Source
r/dogs•
falseAutonomy

How to keep my hands warm on winter walks?

[Help]

I've discovered my 8 month old hound puppy is very reactive to mittens. At first i thought it was because i wore mittens that had fur on the end that looked kind of like squirrels... That wasn't smart on my end. So i switched it up to knit mittens in completely different colors and patterns that only resemble the other ones in that they're mittens. She's still jumping on me to get them, biting my hands/the mittens (just a tad bit harder than play and not letting go on our cue, which she's usually pretty good at, or with a squeak), and going generally a bit nuts on our walks until i take them off. Which I'm doing, because i don't feel like getting bitten. But i have reynauds and cannot go the whole winter, multiple walks a day, with bare hands, that's a recipe for legitimate frostbite. We do not have a yard, so actual walks are mandatory, and she recently was spayed, so it's not like i can even take her elsewhere to get exercise needs met and just do walks for bathroom needs, i need to do real 25+ minute walks for at least another 2 weeks. The behavior preceded the spay by a week, yes we are about to invest in professional training but that won't start right away, and i figured i can't be the only one who's gone through this! Thanks in advance

Posted Dec 24, 2021, 1:03 AM UTC

219
atlantisgateshih tzu mystery mix•

I’d work on building up her exposure to the gloves/mittens by rewarding outside of walk times when she leaves them be

6
falseAutonomyOP•

I've done that and she leaves them alone unless they're on me, it seems like that's a lost cause with the knowledge i currently have

1
atlantisgateshih tzu mystery mix•

Well you have to build up to putting them on

3
falseAutonomyOP•

I'm not sure what you mean? I did both completely unassociated with me and our walk, and on our walk multiple different walks tried having them not visible, then visible in pockets, then even touching her in my hands, and then on my hands. All with a lot of praise and calming. She's fine until they go on my hands and then loses it

1
xMomochix•

Maybe wear one and leave the other one off. Then if she tries to go for it give her the leave it command

2
atlantisgateshih tzu mystery mix•

Put them on while she’s distracted and do regular stuff. If she gets overexcited, pull them away and hide until she calms down. Reward. Show the glove again. Wait. Etc.

1
Wolfenbro•

Have you tried gloves versus mittens? Maybe if she saw the fingers she’d be fine?

5
falseAutonomyOP•

I'm going to do that but I'm trying to figure out what type and I'm honestly wary cuz after the last two days of this my hands are bruised and I'd almost rather chapped and frostbitten but that's obviously not going to work long term.

1
The_Rural_Banshee•

Take the mittens out and don’t put them on your hands but have them near you and give treats. Once that’s ok, move them to different locations and give treats. Then put one on and give treats with the other hand. Then occasionally put them on in the house and wander around then take them off (daily). You want to just desensitize her to the mittens, they shouldnt have any kind of meaning, good or bad.

5
heyyygrl1•

I go out with rechargeable hand warmers in the pocket. I bought mine on Amazon. There’s quite a few brands. It’s really convenient to have.

3
Concerned-23Chocolate Lab Mix - Shelter Dog Turned Princess•

Hands free leash and hands in your pockets

2
falseAutonomyOP•

I've tried that and it helps but 1) that doesn't work once she's pooped and 2) my hands really need their own clothing once it gets below 40 regularly

1
Concerned-23Chocolate Lab Mix - Shelter Dog Turned Princess•

Gloves on hands in pockets. I too have raynauds and this is what I do. I also use a regular leash and stuff my hands (with gloves) in my pockets and the leash on my wrist

2
falseAutonomyOP•

Which is probably what I'll do, but she was going for my pockets then. If i take them off and put the mittens in my outer pocket, even accessible to her, and my hands in my inner pockets, she leaves them completely alone. It's baffling. I'm wondering if leather gloves would be better or worse. Maybe I'll try stretchy material ones.

1
shortnsweet33•

I feel your struggle with reynauds :/ I have a convertible leash and it can be used either crossbody style or around the waist, and will do that if its really cold so I can keep my hands in my pockets. Or, I alternate hands that I hold the leash with and put the other one in my pocket if I’m just using a regular leash. Have you tried the fingerless gloves? They don't do as much to keep you warm but might not freak out your dog as much! Or do the hand pocket alternating thing and keep one of those hand warmers in your pocket maybe?

2
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1
Holly185•

What about something like sleek gloves? ie leather or leather-looking, or just tight knit gloves. Just thinking maybe knit mittens look like fun fuzzy stuffies to her so something that looks like the opposite might help.

1
DogandCoffeeSnob•

I struggled for a long time to find gloves that would keep my hands warm in the winter. Not Raynaud's, just boney fingers that can't seem to hold any heat... The biggest improvement came when I upgraded my other winter gear. When the rest of my is body toasty warm in a big down coat and fleece lined pants, I need a lot less insulation on my hands. I went from big bulky mittens to much lower profile gloves and was still comfortable. In your.case, I might add some pocket hand warmer though...

1