It's the perfect weather to enjoy your dog outside and the perfect time to practice down stays and recalls! The daily walks get longer and our laughter gets louder, but lets not forget about summer safety for our four-legged family members.
Beach days, camping trips and bonfires can pose new threats to our pets including dehydration, sunburns, insect bites, and heatstroke.
Help your dog stay cool!
Provide your dog a shady spot to hang out on hot days or keep him inside where there’s air-conditioning.
Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can reach 20 degrees hotter than the temperature outside. Drop your dog home before running errands.
Provide plenty of access to water, whether at home or out exploring always offer water.
Avoid exercising your dog strenuously on hot days. Walks may be best in early mornings or late afternoons; this will help avoid walking your dog on hot asphalt that can burn their paws and prolonged exposure to the sun.
Healthy dogs are happy dogs!
Vaccinations are as important as ever. Make sure your dogs vaccinations are up to date before socializing them with people, children, and other dogs.
Yard work is common during summer months and be mindful of harmful fertilizers, chemicals and plants. Long grass and warm nights can attract ticks, mosquitoes and other insects, make sure you are giving flea/tick and heart-worm medications as directed by a veterinarian.
After swimming in the lake, make sure your dog gets a nice bath and brush to prevent any skin irritation.
Training scheduling!
Training can be done indoors or in the shade. Early mornings and evenings are the best times during the summer, when the temperature has cooled down. If your dog is over heated or tired you wont get the best performance, so let your pet relax in the A/C before a scheduled class and maybe skip the long walk.