Essential Dog Walking Winter Gear: Stay Safe and Warm This Winter

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Stay prepared for winter walks with our dog walking winter gear checklist! From layering up yourself to keeping your dog cozy and dry, this guide covers all you need to stay warm and safe while out in the cold. Learn about the benefits of walking in winter, essential gear, and how to make those frosty walks enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Walking your dog in winter can be a daunting part of your day, but you need to remember it is probably a favourite part of your dog’s day. The thing is, if both you and your dog are prepared, winter can be a great time for the both of you regardless of the weather.

Importance and Benefits of Walking 

For the majority of us with family dogs, walks are the core method we use to walk out dogs. There are numerous other ways you can exercise a dog such as fetch, tug, frisbee, agility and more but the walk is most common.

Exercise has many benefits for our dogs just as it does for us and including it in a consistent daily routine can help keep the crazy away.

Other benefits exercise has for our dogs include:

• Aids digestion
• Keeps our dogs in shape
• Can reduce pent up energy
• Can improve mental wellness
• Reduces boredom at home which can look like destructive behaviours
• Improves cardiovascular system
• Can be a great bonding experience with you
• Can improve our dogs confidence and independence when in new environments

As you can see from the benefits, keeping your dog active daily is important to make sure they don’t find alternative ways to release this energy (like chewing the sofa).

All dogs are different and require different amounts of exercise but as our dogs guardians it is our responsibility to make sure they get adequate exercise….even during the winter months.

Challenges of Walking in Winter

I struggle so much in winter, I truly understand the whole hibernation vibe, I literally don’t want to do anything but be cosy all day. Unfortunately life can’t be like that and I have other commitments, we all have other commitments including our dogs.

Even though exercising dogs in winter weather is crucial, there are also challenges that we may all face during these months.

Visibility

Along with it being super cold, we also find that winter days are generally a lot darker.

I find myself walking Jasper in the dark in the mornings when I’ve got back from the gym. Thankfully I have a jacket with reflective strips but that doesn’t help Jasper. There are numerous ways you can make your dog more visible in the dark from reflective strips or lights that you can put on your dog’s collar and/or leash.

Personal Safety

Visibility could be listed in this section but I feel they both needed their own.

When I talk about personal safety I talk about the risks that we as owners can come across on the walk. Things like ice, cold weather, frostbite, sickness etc.

I still remember my first winter with Jasper where I wasn’t equipped at all for walking and I hated it. It was so cold and slippy and my hands were in agony all of the time! For this reason personal safety is the blanket term I’ll use for our protection and this includes things like making sure we have the right footwear, a nice coat and maybe even potentially gloves, a hat and a scarf.

Frostbite

This is mainly for our dogs as we are more present with when we are getting too cold, but not as great with our dogs especially if they’re running around and having fun.

Frostbite can be common when our dogs are out for too long in really cold weather, think more snow.

Obviously frostbite is something that we can suffer as well in the cold. This is why we wear gloves and thick socks and which is why I think we should consider things like a jacket and/or boots for your dog.

Chemicals

With things like snow and ice a risk you need to keep in mind is the chemicals that are used to combat this.

Along with ingestion to these chemicals (especially if your dog likes eating snow like Jasper does), they can also be risky being in contact with your dogs skin. Some chemicals can cause irritation to your dog and their skin so keep an eye out and always wipe them down after a walk in case they have anything left on them that can cause irritation, or that they may lick.

Health Risks For Older Dogs and Puppies

The final challenge that I’ll mention is health risks. These are more common for puppies and our senior dogs.

Being out in the cold for senior dogs and dogs with issues such as joint pain can get triggered in things like colder weather. You may also find that some dogs may struggle to breathe in the cold as well.

Puppies and senior dogs shouldn’t be out too long in the winter weather and should focus more on indoor activities.

Dog Walking Winter Gear Checklist

Below is a checklist of things I think you need over winter and this goes for both us as owners and our dogs.

Owners

Treat Pouch

This is more an accessory but definitely deserves its own segment.

There is nothing worse in the winter than cold hands and there’s nothing more frustrating than digging around in pockets for things in this weather too. My least favourite thing was faffing around looking for poo bags in the weather while Jasper looks at me as if to say hurry up.

Having a good dog training treat pouch should be something every dog owner has, it’s a great way to keep things easily accessible. I have Jasper’s poo bags come out a little slot in mine and I put his treats in there too for reinforcement. I also have my phone in there as well so I don’t have to pull it out of my pockets.

It may feel silly but trust me not having to pull out a million poo bags from my pockets and the same with treats, it’s just effort. If you haven’t joined the treat pouch hype yet trust me you want to.

Good Shoes

The first thing to consider in our dog walking winter gear checklist is your shoes. Trainers won’t cut it in winter weather, they can thin, struggle in ice and snow and can get muddy and wet.

I remember when I changed to boots in my first winter with Jasper. It was so much better! The biggest thing that was a godsend was that they didn’t get my feet wet. Don’t get me wrong they were still cold which I had to combat with thick socks but the only issue I had was the size.

This year I invested in some waterproof, steel toed trainers for work but realised I preferred them for walking.

I’m not going to suggest shoes or boots here, this one is totally your choice, just make sure they’re good for winter.

A Good Jacket

This one is probably the most important in my opinion because I feel a jacket covers the majority of your body and if you get a good jacket then the majority of your body is winning…right?

