Winterizing Your Dog’s Backyard

Some dogs enjoy the open air so much that they don’t like staying indoors even during winter. However, even if your pooch is a chilly weather warrior, you still have to take essential preventive measures to keep him out of harm’s way. By winterizing your yard, you provide your dog with a great place to play safely in the wintertime.

How to Keep your Dog Safe & Avoid the Winter Woes

· Clear the lawn.

Try raking up the leaves and other debris on the ground. Because these things can hold water on top, they turn into ice when the frosty winter months freeze up the dry land. This icy land will make your backyard slippery and dangerous.

· Secure the fence.

Check your fence thoroughly for weak areas, and then find time to secure it before the winter starts. This way, you can make sure that the fence doesn’t tilt when snow begins to build up on it. You don’t want your to get loose because of tilt openings brought about by a poorly erected fence. In addition, because small ornamental fencing around your garden can get covered with snow, you have to be careful when allowing your pet play around outside. Your dog could graze his paws or even break a leg stepping on the snow-covered fence which he didn’t see.

· Check the eaves and gutters.

To make sure that there are no leaks, inspect all of your gutters. Remember that the outflows from your roof can form into icicles during winter. The last thing you’d ever want to happen is for these icy spikes to fall on you or Fido, causing severe injury or even death. Before the ice forms into deadly tiny spears, see to it that your gutters have been repaired. During the frozen season, carefully knock any icicle down that starts to take shape.

· Supervise your pet.

Never leave Fido outside for a very long time during the cold weather. Although he has a coat to keep him warm, understand that it can only protect him for a while. He still can feel the cold, and, all pets are at risk of frostbite and other cold temperature illnesses. Try keeping smaller dogs indoors as much as you can as this is necessary for their health. Large dogs can usually tolerate the cold for longer periods – many even enjoy it. Still they should have access to the indoors or, at a bare minimum, a proper dog house suitable for their size, with access to fresh water, and adequate insulation should they spend a significant length of time outside.

· Build a small shed.

Have a small shed or storage area where you can safely keep away all the fertilizers and other household materials that could be poisonous to your dog. Lock this area all the time and ensure that no snow or icicles build up on its roof. Never let any of these toxic items out in the open as your pooch can dig and eat them.