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HAUTE TIPS FOR WINTER TRAVEL

In addition to the travel preparations every responsible dog owner would make before heading out with man’s best friend, there are some cold whether specific precautions to take:

Paw Care:

• If your pup will be out in the snow or ice, make sure her nails and the hair around her feet are neatly trimmed – this will help prevent frozen stuffs from accumulating in her fur.
• If trekking over rough terrain is on the itinerary, consider investing is all-weather canine booties to protect your dog’s paws for injuries.
• Additionally, canine boots can be helpful in preventing frost bite. Keep in mind that even if your dog is of a snow friendly breed, if they spend most of their time in south Texas and you plop them down in Wisconsin for the holidays, their paws may be a bit unprepared.
• If wearing booties is unappealing, make sure to pack gentle de-icing products intended for use on your pup’s foot pads. There are paw waxes and creams made especially for this purpose, that are much gentler than the standard salt solution.
• Of course, even when taking the above precautions, make sure to examine your dog’s paws frequently. Make note of a couple vets in the area before departing, in the event that your dog does sustain an injury.

In General:

• Consider whether your dog’s coat was designed for cold weather – if not, consider adding an extra layer. Small dogs, especially, may appreciate a handy sweater.
• If your dog begins to shiver – respond immediately. Get your dog indoors and work to warm him gradually. If the dog is small, you can of course hold him against your body and wrap him in you jacket. If the dog is larger, wrapping him (or you and him) in blankets may be your best bet. The key is to warm him gradually – while your inclination may be to run a hot bath or use an electric blanket, this dramatic change in temperature could shock his system and cause greater distress. If you dog continues to shiver for an extended period of time, call a local vet.

Remember, if you experience a shock from the cold whether when arriving at your destination, your dog probably will to. Plan ahead and be conscious of any unusual behavior or indicators that your pup is a bit chilly.

WETNOSE WINTER WONDERLANDS

Portland, Oregon

With over a dozen off-leash dog parks, this is the perfect place for your pup to play in the snow.  If you want something more extreme, head out to the Wanoga dog friendly ski trail for a couple days.

Seattle, Washington

With well-behaved dogs being allowed on all of Seattle’s buses and trains, moving around the city is a breeze.  Mix this with interesting dog friendly eateries and hotels, and you really couldn’t ask for more.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

With numerous nature preserves and parks where your dog can run and play, Colorado Springs is a wonderful choice any time of year.  Pick a dog friendly hotel, and enjoy the beautiful Colorado winter.

Boston Massachusetts

If for no other reason than to take a classic horse & carriage ride with your pup around beautiful Boston, Mass., this is the place to be.  Enjoy dog friendly hotels, off leash dog parks, and a self-guided tour along the historically punctuated Freedom Trail – marked by a red line running through the city.  Go back in the summer, and your dog may join you for a trip on the Salem Ferry.

Chicago, Illinois

With more than 18 miles of dog-friendly, paved trails around beautiful Lake Michigan, the Windy City is not to be missed.  Stay at the House of Blues Hotel, visit Navy Pier, and end the day at one of the many dog-friendly restaurants.