While it might be great to let Rover romp in the snow, it's actually better to keep him inside as much as possible.

Freezing temperatures, wind chill and rock salt on streets and sidewalks can affect a dog's health and wellbeing, said Judy Tuma, humane educator at The Anti-Cruelty Society.

And dogs left outdoors in doghouses may not be able to stay warm in cold winds, even if they are shielded from snow and ice, Tuma said. 

It may seem like common sense, but many people don’t know common procedures for keeping dogs healthy during the harsh winter months, said Elizabeth Curran, president of Lakeshore Animal Shelter.  “We brought in a dog that was left outside for three days,” Curran said. “You just shake your head.”

“We had a case where a dog’s tail was frozen solid,” Tuma said.

“Dogs are at least a 12-year responsibility,” said Sam Kaplan, manager of Pocket Puppies, a doggy boutique in Lincoln Park. “It’s shocking to me that people have such little remorse, thinking [dogs] are disposable items,” Kaplan said.

But the Lakeshore Animal Shelter has not received many calls reporting winter-related problems over the past week, Curran said, indicating most pet owners are being responsible by keeping their animals inside.

Natalie Kreiger said she takes every precaution with her 10-month-old Blue Heeler, Sydney, whom she walks two times a day. “When it is just too cold to go for a walk, I play ball with him inside. I throw it and he fetches it until he’s practically dragging himself across the floor," Kreiger said. "Then I know he’s gotten enough exercise.”

Beth Waisburd, a veterinarian at Animal Medical Center in Lakeview said the problem in winter of keeping dogs indoors is that they still need to get a lot of exercise—just like people. “Seventy percent of the dogs we see are overweight,” Waisburd said.

When people do take their dogs out in deep snow, the dogs’ feet need to be covered because the salt the city lays out can burn their paws and cause them to bleed, Curran said.

“Booties are successful on some dogs, but I recommend people bring a towel on the walk and wipe off their feet,” Waisburd said.

“If salt or chunks of ice get stuck in the pads of his paws, I can tell right away because he’ll pull up that paw and limp.  I immediately wipe his paw off,” Kreiger said.   She added she also avoids overly salted sidewalks or broken ice. 

Kaplan recommends that people who take puppies out in the winter should take them in a carrier with a blanket. 

The Anti-Cruelty Society offers tips to help owners protect their dogs when temperatures drop:

• Keep your dog inside as much as possible.
• Buy your dog booties or avoid areas with ice because the salt can burn their paws.
• Never let your dog off the leash in the snow because dogs can lose their scent and become lost.
• A doghouse should be elevated off the ground perhaps in an area where there is sun
• Buy sweaters for small dogs and short-hairs.
• Wipe off your dog’s legs after a walk. The dog can ingest salt and antifreeze while licking his paws and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or ice.
• Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, so it may be difficult to housebreak during the winter.  You may want to paper-train the puppy inside.
• Make sure your dog has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts.
• Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs.  Make sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.