how can australian shepherds get exercise in the winter?
It gets very cold and snowy where I live in the winter. If I got an australian shepherd, how could I exercise it in the winter? Can a dog hurt its legs running on frozen ground?
We live in North Dakota, and it gets pretty frigid here. We manage to play fetch, roll the ball around, and obedience exercises indoors when the wind chill hits -30. we just give them extra attention, and love. Our Aussie is learning to appreciate the indoors when the weather is really bad. We also fill a Kong for her to work on.








you can exersize dogs on frozen floors, but you have too warm them up when they home. my dog loves the snow, he eats it!
References :
The same way they get exersize in the summer. Unless the weather is really bad the dog still needs exersize and they aren't going to get it sitting around the house. Part of owning a dog is going out in the freezing cold and rain.
References :
I have a border collie aussie, and I take him for runs in the winter, he doesn't seem to be bothered by it. But if your dog has sensitive feet then you can buy him/her booties.
References :
We live in North Dakota, and it gets pretty frigid here. We manage to play fetch, roll the ball around, and obedience exercises indoors when the wind chill hits -30. we just give them extra attention, and love. Our Aussie is learning to appreciate the indoors when the weather is really bad. We also fill a Kong for her to work on.
References :
Retired vet nurse
All my dogs love it outside, if you are way to worried about his paws getting coldthey make boots to put on them so snow does not get into them. I own some for my Boston Terrier who by the way has hardly any hair at all compared to your australian shepherd, so I think your dog will be fine just being a normal dog. THe boots do work and keep her warm!
References :
Owner of many rescue/breeding dogs!
just exercise them the same as you would when it's not freezing out. the cold won't hurt them, but they could get sores on their paws and dry pads from the salt and stuff, so maybe buy some booties. also, play a lot of indoor games like hide and seek (with people or toys), hide kongs (with their breakfast or dinner), play tug, etc.
References :