Winter Tips from the Dog Whisperer
January 5, 2009 by Paris and John
Filed under Safety, Tips
Does winter weather have you wondering how to handle your dog walk? We know we’ve had second thoughts on a couple of really cold days. Fortunately we’re not tackling ice and snow, but what if you are? Check out this advice from Cesar Millan, National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer, about you and your dog can best cope with chilly winter days:
Let your dog check the weather. Dogs don’t have the Weather Channel, so they don’t know why they are being denied a long walk for the day. Allow your dog to step outside and feel for itself that it is too cold or too stormy to go on a long walk. Instinctually, the dog will understand why it is coming back inside where it’s safe.
But be careful not to allow them to do this too often. They can learn to use this open door to manipulate and control you. Also, some dogs, if out in the cold for too long, will develop thicker fur and maintain their fat as a natural protection, so they may not feel the cold as intensely as we humans do. This can be an advantage if you want to continue to take your dog for walks in cold weather. However, please keep in mind that many short-haired breeds do not have this natural resistance to cold weather.
Winter will be in full force as Cesar Millan makes his next appearance: the Seattle Dog Winterfest.
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