snow, snow and more snow...what to do?

[Laura Deutsch]

First snow with this type of coat. She came in from playing with balls of snow/ice very strongly attached. Does anyone have a quick way to dry off their doodle? Or, do you just have to wait until it melts? Any hints greatly appreciated. Molly is freezing!!!! (or am I projecting?)

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

There have been other discussions with various recommendations.  With 22.5 inches here and two doods, last night I put them both in the shower because the ice balls weren't melting fast enough.  This morning, we wrapped them up in blankets and held them for a little while.  This worked well for our 47 lb doodle but the little guy (31lbs) still had lots of ice balls so I used the hair dryer for a little while on him to speed things up.  We did have them in jackets so we were mainly dealing with ice balls on the legs and upper chests where the jackets didn't cover perfectly. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

There have been lots of previous recommendations with everything from "I put them in the shower and melt them off" to some people use snowsuits and boots, some just let them melt off on a rug inside the door.  Some use a bowl of water to dip the feet in.  For me, when the snow is this bad mine don't play outside.  We go out to potty and that's pretty much it.  Unless I'm feeling real adventuresome and then I let them out.  In this case, when they come in they go to their room where I have a really large comforter spread on the floor, and towels over their dog beds.  They stay there until they melt off.  If they have too many and seem uncomfortable I might use a bowl of luke warm water to melt them a little.  Things to remember are: I recommend being sure that they are combed out before they go out to play because if they have matts and they get wet and you wet in the shower also, it is going to set the matts and you will have a really hard time getting them out.  Also, remember not to get the water too warm because they are very cold and it will be much warmer to them than on your hands.  As far as their being cold, sometimes it does seem like they shiver a little and I will toss a blanket over them.  They usually stay under it, so I take that as a "it feels good" or they would get up and move.  FYI ..... snow pictures are great so we would love to see some.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Rinse legs in shower w/ warm water.  That gets the salt off too.  I also have snowsuits that cover back, legs, most of stomach. Fleece so they pop right into dryer.  Turtlenecks. Monogrammed.  Really cute, reasonable.  Only bottom of feet have to get rinsed. Got them at bark and stuff on web.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When Guinness comes in covered with the "snow balls" I wrap him up in a towel and hold him for a while until they melt off.  With Murphy, there is no "holding him" or even wrapping him up, so this morning I just pulled off the large pieces of snow and the rest melted off pretty quickly.  I only let them actually play in the snow for about 10 minutes at a time, so they don't have a chance to get too cold.

[Carol and Banjo]

Banjo played outside for over an hour and had a wonderful time!  BUT.....OMG....the ICE BALLS...I tried combing them out (NOT!) dipping his paws in tall pan of water (NOT!) finally I covered the bathroom floor in towels and used the hair dryer and my hands to work the snowballs out of this fur.    I had NO IDEA this would be such a production!  Needless to say Banjo is out like a light, snug as a bug, on a blanket next to my chair.   I could use a nap too Banjo!   These outdoor outings will require planning and plenty of time for the drying later.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My guys were just outside again.  Murphy decided to make Snow Doodle Angels this time.....he came in covered with snowballs.  Guinness has been patiently licking them off....one by one.  I wonder if Murph has any idea how lucky he is to have his brother.....

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jane - please tell me that you took some pictures of this!

[Frannie & Callie]

I KNOW I should be careful what I wish for, but I'm so jealous hearing about all the snow doods! Callie loves this cold weather, and I took her on a bunch of walks in our snow flurries over the weekend, but I know she would LOVE playing in the snow and getting it all over her!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

This was Murphy's first big snow and he had soooooooo much fun!  I was worried he would freeze with his new shave but it didn't seem to bother him and I can't imagine getting all those ice balls out of his long coat.  Getting them out of the short coat was hard enough.  It is melting today in the back yard though and Murphy seems confused, like he wants to say "Mom, where is all my snow?"

[F, Calla & Luca]

Be very careful what you wish for.....You can have every one of the billions of flakes on my property presently and forever more! Or you can just drive up for a visit.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We also have 2 feet of snow.  We go with a simple method - we lay down an old blanket and when they come in we direct them to the blanket.  We try to make them lay there until they melt/dry.  And our house is also a wet mess! 

[Ginny Nightingale]

The snow is so deep here that they can't run around in it! (26")  We had to dig out an area so they could walk and go to the bathroom. They are pretty frustrated! But I don't have to deal with snowballs either.