Pet owners must take extra precautions in the cold winter weather to ensure the comfort and safety of their faithful companions. Our pets rely on us to keep them protected, and they are never more vulnerable than when the temperatures drop.

With just a few extra safety measures you can ensure that your pets remain safe and sound.

Don't leave dogs outdoors for long periods of time in frigid temperatures. They run the risk of frostbite to their ears and feet.

Age and health issues will have a huge effect on how well an animal can tolerate the cold, and older or ill pets who have been able to endure the cold in years past, may no longer be able to keep their body temperature up and they may freeze to death.

If they must be outdoors make sure they have adequate shelter and protection from the wind.

A dog's tongue can become stuck and freeze to a metal bowl so use a plastic water bowl, not metal. Make sure the water is fresh, not frozen. In extreme cold you will need to replace the frozen water numerous times throughout the day.

Warm engines in parked cars are a favorite warming place for cats. But when the car is started, the cat is often injured or killed when the fan blade hits him. If he escapes injury from the fan blade, he may fall out of the engine when the car is driving and if he survives that he ends up miles from home, lost and on his own.

If you have outdoor cats living near where you park your car, bang on hood to frighten them away or better yet open the hood and look to see if there is a cat taking refuge inside your engine before you start the car.

Salt and other compounds used to melt snow and ice can irritate the feet of both dogs and cats. It can make them ill if they consume the chemicals, which happens easily when they groom themselves.

After taking your pet for a walk, wipe their feet with a damp towel as soon as you get home. Ice balls will form between the pads of their feet and they can be quite painful. Trimming the hair on their feet will help, and a few dogs may tolerate wearing boots.

Musher's wax can be applied to the dog's feet. It dries quickly and creates a protective barrier. Shielding the feet against chemicals, ice, cold and can be used in the summer to protect the feet from hot pavement.

The best protection from winter hazards is to keep your pets indoors with you. The happiest dogs are those who spend most of the time with their family but are taken out frequently for walks and exercise.

Dogs and cats are social animals. They crave human companionship and they deserve to be safe and warm indoors with you.

Tip of the week: Winter is a great time to take an obedience class. The mental stimulation that a dog receives when learning new behaviors will offset the lack of physical exercise he may not be getting because of bad weather!

Bark questions to: Canine Companion, 11652 North - 825 West, Huntington, IN 46750 or e-mail info@caninecompanion.us.

Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide. Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the lead trainers are graduates of Purdue University's DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.