Article & Images Submitted by Shannon MacBeth, Shakespeare's Legacy Labradors www.facebook.com/shakespeareslegacylabradors
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
The hardest part is always the beginning. ~Plato
Out with the old and in with the new is the age-old adage that is often repeated as one year turns into the next. Some strive to turn a new leaf regarding health and movement. Some challenge themselves to wake up earlier and take in the sunrise. Some will look for a new hobby or adventure. Some vow to revive relationships that fell to the wayside as life took over. Some settle into the rest and recovery stage the cold nights and short days offer. Whatever the case may be, there are ways you can incorporate your pets.
Out with the old and in with the new is the age-old adage that is often repeated as one year turns into the next. Some strive to turn a new leaf regarding health and movement. Some challenge themselves to wake up earlier and take in the sunrise. Some will look for a new hobby or adventure. Some vow to revive relationships that fell to the wayside as life took over. Some settle into the rest and recovery stage the cold nights and short days offer. Whatever the case may be, there are ways you can incorporate your pets.
Health and movement are easy when you have a dog. They need to walk to keep their limbs nimble, their weight managed and their noses busy for brain stimulation. Oh, but they pull and it’s icy or you’re worried about the salt and sand hurting their feet. Yes, there are always challenges this time of year, but let’s look at out of the box options. First, if your dog pulls: invest in a quality harness with a clip on their chest. Using the clip on the back often trains the dog to pull. You can only be reactive when clipped onto the back as they can get ahead of you. At this point, you’ve already lost control. Using the clip on the chest keeps the dog from moving past you and gives you the ability to control their body and head. There is also the option of a halty collar as well. This goes around their neck like a regular collar as well as a loop around their muzzle to completely control their heads without injury to the dog. While walking on roads and sidewalks could result in soreness in their paw pads due to salt and sand accumulation, there are also some options here too. Boots! Yes, dogs can wear boots too. It may take a few trips out before they’re confident in their new fashion accessory. You can also walk on the many trails in your community. Most are well packed down due to snowmobiles and other hikers. Finally, if these are not an option, simply wash your dogs' paws as soon as you return home and thoroughly check to ensure no grains of salt remain.
Set an alarm and get up with your dog as the sun rises. Pour your coffee or smoothie into a thermos and head outside with them. This could be the time you walk or could be the time to play fetch with them, building your bond with your dog, while also filling your body with the benefits of natural light at the beginning of your day. When the temperatures dip below freezing, most dogs are warm with their natural fur coats, especially those with double coats like Labradors and Retrievers. For those with a thinner coat, are very short haired or those that are teeny tiny, think of keeping them extra warm in a coat or sweater. You can find lots of fun, fashionable and warm options at discount stores like Marshalls and Home Sense.
Starting a new hobby with your dog can be so much fun! There are classes for agility you can do together. You can strap on snowshoes and hit the trails, with your dog joining you. Or for a more adventurous hobby you can try Skijoring, which is being pulled by your dog while you are cross-country skiing. Canicross, is running with your dog attached to your waist with a bungee cord leash with them running ahead of you. Kicksledding is like mushing, but your dog pulls you on a scooter-like sled with skis. Scent work is also a fun hobby where you hide items in the snow and challenge your dog to find them.
Starting a new hobby with your dog can be so much fun! There are classes for agility you can do together. You can strap on snowshoes and hit the trails, with your dog joining you. Or for a more adventurous hobby you can try Skijoring, which is being pulled by your dog while you are cross-country skiing. Canicross, is running with your dog attached to your waist with a bungee cord leash with them running ahead of you. Kicksledding is like mushing, but your dog pulls you on a scooter-like sled with skis. Scent work is also a fun hobby where you hide items in the snow and challenge your dog to find them.
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Reviving lost relationships can actually be the relationship with your dog. When life gets busy, the dog is usually the first to be left behind. Now is the time to rebuild that relationship. Enroll in a socialization class, schedule time in your day to work on training, gift them a new brain teaser or interactive toy, take them in the car as you run errands (as long as it’s not too cold). Build a maze in the snow and watch them run and play.
Rest and recovery may be the best part of the winter season and sharing that with your dog is an added bonus. What’s better than relaxing by a roaring fire with a good book, a cup of warm tea and a dog curled up beside you? I can’t think of much, to be honest. Their closeness often offers a type of therapy that can’t be bought. The presence of a dog can help regulate breathing and heart rates. Allowing your dog to lay across your lap can also result in deep pressure therapy that feels like a weighted blanket, depending on the size of your dog of course. The natural therapy their presence offers can also help ward off the winter blues that come with this time of year.
Whatever your resolution for 2026 may be, try to include your dog as much as possible. The benefits to both of you are unmatched by anything else you can do during the winter season. So, grab your toque, jacket, and snow boots along with a sturdy harness, a long leash and your best friend and get outside. I’ll see you out there!
Whatever your resolution for 2026 may be, try to include your dog as much as possible. The benefits to both of you are unmatched by anything else you can do during the winter season. So, grab your toque, jacket, and snow boots along with a sturdy harness, a long leash and your best friend and get outside. I’ll see you out there!
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