What to do with your dog in the snow?

Is your dog going with you this winter? He accompanies you for the holidays? It's time to try new activities with him: cani-rando in snowshoes, skijoëring, canipatinette... In this article, discover several disciplines to try with your dog and funny little games to do together at the foot of the slopes when the lifts lifts are closed and skiers have deserted the slopes. And of course some advice so that everything goes well. 

Before starting a new activity with your dog, in the mountains or elsewhere, you must always be sure that your dog is in good shape. If he's more of a homebody, don't force him to hike 10 km in soft, fresh snow…: it will be much too hard for him. Your dog can follow you in all your activities in the mountains provided that he is at least athletic. As for you, it will take time to adapt to these new conditions: cold, altitude, new terrain.

First of all, know that your dog will exert himself a lot in this new environment: a lot of excitement and a higher heat production than usual. Be sure to compensate for this large energy expenditure by increasing its daily food ration by 20 to 30%.

Before embarking on any activity, I recommend reading or rereading the article “ Winter Sports Holidays with Your Dog – Some Precautions to Take .” You'll find all the information you need on how to protect your dog from the cold, how to care for its paws, the dangers of snow, and more. You can also read or reread the article dedicated to dog coat tests: “ Should You Dress Your Dog in Winter? ”

Are you planning a ski trip this winter but haven't yet found pet-friendly accommodation for your stay? I recommend taking a closer look at our list of dog-friendly accommodations on the website.

What is it about? It works on the same principle as cani-rando: your dog is connected to you and helps you (a little, a lot depending on your dog). Musher didn't really understand the principle and doesn't help me much except when a bug crosses in the distance… there it is better to be attentive because the pace is accelerating quickly.

The equipment is the same as for cani-hiking: a harness for the dog , an elastic leash , and a harness for the owner . Those who already practice cani-hiking or cani-cross will love this winter version of their sport.

For beginners, start with a short course to see if the activity appeals to your dog. If the snow is fresh, it will force your companion to deploy a lot of energy to walk in it because it will sink; especially if it is small. Watch his state of fatigue…

Would you like to try dog ​​sledding with your dog? Harnessing a dog to a sled, especially a team of dogs, is no small feat… Would you be able to run alongside elite athletes? However, you could try dog ​​scootering with your dog. It's a great compromise for experiencing the thrill of gliding together. Harnessed to a scooter (a small scooter on runners), you glide behind your dog. There's no question of being pulled along; it's a demanding sport. As with regular scootering, you stand and skate. You can find equipment rentals in some winter sports resorts. This activity takes place on groomed trails: check with your resort to see if your dog is welcome on the cross-country ski area (rarely the case) or on trails specifically designed for dog sledding (in the Vercors or La Pesse, for example).

Imported from Scandinavia, this activity is often done with a horse or pony. For this activity, I recommend being a good cross-country skier. The concept is simple: the cross-country skier is connected to their dog by an elastic leash , and the dog runs ahead. You can quickly pick up a lot of speed, so your dog needs to be fit and you need to be a good cross-country skier to avoid injuring your dog with your skis. As with dog scootering, it will be easier to do this activity on groomed trails. Check with your local resort to find out where your dog and you can have fun together.

None of these activities appealed to you? Here are some ideas for simpler activities to do with your dog: 

• throw snowballs: he will love to run behind these funny balls which burst on arrival and which melt in the mouth
• dig holes in the snow: not on the slopes of course!
• slide up a slope. Musher slides on her stomach, she loves it!
• hide candies under small piles of snow so that he looks for them: the opportunity to work on his flair a little

When you get back from your walk in the snow, remember to thoroughly inspect your dog's paws and check their pads. If they're wet, dry them well with a microfiber towel to prevent them from getting cold. If they've been cold, make sure to warm them up and provide all the comfort they deserve after their energetic play in the snow.