[ana2201]

Hello,

I have a 3 month old pitbull mix, I don't know what the father is but my puppy looks exactly like a brindle pitbull (probably tail is a bit longer). I've had him in my apartment for over 2 weeks now, and he's the best dog ever, already learned to either go outside or to his box with newspaper go to pee and poop.
I live in Santiago, Chile and it gets pretty chilly during winter. My dog sleeps inside with me and also wears a little fleece jacket, the minimum at night is usually about 40 F but sometimes less.
I love hiking and going to the mountains but it gets super cold during the winter here, and am thinking on going this weekend to this place in the mountains where there really nice rustic hot springs, but it is a long walk in the snow and I have no problem in carrying my puppy, but am scared of it getting too cold. He would sleep with me in the tent with some blankets but I don't want him to get sick. If anybody has experience with puppies and hiking, would this be OK?? Where I am going is about 9,000 feet in altitude and the temperature outside can be about 16 F at night, again.. the dog would be sleeping with me inside the tent, but I would still like to know if this would be safe. I would be hanging out in the hot springs were it is warm but so far my dog has not shown much appreciation for the water.

[shazamataz]

Personally I would get a dog sitter but that's just me.

3 months is very young and it's not so much the cold as it is the exercise. While exercise is good for their health, it is important not to overdo it, especially in young dogs. Strenuous activity can do permanent damage to joints and bone growth.

The cold can easily be rectified with coats as you say, you can even look into getting boots for the dog. Some pet stores have them but they are available through many online retailers. They are just a protective boot that does up by velcro around the dogs wrist. Imagine having to walk bare-foot through the snow... There's only so much a dogs pads can naturally protect them from and being a young pups pads they haven't toughened up yet.