Are you walking your dogs in this weather?

[loveawineloveacrisp]

Just that, really. We have lots of snow and it's due to get colder. He didn't get walked yesterday. Seems perfectly happy but I feel bad. Has access to garden for toilet, obviously.

I could swear mine deliberately woke up at 5:30 yesterday to go and play in the snow, loosely disguised as needing a wee. By the time it was her usual get-up time of around 7, it had all turned to rain instead..

He's had his walk today now. Didn't want to go far but at least he went out. Thanks all.

My big retriever girl would normally be demanding a walk regardless of the weather but she’s currently in the dodgy bit of her season so is staying home at the moment.
The two small, old dogs looked out the back door and had to be chivvied out just to wee. 😂

Yes, we have a beagle . He hates rain but loves snow so was excited to go out today. We went out for 20/25 minutes and he seemed absolutely fine. He got himself comfy after and had a long nap in the warmth.

I always walk mine though I have the luxury of being able to wait for the best weather window as I don't work. I have read though that playing mental games with them can be as effective as a walk for tiring them out, if they hate the cold.

Of course, he loves it. He had a great time helping us build a snowman yesterday but he is banned from sledging after knocking The DC off too many times
He gets walked no matter how cold or wet it is, the only time we don't is when its hot.

Yes, collie cross, shorter walk than usual as its not exactly enjoyable (and he hates the rain, he's a soft lad )

Nope, you have to walk on roads to go for any walk here, and they’re still lethal, plus rabbits regularly pop their heads out of burdens and send him mad. I’d be on my ass in seconds! Luckily all he wants is people around him and we have a decent sized garden

Our 5 month old Springer hates to walk, pulls like mad to get home so no haven't walked him. He did love the snow and did have a good run around/ play in the garden before we had to bring him in because he was shivering so much.

Our golden retriever loves the weather at this time of year and thinks it’s perfect for swimming. It has to be really quite cold to affect them (unless they are small!). The only thing to watch is if they have been walking on gritted roads to rinse their paws and undercarriage because the salt can cause a reaction.

The majority of dogs are totally fine to be walked in snow. Obviously some will find the cold more uncomfortable than others. Some will loathe it. Some will be fine but would benefit from a coat. But most will be totally OK - and some are literally built for harsh weather conditions. I grew up Westies who absolutely LOVED snow - they were originally bred to run around in all weathers and seasons on Scottish Highland mountains and moors, so are pretty hardy. But obviously some breeds are going to find it harder.

People who live in places where there's snow all winter still do walk their dogs regularly.

There are mud free areas? They are my holy grail 🤯

My lab’s rule is water on the ground= max fun, water falling from the sky= absolutely not thank you very much 😂. He had great fun in the snow yesterday’

My chihuahua would happily shit her food bowl before she went out in snow 🤣

German pointers here. They are walked twice a day, every day.

They would be very cross if they weren't - even on hot days we'll go earlier and later, and stick to shade or close to water.

I had one out working a month or so ago in horizontal rain. She had a wonderful time.

I've not yet encountered conditions that would cause my labs to refuse a walk. We saw plenty of people walking dogs yesterday, I think mine were the only ones not wearing coats/fleeces though

Yes. Working black lab out in the fields today like virtually every other day of her life.

I always offer a walk and they decide whether they want one. Mine hate rain, literally nose pokes out and won't go unless desperate. Not drizzle, I mean actual rain. A stagnant pond in the summer though - the dream. Wet from clean rain? Strong no 😂

Realistically I'd be considering what's safe. What's the best for your dog. What your dog wants. 1 - is it safe for me as human and dogs and 2 - do they want to go and can I adjust the schedule if they're not feeling it. Maybe push for a walk warmest time of the day.

My Romanian rescue goes out regardless of the weather, she has a coat if it’s howling a gale and raining. It really doesn’t bother her and she absolutely loves the snow.

Two jack russells, one 3yo, won't thole a coat ever, two decent walks minimum 30mins each. Old lady of 11 dislikes cold and wet, goes along grudgingly (and very sedately) when wet, loves a coat. If very windy neither likes to be off lead as disorientated, so need to watch that.

Sunny days both will go for miles!

I have Spanish rescues. Thin coated breed. I don’t generally take them out if it’s too cold or if it’s snowing, it’s just not worth it as they absolutely loath it. They start limping with cold paws, and generally get so miserable I feel terrible. They have the garden to go out in and even that’s a struggle at the moment! Different dogs in warmer weather - hard to get them inside, lol.

I also have a small poodle cross (he is a puppy still)! I've been letting him in the garden but haven't taken him out. According to the "biscuit" app, he only needs walking 3x a week for 45 minutes. Obviously I don't follow that but he doesn't seem bothered about going out or not. He's quite happy to go outside to do his business then come in to dry off on the sofa, making me cold and wet!

We take our Greyhound out 4 times a day, she will not toilet in the yard, or garden, so it's out with the poo bags! She's not been too impressed with the snow, so there's been less time spent sniffing!

I live in Scotland, so yes I walk my dogs in the snow.

Cocker spaniel owner here. She’s had her usual two hr 6am walk when it was -1 - fleeced up - but her second 2hr walk at 11am was when icy sleet was coming down. She did not even want to go in the garden for a wee until I had put my coat and shoes on and dragged her out on her lead. (I didn’t actually drag her btw- I picked her up and carried her out as knew she needed a wee).

instead we set her up a snacks treasure hunt round the house with some clean upturned plant pots then had a few games of hide and seek which seemed to tire her out.