The Old Trainer: Dogs love white stuff, but keep on eye on them

DEAR OLD TRAINER: We are going to spend 10 days at Sun Valley for a ski vacation. We have three dogs – a border collie mix, a schnauzer, and a German shepherd mix. They all like to play in the snow and never seem to get cold, but they are not used to snow. Can they get frostbite on the pads on their feet?

Naomi, Campbell

DEAR NAOMI: I understand why you are concerned. If you look at a dog’s feet they would seem to be as susceptible to cold as a human’s feet. There is just bare skin on the pads. Even dogs bred for winter, who have a lot of hair between the pads, have bare skin on the pads.

And yet dogs can play in the snow for hours and suffer no damage. It is common for dogs to suffer burns from hot pavement in the summer, but I lived in the mountains for years and never heard of a dog suffering frostbite on the paws.

The reason is another of the many gifts that dogs got in the genetics sweepstakes. Canine paws, because arteries are so close to networks of veins, contain an intricate heat transfer system that constantly warms cold blood.

Add in the large amount of cold-resistant tissue and fat located in the pads, and a dog’s paw is as effective as a snow boot. Other animals who live in the cold have the same system. Just more evidence that dogs developed in cold climates.

So don’t worry about frostbite, but keep an eye on your dogs. A more likely problem is snow balls that may develop on the hair between the pads. If you see a dog limping or biting and chewing on the foot, check their paws.

You will usually find small snow balls which can be as hard as ice. You will sometimes find half a dozen on one paw. Break them with your fingers and brush them out of the paws.

Dogs love snow, so as long as you use common sense they will be fine. Keep an eye on them while they are in the snow. If you see one shivering or acting cold take them inside at once. Otherwise, let them enjoy the snow and don’t worry.

DEAR OLD TRAINER: Dude, my year old Shar-Pei/beagle mix, eats his dinner lying down. He stands up while he waits for me to make it, then lies down and eats it. He is my first dog, so is this a problem?

Dan, Aurora, Colo.

DEAR DAN: Not at all. Every dog begins life eating that way.

Most outgrow it, and I expect Dude will too.

It has nothing to do with Dude’s intelligence or training, so it becomes a matter of what you prefer. I have one dog who does it that way and I enjoy it. It’s his personality, and I don’t want him to change.

If it bothers you, just pick Dude up and set him on his feet when you serve the food, then pet him and brag on him if he remains standing. If he lies down, pick him up again until he remains standing.

This story was originally published January 2, 2015 at 6:15 PM with the headline "The Old Trainer: Dogs love white stuff, but keep on eye on them."