Winter walks with your pup often brings with it slippery, muddy paths and temperamental weather – but we would never let the cold stand in the way of a good walk and spending some quality time spent with our dogs.
Whether it’s a quick trip to the park or you’re heading out on a longer walk in the countryside, making sure your furry friend is safe, happy, and comfortable can make all the difference during your rambles.
To help you prepare for the weather, we’ve put together some top tips for winter walks with your dog.
Preparing for winter walks with your pup
Change your routine
If your local park is shutting earlier than usual, don’t worry! For dogs, a stroll down a new path is equally as enriching. Explore your local neighbourhood together, you could even go and spot the best Christmas lights in your area with your whole family.
Could you experiment with new times to walk your dog? Perhaps a short early morning stroll to the park and a walk around the block in the evening could be your winter routine.
Do you have any public foot paths in your area? These paths, which are dotted across the UK, are a great way to get outside and explore your local area.
Keep them on a lead
You know your pup better than anybody else, but if they’re prone to wandering off, you might want to keep them on a lead during the worst of the winter weather.
Don’t forget that snow can hide holes and ditches, so make sure you keep them close after a bought of winter weather.
We know how much some dogs love swimming, but frozen lakes and ponds can be a recipe for disaster, so ensure that your dog stays on a lead if they’re around a body of water. We don’t want any chilly paws this season!
Post walk care
Make sure to wipe your pup’s paws, ears, legs, feet, and belly after a walk to warm them up and avoid any irritation from ice or grit on the road. We’d always recommend making sure that they have somewhere to warm up after the walk too.
In snowy conditions, snow clumps can form in your dog’s fur, especially if they love playing in it. To get rid of them, and avoid matting, you can melt the clumps using a hair dryer set to a medium heat. Alternatively, if you pup is hair dryer adverse, you can run them a lukewarm bath which will melt the snow away.
And if they’ve been particularly well behaved, don’t forget to give them a little treat afterwards too!
Wrap up warm
Make sure that you and your furry friend are dressed appropriately for your winter walk so that you have as much fun as possible without the chill creeping in.
Some dogs may find a coat beneficial, but the temperature at which they may require one will vary between breeds, ages and body condition. Some tell-tale signs that your dog is cold are shivering, shaking or assuming a hunched position, so if you see any of those, it might be time to wrap them up warm.
How to keep your dog active in winter
If the winter weather proves too harsh for a walk, and it’s better to stay indoors, there are some great alternatives to give your dog the chance to exercise and burn off their excess energy!
Here is some of our advice…
Teach a cold dog some new tricks
If the temperature is too low to venture outside, spend some time indoors revising their tricks or even introducing some new ones. You can start by practicing foundational instructions like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, and ‘leave’ and then move on to more fun tricks. Why not teach your dog the names of items or people in the house?
Pointer treats are perfect for training, they’re a great way to reinforce positive behaviours. Particularly our bite-sized treats, which dogs love, like our Milky Petite Bones which are ideal for helping to keep teeth clean and strong.
Play indoor games
Snowed in? No problem. There are plenty of indoor games that you can play with your dog to burn off some of their energy when conditions are too treacherous to spend a long time outside. Here’s some of our favourites…
Hide and seek: hide your dog’s favourite toys around the house and then ask them to go find them. Alternatively, you can use some small treats and hide them in a snuffle mat for your dog to find. There are some great interactive toys that can be used with your pup’s favourite treats to keep them entertained!
DIY obstacle course: set up an obstacle course made up of household items and furniture for your dog to run around. Start with a simple course and gradually make it more complex as your dog gets the hang of it.
Tug of war: playing tug of war is a great way to boost your relationship with your dog and burn some off their energy off. Start by wiggling one of your dog’s toys in front of them. Make sure to think like prey; start slow and then quicken the pace as your dog pays attention. Reward your dog when they grab the bite area and increase your tension as the game progresses.
Long-lasting chews are also a great way to keep your dog entertained. Our Pointer Grain Free Sticks, rich in chicken, duck, peanut butter, and lamb, withstand even intense chewing and are a delicious way to help keep dogs’ teeth clean for longer.
Enjoy yourself
With the right planning and some tasty treats in hand, getting outdoors in winter can make some of the most memorable moments that you and your dog can share.
So, grab their lead, bundle up and get outside for winter wlaks with your pup!
There are some fantastic tried and tested routes across the UK for you to try.
Don’t forget to tag Pointer Pet Products on Instagram and Facebook, we can’t wait to see your festive snaps, and we hope your winter walks are fun, and full of wagging tails!
