Do you walk your dog in the winter?

i wonder how you are defining cold ... when i google the average temperature in north dakota it is nowhere near as cold as winters i have been through in canada ... and if my four pound pup can go for a walk in -44 degree celcius weather, i am quite positive a north dakota winter will not put your dog over the edge (even if he is soft from his hawaii living :O) ... my dogs did wear protective gear in that temp which included polar fleece-lined gortex jackets and musher's secret paw balm ...

A German Shepherd you say? They are made for the cold. The only thing they can't be around is the heat. Yes you must walk your dog especially if it's a GSD. I hope you are taking it for a good long walk because these dogs are made for working, so I hope you take them out at least an hour a day. I own a Border Collie and I take it 2 hours a day with bike rides. He enjoys it. I'm really sorry but you shouldn't even be asking that question. I'm not trying to be mean or anything but it is considered animal cruelty if you don't walk your dog. Especially a German Shepherd Dog. But you did say you take your dog from 45-60 minutes a day, so that sounds pretty good. I still would recommend if you can take your dog out longer. I understand if you don't have time but please try. Just remember that these dogs have a double coat, so they are MADE for the winter. I am telling you! You should just be worrying more about yourself not getting a serious cold then the dog. If it was a Doberman then yes it would need a coat, but not these dogs. No way!

When I had GSD's I always walked them regardless of the weather. When I moved from the city to the country they were outside dogs. Now I have two very hyper JRT's and am disabled so I don't walk them at all. But they have access to 5 acres through dogie door from sunrise to sunset, in all kinds of weather. When the weather is so bad that I can't do other outdoor exercise with them, mile and a half run, with mobility scooter, fetch and swimming. One of them does the treadmill twice daily 20 minutes aerobics, thirty minutes fat burn.

Well, German Shepherds should adapt fine to the cold weather due to their thick coat so I don't think you need to worry about him staying warm. As for the question about whether I take my dog out in the winter, I do. She does not have a doggy coat or anything. Her natural coat keeps her plenty warm.

I'm pretty sure there is a Petsmart in your area. They have great clothes for dogs :P

And the only way for your dog to get some good exercise is outside. Do you know anywhere with a large and open space? That could recreate the outdoors, but not very good though. I guess the dog clothes are your best option as of now.

Rug up yourself and buy a coat for the dog until he is used to walking in the cold weather.

You're correct. The dog needs daily exercise.

Take him on a walk if he gets cold he'll start shivering, if you don't notice that he will stop dead in his tracks saying he wants to go back inside, but a lot of dogs like snow, even for their first time.

So, it really matter what your dog likes, I have a shi zu x yorkie and he loves snow but hates the rain, it just depends on what your dog likes.

Shepard's like the cold n snow. They have the coat for it. They have to get acclimated to the climate. Short walks to start. Temp is the thing. When u get cold he will be too.

Watch out for salt to melt the snow. it will burn their paws. But he should be fine. Clothes tend to thin their coats. With time he will build more stamina.