In Wisconsin, the seasons don't ask politely—they swing from humid July afternoons to salted January sidewalks, and your dog's coat and skin feel every bit of it. A routine that's perfect in spring can leave a dog uncomfortable by mid-summer. Here's how we think about the year, season by season, so your dog stays comfortable through all of it.
Spring: the big shed
As the days lengthen, many dogs "blow" their winter undercoat, and the AKC's rule of thumb holds: that loose hair has to come out somewhere, so it's either on your brush or on your couch. This is prime de-shedding season—a thorough professional de-shed plus regular brushing at home pulls the dead coat before it mats. It's also when the melting-snow mud and early pollen arrive, so we're watching for itchy skin and the first fleas and ticks of the year.
Summer: keep them cool the right way
The instinct to shave a fluffy dog down for summer is understandable—and for double-coated breeds, it backfires. As we cover in our breed guide, that coat insulates against heat as well as cold; the better move is a deep de-shed that lets air reach the skin. A few other summer notes:
- Watch the pavement. When the air hits the mid-80s, asphalt can climb well past 130°F—hot enough to blister paw pads. If the back of your hand can't rest on it for ten seconds, it's too hot for their feet.
- Dry the ears after every swim. Lake and pool days are the best part of a dog's summer, but water trapped in the ear canal is a leading cause of ear infections, so dry them thoroughly afterward.
We wrote more about surviving a Wisconsin summer in this post.
Fall: reset before the cold
Fall brings a second shedding push as the summer coat gives way to the winter one—another round of de-shedding pays off. It's also burr-and-seed season; those long walks through tall grass leave little hitchhikers that work into the coat and tighten into mats if they're missed. Fall is the time to get the coat clean, healthy, and the right length heading into winter—not so short they lose their warmth, not so long it traps snow.
Winter: the season Wisconsin dogs feel most
This is where a little routine prevents a lot of misery:
- Salt and de-icers. Road salt is sharp and irritating, and toxic if your dog licks it off their feet. The AKC's advice is simple—wipe the paws (between the toes, too) after every walk.
- Ice balls. Snow clumps between the pads of furry-footed dogs; keeping the hair there trimmed short stops them from forming.
- Dry skin. Indoor heat pulls moisture out of the air—and out of your dog's skin. The flaking and itch that follow are common all winter, so don't over-bathe (it strips the natural oils that fight the cold), and ask us about a conditioning treatment.
One winter myth worth retiring: skipping grooming until spring. Mats form just as fast under a winter coat, and a matted, packed-down coat can't trap warm air the way a clean one does—so the routine matters most in the months you're most tempted to skip it.
The things that don't change
Whatever the month, a few essentials stay constant: nails trimmed so they don't click on the floor, ears kept clean and dry, and a head-to-tail once-over for lumps, sore spots, and skin changes. How often your specific dog needs a full groom depends more on their coat than the calendar—we broke that down here.
We're just outside North Madison in Waunakee, an easy drive for families in Middleton, Sun Prairie, and DeForest and Windsor. Book a groom or tell us about your dog, and we'll keep them comfortable in every Wisconsin season.
