and warm. Avoid slush and puddles, and make sure that, if wearing coats and boots, that they stay dry.

Pay attention to the weather forecast. Remember, it’s not just temperature but wind chill that can cause discomfort.

Hypothermia can develop quickly so pay attention to any discomfort your dog displays such as lifting paws, whining, unwillingness to walk, shivering, and a tucked tail. If your dog shows these signs, take them inside immediately, make sure they are dried off and warm them up slowly.

And, though some dogs love to eat snow, keep that to a minimum. They can actually drop their core temperature very quickly if they ingest too much too quickly.

Watch for signs of discomfort in your dog

If your pup is uncomfortable, your best bet is to cut your walk short and get them back to a safe, warm place as soon as possible.

Frostbite

Dogs have paws that are quite resistant to frostbite. But there is still a danger. Their noses, ears, and tails are also at risk. They should either wear booties or you can use paw balm like this one to keep their paws protected.

Some dogs won’t even realize they’re getting frostbitten until it’s too late. So, if they’re lifting their paws or refusing to walk, it’s definitely time to get them inside and warm.

This is one more reason to restrict the length of your dog’s walks when the temperatures plummet.

Hidden Dangers Below the Snow

Lucy loves to bound through snow drifts but I only let her do it in flat, open areas or our own land where I know the lay of the land. Snow is quite good at disguising hidden dangers beneath a blanket of white. This can be sharp objects, cracked ice, broken branches, and even water with a thin skim of ice over it. Keeping your dog on a leash can keep them close and out of trouble, especially near waterways and ditches.

Snowy and Icy Roads and Sidewalks

When the roads and sidewalks are piled on each side with tall snowbanks, it can be a bit dicey to walk safely through even the calmest neighbourhood. Everything is just a little more crowded and visibility can be a challenge for both drivers and pedestrians.

Walking in the dark may be unavoidable in this season so be sure to have reflective or light-up gear for you and your dog, including a light-up leash or light-up harness.

Ice, especially ice hidden under a fresh skim of snow can take you and your furry little friend down hard in a heartbeat. If it’s too icy, it may be better to stay at home and find some other fun activities.

Do you want to keep your pet safe from the dangers that Old Man Winter can bring?

Winter Pet Safety Tips identifies the hazards animals face in the winter time and shows you how to keep your pet safe and warm this winter.

Rewards of Winter Walks

There are so many rewards for your dog and yourself when it comes to bundling up and heading out to go for a walk.

During this time of year, dogs will spend a great deal of time cooped up inside. Getting them outside to explore does a lot more than give them a chance for a potty break.

Exercise

Physical exercise is the most obvious benefit for your dog. It can build their strength, cardiovascular endurance, and improve their joint health.

And, let’s face it, the dog isn’t the only one getting a workout. You and your dog can share in those benefits.

Mental Stimulation

Your dog’s nose provides a great deal of mental stimulation.

In fact, 15-30 minutes of sniffing is equivalent to an hour of walking for mental stimulation.

So, even though you may want to rush your dog along in the cold weather, give them the time to take in some deep sniffing on their walks, especially shortened walks, to give them a good mental workout.

I like to base my winter dog walks on time, not distance. If I’ve decided it’s safe to be out for a shortened time due to cold weather, I let Lucy have some extra sniff time when she feels she needs it along the way, even if it means we don’t walk as far.

Connection

One of the greatest benefits for both you and your dog is the one-on-one time you get to share. This is a chance to connect with your dog and form a deeper bond with each and every walk.

So, we can agree that walking is important for our dog. But Mother Nature can have different ideas.

Other Winter Activities: Not Just Another Walk Around the Block

There are times that you just might not feel that it’s safe for you or your dog out on your local streets and roads. During a winter storm, or right afterwards, being out on roads with poor visibility, icy footing, and snowplows trying to get the roads clear, taking your dog for a walk might not be worth the risk.

Luckily, there are many unique activities that you can engage in with your dog that don’t involve that standard walk around the block. You can still get your dog out for some fresh air and fun, still help them burn off some steam and beat the winter blues.

Breaking a trail for your pooch

If you’ve got a pair of snowshoes, you can break a trail for your dog and go on a snowy adventure together.

