The winter is finally upon us. A little manic depressive behavior for all that, sub zero temperatures for over a week to days in the 60s and 70s. The dogs are struggling with the changes and so are the humans. It has made our training endeavors…interesting.
Often we are asked how we manage the contrary Mid Atlantic winter and I answer, “We just do it.”
When we agree to help you train your dog, we are obligated to actually provide that service, regardless of the weather. Most dog are house pets and most of them share their owners’ intolerance for the cold. Most reasonable people are disinclined to spend inordinate amounts of time in objectionable weather, nor are they willing to invest in insulated clothing to protect themselves adequately for extended periods outdoors. And besides, Carhartts are not really considered appropriate office attire. We are prepared for the weather. Your dog needs for you to be as well.
Your dog still needs to go out to relieve itself even if it’s below zero and the sleet is blowing sideways. They still misbehave, even in bad weather. As a matter of fact, there is a link between misbehavior and bad weather, since the dogs have fewer opportunities to go outside and sprint off some of that pent-up energy.
We gear up like we were climbing K-12 and suck it up. Coffee consumption increases by 100% throughout days like this. Dinner is usually a welcoming heavy soup that has been slow cooking since the early hours.
Having a houseful of dogs doesn’t lend itself to long days curled up on the couch for the humans. We need to provide adequate time outdoors for the dogs to allow them the opportunity to relieve themselves and stretch their legs. Maybe have some fun if the snow isn’t knocking us over and accumulating in feet-per-second.
Today is a prime example. My husband is clearing the light snowfall that came unannounced overnight while I type this, in anticipation of a long day in the elements. I have 5 dogs that need exercise, to eliminate multiple times throughout the day, and at least a few minutes a couple times today rehearsing their obedience skills or learning new ones.
Additional protection is offered the dogs as well. A jacket for our Pointer at least, and we make sure that their feet never come in contact with treated surfaces. If it cannot be avoided because of off-site training like the mall or other public areas, we check and even wash feet to be sure they are free of abrasive salts and other surface treatments. We limit their time out of doors in really bad weather like we experienced about a week ago. Even our most stoic canines were eager to limit their exposure to the sub zero temperatures!
Water is a critical element in working in cold weather. Most people overlook it for themselves when it’s cold outside, and dogs do too. Adequate water intake is probably even more important in the winter because we do not sweat as much. For the dogs, we encourage additional intake by “flavoring” the water with a little warm broth, or by adding salt free broth and water to their meals. The big deception of cold ambient temperatures and strong sun will make a dog thirsty and water needs to be available to them virtually around the clock. The sharp, dry air of most households heated by electricity makes it necessary as well.
A little warning about human footwear. There are several products out that facilitate walking in snow or on ice (or in my case, just staying upright) and they are great, but come with a caveat. Please be careful of where your dogs’ feet end up. These appliances can seriously damage your dogs’ toes or feet if they get caught under them. I have seen YakTrax skin a dogs toes down to the bone because they happened to get “underfoot”. They are great tools to help in treacherous footing, but to be honest, that’s something that we usually try to avoid during training. We will call a “snow day” if the footing is so bad that we can’t train outdoors safely!
If you are up to the task, we are still booking brave souls for private training through what is traditionally the worst weather months for the Mid Atlantic. If you view the winter as the most unpleasant time of year and would rather stay indoors instead of working with your dog, we offer a variety of virtual programs to help you still train, in the comfort and warmth of your home, to alleviate the unpleasantness of working in climates not to your taste!
If you would like additional information on our training programs, feel free to schedule a call with us.
Learn more about our exclusive private, in-home training programs for adult dogs and puppies here
It’s all doable. We can show you how.
Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe and happy training!
