Posted on February 21, 2010 by: WayCoolDogs

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Today in Nebraska the wind chill is 9 degrees and its snowing heavily outside with an 18-mile wind. We have brought certain breeds inside — short-haired Rat Terriers, Pomeranians, short-haired Dachshunds, and one delicate spoiled cream Shiba-Inu named J.J. — or have placed heat lamps in dog houses of some outside dogs that feel the cold more than others yet still like to be outside — such as the cocker spaniels, Shiba Inus and Miniature American Eskimos.  It’s all in the art of knowing your dog and recognizing how special they are.

The act of bringing an outside dog safely inside during the winter or providing some with heat and extra protection involves the simple act of caring and some practical common sense. No dog should be kept outside all the time during the winter—whether they are brought inside the home, a garage, or the basement. Dogs that are tethered or chained up outside during the winter are at the most risk of freezing, choking, becoming frostbitten, or dying. In many states, this is against the law and considered inhumane at all times.

Outside dogs that are brought inside in the winter and are not house-broken can be placed in wire crates with a proper wire bottom to prevent direct contact to feces or urine. Large dogs can be placed in a large crate with a solid bottom tray to hold their weight. The trays can be pulled out for the placement of newspapers and cleaning.

During the winter, these dogs should be exercised three to four times a day by taking them outside, depending on the dog involved. Crating an outside dog for their inside stay is only necessary when toilet training, during the night or when the owner is gone.  It usually will take about two to four weeks for training to get the message across what is expected, as dogs generally do not like to toilet where they sleep or eat.

At all times, outside dogs should always have a large enclosed run to move around freely with a protected shelter from the hot summer sun or cold winter elements. But there may always be a time when the outside dog needs to come inside, such as during illness, physical trauma, as protection for the home, or dangerously cold weather.

Outside breeds of dogs

There will always be a breed which lives outside better than indoors, but things like large exercise pens, bowls made of plastic instead of metal (their tongues can freeze to the bowl) and protected shelter are a necessity to all of them.

Signs of cold in a dog

When you see your outside winter dog shivering and hunched over, trying to dig out a warm spot in the dog house or ground, then that dog should be brought instantly inside to warm up. How much better could they explain in dog language how miserable and cold they are?

These type of signs can be the signs of early frostbite, especially if the wind chill is dangerously low. Areas of concern should be the toes, ears and tips of tails, where their body tissue will actually freeze — the area will begin to pale and feel cold to touch. If the dog is brought inside, the area will thaw and become swollen and red with possible developing blisters. In this case, a vet should be contacted as this dog may also be at chance for hypothermia.

Another winter trouble-spot for outside dogs are their feet pads. Wads of snow and ice in that area, if left uncared for in the winter, can cause a dog to go lame. Kennels need to be kept scraped clean or layers of clean straw placed inside so the pads never touch snow or ice.  Watch for limping outside dogs in the winter or those who are gently favoring a foot. Bring them inside if the weather is very bad, making sure the pads of their feet are cleaned of hard balls of ice and snow in the deepest areas.

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News:

(Omaha, NE) Woman Charged After Dog Found Frozen in Kennel

“The animal control officers literally had to dismantle the plastic dog house and bring the dog out to the shelter while still stuck to floor of dog house (kennel),” said Mark Langan with NHS.

NHS said the investigation found the dog had been chained in the back yard for up to two weeks with no food, water or adequate shelter.

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