[Krista]

I just got my 2 month old puppy; she is a mix of Bernese, Newfoundland, and Rottweiler. I have started to house break her, and things are going very well: since day one she has gone potty outside every time she is taken out. However, she does not want to spend any time outside in the yard playing. I am currently in Sweden and so winter has hit and the temperatures are anywhere from 25 to 14F. When she goes outside and does her business, she immediately wants to come back in. Is it too cold for her or am I doing something wrong? Also, she is very hesitant to go down the stairs to get to the backyard, however she has no problem coming back up to run to my door. Any suggestions? Does she need a jacket and/or boots?

[Lunareclipse]

It is not too cold out. Berners and Newfies love the snow. It's what they were bred for! Your puppy will have so much fun out when it snows a lot. Take some pics and vids so we can see him playing in the snow.

[Yogi]

At this age, you are best to monitor. Be reminded, they do not have their adult coat til approx 6 to 7 months. At this age, it is nothing more than long peach fuzz with no true guard hairs to protect from the cold.

[cindmill13]

You can go for the jacket and as well as wear her small socks which can keep her feet warm...
Also in house use light bulb or heating bulb which are used for pet puppies. You can get such at pet supplies. Check with them...

[Krista]

Thanks for your tips. She has stopped shaking as much when she is outside, and is occasionally willing to play about. I'm thinking that the shaking was a bit due to nerves and being exposed to new environments. I guess I'll just try to be sensitive to her feelings!

[Lara's mom]

I judge it this way: If it is cold enough for me to wear a coat, the dogs wear theirs.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I judge it this way: If it is cold enough for me to wear a coat, the dogs wear theirs.

I cannot imagine putting a coat on any of my crew, except maybe for Luna. I think she's the only one who'd tolerate it. Thank goodness none of them need coats.

[fairydogmother]

as for the stairs issue, to here looking down them, probably makes her think she is falling. all of my dogs had issues with stairs and the bigger the dog the bigger the fear of stairs it seems. It might help to walk with her down them with her on a leash while praising her and encouraging her as she walks down them of her own accord. or you could go down a few stairs and entice her with a treat to come down and repeat until you are at the bottom. the treat with serve as a good distractor/motivator.

[Krista]

Thanks for the stairs tip. She has very quickly taken to going both up and down stairs (assuming of course that she actually wants to go outside - if she doesn't, then the stairs are out of the question). It's a good thing too, she is growing so fast and I don't know how long I could continue carrying her!