First Winter - Page 1

I'm new to the Minneapolis/ST. Paul area relaocting form sunny California. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to deal with my first real winter as far as my dogs are concerned. Right now they sleep in there crates in the garage, which is not insulated. My concern is for when the temperature drops to zero during th dead of winter? What is the lowest temperature they can take for a prolonged period of time say when I go to work. I can leave them inside but I don't want them to be inside so much that they can't stand being outside because they have blown there coats.

Poor Doom,Winter in Mn. Is murder, I had friends that live there then move to Bismark ND..........The winters there can be nasty.I'm at somewhat at a loss as to what to tell you In the Garage covered with blankets maybe......Good luck to you...especially after enjoying sunny Calif.

You can use cardboard or rubber horse matts under the crates for insulation. You don't want them sitting on the concrete when it is that cold. If the crates are plastic they'll stay pretty warm. If they are metal you will need to put blankets around them or else put cardboard/newspaper (something) around the sides to keep some heat in. If you are really worried you can put straw in the crates when it is that cold. I have only done that once for a male that was younger and I was a bit worried about him. My adults I don't put anything in the crate with them. Hope this helps.

Hello Doomsayer, I know when I was up that direction years back that this Kennel " http://www.kolendakennels.com " goes through this. You might write them and ask what to do they are nice people. Here is Texas we just have humdid, wet winters, its bad but not that bad. Hope this helps you! IM sure they will have good ideas! Jerry

I also keep my dogs in the garage. I use a metal cage with a plastic floor pan and a old carpet between the pan and the floor. In front of the cage (door is always open) I just found a package of Solid rubber flooring sold at lowes that is inter-locking. You get 12sf for 16.00. This way they can stretch out off the concrete. When the temp get below 30, I use a small electric heater on top of my washing machine at night. Put it on low and it takes the chill out of the garage and their water woundn't freeze. I'm always concerned about their hips.

Doom, I am origially from Montana and it gets pretty cold there and the winds can cut right though one. Our dogs lived outside in double walled dog houses with insulation between the walls. Have a air vent towards the top of one inside wall as it needs to vent out doggy breath. Add shavings then layers of soft straw. They stayed comfy warm and when it snows that adds further insulation for the dogs too. Here in SW Missouri, we get away with dogloos with shavings in them but I know they are used in Montana too with a heat mat on the floor. Those thin looking walls actually keep the dogs warm too. Hard to believe but it is true. Good luck, Birdy...

AS BIRDY THE DOGLOOS ARE GREAT FOR WINTER IT IS THE WAY THEY ARE MADE THAT CIRCULATES THE DOGS BODY HEAT BACK DOWN ON THEM. JUST AS THE ESKIMOS DID THE IGLOOS

The fact that your dogs have blown their coats will not make it so "they can't stand being outside" Being in an unheated garage and immobilized in a cage is far more serious. If they can move around they will generally be okay. Bringing your dogs inside on very cold days is the safest and best thing to do. The only downside to keeping them inside all the time is that they will not get that lush coat that outside dogs get. A lot of the other advice you received is quite good as far as lining their crates go etc.

Doomsayer, I lived in the northern part of South Dakota - 100 miles from North Dakota most of my life- we had harsh winters with wind chill etc. - but I moved to Minnesota 4 years ago and it is bone chilling/wet cold here. I keep my GSD inside always - but I have a friend who lives across the street from me from California (big Sch. guy) (just moved here last year) and he made a beautiful kennel in in garage. I will ask him the details and get back to you. I would make it as comfortable as possible. I remember many vets I talked to - out in the cold is hard on a dog - it ages them quickly. What brought you to the wonderful state of Minnesota - are you in a club yet or are you training on your own?

Right now they sleep inside (garage) in plastic Vari-kennels. With bedding in the bottom. I considering moving themin the house but I think it may be to hot although it would probably be in teh basement which is finished but I assume since it is below grow that it will stay cooler during the winter. Renz, the guy across the street his name would happen to be Joe???