Ep 59: Winter Paw Care for Doodles | Protecting Paws from Ice, Salt & Snow (+ Free Guide!)

❄️ Winter weather can be tough on your Doodle’s paws! From ice buildup and frozen pavement to harmful sidewalk salt, protecting those fluffy feet is essential. In this episode, I share my top science-backed tips for paw care, plus my favorite products that actually work.

💡 You’ll Learn:
✔️ The dangers of ice, salt & de-icing chemicals for dogs
✔️ Why booties can be a game-changer (and how to help your Doodle tolerate them)
✔️ The must-have paw balm that prevents cracking & irritation
✔️ The genius whisk hack for removing snow clumps
✔️ Why washing paws after walks is so important
✔️ The best tools to prevent winter matting

🌟 Free Gift for Listeners:
📩 Grab my FREE Winter Paw Protection Guide with my favorite products, reviews, and step-by-step tips → TheDoodlePro.com/winter

🐾 Want to know what kind of DOODLE parent you are?
 Take my quick 2-minute quiz to discover your Doodle parenting superpowers — and get your personalized Parent Playbook with tips made just for you and your pup.

👉 Start here: thedoodlepro.com/quiz

Transcript

🌟 Grab Your FREE Winter Paw Protection Guide!

❄️ Protect your Doodle’s paws from ice, salt, and snow this winter! I’ve put together a FREE Winter Paw Protection Guide with my favorite must-have products, including:
✔️ The best paw balm for protection & healing
✔️ My favorite paw-washing cup for easy clean-ups
✔️ The best booties that actually stay on (no more "Bambi on ice" moments!)
✔️ A DIY paw balm recipe for those who love natural solutions

📩 Download now at 👉 thedoodlepro.com/winter!

[Intro]

🎙️ Host: Welcome back to The Doodle Pro® Podcast! If you’re new here, I’m Corinne, a professional dog trainer specializing in Doodle breeds, helping pet parents like you navigate training, behavior, and all the unique quirks that make these pups so special. If you're a returning listener, you know—Doodles are different, wonderfully so!

🌨️ Today, we’re diving into a super timely topic: Winter Paw Care: How to Protect Your Dog’s Feet from Ice & Salt. Even if you don’t live in a snowy area, unexpected winter storms can leave your pup’s paws at risk. I’m here to make sure you know exactly how to protect them!

🔥 And don’t forget—skip the guesswork and grab my FREE Winter Paw Protection Guide at 👉 thedoodlepro.com/winter!

[Segment 1: Why Winter Can Be Tough on Your Dog’s Paws]

🐾 Why winter weather can be dangerous for Doodles:

• Ice & snow buildup: Ice balls can form between paw pads and cling to fur, causing discomfort.
• Salt & de-icers: Many de-icing chemicals cause chemical burns and cracking, and dogs can ingest harmful toxins if they lick their paws.
• Frozen pavement: If the ground is icy, paws can lose sensation quickly, leading to frostbite or injuries.

👉 How cold is too cold? If it’s below 32°F (0°C), unprotected paws can start feeling discomfort. At 20°F (-6°C) or lower, frostbite and paw pad injuries become serious risks!

[Segment 2: How to Protect Your Dog’s Paws This Winter]

🐾 1. Prevent Ice Balls with the Whisk Hack
❄️ If you’ve ever noticed your pup refusing to move after a walk, they might have frozen snowballs pulling on their fur! Instead of picking them off one by one, try this:
🔎 Use a kitchen whisk! Run it gently over their legs and coat to break apart the snow clumps—no painful pulling needed!

🧴 2. Apply a Protective Paw Balm
Think of paw balm like lip balm—but for your dog’s feet! It creates a protective barrier to keep salt and ice from causing dryness or cracks. My favorites:
✔️ Musher’s Secret (highly effective and all-natural)
✔️ DIY balm (coconut oil, shea butter, beeswax)

📌 Pro Tip: Apply balm before walks for protection and after walks to rehydrate paws.

🥾 3. Are Booties Necessary?
Not all dogs love wearing booties, but they’re a game-changer for extreme cold and salted sidewalks.
✔️ Recommended if:
✅ Walking on salted roads or sidewalks
✅ Temperature is below 20°F (-6°C)
✅ Your pup lifts their paws or hesitates to walk

🚫 If your Doodle hates booties: Start indoors with treats, letting them wear them for short sessions before heading outside!

🚿 4. Wash Paws After Walks
Since paw licking can lead to salt or de-icer ingestion, always clean their feet when you come inside.
💡 My favorite tool: A paw-washing cup! Just dip each paw in, twist, and remove all the dirt and salt.

[Segment 3: Preventing Matting in Wet, Snowy Weather]

🛁 Why wet coats lead to matting: Doodles’ thick fur traps moisture, leading to tangles. If left unchecked, it can quickly turn into painful mats!
✨ Brush with a Slicker Brush after snowy walks, especially on legs, belly, and chest.

[Closing Thoughts]

🎉 I hope these winter paw care tips help you keep your Doodle safe, warm, and happy this season! Remember:
✔️ Protect those paws with balm or booties.
✔️ Wash off salt and chemicals after every walk.
✔️ Prevent painful matting with regular brushing.

❄️ Stay warm, enjoy those snowy adventures, and give your Doodle extra belly rubs from me!

📩 Grab your FREE Winter Paw Protection Guide at 👉 thedoodlepro.com/winter!

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