HOW YOU AND YOUR DOG CAN ENJOY SNOWY, COLD WEATHER HIKES

Adopting a 100-pound Lab/Great Dane mix named Champ was the best decision I’ve made in my life, second only to moving to Alaska or learning how to make coffee. He was six years old when I adopted him, and had never left my small hometown in the high country of Colorado. I knew he must have experienced snow, but I had no idea if he liked it or not. Naturally, I drove north to Alaska with him the week after his adoption papers cleared. For a dog who hates bodies of water, it’s amazing how big of a snow hound Champ turned out to be. He loved romping up and down the mountain passes along the Alaska-Canada border, chasing skiers as they swooshed back down the mountain, or tracking snowshoe hares and ptarmigan along the glacially-carved saddles. He loves tromping through the woods near our family ’s home in New England, and will burrow for tennis balls in snowbanks back in Colorado. However, I’ve learned that hiking with a dog in snow presents its own unique set of challenges. There are the universals, of course — bringing enough food, water, and treats for the duration of the hike — but snow hiking requires very specific items that we learned about the hard way. It also requires a whole new awareness for your surroundings, as I found out when Champ broke through a 5foot hole in the snow and I had to haul him up by his harness. From one dog parent to another, here are a few things I’ve learned from winter wonderland treks with my fur-baby.

Try dog booties.

These are most helpful when it’s icy, or the parking lots are covered in salt that can irritate your dog's paws. Some dogs love running along snowy trails in booties (think mushing dogs), and it can keep snow and ice from building up in between your dog’s toes. These are great for longer hikes, too, although not always necessary. Champ hates booties, truth be told, and will run across the ice and through the woods quite happily without them. However, we don’t live in an area where they salt the roads, so we don’t have to worry about his paws as much. If he builds up snow in his paws along the trail, I’ll pull out an old sock and warm up his feet mid-hike.

Bring an extra layer for your dog.

When Champ broke through that snowdrift, he was understandably cold, upset, and shivering. He wanted to lie down and rest after fighting his way out of the snow, and laying an extra jacket on the ground helped him warm up way faster than lying down on the wet snow. This also rings true for any cold, wet, or windy area.

Dogs get cold, too.

We may not realize it as they run and play, but cold is cold. Start off small to see how your dog reacts to the cold — they may just need a warm jacket, or they may need to be warmed up with hugs and a blanket at the summit. There may be days where you’re willing to push through the frigid temperatures and whipping winds, but your dog isn’t. Watch how they act from the moment they first put a paw on the trail to a mile into your hike. If they’re acting strange, turn around! There’s no shame in heading back to the car anyway, but especially if it means your furry partner is safe and comfortable.

Don’t use a retractable leash on a snowy hike!

If it’ s truly cold, or the leash gets wet then freezes, you may not be able to use the retractable features. Dealing with 20 feet of leash while snowshoeing isn’t the most fun activity. You do want your leash to be long enough to keep your dog away from your snowshoes or skis, however, so they can keep out of your way and not injure their paws. Bonus points if your leash sports reflective tape and high-visibility colors, too!

Carry a doggie first aid kit.

My best friend and I were skinning uphill outside of Breckenridge, Colorado with Champ and another friend’s dog, Ray. When we turned around to ski back down the trail, Ray ran in front of our skis and sliced his leg on the edge. Thankfully, both of us are overprepared outdoor guides and had a human first-aid kit that included vet wrap, or stretchy bandages. (Vet wrap is great for dog emergencies since it’s flexible and can be applied practically anywhere. It’ s also very useful for human emergencies.) We stopped the bleeding, but Ray slipped out of his first bandage within seconds of us starting down the trail again. We had to keep an eye on his leg for the next mile, but he made it back to the car in great shape. Ray’s parents were grateful that we had the tools to patch him up, and we were glad Ray didn’t run in front of us again!

2020 has been a crazy year for a multitude of reasons, but Champ doesn’t know that. All he knows is that falling leaves soon turn to falling snowflakes, and snowy hikes with mom are his favorite. We’re gearing up for this winter’s treks, and hope we’ll see you and your pups out there, too!

Josette Deschambeault is a dog mom, freelance writer, raft & hiking guide, and outdoor enthusiast based out of Alaska, Colorado, and Maine. When she’s not on the water or the trail, she’s road-tripping with Champ to camp in new places.