If you have a dog in Canada, winter isn’t optional.
It doesn’t matter if you live in a house with a yard, or a condo in Toronto with a giant livestock guardian (hi, it’s me). When the temperature drops and the wind cuts sideways, someone still needs to go out.
No one really talks about what it means to be a dog parent during Canadian winters. We joke about the “quick pee walk”, but if you have a high-energy dog (especially a big one) you know quick trips are never enough.
As I close out my third-winter career as a dog mom, I wanted to share a few things that shifted my mindset about winter that I hope can be useful.
Here’s what no one tells you:
It might actually be good for you.
Cold exposure shares some of the same science behind cold plunging. Both cold air and cold water can activate brown fat (which burns calories to produce heat) and increase norepinephrine (a neurotransmitter that improves focus, resilience, and mood).
Of course, being sucker punched in the face by cold air in a classic condo wind tunnel is not the same as submerging yourself in an ice bath.. but still.
Being cold can be a choice. Especially if you’re not prepared.
The rules of preparation are fairly simple: insulate properly, invest in quality materials, and respect the forecast.
A little-known fact about me is that I used to work at a seasonal ski and snowboard soft goods store in my hometown. I personally never advanced beyond beginner snowboarder, unlike my friends. Those kids could fly.
One of the top-selling products we carried was base layers by Smartwool, a line of Merino wool undershirts and leggings. At the time, I just remember thinking how expensive they were, especially when synthetic alternatives were much more affordable.
But here’s the thing: the people who bought the most Merino weren’t skiers or snowboarders.
They were runners. Year-round, rain-or-shine. Hardcore runners.
They understood that quality materials determine whether you get to participate in the thing you love.
When you’re outside every single day, quality matters.
Spend more where it matters.
Invest in a good winter coat, warm boots, gloves, compression socks, even ski goggles.
They go a LONG way.
In the end, there were two reasons I never got good at snowboarding. The first was that I didn’t practice enough. I couldn’t tolerate being cold outside long enough to improve. The second? Well...my last time on a snowboard, I broke my wrist.
You could say I wasn’t willing to die on that bunny hill, so I moved on.
And moved away.
In 2015, I took a stab at another challenging sport: surfing. I ratchet-strapped a longboard to my 4x4 and left for Tofino to see if I could become a better surfer.
Spoiler alert: despite hitting the waves every day, I didn’t. Not really.
Imagine my surprise when I realized the Pacific Ocean was a hell of a lot colder than it ever was on the slopes. But I was committed to setting myself up for success. I had a 5mm wetsuit, boots, a hood, and gloves. Gearing up alone felt like I was training for discomfort.
Looking back, I can see I’ve been building tolerance for years.
But nothing rewired my brain about winter quite like becoming a dog mom.
The words we use can shape our experience.
Condo living in Toronto with a giant livestock guardian who is happiest outside, regardless of the conditions, means stretching my cold tolerance isn’t about proving something anymore. It’s about finding mutual joy and partnership.
When we say things like “survive the winter” or “brave the cold”, we’re effectively priming our minds for an unpleasant experience. How then can we expect our nervous system to relax when it’s bracing for impact?
Being a stretch therapist has also helped me see this differently now: discomfort isn’t always danger. Sometimes comforting thoughts and cues can support our body’s adaptation, rather than resist it.
Feel free to borrow any of mine:
Where are you holding tension right now? Is your jaw clenched? Unfurrow your brows. Drop your shoulders. Are you holding your breath? Take a deep breath in. Exhale. You are safe. There’s no emergency.
As the one holding the leash, we can talk ourselves into going a little further. Maybe just one more block.
Don’t get me wrong. I will always choose heat over cold. But if one sun-chasing millennial can shift perspective, maybe building a year-round dog-friendly wellness culture in Toronto isn't so far fetched.
The best part about pack mentality is that we go further together. So you’re craving a little grounding and reconnection, join our next Pack Walk on February 28.
We'll see you out there,
Kareen & Bruno
