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Adjusting to Winter Cold: Havanese Training, and Owner Preparedness Too!

29 9:46:29

Now that winter is almost upon us, it's high time to go over once more the preparedness of our family pets to cope with the cold holidays. Do you have the Havanese dog breed? Then it's a plus to know ...

Now that winter is almost upon us, it's high time to go over once more the preparedness of our family pets to cope with the cold holidays. Do you have the Havanese dog breed? Then it's a plus to know that the dog's soft and poofy coat is good for "sealing" in the body heat to keep the dog warm, which is interesting to know since the same coat also keeps the dog cool during summer. Note however, that the coat in general is only good for short, quick trips outdoors. So, this time, complement your Havanese training with some owner-readiness tips.

Given the tropical roots of the Hav's breeding history, the poofy, luxurious coat is actually more of an ideal sunscreen, and cooling agent for the dog on hot days. So this is one dog that definitely needs protection from the cold, despite its seemingly winter-ready appearance.

Perhaps largely due to their coats, many Havs like playing in the snow, and appreciate the winter experience. But older havanese and much younger ones may beg to differ, since it is harder for them to keep the body heat. The practical solution is protective wear, such as a dog sweater, a jacket or booties. Snow balls clinging to the dog can and ought to be removed?using a blow dryer.

Owners nevertheless must not get carried away in dressing up the dog. The clothing, boots, scarf, etc. etc. may end up restricting the movements of the dog, or worse, make it feel "trapped."

Havanese bred and raised in prairie country may have it just a tad better, since humidity is a weather factor. On the prairies, snow indeed fluffs off the coat easily. But wherever winter is milder, the snow comes out heavy and wet, soaking and chilling anything it touches to the bone. This is why it is important to keep an eye on weather warnings on your local weather channel. A temperature too chilly for you means something that is also way too chilly for your dog. Havanese training enters here when you limit the dog's outings into quick potty breaks.

One last tip about the value of keeping your antifreeze away from the reach of sweets-craving house pets. Anti-freeze has a sweet taste, which is indeed ironic for something that can kill a cat that ingest even a teaspoonful of it. If you need some pet safe antifreeze, your local pet supply store may offer some of it, unless you plan instead to simply add an embittering agent in the chemical.