Outside dog and cold weather

[7mmfan]

So i'm getting ready to do some scouting for the late Teanaway Cow hunt that starts the 19th, and I'm planning on taking the dog with me. I've never had a dog out in temps as low as what they are calling for in the next few days along with the snow. I was curious if I should be worried about her as far as her paws go or even her body temp. I know dogs are tough but i'd hate to assume she would be fine in 10 degree weather and find her paws frostbitten. Any input?

[jackelope]

I've had more problems with my dog's pads getting chewed up by the snow. it doesn't look it but it can be really rough. he spends a lot of time outdoors and he's got pretty tough pads but they still get tore up pretty good every year with enough time spent in the snow.

[7mmfan]

I know that they make little dog booties, is that something that I should think about or am I thinking to much about this?

[rasbo]

Ive had the snow cut me,might cut the dogs pads or webs

[jackelope]

i'd only get the really good ones becuase i bought some from the pet store thinking they would help but they just fall off. it would have been easier to just flush some money down the toilet.
after a time or 2 in the snow, they toughened up and didn't bleed anymore. maybe the good ones from cabelas?
that or spend some time in the snow running him and he should maybe toughen up his pads pretty quick.

[runamuk]

I know that they make little dog booties, is that something that I should think about or am I thinking to much about this?

What type of dog?  and yeah the boots work if the dog will wear them, in a pinch just smearing vaseline or bag balm on their feet can provide some protection, reapply like you would sunscreen on a baby if the dog has lots of toe hair watch for snowballs...the vaseline also prevents balling of snow.....

my dogs have all loved the snow but it can really tear up their feet if they aren't used to it.....

[WDFW-SUX]

I was just out with a dog in the teanaway and it didnt go well... way to cold right now the pads on her feet turned into frozen clubs.. With the wind chill its below zero but I guess you know that.

[Birdguy]

Booties work pretty good if you get quality ones. It is also very helpful to have the dog wear them prior to the time you need it to, as they feel funny and most dogs do not know what to think about it. Will most likely be most entertaining for you  . Other then that keep an eye on her and you should be fine. Keep her hydrated and warm when possible just like you.

[7mmfan]

She's a black lab, about a year old. LOVES the snow but I just want to make sure she's taken care of properly out there. Thanks for the tips guys.

[runamuk]

She's a black lab, about a year old. LOVES the snow but I just want to make sure she's taken care of properly out there. Thanks for the tips guys.

I was curious due to the toe hair....lol...she is a good candidate for using vaseline or bag balm not a ton of hair, its messy but it does help...and booties are great fun the first few times they wear them 

have fun

[Shootmoore]

I use some stuff called tuff pad, pad tuff...sorry at work cant look at the can.  It helps condition the pads without drying them out.  It also gives them a little better traction when its slick out.  Watch her temp and keep her hydrated and fed.  She will burn off more calories when its cold out.

Shootmoore

[sisu]

I wish the people in my subdivision cared about their dogs as much as the people on this site do. Had a BIA cop here in the subdivision that killed two dogs during cold weather. One was the most perfectly conformed German Shepard I've seen in years. Froze to death. The other GS drank his container of anti-freeze. This guy was a major piece of work. Dumped the first Shepard under a contractor's dumpster!!!

The advice here is all good. I also keep Gus in my cab of the truck before and after every hunt. He worked as hard or harder than me and deserves a nice warm spot.

[Forrestrover]

My wife and I go skijoring ( x-country skiing with our dogs) and our husky/chow gets really bad ice-balls between his toes. He just stops running when this happens, he's in too much pain to move. So we use booties. We put them on him just before we start. If we bootie him up too early he will just tear them off. Check out dogbooties.com, or just google  dog mushing supplies. For running in snow, fleece booties work great. If it is going to be rocky or dirt/gravel terrain, they have booties made of cordura .

[bobcat]

I use some stuff called tuff pad, pad tuff...sorry at work cant look at the can.

It's called Tuf-foot. I've used it, works good. It's like super glue.

http://www.tuffoot.com/

[Shootmoore]

I use some stuff called tuff pad, pad tuff...sorry at work cant look at the can.

It's called Tuf-foot. I've used it, works good. It's like super glue.

http://www.tuffoot.com/

Thanks!  yep thats the stuff.  You saved me was going to rack my brain for the next 4 hours trying to rember the correct name,