It's cold, it's wet, and five minutes into the walk your dog has stopped sniffing. They're shivering, turning back toward home, or looking up at you as if to ask why you're both out here. The walk gets shorter every week. Some dogs simply feel the cold more, and a good coat can bring the long walks back.
In this article
Signs your dog feels the cold · Five tips for winter walks · Which dogs need a coat · What a good coat looks like
The problem
Signs your dog feels the cold
01
Shivering
A few minutes outside and they start to tremble, even while moving.
02
Turning back
They slow down, stop sniffing and pull toward the front door.
03
Hunched posture
A tucked tail and a curved back are ways of holding warmth in.
04
Soaked to the skin
Thin or short coats get wet through in a drizzle and stay cold all the way home.
What helps
Five tips for winter walks
Walk in the warmest part of the day. Late morning or early afternoon instead of first thing or after dark.
Keep moving. Shorter, brisker walks beat long, slow ones when it is very cold.
Dry them as soon as you get home. A towel by the door stops the cold from lingering.
Check their paws. Wipe off salt and grit after every walk.
Add a layer when they need it. A coat that keeps out wind and rain makes the biggest difference.
Which dogs need a coat
Short-haired, lean and senior dogs, and dogs with little body fat, tend to feel the cold first. Thick double-coated breeds often don't need one. Watch your own dog: if they shiver or cut walks short, they will probably appreciate a coat.
The setup
What a good winter coat looks like
Fit matters more than anything: a coat should cover the back from neck to tail base and sit snug around the chest without rubbing. Our sizes run small, so measure first and message us if you're unsure.
First walks
Getting them used to it
Indoors
Put it on for a few minutes at home, with treats and praise.
Short walk
A quick loop around the block in the coat.
Every day
Most dogs stop noticing it after a few outings.
Measure back length (neck to tail base) and chest before you order. Take the coat off indoors so your dog does not overheat.