Winter Safety: Keeping Your Dog Warm

Winter Safety: Keeping Your Dog Warm

By Kyle Dana

Some dogs are like humans; they enjoy and can withstand the cold more than the rest of their pack. Nonetheless, even they need us to be mindful of their safety during the winter season. If we think of winter safety in categories rather than practices, we can develop a plan that works for our dog and the cold extremes they encounter during winter hunts and normal days.

SHELTER

Home: Whether or not our dogs typically live in the house with us, it’s helpful to have a designated space that we can make sure is clean and gives them rest from the outdoor elements.  

Truck: When we’re on hunting trips, no matter if it’s just across the county or into another state, it’s important we consider where our dog will travel and overnight when we are on our trip. If they won’t be in the climate-controlled truck with us or in a climate-controlled trailer, we should consider how we can provide them with a space to get out of the elements, get dry, and stay warm. There are many good crate covers and crate pads that, when added with our dog’s body heat, create a great space for them.

Blind: If we waterfowl hunt with our dog, it’s good to be mindful of how we help give them a dry, warm space as they wait for the next retrieve. There are great, elevated stands we can use to keep them out of the water. We can also find ground blinds that will help shelter them from the wind and help them dry off. If we’re able to put their blind near a heater, that helps too.

GEAR

Travel Pack: Having a tote that’s ready to toss in your truck when you’re going on a hunting trip is super handy. Consider filling it with towels, water bottles, a first aid kit, food and diet supplements, etc. When it comes to winter safety, I’d rather be overprepared than find myself regretting not having something packed.

E-collar: You might not be thinking of an E-collar as a winter safety item, but if for some crazy reason I can’t locate my dog and it’s freezing cold, windy, and wet, I’m going to be grateful I can page them or look at my GPS to locate them and make sure they are safe.

Vests: When hunting upland, a vest not only provides protection from the terrain; it also provides a layer of protection from Mother Nature. Similarly, when waterfowl hunting, a neoprene vest provides a layer that helps our dogs retain body heat.

Boots: Like a vest, when hunting upland, boots can provide protection from the field and weather elements. Trying to treat a foot injury is difficult, especially in the cold. Boots can help deter those injuries. Boots aren’t for every dog. Something to consider is treating their feet with something like a paw wax to create a protective barrier on their feet.

FIRST-AID

Kit: You may never need it, but having a first aid kit on hand, especially in colder elements and when you’re far from home/town, is super handy. If you need to purchase a kit, consider getting one that has a separate kit you can carry in your vest. Then you won’t have to create your own carry kit.

Vet: Again, you may never need to call a vet during an emergency, but having a number or two handy for when you’re planning a trip is wise. You’d rather be prepared than add one more thing to search for during an already tense situation. Consider calling ahead to learn about emergency/after hours. Have an idea of what vet is closer to where you’re hunting and know what their services and hours are.

DIET

Water: Keeping our dogs hydrated during cool/colder temps is just as important as the warmer/dry seasons. When they’re at home, keeping water available to them is great. When you’re traveling/hunting, making sure you’re providing water is crucial. Something to consider is water bottles you can carry in your pack and a container you can transport water with.

Food: Helping our dog maintain a healthy weight begins with a good diet. A diet to consider for both a hunting dog and a dog dealing with winter elements is a higher protein and fat diet. This will help them build and retain strong, lean muscles and keep them fueled so they have the endurance and stamina to work and manage the elements.

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