Walk your dog with love in the cold winter months

Some dogs have thick furry coats all year, so as the weather cools, consider letting your dog's fur grow longer to provide extra protection. Some shorter-haired breeds and puppies may require a little extra help staying warm, so they should wear a coat in colder weather.

To ensure you walk your dog with love in the in the dark, it's critical that your dog is visible to other dog owners and people in cars, so invest in a coat with high-visibility reflective features, as well as a flashing collar or light attachment.

For some dogs, wearing a coat is a new experience that requires training to get them used to. However, if introduced positively, your dog should enjoy wearing a coat in the coming winters.

Top tips to walk your dog with love in the cold

1. Keep your dog on a lead if it is snowing:
   There may be deep patches or holes, or the snow may cover dangerous areas. Keep your dog on a lead to protect them from falling and injuring themselves.
2. Make sure your dog has a collar, an ID tag, and is microchipped:
   It's critical to keep your address and contact information up to date in your microchipping database.
3. Clean your dog after your walks:
   After a walk, make sure to wipe your dog's legs, feet, and stomach, as grit from the roads and dampness from rain or snow can irritate their skin.
4. Never leave your dog in the car:
   Leaving your dog in a car on a hot or cold day is extremely dangerous and should never be considered.
5. Keep off frozen ponds or lakes:
   The ice may be too thin to support their weight. If your dog falls through the ice, resist the urge to go in after them. Encourage them to swim back to you and call emergency services if at all possible.
   
6. Avoid antifreeze, it's a dog killer:
   Antifreeze is extremely poisonous but delicious to dogs. Keep antifreeze and other chemicals out of reach of your dog, and clean up any spills immediately.
   
7. Safety comes first:
   Your own safety is equally important. Make sure you're dressed appropriately for the weather, including a coat and shoes. Make yourself as visible as your dog.
8. Check your dog's leads, collars and harnesses:
   Check that they are dry, all working properly and will not be damaged by winter weather, as wet weather can cause metal clips to rust.
   
   When it's cold, it can be more difficult to do up lead clips and carabiners and attach them to collars and harnesses, so do this indoors if possible.

Follow these tips and walk your dog with love in the cold winter months