Do you let your dog(s) play outside in freezing or near-freezing temperatures?

[kval07]

Saw this question in a poll in a greenies.com email I got, so I figured I'd steal it and ask over here.

Do you let your dog(s) play outside in freezing or near-freezing temperatures?

[kremsh]

I voted yes......they go outside and romp, chase each other around and then are free to come inside through the doggie door whenever they want.

I wouldn't leave them outside without a way to come back in to get warm, no way!

[wookin]

I voted yes too. We have a doggie door for 4 dogs. If they want to play outside the in cold, who are we to make them come in? If they want to freeze instead of staying inside our cozy warm home I say let them.

[darkwing932]

Yes for me! My Bella LOVES the snow!

[ari'smom]

It's a necessity almost half of the year up north lol and most dogs love it. We have a small dog and she lets us know when she wants to come inside, usually before we do lol. I think the thing you have to worry about with dogs in the winter probably more than the cold itself is their feet. I keep wishing I could get my dog some little booties (she already has little coats and sweaters) because if there is salt around she's really not happy. Plus I'm sure it's pretty cold with all that snow between her pads and stuff. Anyway, that's usually how I can tell she's cold, she starts lifting up her paws. Or if I have her on the leash she will refuse to walk so I have to carry her the rest of the way home lol.

[kval07]

It's a necessity almost half of the year up north lol and most dogs love it. We have a small dog and she lets us know when she wants to come inside, usually before we do lol. I think the thing you have to worry about with dogs in the winter probably more than the cold itself is their feet. I keep wishing I could get my dog some little booties (she already has little coats and sweaters) because if there is salt around she's really not happy. Plus I'm sure it's pretty cold with all that snow between her pads and stuff. Anyway, that's usually how I can tell she's cold, she starts lifting up her paws. Or if I have her on the leash she will refuse to walk so I have to carry
her the rest of the way home lol.

Google mushers secret. I use that on my dogs. It protects their paws from snow, ice, salt, hot pavement, etc. It was originally made for sled dogs. I can tell when my dogs need more because they will hop around on three feet. It is a little pricey, but you use it based on your dogs activity level outside. I do a coat a week, and I've barely dented the container I've had for over a year. It is worth The price because it lasts so long.

[Doglover8180]

My dog is spoiled - she refuses to go out if it's too cold - or will run out - use the restroom and is ready to come right back in.

[mom2lucas]

Our pug won't go outside when it's cold, and our lab won't come inside when it's cold! The pug won't even go play if there is a hint of snow or ice. The lab runs crazy in the snow!

[momof2inohio]

My dog doesnt really like the cold. She will play in the snow for a few minutes but I would never leave her out there for very long.

[ari'smom]

Thanks for the tip on the mushers secret, kva107. I'll have to look that up.

Oh, and while my dog doesn't usually mind the cold and snow, she hates going out in the rain lol. But when a dog's gotta go a dog's gotta go.