How to Prepare a Dog for Winter

Set up an indoor spot for your outdoor dog. If it is too cold for you to spend time outside, it is too cold for your dog to spend time outside. If it is absolutely not feasible to bring your dog inside, you must provide a warm place for your dog to escape the elements. A small dog house with a hay bed may seem like a perfect winter weather haven, but often these structures are no warmer than the outside. One way to check if your dog's cold weather hideout is warm is to get in it yourself and see if it provides you with adequate shelter from the cold and wind. Try opening up a heated garage, or building an insulated shelter for your pet. If at all possible, bring your dog indoors during the most extreme conditions, and when overnight temperatures plummet. Explore solutions like a basement enclosure or a spare room. If your animals are going to be outside (with access to a warm, dry shelter), it is also important to make sure your pet's water isn't frozen, and that his food isn't covered over with snow. Most importantly, don't neglect to spend time with your outdoor animal because of the cold.

Resist the temptation to outfit your dog with a new winter wardrobe. Your dog was already born with a fur coat. Dog clothing and accessories are more enjoyable to pet owners than to pets, and in some instances, can actually distress the animal. While we all know that the occasional dog sweater or jacket can be cute, we have to make sure the article of clothing meets the dog's needs, and not our own. In extreme conditions, like during mountain climbing excursions, or in times of illness or fur shortage, dog dressers should make sure the clothing is not tight and is not pulling the dog's fur, and does not impede natural movement or block openings for elimination.

Clear the area where your dog regularly uses the bathroom. Remove all snow and ice from the area and create a cleared path to this area. This will help keep the dog on track with housetraining, not only by making things more comfortable, but by keeping the dog's routine as consistent as possible. It will also help keep your dog warm and dry, and reduce the amount of snow and ice tracked into your home.

Ready the inside of your home. Make sure your dog has a warm, comfortable place to sleep that is free of cold drafts. This can be as simple as laying a blanket on the floor in a warm spot. Keep an old towel or washcloth by the door to dry off your dog's paws and belly after going for walks. Wash and clean your dog's toys, and make sure she has plenty of things to do to avoid winter boredom.

Play with your dog more. With winter weather setting in, a lot of pet owners are less likely to take their dogs on long walks or to the dog park for exercise. Taking regular daily breaks to play with your dog will provide necessary exercise, while also offering human benefits, like reduced stress and blood pressure. It's also a great time to reinforce all those tricks and commands that you might be slacking on. Double check the feeding recommendations on your pet's food to make sure you aren't over feeding in the more inactive winter months.

Skip the groomer and avoid unnecessary bathing, that extra dog fur will serve your dog well when the weather outside is frightful. Many vets recommend not bathing your dog more frequently than every 6 to 8 weeks to allow the natural skin oils to replenish. If you can get away with it, skip a middle-of-winter grooming appointment, or ask for a trim instead of a shave. Also, if your dog isn't dirty, and doesn't smell bad, skip the bath or wipe down the dog with a damp cloth rather than submerging her in water.