Dog walking in winter

[justpoppy]

Ok so this might be a daft question but the dogs I’ve had before have been small and could be walked any time of the day so I’m scratching my head over this one.

Our new rescue dog has tonnes of energy and loves nothing more than playing chase with other dogs at the local park. He also needs routine. I take him out first thing in the morning for over an hour and the same again around 5/6ish In the evening. All fine in the summer but how do you do it when it’s pitch dark? This morning I was out at 6 with him in the park before I went to work.

Also, recommendations for warm, waterproof, dog walking clothes/boots. I need to kit myself out for winter walks and hate being cold and wet!

With a torch.
Hard to find the poo in the dark.
Wellies, layers... for short walks I have a glamorous waxed cotton poncho I pop on over whatever I am wearing.

This is why I find routine not great - it gives no flexibility and can increase anxiety for some dogs....
however those that I have seen who walk in the dark have collars with lights on etc.

Regarding clothes - I got myself some cheapish snow boots off amazon last year and they've been amazing - kept me super cosy and dry whilst walking through many a bog!

Oh crikey I didn’t even think of finding poo in the dark! I’m going to have to buy a head torch and look like a total loon aren’t I

Yes to what PP said

Also get some paw wax for the dogs feet so that things like grit won’t bother them

I’ve got myself one of these for winter dog-walks
www.regatta.com/collections/heated-jackets/ !

I also have a snazzy coat for the dog which is fluorescent so she can be seen.
You do need to think about their paws if the pavements are salty. I often have a bowl of warm water and give them a rinse when we get home

@OohMrDarcy it’s still early days with him so we’re trying to work out what’s best. He gets mouthy with me and chews stuff when he’s bored so definitely needs two walks a day. On days I’m not working I can go a little later but I like to get to the park when there are lots of other dogs around for him to play with which tends to be earlier than later and on my one day I commute into London it has to be early. He’s never left alone - my DP works from home and my son is home from school by 3.45 most days.

I have hiking boots and a thin fold up rain jacket for the really bad weather. I have a reflective yellow lead and light up clips that go on the dog collars so they're visible even when it's pitch black in the woods.
Picking up poo is a nightmare and I'll try everything to get my dog to go in the garden before we venture out.

you'll get settled - another option is brain games, easily done at home and the right things will tire him as much as a walk - training / food puzzles / scent games depending on the dog etc.... all worth working with

+1 big downy coat that is like putting on a duvet

+1 pair of big comfy wellies with room for thick socks (I like Muck Boots)

+1 pair of gloves with grip (I like leather gloves because they hold the lead better)

+1 head torch to find your way and the poo

+1 light up collar to find the dog when he's run off

-1 sense of fashion or style

+1 gratitude that the dark means no one can see you like this

Headtorch for you, and a bright light attached to collar/harness for the dog - it's vital in case they run off or get stuck somewhere, and so that cars can see him too.

Clothing wise - lots of layers, merino is good, cotton is rubbish. Those reusable hand-warmers stuffed in your pockets, waterproof gloves that are compatible with using your phone, a good hat to cover your ears, a scarf, wellington boots with good quality, warm socks. I wear fleece lined leggings from Arc'teryx in winter and then put over-trousers over the top if it's really wet.

However, all that being said, this is why I've never done late night walks with my dog - in fact, 95% of the time his walks are finished by 2-3pm no matter what time of year it is. Occasionally DH has to take him early doors before work but we've never got into the habit of daily walks at set times as I didn't want a dog who needed a walk in the horizontal rain at 8pm in February, lol.

He goes out at 8/9am most days for a good hour (sometimes two) and sometimes will go out again at lunchtime but we've never done evening walks. He just settles at home with a chew or sleeps.

I tried to take mine out in the dark and he really doesn't like it. I stopped as it wasn't fun for either of us so he gets one walk a day in daylight. I do brain games or training if that isn't enough but typically he is fine with one walk.

We stick to the same walk times in winter but the dog has a light for his collar and we carry a torch. He also has a coat with reflective strips on when it’s really cold.

