Keeping Your Dog Happy and Healthy in the Good Ole’ Summertime
May 28, 2011 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
Temperatures are rising, the sun is shining, and your dog is ready to be outdoors. How can you keep your furry friend safe, happy, and healthy during the summer months? Keep reading for our annual guide to summer fun with your canine.
Safety First
The warm weather brings with it a few safety concerns for your dog. Obviously, you want to make sure to provide an abundant supply of fresh, clean water to keep your dog hydrated in the hotter months. Shade would be nice, too. And if you have one of the furless varieties, make doubly sure to prevent sunburn on your dog’s delicate skin.
If you do a lot of walking, make sure to protect your dog’s foot pads from the hot pavement by providing booties or by walking in the grass at least some of the time. Take the time to inspect your dog’s leash and collar. Make sure they are in good condition and un-frayed. Make sure your dog’s ID tag, license, and rabies tag are up-to-date and legible.
If you will be boating, don’t forget a doggie life vest. Even if your dog is an excellent swimmer, he or she may become tired and be unable to make it back to shore or to the boat. Remember that certain breeds are not built to swim. Large-boned dogs with short legs like Basset Hounds just don’t make good swimmers.
If you will be taking your dog into the pool with you, make sure the dog knows how to get out. When dogs drown, it is usually because they become exhausted before they can find a way to get out of the water. The first thing you should do when you take your dog into the pool is lead him or her to the steps or ramp and show them how to get out.
Just as you would never jump into a marathon without practicing shorter distances first, don’t expect your dog to be Hercules on the weekends without proper conditioning beforehand. Many summer fairs and events include competitions involving your dog, and you must make sure your dog is properly prepared and warmed up prior to participating.
Happiness is … spending time with you!
Your dog loves nothing more than your undivided attention, so make sure to set aside some of your summer days just to lavish the love on your four-legged family members. Whether you hike in the park, play Frisbee on the beach, or compete in sporting events like dock diving, lure coursing, agility, and weight pulling, your dog will love the opportunity to spend time with his or her favorite person.
Make sure you learn about the events you will be doing before you set out for the first time so you can bring along the proper equipment to keep your dog safe and healthy. For example, if you will be spending time between events in the hot sun, you might consider buying a canopy to provide shade for you and your dog. For most sporting events, you must keep your dog on a leash when he or she is not actively competing, and participants are expected to bring their own water and dish.
Dogs in heat should never be brought to events where lots of dogs will be present. Just like with humans, contraception is often the responsibility of the female! Seriously though, dogs in heat can often set off aggression responses in the males at dog events and cause major problems as each male tries to capture the attention of the female who is giving off such a lovely scent.
All of the outdoor events during the summer also provide a great opportunity to socialize your dog to new people, places, smells, and noises. If you have a new dog in your home, or even if you need to review the lessons with your old dog, try to take your pet with you to as many places as you can to teach him or her how to remain calm even when there are lots of things going on nearby. Your dog should still be able to respond to your instructions and behave in an acceptable manner even when there are lots of other dogs around.
Canine health concerns in the summer
It’s not a bad idea to schedule a check-up for your dog before the beginning of summer. You can review the dog’s vaccines to make sure he or she will remain protected from rabies and distemper. If you are not on a12-month heartworm protocol, your dog should be tested for heartworm before starting the pills each spring.
At the annual check-up, you can also have your dog checked for the diseases that tend to creep up as we age such as arthritis or heart disease. This is especially important for overweight dogs and dogs over the age of seven or eight.
After each outdoor outing, make sure to check your dogs for ticks to prevent possible Lyme disease, particularly if you live in the northeast. Drs. Foster and Smith recommend removing ticks by grabbing the tick as close as possible to the mouth parts with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers and firmly pulling the bug out of the dog’s skin.
You might be tempted to give your dog more baths because he or she is spending more time outdoors, but be careful not to dry out the dog’s skin. Use a high quality shampoo made specifically for dogs, and make sure to rinse thoroughly. A conditioner, as well as fish oil dietary supplements, can help keep the coat shiny and healthy. Consider brushing out loose dirt rather than going straight to the bathtub if you notice dry skin flakes or if you see your dog scratching more than usual.