Falling temperatures are no excuse to avoid outdoor exercise with your dog. Along with making sure you are appropriately dressed, your dog should also be properly protected from the elements. Some large breed dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Huskies can tolerate the colder weather better than others. These dogs may also develop a thicker coat over time as they are exposed to colder weather.
Smaller breeds, however, like Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers, breeds with short coats and puppies should wear some type of protection, i.e, a coat or sweater, if the temperature drops too low. Look for coats or sweaters with high collars or a turtleneck that covers your dog from the base of the tail on top to the belly underneath.
Dog booties (毛线鞋) provide good protection from chemicals or salts on the pavement as well as mud. If you don’t use the booties, be sure to wipe your dog’s paw pads with room temperature water after taking it outside.
Other tips
When you bathe your dog, dry him completely before taking him out in the cold weather for a walk or exercise. It is especially important to keep your dog well groomed (打扮) during the winter months to protect him from the elements.
If your dog frequently participates in outdoor activities during the colder months, increase his food intake, especially protein, to help keep his coat grow thick and healthy. Dogs that are not as active during the winter months may need to have their food consumption reduced.
The amount of time you spend outside with your dog will depend on his size, breed type and age. Remember that ill or elderly dogs are more sensitive to cold weather. Dogs whom cold weather agrees with can spend hours outside without getting cold but some of the smaller and younger dogs’ exercise sessions should be kept shorter. Dogs should not be left outside unattended.
Another activity to consider is doggie daycare, which is an excellent alternative during cold weather months. It’s a great place for your dog to get plenty of physical and mental stimulation while being with other dogs.
Banfield Pet Hospital
小题1:The underlined word “elements” in the first paragraph probably means ______.
A．extreme weather
B．potential enemies
C．serious diseases
D．terrible accidents小题2:Dog owners are advised to ______ in the text.
A．bathe their dogs less during the winter months
B．avoid outdoor exercise with their dogs in cold weather
C．make their dogs wear booties for a walk outside every time
D．feed their dogs more food if they’re frequently taking them out in winter小题3: The author thinks dog owners should_________ in the cold weather.
A．not walk the dog
B．protect their dog pets from being hurt
C．stop walking the dog
D．avoid walking the dog小题4:What can we conclude from the text?
A．Small breed dogs are usually more tolerant of cold weather than larger ones.
B．Smaller and younger dogs tend to become less active in cold weather.
C．Dogs’ paw pads should be thoroughly cleaned after outdoor activities in winter.
D．A trip to doggie daycare can get dogs better prepared for outdoor activities.小题5:What is the best title for this passage?
A．How to make your dog exercise in cold weather
B．Walk dogs in the cold weather
C．Dogs like to take exercise in winter
D．Take good care of dogs