I always wrap up in the mornings when walking Jasper with my trackies and then slap a massive jacket over, it sucks to start…don’t get me wrong but 5 minutes in and I’m cosy, 20 minutes and I actually find myself unzipping my jacket.

Accessories

Below I’ve listed “accessories”, other things that we can add on to keep us warm. This includes things like gloves, hats, ear muffs, scarves and snoods.

I find having a pair of gloves and a hat to spare just in case are a lifesaver on some days. I’d rather HAVE THEM and NOT NEED THEM, than NOT HAVE them and hate every second outside because I NEED them!

Dogs

Jackets

When it comes to jackets there’s so many options that you can go for and certain ones are for better conditions too. Whether you decide to go for something warm or something waterproof, having one for your dog can be super beneficial.

Before I got Jasper I actually rolled my eyes at dogs in clothing, now I understand it.

Jackets will help keep your dog warm and dry in winter conditions and can help the both of you enjoy being outdoors for longer.

Boots

Just like for us, the right footwear can make our walks a lot smoother. For me this is probably the most important part of dog walking winter gear for our dogs.

Our dogs actually have sensitive paws when it comes to things like this, they aren’t made for being out in the super cold weather (unless they were bred for it).

Boots just like shoes for us can help protect their paws from the adverse weather conditions, chemicals, grit, frostbite, snow and more.

Having boots for your dog can help ensure you can enjoy being out for longer without having to worry about the risk as much.

Check out this blog post on understanding when is it too cold to walk your dog to help you know when it’s not worth the risk being out.

Accessories

Everything apart from shoes and boots once again I’ll class under accessories.

There are accessories we can also get for our dogs such as scarves, snoods, leg warmers, a onesie etc. There are so many things you can get for your dog to keep them nice and snug.

Winter Exercise Alternatives for Your Dog

While it’s tempting to skip walks during the colder months, it’s crucial to keep your dog active even when the weather isn’t ideal. If the cold is too harsh or your dog seems uncomfortable on winter walks, there are plenty of indoor activities to ensure they still receive the physical and mental stimulation they need.

You can explore alternative ways to exercise your dog indoors by introducing puzzle toys, which challenge their mind while also rewarding them with treats. Scent games are another great option, allowing your dog to tap into their natural instincts while providing a fantastic outlet for mental stimulation. Indoor obstacle courses are also a fun way to keep your dog moving while building confidence and coordination.

For a more structured approach, obedience training is a fantastic way to engage your dog’s mind and body. You can focus on refining commands or teaching new ones, providing them with an enriching experience that helps tire them out. If you’re interested in learning more about keeping your dog engaged during the colder months, check out my blog post on exercising dogs in winter weather, where I dive deeper into these activities and how to implement them effectively.

Substitute Winter Walks with Indoor Mental Stimulation

As the winter weather becomes more challenging, there may come a time when outdoor walks aren’t as enjoyable or feasible for your dog. Whether it’s the biting cold, icy sidewalks, or harsh winds, some dogs may struggle with winter walks, and that’s okay. However, it’s essential not to let your dog’s mental and physical stimulation slip during these colder months.

When outdoor walks become difficult, substituting with indoor mental stimulation is a great way to keep your dog engaged and fulfilled. Mental stimulation can often tire a dog out just as much as physical exercise. Activities like puzzle toys, scent work games, and training sessions not only keep their minds sharp but also help release pent-up energy. Lick mats, scatter feeding, scentwork, or DIY enrichment activities like hiding treats around the house can provide exciting alternatives when the weather isn’t ideal.

One of my favourite methods is to set up an indoor obstacle course or play interactive games like free shaping, where your dog learns new behaviours using their problem-solving skills. These types of activities challenge your dog mentally and keep them from feeling frustrated or bored when walks aren’t an option.

If you find your dog doesn’t enjoy winter walks, don’t stress. By incorporating more mental stimulation into their routine, you can still provide the essential outlets they need. This helps avoid frustration and keeps your dog balanced, even when outdoor walks aren’t a regular part of the day.

When is it Too Cold to Walk Your Dog?

As much as we want to maintain our daily routines, there are times when winter weather can be too harsh for safe walks, even with the best winter gear. Knowing when it’s too cold to walk your dog is crucial for their safety and comfort. Factors like wind chill, your dog’s breed, coat thickness, and size all play a role in determining their cold tolerance.

For smaller dogs or short-coated breeds, temperatures below freezing may be too extreme, while larger or double-coated dogs may be more resilient. However, frostbite and hypothermia are risks that can’t be ignored. To avoid these dangers, it’s important to assess the weather before stepping outside.

If you’re unsure whether it’s too cold for a walk, check out my blog post on when is it too cold to walk my dog? This post provides detailed tips to help you decide if it’s safe to venture out or if it’s time for some indoor activities instead.

Final Thoughts

Walking and exercising our dogs during winter doesn’t have to be such a horrible chore. With the right dog walking winter gear you can ensure you and your dog are safe, visible, warm and ready to combat the winter weather.

Hopefully the above information will help make sure you are prepared with the right gear for winter and some ideas on keeping your dog active indoors when the weather doesn’t permit you outside.

What are your experiences with walking your dog in winter? What piece of equipment are you most grateful for when it comes to walking your dog in winter? Comment below!!!