Gainesville, Georgia – Summer is almost here and we are starting to heat up into the 80’s and 90’s. It is now time to start to thing about the welfare of our dogs during this warmer, outside season. Robin Edwards, Master Dog Trainer and owner of Home Dog Training would like to offer some helpful tips for dog owners on how to keep their canine companions happy, cool and safe during the dog days of summer.
“Summer is the perfect time for outdoor fun with our dogs,” says Robin Edwards, dog behavioral therapist and trainer, often people forget to take precautions to keep their dog safe as temperatures rise and daily activities change.”
Edwards delivers the following tips for dog owners:
Beat the Heat
Don’t forget that a parked car can become really over heated in only a few minutes. Dogs do not have a very efficient “cooling mechanism”. They cannot perspire and can only release heat by panting through their mouth. Panting and drinking water can assist in cooling them, but it will not save them from extreme heat conditions such as the inside of a parked car. Dogs can suffer brain and organ damage inside a hot, parked car in just 15 minutes.
Your light-colored dog’s coat is very sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This can easily lead to sunburn and possible skin cancer. If your dog is light-colored and/or he lacks black pigment around the eyes, ears and nose, minimize his exposure to the direct sun. See if your vet has suggestions about sun block for your dog, especially any formulas he can’t lick off.
You should always give your dog access to cool shade and fresh water in the summer heat.
Rules of the Road
Any dog that is simply loose in the car is dangerous to everyone, including the dog himself. Make sure your dog is firmly attached in the back seat with a safety harness or in a pet carrier locked to a seat belt. You could also install a pet barrier to keep your dog in the far rear of your vehicle. Dogs riding in the front can be seriously hurt if the airbags go off.
If you drive a pickup with an open load bed and you have to put your dog there, be sure he is restrained, preferably in a crate or carrier secured to the truck. Make sure he can remain cool.
Do not let your dog put his head out the car window – he could suffer eye injury from road dust and other particulates.
Put a leash on your dog and hold the leash firmly before you open the door to get out. Always use a leash to walk your dog when you are out and about.
Waterproof Your Dog
Many dogs love to swim, no matter if the water is clean or dirty. If your dog has taken a swim in the lake or river, be sure to wash him off to avoid ear mites, eye infections and other insects that could become attached to his fur.
Make sure that your dog knows where the exits are in your pool. When dogs fall into lakes or rivers, their instinct tells them to turn around and get from where they jumped in. At a pool, dogs normally jump in from a side with no exit. Trying to exit there would be impossible and possibly cause them to drown. Instruct your dog where and how to get out of the pool no matter where he may have entered.
Not all dogs know how to swim and many don’t want to swim. If your dog appears to be “a swimmer”, let him get used to it gradually. Do not throw throw him in the water if he appears nervous or is still relatively inexperienced.
Fear of Thunderstorms
Many, if not most dogs, are afraid of thunderstorms. A lot of dogs sense that a storm is coming from the rapidly falling barometric pressure. Your dog will often show anxiety even before the storm can be heard.
Dogs are very good at picking up fear or discomfort from people. Because of this, you should not show any fear due to thunderstorms. Have your dog close to you and try to distract him with play. Do not try to comfort him in a sympathetic voice. He will misinterpret this sound and it could increase his nervousness and confusion.
Keep all your windows and curtains closed during the thunderstorm to minimize loud noises and bright flashes. Switch on your TV or radio at a normal volume to distract your dog from loud noises and help him to relax.
Make sure your dog is in a safe place to be during storms, whether inside or outside. Make a special place that could act as his den in your home where your dog always feels safe and secure. If a storm is getting near, take your dog to this special place to help him feel calm and protected. If the situation is such that you can not bring your dog inside, cover his doghouse with a blanket to provide adequate protection from the bursts of lightning and thunder.
Dogs that continue to display high anxiety when a storm approaches may have to be reconditioned by creating an artificial storm with thunderstorm recordings and bright light flashes. This reconditioning process normally takes one to two months to accomplish . In some cases, special medicine could be required to help your dog cope with his fear of storms. Talk to your vet about possible treatments, in conjunction with training.
By taking these precautions, you and your dog can enjoy a healthier, fun-filled summertime.
For more information, please contact us at Call Bruce and Robin.
