Help! My Dog Hates Walking in the Snow! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Hi Dr. Paola! My dog Ginger, a Golden Retriever, absolutely refuses to walk in the snow. The second she sees it, she freezes and gives me this look like, ‘You can’t be serious.’ I’ve tried booties and treats, but nothing works. She’ll go out on a shovelled path to do her business but we can’t get much else out of her. She’s grown up knowing snow and never loved it but has only gotten more stubborn with time (she’s
5). Is there a way to convince her that a little snow won’t freeze her, or do I need to invest in an indoor treadmill for winter?
” – Leslie
Quick Info about Ginger
Hey Leslie—it sounds like Ginger was meant to be a Florida dog instead! Jokes aside, I would have her checked by the vet to ensure she is not suffering from hypothyroidism, an endocrine condition that slows down a dog’s metabolism and causes them to be intolerant to the cold (among other signs). Joint problems like inflammatory arthritis or early arthritis-related pain also gets exacerbated with the cold, so I would suggest you rule those possibilities first because most Golden Retrievers love the snow. Also, have you tried more than one kind of booty? There are different types available and some are more comfortable and preferred by each dog’s standards over others. The booties must also be gradually introduced to ensure Ginger associates wearing them with positive outcomes. If the snow is considered aversive to Ginger, the booties can quickly become a signal that anticipates something undesired is about to happen and then become a negative stimuli for her. So, you will have to have her wear the botties at random times not just when going out to the snow… for example before dinner. Anyway, I think the indoor treadmill is a great idea to have a possibility of getting physical activity while you dig deeper into this and work on the booties positive association.
Best luck, and if possible, keep us updated!
Dr. Paola