Should dogs go on winter hikes?

#Middlebury #Dogs

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I love hiking with my Border Collie mix, Jess. Even in the dead of winter, we are out in the snow. Jess carries her own supplies in saddlebags sized just for her. The problem is my girlfriend keeps saying it’s dangerous for Jess to be out with me in the wintertime. That she could get hypothermia, or injure her paws on jagged ice and have to be carried out. I really have never had a problem. What’s your take? – Tim Y., Manchester, New Hampshire

DEAR TIM: Each dog is different, and a dog that is outdoors frequently can acclimate as the seasons change. It sounds like Jess is pretty well acclimated to the cold, and you probably keep a close eye on her while on the trail to make sure she’s not shivering or in distress. Hiking is an activity that keeps you both warm, even on snowy days.

I do understand your girlfriend’s worries. Much bigger dogs than Jess have suffered hypothermia from spending just a few hours in the backyard unsupervised. And that term, supervision, does make a difference.

Assure your girlfriend that because Jess is with you on the trail, she is under your supervision at all times. If she does get chilly or injures a paw, you’ll know about it right away, and will make sure that Jess is safe and that she’s warm enough. Her saddlebags should carry food, a drinking bowl, a doggy sweater or emergency blanket, and a small first-aid kit to deal with scraped paws and splinters.

My advice: Keep hiking and enjoy the time spent with Jess!

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