I try to get Yates out for a walk every day. We shoot for three miles a day and usually can manage that. In November, December and January, we enjoyed mild winter temperatures making it possible for Yates and me to go on long walks. But – it is Minnesota and the cold temperatures were looming. 

I consulted our training coaches regarding cold weather walks with Yates as I was looking at boots for Yates and wanted to be sure it would be worth trying. Elizabeth shared very good detailed information about cold weather paw protection.  About a week before the cold snap hit, I ordered boots for Yates. They arrived just as the weather was turning colder.

Prepared with cookies and patience, I worked with Yates to get them on his paws. Although I don’t think it is kind to laugh at dogs or children, it was comical. My daughter was watching and she took some video. 

That first day, I couldn’t get Yates out of the driveway. We went inside, took his boots off and did a short walk. It was short because his paws were cold, he started lifting them so we had to go home.  On the second day it was easier to get his boots on and we managed to go around the block. With this walk he was discovering that he could walk normally. On the third day we went around a bigger block. He seemed to be getting more comfortable in his boots. The fourth day we headed for one of his favorite walks around the neighborhood school. He seemed to be enjoying himself; however it was just too cold and he started nudging me before we got very far. We turned around and headed home. 

Yesterday was pretty cold and I had been playing with Yates and thinking I would take him to a big box store in the evening if he was really restless. At around 4:00 pm he was really working at me for attention. I said to my daughter, “He really wants to go for a walk.” I got his boots out. There was absolutely no resistance from Yates when I was putting them on. He wanted his walk. So – with  boots on Yates and myself bundled up we headed for the path around the school. Yates trotted right along and made a few stops at his favorite sniffing spots. We managed to get around the whole block and then home, totaling 1.5 miles. 

We will get through this cold snap and still get some exercise and fresh air. Bundled up and boots on, there is no stopping us. Happy Winter!