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Yorkies in the Winter Winter is creeping by pretty soon, how do we deal with such a small yorkie in the winter, with snow, cold weather, salt on the ground to avoid slipping on ice. Do you guys put clothes on your yorkie or booties? I'm afraid that Bella will just stop doing so well with her potty training and won't go outside because it's too cold. She loves the sun, and barks just so she can lay in the sun outside. Since this is me and my family's first dog ever, we're kind of stumped on how to deal with winter. Thanks! |
Very good question... we are concerned too. I was thinking of buying some baby gripper socks, rather that the boots. She (Mandy) has two nice winter coats.... and a few t-shirts... so hopefully that will keep her cozy. From other posts I have heard that with the cold they rush out and hurry to do the business as it is so cold. I am praying that this will be the case! Sorry I am not much help... but am, like you looking for the same information and tips to see that this is a easy transition! Cheryl & Mandy |
That also concerned me as I'm thinking about getting a female, but wondered if potty training would be difficult in the winter since they probably won't want to go outside... And I don't really want to do the whole pee pad thing. |
My boys love the snow. I only let them out for 5 mins at a time, their little paws get cold anymore than that and they hold up their feet and sometimes sit down because it must hurt to walk and I have to rescue them. So I only let them out for 5 mins. |
I love winter... possibly because of all the cute warm doggy clothes available! I've been buying hoodies like they're going out of style and already bought her winter coat! She doesn't go outside to potty but if she did, I would've already gotten her used to wearing booties! Jammies are a must for those cold winter nights too! :rolleyes: |
I've been worrying about this too! Pita already shakes like crazy if it's just slightly chilly out. I can't imagine what this winter will be like. I hate to resort to only inside potty training. |
In my opinion.. it is IMPERATIVE that your dogs have a winter jacket and sweaters if you live in the cold. they are SUPER cute and functional. Yorkies only have one coat (hence they dont' shed) but can't maintain their body temperature... so they NEED to have a sweater and jacket on. Layla won't wear boots and im not sure they are as important... just make sure the hair between their pads are shaved so they dont' get balls of snow in there. |
I know ny winters can be brutal for our yorkies,what i do is shovel an area right off my back steps so they wont get buried,make sure you use pet friendly salt if you do use it ,just incase..Also booties ,thermals and winter coat. It is a big production over here every 3 hours having to get all 4 fully clothed for a 5 minute potty break! |
I bought sweaters for Daizy since we live in Montana.....it can get pretty chilly here especially at night! I haven't put any boots on her yet...but probably will this Winter! My Daizy gets very chilled so we put clothes on her constantly! |
I'm happy this topic was brought up. Tyson and I will be venturing home to Alaska for the Christmas holidays. So I'm extremely worried about how he will react to the snow and the extreme cold when it's potty time. I've been trying to train him to pee on command so that he can be prepared for quick trips outside. |
Since we live California, it does not get as cold as it does in other places, hohowever we have dropped below freezing . I have seen very cute sweaters and jackets, but the jackets are not very warm looking, not a lot on lining in them, so I am still on the lookout for a very good Jacket. I found an adorable rain coat and brought it home, but it was too big! I'll be taking it back tomorrow. My Suzi is stying warm at nght sleeping on my bed with me more again, and I know it is because the change of weather. |
Last winter was General Lee's first winter and he was 3 months old. He loved the snow and played in it until his little legs were snow bound! Then he got mad at me for picking him up and brushing the snow off:D He will not let me put any clothing on him at all. He fights and then will shut down and not eat or even take a treat! I am looking forward as to how he is going to deal with this winter. Our daughter is moving in with us from California and is bringing her 9 year old Chihuahua. I will be getting coats for her:D We are not sure if she will allow us to put booties on or not. |
Chester has a fleece jacket from teckelklub or club spelling and it fits over their head and velcros under their chest easy on and off, I have two of them for chester their nice and wash up well. He does like like the rain, I have never used bootiesd or anything though. |
When I took Mocha to the mountains, I put a jacket on her when we go outside, and shen we're inside the villa she wears a simple polo or overall. But the temp of the mountains here might be a summer's day temp im a colder country :D |
Yorkies like winter about as much you or I do. They have no undercoat to keep them warm. So if you go out, just think of them too, like one of your family or children. I am really no expert about cold weather, but for sure, Mike Alaskan yorkies knows, about those hazards. Warm coats, shoes etc. But no yorkie should ever be left outside for winter. They just cant tolerate those kind of climates. Just like a rare flower can not survive for very long. Unless given very important attention. |
I got my Petedge order yesterday and the new catalog. They have the cutest quilted Jackets lined in warm fleece. These are new, I haven't seen them before. It comes in either gray or purple. I LOVE the purple one. One look and I thought of Layla since she lives in Canada and does have a cute jacket and scarf from Petedge. PetEdge: ESC Quilted Jacket w/Pom Poms |
