Ellie, my new 13 week old GSP doesent like cold weather we are now getting in Michigan.  She wants/and has ran back to the car on our walks thur the woods and fields now that it is in the mid 20s.  She was doing great when temps were above 30 to 40 kinda cool and wet.  My question is, do I continue to force her out side in the cold for traning or wait for warm days, use a long leash, I just dont know?.  My hopes are to use her for upland birds during the colder weather here in Michigan all season but I dont want push her so hard she hates cold weather and shuts down.  She is a very smart pup already having a great grasp of the basic commands and loves to use her noise and play fetch, by far the best pup I have ever had and the whole family loves her.  I have been following the guide lines set up in the book, Traning the Versutal Hunting Dog.  To this point she has followed the profile he has outlined for a great pup except for the cold weather.  Another side not,  she is inside almost all the time except for pee breaks and our walks that last for an hour of less at this time.

Any help or ideas would be great.  Have a great Christmas and New Year.

-jeff and ellie

I quess that is a reply I was thinking I would get.  This is my first GSP, the cold weather and her age when I got her were always in the back of my mind.  I guess I will just continue the bonding and basic work getting her out when its sunny and not such a typical Michigan winter day.  Like I said she is by far the best pup I have ever had and being my first GSP I want to continue to foster her development in the best way for her.  Have a great Christmas and the best to you and your family in the new year.

-jeff and ellie

I quess that is a reply I was thinking I would get.  This is my first GSP, the cold weather and her age when I got her were always in the back of my mind.  I guess I will just continue the bonding and basic work getting her out when its sunny and not such a typical Michigan winter day.  Like I said she is by far the best pup I have ever had and being my first GSP I want to continue to foster her development in the best way for her.  Have a great Christmas and the best to you and your family in the new year.

-jeff and ellie

GSP's get cold easily...especially if sitting still.  My 75lb male GSP shivered at our obedience classes that were held outside for 3 hours from 6-9pm.....in Houston!  One of the weeks, it got down to about 40 and the wind was chilly. I had to put a coat on him and wrap him up in a fleece blanket and place him on a dog bed to keep him off the grass.  A few weeks ago  they were both in their kennels shivering because the temp in the back room dropped to a crisp cool 65 degrees.   However, I have run them along side the bike in a cool crisp 50 degrees and they act like its 80!  They start panting almost immediately! In cold weather, A moving GSP is a happy GSP!!   I cannot speak to Michigan weather, or to snow. My two would probably not tolerate it well coming from South Texas, but I have seen pictures and you tube video's of GSP's romping in the snow with their coats on, having the time of their life!!  I think I would say, if you think she is cold, put a coat, and possibly some heavy duty booties, if you think that will help.  She still has a long way to go in they way of building muscle mass and filling out a bit...I wouldn't worry.  Just try to make her comfortable and see if that helps.  If not, perhaps it's the environment?  Some GSP's are cautious in new places....perhaps that's why she runs back to the car...just an idea.  Kaido is my chicken!  He whines and sits down when we get him out of the car in a parking garage!   I have to coax him forward to keep him from pulling me back to the car!  All is good once we get out of the parking garage!  Make it fun for her by distracting her with her favorite toys!