Our initial winter storm has arrived, bringing plenty of snow. Here are some tips and tricks to help you enjoy your time in the fresh powder.
Before Play
* Many doodle owners prefer to keep their dog's fur relatively short for easier maintenance. If you opt for a shorter style, sweaters can be a great choice for outdoor activities, but should be removed promptly to avoid matting. You could also get a snow suit!
* Feet get especially matted with snow easily and get very cold quickly. Teaching your young puppy to accept boots on their paws is great, but many dogs won't keep them on. Try Walkee Paws. Good luck kicking out of those!
* Keep your dog’s toenails trimmed. This will help by allowing your dog to keep their toes closer together. Long, untrimmed nails will force the toes to spread apart, creating a perfect space for ice balls to get stuck.
* Applying a small amount of petroleum jelly around your dog's paws and in between the toes will help prevent any build up.
* Avoid letting your dog get rock salt on its paws.
* While you and your dog are playing outside, stop every once in a while to brush off snow as best as you can to prevent ice balls from forming.
After Play
* Grab a wisk from the kitchen, (yes you heard me correctly,) and dust the fur in a back-and-forth motion to quickly sweep the snow off.
* To melt snow off paws, soak them in a bowl, bucket, or tub of warm ( NOT hot) water.
* In between playtimes, always wipe off paws after walking on rock salt. Use a warm washcloth. You can read more about the dangers of ice melts by clicking HERE.
* Re-moisturize those paw pads with a high-quality paw lotion/balm or some coconut oil. Another great product is Paw Soother.
Thanks for reading!
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