Sun Saftey
Keep your dog safe and happy in the hot weather
It is very easy for puppys, adults and senior dogs to get over heated in the hot weather. Behaviour can also get a lot grumpier in this weather so make sure you and your furry friend are happy and healthy in the heat.
You will likely notice your dog's appetite is down in the hot weather, they are more easily irritable and are hopefully sleeping more. Most puppies will look for tiles or wood floors to chill out on so please make sure that these sorts of places are accessible for your dogs.
A few things to keep in mind during any hot spell:
- do not go for walks during the hot parts of the day, keep them to early mornings and then after the sun goes down in the evening
- you can give ice cubes but more than two or three will make them more likely to have a pee accident
- make sure your puppy has loads of water and give them treats that are full of moisture such as small bits of watermelon, some strawberries, raspberries, apple and carrot
- if your dog is sleeping in a crate, make sure there is airflow and that they have access to lie down on the bare floor to cool down, the beds will be too hot this week for them
- make sure your dog has access to water at all times, even overnight, this holds not just for hot weather but all the time, puppies can overheat very quickly so don't take water away just to avoid toileting accidents overnight, it is too dangerous
- keep an eye on the colour of your dog's gums, they should be a nice mid pink colour, if they are dark pink or red then your puppy needs water, if they are very pale pink or pinky-grey they may have a tummy upset
- check your dog's temperature by feeling the skin at the crease of the inside back leg and groin area where the hair is least dense, this is right by a major blood vessel so gives a truer sense of their temperature
- keep your walks much shorter this week and avoid direct sunlight
- if you cannot put your hand comfortably flat on the ground and hold it there then it is too hot for your puppy, don't walk them on that surface
- try to stick to long grass (much cooler than short cut grass) and shaded areas for your puppy
If you are worried at all about over heating call your vet straight away, have some short video of your puppy handy to send in to them and talk through with them.
Bobbing for treats
Bobbing for bits of apple, watermelon, ice cubes and other watery treats is a great game for dogs in the hot weather. You can even pop in some of their toys and put some treats in ice cubes.
Not only do they get mental stimulation from it, they get the treats, lots of water while trying to get those treats and also cooling from splashing around. If they want to get in, let them!
Not only do they get mental stimulation from it, they get the treats, lots of water while trying to get those treats and also cooling from splashing around. If they want to get in, let them!
Tracking in the shade
It can be tricky to get dogs to do minimal work when outside. So much so that we often either have to keep them on leash or make the immediate environment much more interesting.
To start some simple tracking, tie a tasty treat to the end of a spare leash or pop it in a netted bag and click that to the end of a spare leash. Drag it in a big curved line across some shaded grass space. If some pieces fall off along the route that is great, if not drop some along the trail. Pick up any leash or netting or bags, don't leave those on the ground but do leave a surprise at the end of the trail. Tickle the grass at the beginning of the trail and give your dog a 'go search' cue. Help them if they get distracted along the way by tickling the grass along the trail.
This should take your dog some time to snuffle along, they will gather the treats dropped along the way and learn that it is worth following these trails. If your dog is prone to running around, pop them on a long line for this work.
To start some simple tracking, tie a tasty treat to the end of a spare leash or pop it in a netted bag and click that to the end of a spare leash. Drag it in a big curved line across some shaded grass space. If some pieces fall off along the route that is great, if not drop some along the trail. Pick up any leash or netting or bags, don't leave those on the ground but do leave a surprise at the end of the trail. Tickle the grass at the beginning of the trail and give your dog a 'go search' cue. Help them if they get distracted along the way by tickling the grass along the trail.
This should take your dog some time to snuffle along, they will gather the treats dropped along the way and learn that it is worth following these trails. If your dog is prone to running around, pop them on a long line for this work.
Ice Cube Hockey
Ice cube hockey is great fun but we want to be sure not to play it on slippery surfaces or in direct sunlight. Play this on a shaded path or patio.
This is particularly good to play with two people or with the kids. Get a couple of old flip flops, these will be your paddles for flicking the ice cubes.
With as many people as are playing, sit on the ground with some space, about 2m between you. Flick the ice cube along the ground to the next person. Your dog is going to try to catch the ice cube. If they manage, let them take it off for a lick or a chew and play again when they are done.
This is particularly good to play with two people or with the kids. Get a couple of old flip flops, these will be your paddles for flicking the ice cubes.
With as many people as are playing, sit on the ground with some space, about 2m between you. Flick the ice cube along the ground to the next person. Your dog is going to try to catch the ice cube. If they manage, let them take it off for a lick or a chew and play again when they are done.