Keep Your Dog Healthy and Safe During Summer

Alexandria, VA – Summer is fun for humans and dogs alike. But a few common-sense suggestions may make you and your pup happier. Some dogs are susceptible to heat, regardless of breed or coat length. On really hot days, shorter walks and inside activities that provide good mental stimulation for your dog can keep your dog both safe and happy.

Here are a few good tips to keep in mind as the dog days of summer approach:

1. The five-second rule: Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, it’s too hot to walk your dog.
2. Avoid walking or exercising your dog during the middle of the day. Go early in the morning and after the sun sets. Asphalt streets and concrete sidewalks can become extremely hot, potentially causing harm to the dog’s footpads.
3. Mental stimulation is as essential as physical exercise for your dog. Ten minutes of mental training exercises are equal to a half-hour walk. There are many training games, including nose games, hide-and-seek recall games, tricks, and impulse control exercises, that you can do with your dog very effectively inside your home, still tiring out your pup.
4. NEVER leave your dog tied outside unattended in summer. If your dog spends time in a crate, ensure it is in an air-conditioned environment or cooled with a fan.
5. Take your dog swimming rather than running.
6. Buy a kiddie pool for your yard, fill it with water, and place your dog’s favorite toys inside. Teach your dog to play in the sprinkler or hose.
7. Try not to take your dog directly from a cool, air-conditioned area into intense heat. He could collapse from such an abrupt temperature change.
8. Don’t shave your dog down to the skin unless you would typically do so with the breed (such as a Cocker Spaniel or a Poodle). Less hair does not make the dog cooler. Nature has designed dogs with a lot of fur (such as Goldens, Huskies, and Akitas) to channel air through their hair to the skin, helping to keep them cool.
9. Keep your dog’s coat in good condition by brushing him regularly and removing trapped dead hair (which, if not removed, will prevent air from reaching his skin).
10. Inside the house, ensure your pet always has access to fresh, clean water. Bring a bottle of water for them when going outside, just as you do for yourself. Our dogs get much thirstier than we do when they get hot, and both cats and dogs can quickly become dehydrated without sufficient water. Signs of dehydration include dry gums and excessive drooling. In general, if you and your dog are outside in the heat, provide ample water and seek shade to cool down during the outing.
11. Know the symptoms of pet overheating, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. An elevated body temperature over 104 degrees can cause seizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.

Bonus Tip: Keep your pets away from fireworks. Summer is the perfect time for barbecues, picnics, and outdoor celebrations, such as the 4th of July. While we all enjoy a big, bright ‘bada boom,’ fireworks can scare our pets, frequently causing them to run away or become disoriented. During the display, keep them away from exterior doors and in an escape-proof room. Use white noise or soft music to mask the fireworks, and consider using a thundershirt. Finally, speak with your veterinarian, who can provide medication options to help keep your dog calm during the celebrations.

Wholistic Hound Academy wishes all our clients, friends, and furry family pets an awesome, safe, happy, and healthy summer!

Sandy Modell, CPDT-KA, is Founder, Owner, and Head of Training of Wholistic Hound Academy, The business offers classes and private lessons in puppy training and more. Visit www.wholistichound.com to enroll in programs. Like on Facebook.com/wholistichound and follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/wholistichound.

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