Winter Weather and Sunlight and Basic Care

Dogs, like humans, enjoy and thrive in sunlight and will become lethargic and possibly melancholy or even depressed with less sunlight exposure daily. As an owner or handler it is important to get dogs out to exercise the same if not more during sunlight hours and for the same amount of time, regardless of the cold. Larger breeds often have an inner and outer coat and will grow additional winter insulation. The inner coat is specific to the warm of the dog, the outer coat is composed of longer, coarser hair that contains naturally produced oils that give the dog water and wind proofing; some breeds are completely comfortable even lying directly in snow with no effect on the internal temperature. Smaller breeds are more susceptible to the cold and often need a "doggie" jacket or coat to keep them warm. But again, maintaining exercise and exposure to sunlight in key to your dogs physical and mental health. Dogs get "cabin fever" in the same way humans to be cooped up inside. So get out there and bare the elements - you will both be better for it. We as a service provider to dogs can help you with walking if needed. Just give us a shout or if you have questions feel free to contact me directly of send and email to info@boston-dogs.com and follow us on Twitter at for daily tips and updates at www.twitter.com/bostoniandogs  Grooming, specifically washing your dog is not advised during the winter as it strips their coats of essential oils that do provide waterproofing, wind resistance, and cold tolerance. My Chocolate Labrador Retriever is in perfect health and smells great and has not been washed in several years if that is any indication.

With the holidays approaching, some Dogs may have to be kenneled as a result of human travel to visit family and friends. Consult you Vet. for or myself for reputable boarding accommodations as "kennel cough" and other contagious infections can be easily transmitted in a confined area, often with recycled air. Boston Dogs provides a healthy alternative to a kennel. We do in-house visits based on your needs 2 to 3 times daily to walk/feed/water/and socialize with your best friend without removing him/her from their home environment and being kept in a small cage for a majority of the day. Boston-Dogs.com has resources and relationships with many other organizations that can step in to help as well. Your Dogs health and happiness are paramount when you are out-of-town. We are already filling up fast for the Thanksgiving holiday, so contact us promptly.

Often in winter conditions, as they approach the paws are most susceptible to cuts and wear-n-tear do to ice and frozen snow pack. An brief post-walk or jog inspection will illuminate and potential first aid needs that dont require a costly Vet. visit. Feel to contact us for a remedy and more cost effective, brief, in-house evaluation. Dogs are more resilent to pain than the humans and will often not so signs of pain, so watch for changes in their gate or favoring specific limbs.