How to keep your dog safe and warm in cold weather

Some dogs grow thick furry coats all year round, so as the weather gets colder, consider letting your dog's fur grow longer to give them added protection. 

Some shorter-haired breeds and puppies may need a little bit of help staying warm, so need to wear a coat when it gets cold. A cold dog is an unhappy dog, so it's important to keep them as cosy as possible. 

If you're walking in the dark, it's also important to make sure your dog is visible to other dog owners and people in cars. A coat with high-visibility reflective features, a flashing collar or light attachment, will help keep them safe and seen.  Just make sure anything you buy is suitable for your dog and they’re comfortable wearing it. 

Wearing a coat or light attachment is a new experience for some dogs and needs to be introduced in a gradual and positive way. This will help your dog enjoy wearing their equipment for winters to come. 

It can be difficult to keep dogs physically exercised during dark evenings, especially when public parks are closed at dusk. Here are some ways you can keep walks fun and your dog active, even if the weather is wet and cold.

Change up your walkies route

When parks are closed you can give your dog lots of entertainment by walking different street routes to your normal ones, so they can experience new sights, sounds and smells. 

Try doggy barkour 

Incorporate some little training sessions within your walks to liven them up. Take treats with you and reward your dog for doing a trick on each street you walk down. You could also lay treat trails for them to sniff out and follow.

Or why not create doggy-parkour (barkour) using treats to guide them to circle street furniture such as benches and lampposts? You can do all these on-lead so they're always safe. 

Play games indoors 

Indoor games like hide and seek, or 'find it', are fun and mentally stimulating for your dog. Hide a toy for them to search for and play with them as a reward when they find them. 

Provide extra enrichment 

You might be spending more time indoors if the weather's very bad, so always make sure your dog has plenty to do.

Long-lasting tasty chews, or rubber food-releasing toys and enrichment games are useful for giving your dog something enjoyable to do that is mentally stimulating. 

Back to school

Treat your dog to some fun and games that are also educational and useful. We offer short training courses for puppies, adolescents and adult dogs, teaching important skills in a fun and positive environment. Enrol in a Dog School training course!