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Keeping Your Guide Dog Safe and Comfortable in Canadian Winters

Keeping Your Guide Dog Safe and Comfortable in Canadian Winters

Living in Canada during the winter months presents unique challenges for guide dog handlers. Extreme cold, icy sidewalks, and heavy snowfall can significantly impact your dog's comfort and performance. By taking proactive steps and understanding your dog's needs, you can ensure they remain safe, motivated, and effective even in the harshest winter conditions.

Understanding Your Dog's Cold Tolerance

The typical breeds used by CNIB Guide Dogs are able to withstand cold conditions; Labradors and golden retrievers have double-layer coats that are effective for keeping warm during cold weather. The soft undercoat is weather-resistant and acts as an insulating layer in the cold. The outer coat is dense and coarse, and longer hairs provide water resistance as well as additional insulation.

Unlike people and horses, dogs don’t sweat over their whole bodies, making them less likely to become chilled after exercise. 

However, dogs are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite on their ears, tail, and foot pads in extreme circumstances. As guide dog handlers, it is important to be vigilant of the dog's needs and be sensible about what the dog is exposed to.

Hypothermia can be avoided by not allowing your dog to be exposed to cold temperatures for long periods of time and by keeping your dog as dry as possible when in cold weather. 

A yellow lab wearing a black CNIB Guide Dogs harness and black winter boots is posed on snow-covered bridge.

 

Considerations and Tips for Safety and Comfort

Wind Chill and Dampness: Pay close attention to wind chill and dampness, as these factors significantly impact your dog's comfort. If the conditions feel uncomfortable for you, they are likely uncomfortable for your dog as well.

Motivation and Focus: Cold weather can affect your dog's willingness to work. Be extra encouraging and positive to maintain their motivation and focus. When your dog’s willingness drops, it’s up to you to keep your guide dog motivated and encouraged to stay focused and reduce the stress they may be feeling.

Limit Outdoor Exposure: Minimize outdoor time during extreme cold. Plan outings carefully and avoid venturing out during harsh conditions.

Warm-up Stops: Incorporate warm-up stops at indoor locations along your route.

Visibility: Wear brightly colored clothing to increase visibility to drivers.

Footwear: Warm, non-slip boots are great for walking in icy and cold conditions. If your footing and balance are better, your dog will be able to walk more confidently.

Guide Dog Boots: Protect your dog's paws from salt and ice with appropriate boots. The salt used on sidewalks can sting your dog's feet when it reacts with any dampness that is present. Any type of boot is fine, although some dogs will not like thicker, more cumbersome boots. Consider thinner, balloon-type boots for better comfort and acceptance. These thinner boots allow the dogs to feel the ground underneath their feet which enables them to quickly become accustomed to wearing them.

Insulating Coats: For dogs with thinner coats, consider a well-fitting insulating coat to provide extra warmth underneath their harness.

Keep your Dog Dry: Bring a small towel to dry your dog off once you get to your destination or leave one by your entranceway. This will help your dog warm up faster and will leave less mess on the floors. 

Hypothermia and Frostbite: Be vigilant for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, particularly on their ears, tail, and footpads. Signs of Hypothermia can include shivering, shallow breathing, weakness, lethargy & difficulty walking. Signs of Frostbite include pain in the affected area, discoloration, swelling & redness, blistering, waxy/cold/hard feeling skin, or even ice around the area.

By implementing these strategies and prioritizing your dog's comfort and safety, you can navigate the Canadian winters with confidence and continue to enjoy a successful partnership with your guide dog!