Our seven month old Havanese is pretty well house
trained (an accident maybe once every week or two --
when we're not picking up signals). He's walked
at least three times a day (more if necessary).

But winter's coming and cold weather can be tough
on such a small dog (about 10 pounds). What
do people do when it's really cold out? I'm thinking of
trying to train him to go in the garage -- where
it seldom gets much below 40, even on the coldest
days, but there's just not much room there when
both cars are parked inside.

I'm looking for ideas.

Thanks in advance.

--
Tom Royer
Lead Engineer, Software Test
The MITRE Corporation
202 Burlington Road
Bedford, MA 01730
Voice: (781) 271-8399
FAX: (781) 271-8500


"If you're not free to fail, you're not free." --Gene Burns

"Tom Royer" wrote in message
...
Our seven month old Havanese is pretty well house
trained (an accident maybe once every week or two --
when we're not picking up signals). He's walked
at least three times a day (more if necessary).

But winter's coming and cold weather can be tough
on such a small dog (about 10 pounds). What
do people do when it's really cold out? I'm thinking of
trying to train him to go in the garage -- where
it seldom gets much below 40,

Just how cold does it get there in MA? The dog can probably take it for
walk time. Havanese have a pretty good coat. And the size of the dog isn't
the real issue. Age might be more of a factor - older dogs and puppies,
just like people, may have more problems adjusting - and your dog is old
enough to take it.

We have 15 pound schnauzers. A little more weight but remember that they
are clipped and their coarse protective coat is what gets clipped off. They
don't mind cold weather at all. Cold, damp winds make them hurry on their
outside time. And rain is a whole other thing. But the temperature itself
doesn't keep them inside - especially if it means a WALK!

Our dogs will go outside and play in the snow. Rain is to be avoided no
matter what the temperature. We have been known to let them out into the
garage to lift a leg on a tire when it's an extended period of cold rain..
But eventually, they go out in even the rain. They can set record times for
poops when it's really raining.

And if you don't continue to walk your dog, you will need to make
adjustments to be sure he gets enough exercise. Why not just keep up the
walks?

~~Judy

"Tom Royer" wrote in message
...
Our seven month old Havanese is pretty well house
trained (an accident maybe once every week or two --
when we're not picking up signals). He's walked
at least three times a day (more if necessary).

But winter's coming and cold weather can be tough
on such a small dog (about 10 pounds). What
do people do when it's really cold out? I'm thinking of
trying to train him to go in the garage -- where
it seldom gets much below 40,

Just how cold does it get there in MA? The dog can probably take it for
walk time. Havanese have a pretty good coat. And the size of the dog isn't
the real issue. Age might be more of a factor - older dogs and puppies,
just like people, may have more problems adjusting - and your dog is old
enough to take it.

We have 15 pound schnauzers. A little more weight but remember that they
are clipped and their coarse protective coat is what gets clipped off. They
don't mind cold weather at all. Cold, damp winds make them hurry on their
outside time. And rain is a whole other thing. But the temperature itself
doesn't keep them inside - especially if it means a WALK!

Our dogs will go outside and play in the snow. Rain is to be avoided no
matter what the temperature. We have been known to let them out into the
garage to lift a leg on a tire when it's an extended period of cold rain..
But eventually, they go out in even the rain. They can set record times for
poops when it's really raining.

And if you don't continue to walk your dog, you will need to make
adjustments to be sure he gets enough exercise. Why not just keep up the
walks?

~~Judy

"Tom Royer" wrote in message
...
Our seven month old Havanese is pretty well house
trained (an accident maybe once every week or two --
when we're not picking up signals). He's walked
at least three times a day (more if necessary).

But winter's coming and cold weather can be tough
on such a small dog (about 10 pounds). What
do people do when it's really cold out? I'm thinking of
trying to train him to go in the garage -- where
it seldom gets much below 40,

Just how cold does it get there in MA? The dog can probably take it for
walk time. Havanese have a pretty good coat. And the size of the dog isn't
the real issue. Age might be more of a factor - older dogs and puppies,
just like people, may have more problems adjusting - and your dog is old
enough to take it.

We have 15 pound schnauzers. A little more weight but remember that they
are clipped and their coarse protective coat is what gets clipped off. They
don't mind cold weather at all. Cold, damp winds make them hurry on their
outside time. And rain is a whole other thing. But the temperature itself
doesn't keep them inside - especially if it means a WALK!

Our dogs will go outside and play in the snow. Rain is to be avoided no
matter what the temperature. We have been known to let them out into the
garage to lift a leg on a tire when it's an extended period of cold rain..
But eventually, they go out in even the rain. They can set record times for
poops when it's really raining.

And if you don't continue to walk your dog, you will need to make
adjustments to be sure he gets enough exercise. Why not just keep up the
walks?

~~Judy

"Melanie L Chang" wrote:

I also have to disagree that size of the dog
makes no difference, it really makes a pretty huge difference -- it's
that whole surface-to-volume ratio thing. A smaller body of similar
shape has more surface area, relatively, than a larger body of similar
shape, and therefore loses heat faster. There's a reason why little dogs
shiver a lot more than big dogs do, and it isn't just that they're
nervous.

