Question about doodles and snow

[jenn D]

I can't believe I am asking this question being from the southwest but how do you all handle drying your doodles off after snow romps? Or do you? We had a big snow storm for us, it snowed all day yesterday and some more is coming down today. We have about 6-8 inches now which is very significant for us. We never get snow and should have it through the weekend. My boys love it but how long do you let them romp in it and how or do you dry them off? I'm worried about their paws getting frostbite. I can't let them out every hour to play or my house, carpeting and furniture would be soaked. These 50-60 lb standards are powerful and keep knocking my 6 year old son down in the snow. Lol! Luckily my 9 year old steers clear of them and goes to the lower yard or she would be plowed down too.
Thanks!

[Shoney & Ruby]

Okay, we had 3 feet of snow this week! Yikes! That's a lot.

The easiest and quickest way with Ruby is to put her into the bath with a couple of inches of warm water to warm her up and melt those snowballs. Then I wrap her like a burrito and hold her for 10 minutes. Finally, she shakes off and goes into her crate [her choice] which is a few feet from a heat register.

Ruby loves the snow, which is deeper than her--she tunnels into it, jumps into and through and just is crazy about the snow. Our biggest problems is ice-ball build up on her paw pads. We have been using Musher's Secret, which helps some. I'd like to trim the hair around her paws but she is not on-board yet with that plan.

[Shoney & Ruby]

Meant to attach this photo of our back deck after the first 2 feet of snow.

[Marni and Hanna]

I saw where Boulder blew away the old snowfall record for Feb !!  Stay warm!! (and keep it down there!)  : )

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

We have had absolutely no snow (as in zip)! Yikes.  The Pacific NW looks like AZ and our mountains have skiffs of snow at the tops.  We are praying for some snow pack. In the past when we have gone to the cabin at Mt. Baker, I have put children legging stockings on all four legs, and cut out the foot section.  It help keeps snow balls off their legs.  I can only imagine the problem you that do have so much snow are having right now especially if your dogs are used to going out all day long!  I love some of the snowsuits others are using on this site.  You might check out Anne & Mr. Haley - he has a terrific black snowsuit if I remember right.  Have fun chasing snowballs with your doods.  

[Shoney & Ruby]

You can have all the free snow you want from us---just send a self-addressed cargo plane.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

OMD they must be having so much fun!  For ice balls in the fur -- either a warm bath or a hair dryer -- and then towel them dry…but gosh you have a lot of doodles.  Finn doesn't have a snowsuit but he does have a ski jacket-like parka.  It doesn't keep his legs snowball free but it helps a lot.  Haley and Quincy both have great snowsuits!  Finn wants to come in after romping 15 - 20 minutes in the snow -- but in the sub zero temps we've had, 5 minutes outside and we play games in the house. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

I let mine dry in the house, but I have a lot of towels around and I blot their legs and the floor as much as I can--and they stay in one room until they have dried off--I also have waterproof covers from Surefit.com on my couches--there is a couch in the room that can go into, so that cover gets wet but the couch doesn't.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

We don't get a lot of snow, at least not the amount and frequency some are experiencing but when we do Haley loves to play in it.  After the first snow for Haley I invested in Muttluks boots and Neo-Paws snow/rain suit.  I just couldn't deal with the snow balls on his long fur and the length of time it takes for him to dry out. 

He can play all he wants; not frostbite; no snowballs in fur; comes back in dry.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We have Soggy Doggy (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_10?url=search-alias%3Dpets...) and the girls know to stop at the rug (treat involved) and stay.  If they have snowballs we use warm water pan to melt them, if not they just have to lay on rugs for about 10 minutes.  This rug absorbs the moisture right off.  I love them.

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Snow and snowy weather is rather dry. In our areas, I welcome the little moisture it brings into the house.   If it is really bad, I try to place my hands on the ice balls but really that does not happen all to often that he is uncomfortable.   Your warm hand should be enough.  

I gate off him off in the kitchen and place him on a throw rug. It melts in 5 minutes.   

I do not like to dip any skin into warm water. Ugh.  First Aid--Run mildly frostbitten areas under cool water until the water feels cool. It will feel warm at first, which is why you don't use warm or hot water.  So, I dont use any warm water... ever.  

Just my thoughts.

It melts in a warm house in minutes.   To the rug he goes. Throw a few towels into the dryer to begin melting on a matted coat.   Just dont give them free run of the house so soon

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sometimes Luca gets such huge snow/ice balls that he is uncomfortable and cold when he comes in. I rinse his legs in the shower with the hose with slightly warm water and the dry them. I think he's grateful :) this winter I haven't had to do that yet though.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We really only have trouble when it is below 20 which it has been consistently for weeks. Then I have to use the boots.  Zero temps and snow is a nightmare but otherwise, for those in New Mexico, I see it as no problem.  

The water thing, just spooks me, but I am sure it is fine in NM where she is not dealing with Arctic Temps