I’m getting a puppy! This is exciting news because I haven’t gotten a new dog since I was about five years old. He is a fluffy Springerdoodle and will be named Reggiano (yes after the cheese), but nicknamed Reggie.
With all of the preparations going on around my home, I started thinking about what I can do to keep Reggie safe now that it is getting colder.
After some Google searching, and a lot of reading (I recommend ‘The Puppy Training Handbook’ – Kaelin Munkelwitz), I now know there are things you can do to help your dog stay healthy and happy.
For starters, each dog is different. Some breeds can handle cold better than others. Because my dog will have long curly hair, he can stay outside longer than a short-haired breed.
That being said, puppies also need to be monitored more closely because they know no better and won’t give you signs they are cold as well as an older dog.
Next, it is important to wipe your dog’s paws after a winter walk. Paws are just like human hands. They pick up a lot of germs and potentially toxic chemicals. These chemicals are EVERYWHERE in the winter and include salt, anti-freeze, deicer, etc.
Wiping and cleaning off their paws will prevent any harmful toxins from getting in their body.
It gets dark a lot earlier in the winter so it is important to purchase reflective gear not only for your dog, but for yourself too. Frequent walks are inevitable so remember to keep you and your dog visible.
Lastly, be prepared! Especially during a Western New York winter, power outages happen. Just like you would for yourself, remember to have enough food, medicine, treats, and water for up to five days for your dog.
As a new pet owner I’m sure I don’t know all the tips and tricks just yet but I hope these reminders help you out.
If you would like to let me know of any other tips that help you and your dog in the winter, feel free to reach out here: Meteorologist Kaylee Wendt on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!