A general rule of thumb is if it is too cold for you, it’s too cold for the dog. But make sure you looking at weather fairly. “Don’t want to” and “too cold” can be two different things. It is important for your dog get some physical activity even in the winter.

Dog shoes are not silly! They keep your dog’s feet warm and dry and prevent salt and other ice-melting chemicals from getting on her paws or between her toes. You can find affordable pairs like these online.

The flip side is if you have an active and enthusiastic dog, it is still you, not the dog, who needs to decide when to go out. I can tell you there is nothing more embarrassing than carrying your heavy 50 lb dog down the block because refuses to put paws on the ground because it’s too cold.

Others things to look at when deciding when is cold “too cold”: the dog’s breed and type of coat, her age, any health conditions, and what she’s wearing if anything.

It also depends on who you are asking. After talking with my and three other local vets, I compiled these guidelines.

By “cold”, I mean 32 degrees F (0 C) or below.

Generally, many healthy medium or large size dog can walk for up to 30 minutes as long as it’s above 20 degrees F (-7 C). (Don’t forget to factor in the wind. If the wind chill is 10 degrees than we’ll call the temperatures is 10 degrees.) Lower than 20 degrees, walks of 10 to 20 minutes are OK but protection on the dog’s feet is highly recommended. For smaller dogs, cut the time to 15 or 20 minutes for temps above 20 F/ -7 C. Below 0 F / -18 C, everybody stays in. If it is snowing, it’s OK to walk if it doesn’t bother the dog and they have an appropriate coat or fur, but shorten the walk still. Wind and moisture lower body temperatures faster.

Breed and coat

You have to get information about your dog’s breed and his tolerance to weather. For instance, huge Bullmastiffs shouldn’t be out in very hot or very cold weather. Even Alaskan Huskies shouldn’t be left out in the cold too long unless you know how to work with dogs in cold for sledding, etc. (For instance, dogs that spend a lot of time in the cold need a slightly different diet.) In general, dogs with longer coats and/or are double coated (they have an undercoat of fur for the winter) are good in the cold and snow are good for up to 30 minutes. Single coat dogs should wear a sweater or jacket. Get more information on your dog’s breed from your vet or look up information about the breed on a dog book or Web sites like Wikipedia.com.

Age
Very young or very old dogs should stay in if the weather is below freezing. If under 40 degrees, consider a dog sweater or jacket and booties. Puppies and older dogs have trouble regulating their body temperature. Both are more prone to injuries on slippery surfaces, puppies due to lack of coordination and older dogs due to loss of flexibility.

Health conditions

With conditions like arthritis or hip dysplasia, for his comfort, it’s better to keep the dog inside if the temperature falls under 40. Check with your vet about any conditions your dog has.

Temperament

Just because your dog does not want to go out doesn’t mean she should stay in. Use your judgment more than the dog’s. If the weather is appropriate (not bitterly cold, not very wet), get the dog outside, even if for a short while. It is still important to get some physical activity even in the winter. When walking in the cold, you still want to consider safety as well, especially for the feet. Also check out “ Winterize Your Dog”.

You just got a new puppy. You know the basics of dog ownership: someplace to sleep, food, training, and exercise and play. But a puppy is not an adult dog, he is still growing physically and still learning mentally. You need to approach each of these areas differently than you would an older dog.

When I see an enthusiastic new dog owner walking a puppy, I mean a little puppy not an almost-year-old-dog, I want to applaud the owner’s commitment but tell hi–scale it back just a notch for a minute. How much exercise and what kind to puppies really need?

All dogs need some movement, but for a puppy, just some playtime with you in the living room will suffice. (Not only is this enough exercise, this is crucial bonding activity to create a connection with the dog, make him feel secure, and establish your dominance.) Good puppy play can be anything unstructured and not too strenuous: chasing, running, playing with dog toys, tugging. For training purposes, you don’t want to encourage biting or gnawing and maybe even start using a command for when playtime is over so he will start to know the difference. Playing with other dogs that are in the house is good for him too, but just watch if you have older dogs. A puppy playing with an adult dog can tend to play hard to keep up, and will be more prone to injuries.

Overdoing it with your puppy can lead to problems later. Things like rough play and jumping is a bad idea for a young pup. A puppy’s bones are soft and spongy. They don’t completely harden until the puppy is 18 months to 2 year depending on your dog’s breed. High jumps, jumping over large objects and jumping out of things like porches or trucks should be discouraged. The stress soft bones, underdeveloped muscles and immature ligaments can create damage–maybe life-long issues.

More than a casual walk is not good for a young puppy either. Besides the issue of her still-developing bones, a puppy’s body is not good at controlling its body temperature, making her more prone to heat stroke. Running, jogging, rollerblading, and biking with you dog should be saved for later.

As your puppy grows, more intensive or longer workouts are fine. Here are some guidelines from Petco on appropriate physical activity for your pup:

Exercise Guidelines for Puppies

6 Weeks to 4 Months

• Short walks on soft terrain
• Playing with soft toys in a contained area, such as a fenced yard
• Swimming in warmer water for short periods

4 to 8 Months

• Longer walks on soft terrain
• Playing with soft toys
• Swimming and playing with toys in the water

8 to 12 Months

• Faster and/or longer walks on soft terrain
• Playing with soft toys
• Swimming and playing with toys in the water for longer periods

12 Months and Up

• Walks on terrain that has been checked for hazards such as unseen glass, holes, ditches, wires, stakes, and metal fragments
• Jogging with you (begin with short distances on softer terrain until endurance is built up)
• Playing with appropriate toys
• Swimming and playing with toys in the water

Remember, generally, you know any exercise is enough for your dog when he or she is laid out at the end of the day. A tired dog is a happy dog.

Many of a dog’s behavioral problems can be attributed to a lack of proper exercise. Exercise plays a very important part in helping to keep your dog physically, as well as emotionally, happy.

Of course, the physical part of exercise is obvious. Exercise can keep your dog at a proper weight and help him avoid health issues that can derive from being overweight. Giving your dog the proper amount of exercise can help him avoid diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and even some forms of cancer, as well as other issues that may arise from excessive weight (like arthritis).

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