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.

He's been taken out actually, every day. But most days he doesn't want to go very far because it's obviously very cold on his paws. And yes, he has a coat on.

There are vet guidelines about what's safe for dogs in extreme weathers. This is about his comfort, rather than either of being too lazy to take him. But thanks for your judgement.

You just said he didn't get walked yesterday.

I think extreme weather would be blizzards not sunny, 2c and ground ice with a bit of snow.

Yes I do judge people who don't walk their dogs in bad weather, sorry. Last week when it was blowing a gale and raining, off only a handful of us hardy dog walkers out there . I suppose it does depend on the type of dog, a shitzu or similar lapdog won't be any bother but any mid to larger breed need to get out for a sniff at the very least.

Just a 20min pavement walk is better than nothing. Wellies and gloves at the ready! it's staying like this until Mon.

It's not 2C here, we don't all live down south. If he hasn't been walked one day it's because he literally refused.

How's the view from up there on your high horse?

It's not just about temperatures though - it depends on your dog and their health, your own health as the owner, what the roads and pavements are like and whether your dog will actually want to go out at all.

Yes, dogs need mental and physical stimulation but they're not going to combust because they don't get a specific amount of exercise in a specific 24 hour period.

I've been shot down on here for this before, but I personally don't think it's healthy for a dog to need a certain amount of exercise and stimulation before they'll settle and be calm in the home.

I have a working breed (beagle) and sometimes he doesn't get a walk. Sometimes he gets half an hour of sniffing. Sometimes he gets three walks. Sometimes he gets one long walk. Most days he has an hour. His behaviour in the house is no different whether he's been out half an hour or four hours.

I also work with dogs and cancelled a couple of walks today, because the conditions underfoot were lethal and the dogs were pullers. If I was to go over, I could be badly injured - and the dog could easily bolt (and get injured themselves).

You're fine OP, don't worry.

MN can be a bit dogmatic (ha) about dogs needing a certain amount of exercise every single day otherwise you're borderline cruel and neglectful. In the real world, plenty of dogs skip their walks when it's icy or miserable outside and nobody combusts or dies

I’m not really a dog person, but even I would point out that there’s a big difference between breeds. If you’re keeping your pack of husky’s indoors because it’s a bit chilly then you’re being bonkers. A tiny little chihuahua? Maybe keep them inside.

'It's not getting above freezing here for the next few days and everywhere is very icy. Don't think it's safe to be honest. Sofa cuddles and indoor games it is'

'He's been taken out actually, every day'

I'm not sure if he's being taken out or if it's sofa cuddles? Sorry if I sound harsh I'm just a big advocate of animal welfare.

I'm not down South. It is bitter where we are complete with sea gales but dogs need to be taken out. Unless as I say it's lapdog style, yours maybe is? But if it isn't you and your dog need a coat etc and to get out at least once a day. Walking boots have good grips on slippery surfaces. Obviously if owner plus dog are frail and in poor health that would be different.

But if it isn't you and your dog need a coat etc and to get out at least once a day.

What do you think will happen if a dog doesn't get walked?

Neglect is not walking your dog for weeks or months (or ever). Not skipping a few walks in the winter when there's sheet ice outside.

I don't think all dogs need to go out in all weathers. Obviously they need to toilet and access for that. But mine doesn't want to go out if it's pissing down. She'll pop out for a wee and a poop but that's it.

Ours (wcs) is immune to the cold weather. The heat is more of a problem so we often skip walks in summer. Winter just means he heats up less quickly 😂

'What do you think will happen if a dog doesn't get walked'

There's lots or info available about the mental and physical needs of a dog.

I'm not talking about taking them out in blizzard conditions but ice and below zero temperatures are the norm in Jan so we dress accordingly. Its good for us too!

@biscuitsandbooks what do you think will happen walking them in the snow and ice though?! Lots of us live places that have snow and ice more days than not in the winter.

Yep, there is - and dogs do need sufficient stimulation - but that doesn't mean it's a problem for them to have the occasional "off" day.

It's also worth reading up on the "bucket theory" about dogs getting too overwhelmed and overstimulated without a day off or a break.

I didn't say anything bad would happen, did I?

I said that skipping the occasional day isn't the big "thing" that some posters are trying to claim it is. A healthy, well-stimulated dog should be perfectly okay to skip the odd walk if needed.

BAH I came here for photos of dogs in coats and only @Unluckycat1 has provided one!

Mine have been getting 2 walks a day.. I took them out at lunchtime today as a treat because I noticed the temp had soared to zero degrees!
Both terriers - they have access to the garden but would be unbearable if not walked.

OK yes skipping the occasional day, fine, necessary if ill and no one else to help.

The issue is the tone of some posts as if it is a regular occurrence. A pp, owner of a large breed labradoodle doesn't bother in the wind or the rain! I mean seriously that'd be from Oct to feb. Get a decent waterproof, shoes that grip and take them out.

I don't think anyone on here has said that it's a regular occurrence, have they? Apologies if I've missed it.

My young labrador goes out every day - at the moment we have freezing temperatures and snow. My old labrador (15 this year) stays in the warm apart from quick toilet breaks.

My old dachshund would absolutely refuse to walk in this type of weather. He would have dug his paws in and laid on the ground if necessary, all to avoid going outside. I remember having to carry him under the nearest balcony (we didn't have a garden back then), letting him do his business under it, crawling in to pick it up, and then carrying him back inside, the drama queen. All while listening to a sad dramatic song about a poor freezing doggy.

My current furry idiot doesn't care about the weather, he just wants to go out, sniffle and leave peemails for his pals. So of course we accompany him on his adventures. But he does have a double coat, bless him.

Yes - ours loves it, the sniffing opportunities rocket 1000% in the snow and ice so he’s in doggo heaven.

It adds a layer of protection against snow and ice, my dog stepped on frozen puddle and it may have actually cut his paws without it. It doesn't nourish paws however...😊

It’s really a barrier type balm I’m looking for. He loves being outside in snow but it’s been -4/-6 when I’m walking him so a wee bit of protection is a good thing.

I also think common sense is needed re walking dogs. There have been a couple of days we’ve not gone out because it’s been just too cold (-8 where I am) and lots of road salt/grit. Responsible ownership surely also means knowing when it’s just too much be that cold, wet or windy to be safe.

I can't get my girl to come indoors at the moment. She's only 9 months old so this is her first winter and she's loving it! We've been lead walking her on the local fields every day but at home she just wants to lie in the garden in minus 5 😬

My 3 have had good walks up to today, drove to our walk today and ffs it was baltic, i was frozen to the core. I'd left my boots in the van and they had frozen 😂 it was like walking on Herman Munsters platforms 😂 i did a shorter walk and turned back, they've not complained.

My old staffie-cross is refusing. That's fair enough, she's 15 and balding in places (underactive thyroid which is managed) and she knows herself what she wants to do. I think the most annoying thing is that she's keen to go so we get all wrapped up and ready and then we get into the driveway and she feels how cold it is and changes her mind!

Nothing will "happen".

But I think it's a good thing to remember that for us, our dogs are just a part of our lives whereas the dogs rely on us totally for everything.

Many of them are full of energy and wouldn't choose to spend a whole day indoors and self settling, they want some excitement in their day. Which they mainly get from leaving the home even if it's only once a day.