Removing Snow

[Mike, Cedar and Reno]

Cedar turned one a couple of weeks ago & she got her first taste of snow today on the hike(I live in the sticks in the Pacific NW) .. so did I.  I had about 4 inches at my house.  I can't believe how her coat collects snow.  There were snowballs bigger than a golf ball in place & they aren't easy to remove as they are packed on the hair.  It took some time to "finger" them off.  I used warm water also, but we're talking 15 minutes or more to get it all(make that most) off.  I've put hair trimming on my agenda for the day.  I was wondering if those of you who have fought this battle have come up with any tricks.  Maybe boots are the answer, but I tried those with my last dog(golden retriever/lab mix) and they came off & they won't help with this current snowfall.

Thanks for any help or comments.

Mike & Cedar(aka -- the snow magnet)

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Mike...just bite them off!!!   Ha ha, I couldn't resist saying that.  You need to go to the front page and read Donna and Quincy's discussion on "Do You Have a Story to Tell" and then you will understand why I said this.  Sorry but too funny!  We don't live where there is snow so I am no help...Foxtails...Yes!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Mine collect snowballs on their feet and legs too. The longer the coat, sadly, I think the worse it is. I try to get the biggest ones off by pulling them. If it's really bad I have rinsed their legs in the shower with the hose attachment. If it's not too bad I'll let them dry off in their crates or on the rug or their beds. Usually the air is dry and we can use the extra humidity. Happily, we usually have snow to complain about by now but since the freak October storm we haven't had any. Some people use those paw dipping gizmos. Lots of discussions, mixed reviews.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/best-way-to-get-ice-balls-...

http://www.doodlekisses.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2065244%3ABlogPos...

[Jackie]

We have that problem too but now I just dry Beckett as best I can and then just let them melt :)

[Mara, Sadie & Zoe]

If its bad I put Sadie in the tub with some warm water, it seems to be the fastest way to get rid of them especially if there's a lot. We haven't had any snow to speak of this year in CT except for the October disaster. I have bought boots this year but haven't even gotten to try them out yet (maybe that's a good thing).

[Leslie C.]

Hi, Mike. 

LiliBear has had this problem before.  You want to make sure that the hair around the paw and between the toe pads is trimmed short.  You could try a product like Show Sheen as a protective coating on Cedar's coat.  I need to start using it again to reduce the tangles/ matting.  Hopefully, this will minimize the snow build up once it starts snowing in MD again.  You can also try using a rake grooming tool and blow dryer to help get the snowballs off.   Good luck!  And thanks for the lovely videos and pictures on your page.  ~Leslie

[Jess and Pippin]

We live in Vancouver BC and must have got hit with the same system as you.  Had Pippin out today at the dog park and he came home covered in snow balls on his belly and legs.  I purchased a product called the dog cozy.  It is a high quality bamboo terry cloth bag that you enclose your dog in.  The dog's body heat melts off the snow and the terry cloth fabric soaks it all up.  Pippin is always ready for a good snooze after a long wet romp (snow or water).  We just make sure someone is in the same room with him while he is in it in case he decided to try to walk. Works like a charm in the car too.

[Mike, Cedar and Reno]

That seems like a great idea ..  Just wrap them up for awhile.  I will try this.

[Mara, Sadie & Zoe]

Try a bucket of warm water, dip one leg at a time....

[Mike, Cedar and Reno]

I've done the warm water.  What I did do today was remove some hair from Cedar's legs, "leg pits" and so forth.  I had her out and the trim helped quite a bit .. shorter hair, smaller globs of snow.  Thanks all for the replies.

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Boots haven't worked for me ....Brady can't seem to get used to them, they fall off or he tries to get them off!!   I wish someone would come out with Doodle leg warmers or a full snowsuit that goes right down the legs - it wouldn't be too bad if it were just the paws collecting the snow!    

[Mara, Sadie & Zoe]

Such a great idea! I wonder if i could knit them...I've got plenty of yarn.

[Patricia K]

"Mushers secret" paw protection wax is the trick for the paws.  It works great on my Maddy, i can't imagine trying to get boots on a 7 month old! There are also dog snowsuits that have legs completely down to the paws.  I have seen them on line, just google!