I have to agree with Melanie on this one, and will add that there's
another factor to small dogs being more affected by adverse conditions than
large ones: proximity to the snow, ice, slush, mud, etc! When Brenin and
Morag have muddy feet, Rocsi's entire underside gets wet. In snow, her
entire body gets wet. Wet = COLD.



If the dog is used to long, brisk walks it may be less of a problem (long,
active walks = staying warmer), but to be on the safe side, I'd buy the
dog a sweater or coat.

Yep. Rocsi NEEDS her coat- she genuinely gets cold.

"Melanie L Chang" wrote:

I also have to disagree that size of the dog
makes no difference, it really makes a pretty huge difference -- it's
that whole surface-to-volume ratio thing. A smaller body of similar
shape has more surface area, relatively, than a larger body of similar
shape, and therefore loses heat faster. There's a reason why little dogs
shiver a lot more than big dogs do, and it isn't just that they're
nervous.

I have to agree with Melanie on this one, and will add that there's
another factor to small dogs being more affected by adverse conditions than
large ones: proximity to the snow, ice, slush, mud, etc! When Brenin and
Morag have muddy feet, Rocsi's entire underside gets wet. In snow, her
entire body gets wet. Wet = COLD.



If the dog is used to long, brisk walks it may be less of a problem (long,
active walks = staying warmer), but to be on the safe side, I'd buy the
dog a sweater or coat.

Yep. Rocsi NEEDS her coat- she genuinely gets cold.

"Melanie L Chang" wrote:

I also have to disagree that size of the dog
makes no difference, it really makes a pretty huge difference -- it's
that whole surface-to-volume ratio thing. A smaller body of similar
shape has more surface area, relatively, than a larger body of similar
shape, and therefore loses heat faster. There's a reason why little dogs
shiver a lot more than big dogs do, and it isn't just that they're
nervous.

I have to agree with Melanie on this one, and will add that there's
another factor to small dogs being more affected by adverse conditions than
large ones: proximity to the snow, ice, slush, mud, etc! When Brenin and
Morag have muddy feet, Rocsi's entire underside gets wet. In snow, her
entire body gets wet. Wet = COLD.



If the dog is used to long, brisk walks it may be less of a problem (long,
active walks = staying warmer), but to be on the safe side, I'd buy the
dog a sweater or coat.

Yep. Rocsi NEEDS her coat- she genuinely gets cold.

Tom Royer wrote:
Our seven month old Havanese is pretty well house
trained (an accident maybe once every week or two --
when we're not picking up signals). He's walked
at least three times a day (more if necessary).

But winter's coming and cold weather can be tough
on such a small dog (about 10 pounds). What
do people do when it's really cold out? I'm thinking of
trying to train him to go in the garage -- where
it seldom gets much below 40, even on the coldest
days, but there's just not much room there when
both cars are parked inside.


We have sweaters/coats for our chihuahuas, but rarely use them because
Going for Walks in Cold and Snow is on the Forbidden list. We just let
them pop out the door to relieve themselves, and try to exercise them
indoors. If you have to shovel your own porch and walk, remember to shovel
**** paths periodically, even if you're not ready to shovel the whole thing.

FurPaw
--
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

To reply, unleash the dog.

Tom Royer wrote:
Our seven month old Havanese is pretty well house
trained (an accident maybe once every week or two --
when we're not picking up signals). He's walked
at least three times a day (more if necessary).

But winter's coming and cold weather can be tough
on such a small dog (about 10 pounds). What
do people do when it's really cold out? I'm thinking of
trying to train him to go in the garage -- where
it seldom gets much below 40, even on the coldest
days, but there's just not much room there when
both cars are parked inside.


We have sweaters/coats for our chihuahuas, but rarely use them because
Going for Walks in Cold and Snow is on the Forbidden list. We just let
them pop out the door to relieve themselves, and try to exercise them
indoors. If you have to shovel your own porch and walk, remember to shovel
**** paths periodically, even if you're not ready to shovel the whole thing.

FurPaw
--
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

To reply, unleash the dog.

Tom Royer wrote:
Our seven month old Havanese is pretty well house
trained (an accident maybe once every week or two --
when we're not picking up signals). He's walked
at least three times a day (more if necessary).

But winter's coming and cold weather can be tough
on such a small dog (about 10 pounds). What
do people do when it's really cold out? I'm thinking of
trying to train him to go in the garage -- where
it seldom gets much below 40, even on the coldest
days, but there's just not much room there when
both cars are parked inside.


We have sweaters/coats for our chihuahuas, but rarely use them because
Going for Walks in Cold and Snow is on the Forbidden list. We just let
them pop out the door to relieve themselves, and try to exercise them
indoors. If you have to shovel your own porch and walk, remember to shovel
**** paths periodically, even if you're not ready to shovel the whole thing.

FurPaw
--
Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.

To reply, unleash the dog.