I’d recommend neoprene lined wellies for keeping your feet/lower legs warm in winter. I wore mine every day for dog walking last winter. Also a good waterproof coat and some thermal base layers for under your trousers/top. Gloves are good but I like fingerless ones as you don’t have to take them off to open poo bags or use your phone.

My dog is afraid to go in our garden. So it's walks 3 times a day regardless

You won't look like a total loon! Or rather, if you do you'll be one loon amongst many.

Try to move the morning walk back a bit and the evening walk forward to see if you can get any light at all - dog might cooperate as they'll be cued by the light (as well as routine/hunger)

Get a light up collar for the dog, and if he wears a coat, one with reflective strips. You can get light up balls to chase too, if that's your thing.

Make sure boots have grippy soles (wet leaves, mud, ice) and watch your footing. Get thermal layers, good gloves, and a warm hat.

Talk to the owners of his dog friends to find out what they're planning to do, and see if you can be out at the same time as they are.

If all else fails, see if you can book a walker to take him out for a long group walk in the middle of the day. The ones I talk to say that they're really busy for the walks that break the day in two (for dogs home alone whilst owner goes to work) but often have space on earlier/later walks

Yes a light-up collar is great.
When it's the season for dark walks I stick to my tried & trusted routes so I know the paths and puddles and other regular walkers.

I also like to change the internal narrative I have in my head - for summery walks it's often a pride & prejudice type story going on, but for dark winter walks i revert to lord of the rings or endurance type stories like touching the void.

There’s nothing much I can to the above responses except I have these dog suits that keep my 3 mucky labs dry and cut down on mud on their coats. I have one very ‘unique’ dog who swims in his 🙄 I couldn’t believe it when I took it off and he was dry underneath! I also have dry coats for mine for the house these ones which dry them quickly on the warmer wet days when I don’t use the dog suits.

Thermals under trousers, thick socks,wellies.
A headtorch for hands free walking.
Light up collar for the dog
Pile of towels at the front door for wiping feet afterwards.
I have a ruff and tumble towel coat to put straight on the dog whilst I’m sorting myself out which saves the walls/carpet/furniture from water and mud.

One more thing to add, I also have dog trackers on their harnesses these ones. We live very rurally though and I always feel safer being able to track any disappearing acts on my phone.

When I had my dog I found the opportunity to go out after dark in the winter, to see the stars in the night sky and moon shadows on the snow wonderful and life-enhancing. Miserable, wet, chilly nights not so much, but the one more than made up for the other.

Oh and the early mornings were good as well.

I wear a thick padded coat I got half price in the Trespass sale and a woolly hat. Instead of expensive hiking boots or fashion boots that leak I wear workboots. I have stupidly wide feet but since there's no concession to fashion there's room for insoles and thick socks. At £17 a pair I don't worry about mud or sea water ruining them. They're really comfy and have good grip. I buy a new pair every 1-2 years. But I'm also old enough not to care what other people think of my footwear.
Your mobile phone probably has a torch on it.
My Ddog refuses to budge outside if the weather's nasty or the ground is icy. We do scentwork and play chase and hide and seek instead.

@borntobequiet

Oh and the early mornings were good as well.

Ah yes! An early 'sunrise over the snowy woodland' walk is my absolute favourite type of walk. Well worth all the uncool gear to get there!

The biggest game changer for me was a waterproof hat with a brim. I prefer a waxed bucket style. I don't care if it is hammering down as the water isn't getting to my face.

I also have Ariat wellies which have a riding boot sole/footbed so don't feel like wellies when you wear them. They are expensive but I bought mine in 2014 and they're still going strong. Comfy enough to walk for several miles in them. They are tight on the leg though so a boot jack is needed.

Craghopppers waterproof trousers are also great, the Aysgarth ones. They are proper trousers not plasticy overtrousers and have a slightly fleecy lining so warm.

@OohMrDarcy

This is why I find routine not great - it gives no flexibility and can increase anxiety for some dogs.... however those that I have seen who walk in the dark have collars with lights on etc.

Regarding clothes - I got myself some cheapish snow boots off amazon last year and they've been amazing - kept me super cosy and dry whilst walking through many a bog!

I used to have a light up harness for walking our old dog in the dark. It was like chasing around a small mobile Christmas tree.