How To Help Your Dog Cope With The Heat

We've been blessed with a mini heat wave and whilst most of us know what to do to cope with the rising temperatures, we need to remember to help our pets.

Every summer there are reports of dogs who die because their owners thoughtlessly left them in cars in the heat of the day.

We don't yet have a dog but the kids are campaigning heavily. And if we do take in a new furry friend, I'll certainly be mindful of the useful advice below when it comes to taking care of Fido in the heat.

Just click on the link to be taken straight to the article.

6 Ways To Protect Your Dog From Summer Heat And Heatstroke - dogtime.com

Useful advice includes keeping walks to a minimum and giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut to prevent overheating.  Don't forget that animals suffer sunburn too.

5 Ways To Protect Your Dogs From The Heat This Summer - dogsmonthly.co.uk

Did you know that dogs do not have sweat glands on their skin so they lower their body temperature by drinking plenty of water. When they are allowed to lie down and play in water, they get some relief from the heat.

And do you know how to protect your dog's paws - particularly if he's a puppy?

How Hot Is Too Hot For Dogs? - thespruce.com

Have you ever wondered how hot is too hot in your home for your dog? This post might have the answer, along with lots of other great doggy-related advice.

10 Neat DIY Ways To Help Your Dog Beat The Heat - iheartdogs.com

A collection of cool tips you can try at home - for example #4 Mini Pool - don't splash out on an expensive doggy pool - you can use a kiddie pool for your dog to cool off in. 

To stop them slipping, simply add some non-slip bathroom decals to the bottom of the pool. Cheap, cheerful and effective for your pet.

Dog Tips For The Summer - dfordog.co.uk

Common sense advice including this on the subject of leaving dogs in cars:-

"Never leave your dog in the car on even just a slightly warm day. Leaving the window open a few inches for them, parking in the shade, or leaving them a bowl of water in the car is NOT adequate. A dog left in a car on a hot or even warm day can suffer heat stress and ultimately fatal heat stroke within just 10 minutes.

The temperature inside the car might not seem excessive when you first stop but the temperature inside a stationary car can rapidly increase to double the outside temperature - phew. This can happen very quickly, within six to ten minutes.

If you come across a dog that has been left in the car on a warm day, call the Police. They will be able to take appropriate action, if necessary breaking into the car to release the dog."

Helping Your Dog Beat The Heat This Summer - lovethatpet.com

This advice comes from an Australian website and they are surely better at coping with the heat than we are here in the UK! They explain how to spot when your dog may be in distress due to the heat - for example vomiting, drooling, heaving panting, diarrhea or seizures.

Even if you think your pet has only suffered a mild case of heatstroke, the internal damage can be lasting so you should always take your dog to the vet for a check up.

What do you do to ensure your dog stays cool?  

Read more

7 Important Tips For Training Your Dog

If you have never had a dog as a pet, you'll be surprised how much there is to learn.

Dog training (no matter what type of training we’re talking about) usually starts at a very young age. Just like small children, dogs will react to how you treat them and will be affected by your behaviour.

This is because dogs are pack animals - they have a much stronger sense of hierarchy than we do and are used to following a leader.

In other words, if you start training a dog you will quickly become not only a parental figure but also the leader.

Things you need to know about dog training

Before I start mentioning actionable tips, it is necessary to mention same basics. That’s why I asked the dog training expert Lene Kaufmann from Kaufmann’s Puppy Training to give some us some professional tips.

Dogs breeds can be very different and can have a big impact on your relationship with an animal. Character also comes into play of course, but if there is something you need to consider from the very start, it is the breed of the dog you are bringing into your home.

So, why is this important?

Different species exhibit different behaviors and different energy levels. In fact, things such as size of the dog can even impact the training routine (especially during "potty training" as you will be forced to go out more often).

Some species will be more aggressive, some tend to bark more than others and there are those that aren’t particularly good with other animals and children.

Depending on your current family size, this is something that should definitely be considered and can be a big hindrance moving forward.

Actionable tips that will help you with training your dog

1. Everything you do needs to be done with love. Animals are instinctive especially when young. They cannot understand your commands. So, it is necessary to create a system where you show them what is right and what is wrong

2. Do not reward a pet if it messes up. Hugging or cuddling a dog when it makes a mess will send a conflicting message and will make the animal think that such behavior is wanted

3. On the flipside, neither should you punish the dog. Any kind of punishment (especially a severe one) can lead to trauma and can affect your relationship. Even though the dog may learn from it, it will leave it scarred

4. If something bad happens or if a dog doesn’t obey your instructions, whilst it is OK to show your displeasure (for example by saying "no" in a stern voice), there is no need to yell at your pet. Yelling should be avoided. No matter how stressed you are do not resolve to it

5. You need to have a precise command for every action. By having more than one, it will confuse a dog and it will not know how to react. Also, make sure that all members of your household use the same commands. Use hand gestures if needed so you have two ways of explaining something

6. Doggie treats need to be appropriate. Whenever your dog does something correctly during the training, make sure to give him a treat. Try giving your pet something special that he doesn't get every day (not chocolate!). This will make the dog more inclined to make an effort and the behavior will become habitual

7. Training should be something fun. This means that your behavior also has to imply it is fun. If you are moody and do not give off a good vibe, your dog will not be so inclined to cooperate

As you can see, dog training is not so difficult. As long as you have the patience and good attitude, you will be able to train your dog well.

Read more