Temperature & Safety
As we suffer through another "polar vortex", my social feeds are bombarded by PSAs with charts showing dangerous temperatures to walk dogs that inevitably stop before they reach the frigid temperature we “enjoyed” on this morning’s walk. Most charts seem to stop around -20 C.
Should we all be staying inside? Hard no, from us.
We walk as the oppressive heat of summer gives way to the cool relief of Fall, which turns into the brisk crispness of Winter, and finally the gentle warmth of Spring.
Terror the Dalmatian skids through snow to catch her frisbee.
We play disc in the snow and track in the rain.
We spend between 2 and 3 hours a day outside, hiking, training, and playing, and are well acclimated. So when temps dip low (or creep up high) we don't abandon our walks.
If we're all looking miserable, we'll turn back sooner. If the day is lovely, we'll carry on longer.
One factor is that the majority of our exercise is done off-leash, where the dogs are free to run about and play, keeping themselves active and warm. If we're traveling and embark on an on-leash walk in cold temps, I'll be much more likely to reach for coats to keep the dogs warm.
Boots may be essential in cities to protect against ice melt and salt products. If the dogs seem cold, I'll happily put a jacket on them, but most days they don't.
It’s important to remember that we all live in this natural world, and there will be times that are sub-optimal outside. My dogs who believe they're water-soluble (Murder & Danger) aren't thrilled about rainy walks. My delicate orchid dogs (also Murder & Danger) need to be encouraged to embrace a frigid winter's day. But walks are healthy. Being outside is healthy. And even if we might start off a walk with a bit of paw lifting (from them) and complaining (from me), it doesn't take long for the dogs to be back to playing, sniffing, and exploring, and me to enjoying watching them enjoy themselves.
So, keep them safe. In summer, be aware of how humidity impacts temperatures and ensure plenty of water and regular breaks to cool off. In winter, be aware of the hazards of crusty ice, salt & ice melt products, and the impact of windchill on overall temperature.
Don't go out if it's dangerous, take special care of the very young or very old, don't be afraid to use boots or coats to keep your dog safe and comfy, but don't give up on your adventures just because it's winter.
