It's during the winter and super cold and all of a sudden your pooch has to go potty. Sound familiar? Sorry but it’s one of those unavoidable tasks. When a dog's gotta to go he's gotta go. Unfortuantely when you have to walk your pooch in the snow it's not at all enjoyable.

Here are a few tips that might make that necessary trip outside into the snow and ice a little bit more pleasant for the both of you.

Layers For Humans And Dogs
Obviously, you’ll want to bundle up to head outside in the snow, but just because your dog has a fur coat provided by nature doesn’t mean extra layers aren’t needed. Different dog breeds have different tolerance for snow, and it’s important to do your research before you let your pup play in it. If you are unsure of your dog’s breed, it’s best to just play it safe. There are plenty of coats available for dogs of any breed that are easy to put on and take off. Just make sure you take measurements and get one that fits.

Foot, Hand, And Paw Protection
Speaking of salt, paw protection is extremely important to keep dogs safe from the salt used to melt ice on streets and sidewalks. Dog boots or paw wax will keep paw pads from suffering. Dogs need protection from salt even more than from snow and ice, though it’s important to guard against frostbite, too.

Towels By The Door
Not only will a towel by the door keep your home from being a muddy mess, it will help you get your dog dry and warm. It will also allow you to knock off some of the snow that gets caught in your pup’s fur, which can keep your dog cool for a lot longer after the walk. Snow caught in fur can also cause your dog to lick, chew, or scratch to remove the snow and irritate the skin that may already be dry from the weather. Try to remove as much of it as possible before letting your dog run around inside.

For more information head to Dog Time. There you will also learn about cold-time waste, why you need to shovel the walk way (and use a pet-safe ice melt) and they will also give advice about giving Fido enough water. Even if your pup is cold he’ll still need to stay hydrated.

Winter-time walking does not have to be a chore if you are prepared!