United Doberman Rescue and Canine Castaways of Minnesota: FIVE COLD WEATHER TIPS

Shared by UDR Volunteer, Sara Miller:

As much as I would like to wrap up in a blanket with coffee/hot chocolate and hide indoors through the winter weather, my Doberman Charlie does NOT stop, and I know I'm not alone here... Here are some tips and some of my personal favorite products we use to avoid winter blues and household crazies:

1 – Dress for the weather. Minnesota winters are no joke, but most days it’s possible to get out to play or go for a walk if you’re properly equipped. Like you, your Doberman will appreciate a warm winter jacket. Protective paw balms, like Musher’s Secret, or even Vaseline can help stave off a little bit of the cold and prevent ice balls from forming in between their pads.

Jacket, Snood and Boots

2 – Beware of salt! Dobes’ relatively hairless feet are very sensitive to the chemical burn of salted roads and sidewalks. Protect their feet with booties – Ultra Paws Rugged boots tend to fit Doberman feet well – or make sure that you are washing their feet after they get home to get all the salt off. Be sure that you are using a dog-safe melting agent on your own sidewalk and deck.

3 – Indoor fun. Mental stimulation can be even MORE energy draining than physical activities, and you can do the following right in your own home:

Play hide-and-seek – also a great way to reinforce obedience ‘stays’ while you hide.
Make your dog work for their meals through obedience behaviors or extend meal time by scattering their kibble all across the floor for them to track down.
Load up interactive toys with treats or daily kibble – I personally love stuffed Kongs (which I freeze for added duration), the Kong Wobbler dispenser, and the Orbee-Tuff ‘Snoop’ dispensing toy from Planet Dog.
Heavy Duty chews: I like antlers, water buffalo horns and Benebones for best holding up to my power chewer.

Ready to stuff & freeze Kongs

4 - Sign up for a new class at your local training or obedience center: Dobermans excel in tricks, rally obedience and nosework classes, which can be trained largely indoors. Or give a sport like agility or flyball a try!

Obedience Level 2 Graduation with Pupcakes

5 – Field trips. Bring your dog along to the local pet store to pick out a chew to keep them occupied. Home Depot and a variety of other stores are dog-friendly too - Sidewalk Dog keeps a great reference guide of restaurants, breweries, coffee shops and stores that are dog-friendly in Minnesnowda.