Snowshoeing

When the snow is deep, taking Lucy out to the fields by our house is a safe option.

If I put on my snowshoes, I can make it a lot easier on myself.

She’s a lot better at navigating the drifts and races ahead of me and my plodding steps.

But on the way home, when she’s tired, she’s grateful for the trail my snowshoes make and follows me home.

While you may not have open fields to explore, local trails and parks may give you plenty of opportunity for snowshoeing adventures with your furry friend.

Trail Hiking

While the busy, hilly road by my house isn’t a good option for me and Lucy to go for walks in the winter, we have lots of local trails that we can explore. We don’t have to deal with slippery roads, poor visibility and traffic.

In the forest, we’re protected from the wind, it’s quiet, and, even in the snow, Lucy can sniff out so many new smells to satisfy her brain.

If you can get your dog to a trail, especially one that is level and well-groomed, there’s a good chance your dog will love it.

Check out your local trails and choose a couple that both you and your dog enjoy.

Dog Parks

If your dog is dog-friendly, local dog parks are a great option for your pooch to burn off some energy and have some fun.

Just remember to dress warmly because, chances are, your dog will be moving a lot faster and a lot more than you.

Bundle up and enjoy. Just make sure to keep a close eye on your dog for signs of hypothermia or frost bite.

Backyard Snow Maze

Let’s face it. Sometimes the roads and sidewalks just aren’t the place to be when the weather is awful.

Walking your dog in your neighbourhood or even taking your dog to a local park or trail may just not be possible.

So, if you have a bit of space, how about creating a snow maze for your dog?

You can dig pathways(or just shuffle through the snow instead of all that shoveling) that lead in circles, add a few dead ends, and take your dog out to enjoy a romp through your mini trail system.

Be prepared to refresh your paths. I shoveled out a whole “trail system” and then a storm hit and my paths vanished less than 12 hours later.

I wish the weather man had been able to predict THAT one before I did all that digging.

The Aqua Kong

This is a toy that floats on water but it’s also easy to locate in the snow.

Fetch

Fetch is a great way for your dog to burn off some steam and have some fun without you having to slog your way through snowdrifts or slip along sidewalks.

You can use a high visibility toy, such as the Aqua Kong, to help your dog find the toy in the snow or, like in Lucy’s case, you eventually have to go find it yourself when she decides she’s fetched enough.

Treat Hide and Seek

This is, by far, Lucy’s favourite outdoor game.

Anything involving treats is her favourite game.

Take a handful of treats and walk around your yard, dropping the odd treat in the snow.

Lucy follows me like Ms. Pac-Man and eagerly eats them.

I like to push some down into the snow or drop them in my footsteps to increase the challenge.

With just a handful of treats, I can keep her bounding and bouncing through the yard for the better part of 15 to 20 minutes.

Indoor Games

There are times when you can’t walk your dog safely outside.

Canadian winters can be absolutely brutal and, so far, for most of Canada, this has been that winter. Your dog needs exercise but walking them in a blizzard or an ice storm just isn’t a viable option.

You will be able to take them out for potty breaks, and maybe a short romp. But they will need more physical exercise and mental stimulation.

So, you may have to get creative inside and play a few indoor games with your dog so they don’t get bored or stressed. Remember, a bored dog or stressed dog can be a destructive dog.

Read our article below for some great ideas to entertain you pooch indoors:

Keep your pet physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy

When the weather outside is unsafe for man or beast, our pets still need to stay active and entertained to live their best life. Purrs and Wags has a few ideas to help.

Read Boredom Busters for Your Pets to learn how to tell if your pet is bored and plenty of ideas to make that boredom vanish.

Safety First

When it comes to your dog’s health and well-being, you will need to balance your pet’s need for healthy physical and mental workouts with keeping them safe.

We’re not talking about excuses not to get up off your butt.

We’re talking about the real dangers that a Canadian winter can bring.

So, walk your dog as often as you can, but use good judgement to know when it’s time to cut back or skip the walk altogether.

If you need to shorten your walks, you will need to supplement those walks with some other activities.

And, if you need to skip a walk or two, make sure you get your dog outside as much as they can handle and be ready for some indoor games.

The important thing is to your dog is to have a plan to ensure your dog is well-exercised and mentally stimulated so they are happy, healthy, and safe.