Alright humans. You asked, and I shall deliver - what are some tips and tricks to helping our fur babies survive the winter? As a professional dog walker, and a dog mom myself, I have seen and used many different items - and I can tell you which work, which don't, which work but I don't recommend, and all that fun stuff. 

And yes, I know, why am I even bothering while we are having a TROPICAL winter here in Toronto (today was a balmy 0 degrees). I am just being realistic. And also, even if it is only cold for one day this year.. you still need to protect your dog and make sure he/she is safe. 

There is a lot of information to cover, so over the next few weeks I will be releasing different posts with different topics. At the beginning of each post I will be included the chart below, which is a good guideline for understanding the appropriate time amount a dog should be allowed outside based on temperature before it becoming dangerous. Be extra careful to note that this is the WINDCHILL.

As you saw from the chart above, when it's cold out - you shouldn't (and your dog walker shouldn't) keep your dog out for extended periods of time. So with that in mind, I want to compare PAWZ to some of the other popular brands to just emphasize why I believe PAWZ are the smartest choice. 

PAWZ are clearly the cheapest at first glance.. but some people argue that PAWZ are disposable and are not made to last, whereas the other brands are.True, this isn't an argument at all.  PAWZ do deteriorate after time, sometimes within just a few uses.. but, they come in a pack of 12! If one breaks, you have more to select from. So yes, MUTTLUCKS and WELLIES are not likely to deteriorate, but you know what is likely to happen? They will fall off. You won't notice. And now you only have 3 booties. They only come in packs of 4, so now you either have to put your dog through the pain of having 1 bootless paw... or you have to buy ANOTHER 4 pack. The cost is huge. I cannot even count the number of booties I have seen go missing... and even if you think you have a good eye and will notice immediately if the boot falls off (sure you do....), if you send your dog for dog walking, especially group walking, it is nearly impossible for a dog walker to monitor each and every boot from each dog at each moment of the walk. So, if you are dead set on the higher quality booties, I still suggest you buy a pack of PAWZ for your dog to use while being walked by someone other than you. 

Have you looked at a dog's front paws compared to their back paws? The front paws are circular with very little "ankle" and there isn't much of an angle to the leg (when comparing it to the picture I provided of the wellies, you can see that the design should fit the front paws). But the pack paws? They are like double as long and have a much higher angle and there is a lot more paw before it becomes leg than there is with the front paw. How could these booties adequately fit both the front paws and the back paws? I can tell you from experience... they don't. They sit awkwardly, and you can tell they aren't designed with much thought about dog paw shape in mind. 

So, to summarize

• If you live in an area where salt is used, your dog needs boots. Especially if the salt used has antifreeze. Regardless, salt is chunky and can often act like glass and split open a paw. If a dog's paw is dry and rough in the first place, having salt enter a crack or wound will cause extreme pain. I have experienced way too many screaming/yelping dogs who are in agony over salt getting into their pawz to never not put on boots, and to remember to always carry extra booties.
• PAWZ booties are my favourite. They are cost effective, and the fact that they come in a pack of 12 as opposed to 4 is awesome. They fit properly (as do muttluks), but if you lose 1 PAWZ boot you aren't forced into buying another entire package as you are with the other brands. 
• Wellies are adorable, but they don't make sense and I believe them to be a waste of money. PAWZ are adorable in a totally dorky way. They aren't trying to impress anyone. They are there to get the job done and nothing else. I respect that. 

Bonus point:

• As I mentioned a few times, PAWZ are like fancy balloons. They are thicker and designed to stay on the paw without slipping. However, if you are really stuck with a budget - an alternative is to use ACTUAL balloons. You need to just cut off the tops (they are way too tight to be worn on a dog paw). 

To sign off.. here are a few adorable pictures of dog's world pups in booties. 

It is insane to think that a year ago YESTERDAY I officially started walking dog's as Dog's World Walking. Within that year my business has grown from 3 dogs, to around 50 - and it went from being just me, to me and Anita (with the lovely Meg helping out when needed). Not only that, but a lot of things shaped and changed for Dog's World as a business. As incredible an amazing and 2015 was, I am ready to make 2016 EVEN better! And so far I have a few ideas to kick start that. 

The idea that I am posting about today is, well, obviously... this blog!!! 

I am a former blogger, and thought that I should take that experience and apply it to my business. This blog will be focused on the following:

•  Dog related advice (whether it be regarding winter survival tips, the insurance debate, how to teach your dog awesome tricks, and any requested topics)
•  Funny dog walking anecdotes from Anita and I. Seriously. On a daily basis we have some HILARIOUS things happen. We always say we should have a TV show, but a blog is next best thing. And seriously, what is better than coming home and seeing an awesome instagram post of your dog being walked? A BLOG ABOUT IT!!!!! Am I right? (I am).
• Anecdotes about living in Liberty Village, and basically about surviving an adult life. I know I am not alone when it comes to all the hilarious trials and tribulations of growing up. Why not share some of that relatable goodness here?
• Memes. Lots of memes. 
• And again, any topic requested can be considered for discussion here!

So... I know you are excited. But just remember. This is only one of the new things that 2016 is bringing for Dog's World. Stay tuned and I can't wait to share more soon! 

In the meantime, drop a comment below and let us know what you want to hear about! 

It's A Dog's World... We're just blogging in it!