Summer With Your Dog, part one

It’s sum, sum, summertime and as wonderful as summer is, we must always be mindful of the hot weather and our best friends’ safety. Here’s part one of summertime with your dog. Here are clear guidelines for having the best summer with your dog.

1.)        Walk your dog in the coolness of morning or evening. On the hottest days, evenings are not even cool. There is nothing wrong with slowing your pace into a more casual walk. You still get exercise but don’t overheat as quickly.

Always remember a dog’s normal body temperature is 102.5F. If it is hot for you to walk, your dog is even hotter. And a dog’s risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke is always greater than a human’s. Please DO NOT walk them in the hottest part of the day.

2.)        PAVEMENT GETS HOT, DANGEROUSLY HOT. If the humidity drops and the air feels comfortable for walks, the pavement will still be too hot. Even if the day is not oppressively hot, pavement, especially asphalt is. For example, if the air temp is only 77F, the asphalt temp may be 125F (At 125F skin destruction can occur in mere minutes). At 87F, the asphalt temp can be as high as 143F. That’s hot.

Your dog’s pads are protective, but not against that kind of heat. If your dog is used to walking on gravel, cement or asphalt his pads probably are nicely calloused, which offers some protection, but not enough. Do the ‘5-count test.’ Place the back your hand on the pavement. Hold it there for a slow count to five. If it is too hot for you to keep your hand there comfortably, it is too hot for your dog’s feet. Walk on grass in the cool of the day instead.

3.)        Never underestimate the power of a good swim! When possible, swimming is as great an exercise for dogs as it is for humans.

4.)        Provide your dog with easy access to water.

5.)        If your dog spends a great deal of time outside, be sure he has shade. And, honestly, if it too hot for you to enjoy sitting outside, it is too hot for your dog also. Bring him inside.

Let’s keep our dogs safe and healthy this summer! See you next week for a look at summer training tips