* The floor may be a comfortable place for your dog to sleep when the weather's warm, but when winter descends, the floor is cold comfort. Worse yet, it's drafty down there. And if Fido has customarily been banished to sleep on the hard cement floor of the garage, conditions may be even worse; the damp and cold could make your pet susceptible to colds and joint pains. Dogs that are allowed to sleep in the house should be provided with a plain blanket or pillow. Fido doesn't need a heated waterbed. If your pet is small, a cardboard box lined with towelling or a little blanket will do. If you care about status, you could opt for a stylish wicker bed with a scented cushion.

Your dog must be checked carefully and frequently to make certain he's coping with the weather and not getting frostbitten. Symptoms of frostbite: The skin becomes pale, is painful to the touch and, when this frost-damaged area warms up, the skin turns red and scaly. Should this happen, skip any home remedies and take your dog to a vet.

* Above all, your pet should have a properly constructed dog house. It should be elevated off the ground, well insulated from drafts and equipped with a clean blanket for the dog to lie on.