I am probably going to be moving to Fairbanks to attend graduate school there, but Im born and Bred Texan; and never lived anywhere but the desert. Because of this enormous inexperience with ANY kind of cold weather (I think that, where I live, we had maybe 14 days below 70 degrees)I am really apprehensive about how to prepare for living up there. I need to know what changes Im going to have to make for my dog(s) I want to feed eaw but since I will be a struggling student, I wont be able to afford expesive meats, I imagine that beef and chicken will be sky high. I know people eat alot of fish but neither of us really like fish(just starve us a few days, we'll come around)
So anything anyone has to say will be enormously helpful.
about excersise, food...anything to do with having a dog.

One biggest adjustment you will have is that in the winter it is always dark and cold. In the summer, it is sunny almost 24/7 so sun hardly goes away. I'm sure you still can buy kibble, honest kitchern if you can't afford to do raw.

So in the winter we wont be able to excercise as often as normal? are there blizzards/snow storms that last for days? After that will it be alright to hike around some or will the snow be too deep?
as far as hiking, is it as dangerous as I hear with the possible threat from bears, moose etc who have a strong dislike for dogs?

hi, thought Id bump this just in case...

Hi Mary, I live in South Dakota and our winters here can get pretty harsh from time to time. My GSD has no problem with the cold weather and loves playing in the snow. Is your dog a house dog? Kenneling it outside will be a different story. Wind chills are a big problem and in Alaska they are probably worse. When it gets really cold here, I can tire Shadow out quickly by teaching her a new trick or working on directionals, etc. inside the house. You can tire them out just by making them think a little. Running them on a treadmill may work for you.

You may want to start getting them used to wearing boots, sometimes the cold ground is too much for their paws.

I have seen some Discovery shows, where they showed polar bears playing with sled dogs that are chained outside. Normally they should be afraid of dogs.

I don't feed raw, but I do know that during the winter, dogs that are kept outside will need more, as they burn more calories just keeping warm.

Dogs are amazingly adaptable and they will love anywhere you are.

When is the big moving day?

Sandy

Hi,
I have found skijoring in the winter time to be a lot of fun with the dogs, and really good activity to keep them from sitting on their butts. You don't really even have to know how to ski, just have good balance. As for the wildlife up here, I always keep an e-collar on my dogs so they don't go running after the stray moose or grizzly roaming the neighborhood (or the stray dog for that matter).
We have been having a bit of a cold stretch this week, so I have found a good pair of insulated pants and a hefty down coat to be invaluable to the whole Alaskan experience.
I have lived here my whole life, and couldn't imagine living anywhere else (and I went to school in Texas). I don't necessararly envy you living in Fairbanks. My Grandparents always referr to their stay there as "serving their time". Just remember to plug your car in, or you won't be starting it in the morning.
My dogs LOVE the winter time, so I'm sure yours will do great. You can see some fun pictures of them at: http://www.vomchugach.com

Hey,

Not from AK, but do live in the mountains and work outside (dog too) all winter.

I can assure you that the biggest adjustment will be for you, not the dog.

You being well educated/dressed for the weather all no matter what the season will go a LONG way to ensuring your dog gets the proper exersice. You can PM me if you ever need "dressing for the weather" advice, I have plenty of experience there

Your dog would be happy to go out in most if not all weather I think, it is you that may want to stay inside when the weather is raging

I would say that the average GSD would be happier with the weather in AK than TX on most days. If my 40lbs little Toller can do it (and love it), I am quite sure your GSD will be fine. I do know a woman in AK (Unalaska) with a Toller that is a SAR dog up there.

I have checked out the winter temps in Fairbanks and you may want to look into a pair of booties (check sled dog sites for cheep ones). You will only need them if at all on the coldest of days. My dog does "hot foot" (lift up paws..walk/run on 3 paws and the like) in super cold temps, but I still do not bootie him, but you may have those temps more often and choose to bootie.

The snow will be deep at times, but in town there will be lots of places packed down enough to walk. Following on foot in areas that have been snowmobiled makes a nice packed track in the bush on the outskirts of town, should you choose to get away from things.

I live in the area with a VERY high concentrations of bears (Grizzly and Black), cougers, wolves, coyotes, moose, elk and so on... I work taking people hiking in the summers. When appropriate, my dog joins me.

Again, education is the key. You would be best to educate yourself on how to behave in bear country and what to do if you encounter a bear. I work in the summer in a place with many moose and will tell you that they do NOT appreciate being charged by dogs, and a charging moose is nothing to sneeze at

Expect to see wildlife and have a plan for when you do. Seeing a whole heard of elk is an awsome chance for me to try out an obedience command with distractions. Seeing a bear with my dog is NOT the time to hang out and try and take a picture, and I will make my retreat in as non threatening a manner as is possible with my bear spray ready to fire....

So you better have good control over your dog (whatever meathod you choose). I choose to carry bear spray, and practice using it. Make a lot of noise so as not to surprise wildlife. Situational awareness is key. Are you walking up wind? Your scent will not proceed you and animals will not know you are comming, maybe you need to make more noise to compensate.... This is but one small example.

THere will be ample info from your local area on how to stay safe in the bush I would imagine... In times of a bear or wildlife hanging out close to town, it may be prudent to avoid those areas. Certain times of year and certain years are more problematic. City and town parks will have warnings of such things...


Think of your move as a great adventure and then it will be

The picture in my signature was taken on -13 F morning. The dog still wants to play....

Jennifer,

GREAT post, your ability to explain things like that is awesome. I can just imagine that what people think is harsh here is like Spring coming on to you, as well as Alaska being the same.

Doug and I are planning an Alaskan Cruise for Spring/Summer of 08 (hopefully we get to go this year, our schedules are full as it is) so I am excited about that, although I will leave the dogs home this time.

Hopefully we can meet and train in June at Kim's.
Tracey Campbell, a Master Trainer for IPWDA, will be there for certifications as well. He is AWESOME and a great instructor as well.
I am also staying a few extra days so that we can train dogs and also do some river rafting as well. Did I send you those dates yet?

Great Information!

I'm in Maine and I can confirm that our pup LOVES Winter ... even those ICE COLD RAINY DAYS! It is usually ME that doesn't want to go out, like if it is slick and slippery! Thank goodness for Ice Cleats & LL BEAN. :-)

My personal opinion and experience is that the dogs are more suited to COLD than HOT.

I did read somewhere, that you can VASELINE the bottom of their pets paws to help give a layer of protection in Cold Weather. Has anyone ever done that? Comments?

i haven't used vaseline, but i've used paw protector wax, which i think is relatively similar.

personally, if they don't lick it all off, it doesn't last long anyways - i could be wrong but i think jennifer c. has had the same experience. i would expect vaseline to wear off even quicker.

while luc sometimes does the 'hot foot' (is that what it's called!) that jennifer c. mentioned, in general, the dogs are fine out in snow and cold temperatures - they've been hiking in -30C and done fine - the only thing I've had to do is keep an eye out if there's any slushiness or wet snow, and make sure to keep their feet and between their toes clear of any buildup. as long as i do that, we're all happy hikers