Gainesville, Georgia – Summer is almost here and we are starting to heat up into the 80’s and 90’s. It is now time to start to thing about the welfare of our dogs during this warmer, outside season. Robin Edwards, Master Dog Trainer and owner of Home Dog Training would like to offer some helpful tips for dog owners on how to keep their canine companions happy, cool and safe during the dog days of summer.
“Summer is the perfect time for outdoor fun with our dogs,” says Robin Edwards, dog behavioral therapist and trainer, often people forget to take precautions to keep their dog safe as temperatures rise and daily activities change.”
Edwards delivers the following tips for dog owners:
Beat the Heat
Don’t forget that a parked car can become really over heated in only a few minutes. Dogs do not have a very efficient “cooling mechanism”. They cannot perspire and can only release heat by panting through their mouth. Panting and drinking water can assist in cooling them, but it will not save them from extreme heat conditions such as the inside of a parked car. Dogs can suffer brain and organ damage inside a hot, parked car in just 15 minutes.
Your light-colored dog’s coat is very sensitive to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. This can easily lead to sunburn and possible skin cancer. If your dog is light-colored and/or he lacks black pigment around the eyes, ears and nose, minimize his exposure to the direct sun. See if your vet has suggestions about sun block for your dog, especially any formulas he can’t lick off.
You should always give your dog access to cool shade and fresh water in the summer heat.
Rules of the Road
Any dog that is simply loose in the car is dangerous to everyone, including the dog himself. Make sure your dog is firmly attached in the back seat with a safety harness or in a pet carrier locked to a seat belt. You could also install a pet barrier to keep your dog in the far rear of your vehicle. Dogs riding in the front can be seriously hurt if the airbags go off.
If you drive a pickup with an open load bed and you have to put your dog there, be sure he is restrained, preferably in a crate or carrier secured to the truck. Make sure he can remain cool.
Do not let your dog put his head out the car window – he could suffer eye injury from road dust and other particulates.
Put a leash on your dog and hold the leash firmly before you open the door to get out. Always use a leash to walk your dog when you are out and about.
Waterproof Your Dog
Many dogs love to swim, no matter if the water is clean or dirty. If your dog has taken a swim in the lake or river, be sure to wash him off to avoid ear mites, eye infections and other insects that could become attached to his fur.
Make sure that your dog knows where the exits are in your pool. When dogs fall into lakes or rivers, their instinct tells them to turn around and get from where they jumped in. At a pool, dogs normally jump in from a side with no exit. Trying to exit there would be impossible and possibly cause them to drown. Instruct your dog where and how to get out of the pool no matter where he may have entered.
Not all dogs know how to swim and many don’t want to swim. If your dog appears to be “a swimmer”, let him get used to it gradually. Do not throw throw him in the water if he appears nervous or is still relatively inexperienced.
Fear of Thunderstorms
Many, if not most dogs, are afraid of thunderstorms. A lot of dogs sense that a storm is coming from the rapidly falling barometric pressure. Your dog will often show anxiety even before the storm can be heard.
Dogs are very good at picking up fear or discomfort from people. Because of this, you should not show any fear due to thunderstorms. Have your dog close to you and try to distract him with play. Do not try to comfort him in a sympathetic voice. He will misinterpret this sound and it could increase his nervousness and confusion.
Keep all your windows and curtains closed during the thunderstorm to minimize loud noises and bright flashes. Switch on your TV or radio at a normal volume to distract your dog from loud noises and help him to relax.
Make sure your dog is in a safe place to be during storms, whether inside or outside. Make a special place that could act as his den in your home where your dog always feels safe and secure. If a storm is getting near, take your dog to this special place to help him feel calm and protected. If the situation is such that you can not bring your dog inside, cover his doghouse with a blanket to provide adequate protection from the bursts of lightning and thunder.
Dogs that continue to display high anxiety when a storm approaches may have to be reconditioned by creating an artificial storm with thunderstorm recordings and bright light flashes. This reconditioning process normally takes one to two months to accomplish . In some cases, special medicine could be required to help your dog cope with his fear of storms. Talk to your vet about possible treatments, in conjunction with training.
By taking these precautions, you and your dog can enjoy a healthier, fun-filled summertime.
For more information, please contact us at Call Bruce and Robin.
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