Dealing with snow

[ferJenna]

So, it's the first big snow of the season. April is outside having a ball and a half, and Mama needs to literally be dragged out of the house.

This is the first time I've had to deal with bringing a dog, a Chihuahua none-the-less, from a warm climate to a freezing climate. I know it's only the first time.. But this experience was awful!

It's snowing like crazy and I have April running all around me trying to play and I have Mama on a leash because she won't leave the house. So here I am, digging out shovels out of my parent's garage so not only can I walk around, I can dig out a patch of grass for my little darling dog to go potty. Did it work? No. We sat there for what seemed like an eternity and she just stood there looking at me like I was Satan in boots. I finally had to drag her under the boat that's sitting in the back yard because there was no snow there. She went, finally like she's never had to in ages. But there is no way I'm doing this every time.

Has anyone else ever had problems like this? I don't want to train her to use a 'doggie' litterbox. I'm hoping this will get better.. I'm sitting here sopping wet and REALLY don't want to go through this every time.

[tiffers]

OMG, Jenna. I don't have any advice to offer you...but, I most definitely will laugh. :D

[Julia423]

Sorry, I had to giggle too :) . Is there a covered patio area that she could use? Maybe a corner of a covered patio could be spread with some gravel for her and the clean up would be easier. Ok, you can tell I've never lived anywhere near snow so I'm pretty clueless. Good luck.

[2furbabysmom]

When I was younger, we had "little" dogs who didn't like going out in the deep snow. My dad would just clear a spot out in the backyard for them and that seemed to solve the problem. I know it still isn't too much fine, but at least you wont have to walk your furbaby everytime.

[ferJenna]

Tiff and Julia.. It's the thought that counts ;)

I think it makes it 10x worse because I'm still acclimated to California. It's been a loooong time since I've been apart of the whole winter thing, and trust me.. I DON'T MISS IT!

To answer your questions.. No they don't have a little patio thing, and I'm not sure about the gravel thing you were talking about.. But it's ok, I know you meant well lol.

I tried clearing off a patch of grass.. This was my plan from the beginning because I've heard of a lot of people having to do that with their small dogs. Unfortunately, mine was stubborn enough NOT to use it.. How inconsiderate :rolleyes: JK. Especially when I'm not supposed to be shoveling snow, but shhhh don't tell my doctor hehe. Thanks for your suggestions! I'm hoping there will be more :)

[CatsnRats]

Maybe try making a temporary shelter with a tarp or something for her to use that's in a convenient location? Honestly I've never had the problem with dogs not loving snow. Or cats for that matter. They all take to it like fish to water.

[ferJenna]

Julia, I just read my post last night about the gravel thing, I'm sorry if it came off as anything other joking.. It wasn't meant as anything bad :)

So a little bit of an update. After it stopped snowing last night we went out and shoveled more of a path that leads from the door to the boat. So far that's been working and she's been going. She still won't step foot on the snow, but at least she's going outside. I still have to push her out the door, lol but it's a step in the right direction.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! :)

[dlaura]

Jenna if it helps I have to shovel a space for our Golden Retriever also - once it is more then 4 inches she will not go very far. I am glad to hear your pup is being more cooperative now she has a path. What we will do for our animals.... huh!

[Julia423]

Julia, I just read my post last night about the gravel thing, I'm sorry if it came off as anything other joking.. It wasn't meant as anything bad :)

I'm a good reader, I usually get the point! ;)
The gravel was an idea I got from my vet...he keeps a patch of pea-gravel with a fire hydrant in the middle for the doggies to use. It is in a corner of his parking lot. I have lots of gravel on the side of my yard and my guys like to use it...it's easy to rake out all of the little, um, poops.

[Evey]

Have you considered Muttluks? http://www.muttluks.com/our_products/muttluks.php

[mynameislola]

I am thinking about litterbox training for Sparky. The look on his little face when he got outside in the 30-degree temperature, and then the wind chill.... Plus during the summers here the ground is hot enough to cook an egg.

[ferJenna]

That's true, I would do just about anything for my kids! I guess if she needs a path shoveled through the grass.. It's better than having to drag her outside! :rolleyes:

The gravel would be a good idea, but mine won't go on anything other than grass.. Although I have seen Mama go on different surfaces before, so who knows. :)

I should probably purchase a pair of those booties, just to see what she'd think of them, hehe. Thanks for the website!

I think the doggie litterbox is useful for some people, but I think it would be more of a burden and an expense for me. God knows I don't need another litterbox to clean on top of the cats! Doesn't help when I can't clean the darn things right now either :( Let us know how your training goes if you decide to go for it with your little one!

[Evey]

Jenna, if you look on that site they have some good outdoor gear for dogs. If we had not moved back to FL Shadow would have the 2 piece jogging suit sitting under the tree right now.....

[ferJenna]

And it's pretty durable? A jogging suit.. I thought I'd seen it all, I bet that would have been really cute!!

[good74]

We live in MN and use doggie boots (not sure of the brand). If we don't, they can only walk around for a minute or two before the cold snow is hurting their paws and then we have to carry them back in.

[Evey]

Here is the page with the coats. http://www.muttluks.com/our_products/muttopiacoats.php

The jogging suit to fit Shadow would run about $90, but she is such a moose. The smaller the dog the less expensive the coat.

I was thinking your dog might like the snowsuit.

[ferJenna]

How would I know what size to get?

[Evey]

Somewhere on their site they have a measuring chart. Usually it is from the collar to the base of the tail. I will see if I can find it.

[Evey]

http://www.muttluks.com/sizing_chart/index.php

It is a pdf so it takes a second or two to load.

Which one are you thinking about? *jealousy welling up, my dog has no use for a snowsuit in FL*

[Julia423]

I think those suits are so cute! I don't have need of one here in California either, but Max does wear a coat if we go out for very long in the cold.

[ferJenna]

I'm not sure, I liked the rain suit and the snow suit. 1st and 3rd. I wish the snow suit came in pink.. She's such a pinky girl hehe. Now I just have to convince the hubby to spend $50 ;)

[ferJenna]

Edit.. That doesn't include the booties though.. This might be a little tougher then I first imagined *grin*

[Evey]

It is easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission........

[ferJenna]

LOL Touche'!