Written by Mara Brown – Master Dog Behaviorist
Well, it is August in the Desert, and that means boiling temperatures! It is not as easy to keep our active dogs … well, active! The best time to walk your dog is early in the morning or after the sun goes down in the evening. (To test if the pavement is too hot, put your hand down on the pavement. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog.) But many of our dogs need more exercise than that to stay happy and healthy. A good way to walk your dog and stay cool is to go to a large store (like Lowes or Home Depot) that allows dogs and walk around the store. You and your dog can get exercise and it is good socialization for your dog.
It is also better to walk your dog on the grass than on pavement. Grass is usually much cooler and more comfortable for your dog’s paws. But if you are walking your dog on a manicured golf course, be sure to wipe their paws with a warm cloth or doggie wipes when you get home, as these lawns often have a lot of chemicals to keep them looking as beautiful and lush as they do. You want to be sure your dog’s paws are clean, so if they lick them (which dogs often do), they won’t be ingesting those potentially harmful chemicals.
Never leave your dog in your car alone. Even in the shade, the heat in a car can escalate quickly, leading to tragic results. Instead, when doing your errands in this heat, leave your dog at home lounging in the A/C. If you have a pool, teach your dog to swim and always show them how to exit the pool. Never leave your dog alone in the pool. If your dog has short hair, put doggy sun screen on their bodies, and all dogs if in the sun a while should have doggy sun screen on their noses.
Have fun this summer with your dog and remember to keep cool! For life coaching for you and your dog visit www.LifeCoachingForDogs.com or call 310-467-2334.