Dax is still using the pee pee pads since he regressed last winter. We were in Vermont last winter and got a ton of snow, plus were living in an apartment so the nearest grass was 3 blocks away, add to that the fact that like another post above he just shuts down when I put clothes on him and you almost have to use the pads. I put clothes on him from the time he was tiny and he never liked it. He just lays around looking at me like he's being punished. He is usually hyper when I have company so at times I have put him in clothes to settle him down it's so bad. He won't eat, play, or jump up on the company.... I tried to make it fun cause I like my house cool and he's always cold but he won't wear them. Last winter I tried taking him out (not neccesarily for potty but just to get him out of apt) wrapped in a blanket and zipped into my jacket but he was just miserable, he would start shivering uncontrollably as soon as he breathed the cold air in. I hope he will try a little harder to get out this year since we have the maltese, this is her first winter but she is more warm-natured than Dax so we'll see. I would appreciate any pointers on getting him to like wearing a coat. I even got all his hair cut off thinking the hair was matting inside the coat and hurting him.... no help. |
Oh, gosh, you guys have a lot of good questions. It would take me a week to answer all of them. :eek: But since I LOVE taking Yorkies for winter walks, I'll give it a try. :p Longtime YTers have seen my videos, but here's a short one from last year to help motivate newbies for the task at hand. Be sure to read on below. It's more than you ever want to read, but, hey, you asked! :p How to get them to tolerate coats: Find one that's comfortable. A light fleece coat with no legs and no hood is a good place to start. Then, make a routine of putting it on. Try to make it fun, treating for cooperation, lots of praise, but don't let his protests stop you. Put it on every day. You may have to hide the coat until you can pick him up. Then, find something to take his mind off the coat. Toss a favorite toy. Deliver a favorite treat. Distract him from the coat. You don't even have to go outside at first. But once outside, continue to do something fun. Don't worry about going on a long walk at first. Outside: Make walking easy. Don't just toss him in 6" of fresh snow. Pack down or shovel a path to a pee spot in the backyard (you don't need a coat for a pee trip). If there's fresh snow, consider wearing snowshoes on your walk and let him trail behind on a leash. Booties: I don't think you need them unless there's snow on the ground, but if there is, they are the single best thing you can put on your dog. Simple is best. All you need is a sack with Velcro tie at the top. Some of the fancy ones have soles and heels and leather straps. Those are great for cute pictures, but they're not practical for walks in the snow. I mostly use a fleece sack. You can see examples at Dog Booties. Those are the kind sled dogs use. Make sure you don't get bulky ones that they step on with their alternate feet. Get ones that fit their feet. If the snow is wet, consider a waterproof material (that's not slippery). The best onces I have are made of a jeans material sprayed with waterproofing with a fleece liner on the inside. To get them to tolerate them, follow the same routine mentioned above for coats. Get them on, then reward the dog with the best treats for one step. The next day, two steps. If you can distract them by tossing a toy to chase, you're home free. Severe cold: Depending on the severity of the winter and the problems you encounter, you can start dressing them in heavier coats once they get used to wearing them. The ones I use are fleece with long legs to prevent the snow from sticking to their legs. When it's real cold, I'll put a nylon coat over the outside to cut the wind. With that setup and booties, I feel comfortable taking them out in -5 F. My 10-pounder is good for a half hour. My 4-pounder needs to be picked up every 10 minutes or so. Pace: No matter how warmly you dress them, you have to keep them moving. Continue a brisk pace for the entire time. If they start shivering and don't stop, either increase the pace, end the walk, or put them in your coat. But I guarantee that if you can keep them moving, they won't get cold. My overall advice is just don't give up. Your dog needs exercise, and it's cold outside. You've got to deal with it. Eddie hates putting on a coat and booties, but I don't give him a choice. I chase him down and put them on him every day. He tries to hide from me, but I don't give up. He needs a walk. I find him, put them on, and once outside he seems to forget all about how much he hates them. Good luck! PM me if you have any questions I didn't address. |
Wow, Mike, you've answered tons of questions I didn't even know I had. Thanks for taking the time to educate us. BTW. Your videos on youtube are fansastic. I love how Eddie must overcome adversity (specifically "Distraction 1" Jack and "Distraction 2" Rusty) to show his stuff. The one with Jack in your coat just kills me! |
Great Video I laughed thru it all :laugh: I got my Yorkie last November and he enjoyed the snow. He wasn't out in it long but he enjoyed romping thru it. I did get him a nice coat that has fleece to keep him warm. :animal-pa |
My sisters little yorkie is around 5 lbs. in the winter, she just opens the door and tells her to hurry and go potty, which she does..no special shoes or coats..the dog is almost 13 now, and still in perfect health..just teach them to hurry up.. |
Baxter was 3 months old and 2 1/2 lbs when we got him January 25. Up here in Maine with a record snow fall last year. We were doing the potty pad routine as I was sure he would not make it outside. So on his vet trip we told the vet what we were doing, and she said take him out side!!! It will make him hurry up and do his duty. And low and behold he did! I thought for sure we were going to have a pupsicle :yelrotflm. But I was so tickled with him for being such a big boy. He was climbing the snow banks and everything. As a matter of fact he transferred the need of a pee pad to the snow, and as the snow melted, so went his places to pee and poop. He hung on to the snow until the last small patch melted in the spring, and was pretty unsure of what to do with the grass. He was to funny. |
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