I was watching the Dog Whisperer and he said if a dog gets overheated in the summer, the best way to cool him off is get them to stand in water up to their bellies. Dogs will cool off faster this way rather than spraying them with water on their backs.
I have 4 dogs. 2 Labs who love to swim and 2 beagle mixes that don't like to swim. But, when it's hot and they are out on our 50 acres for a walk, they ALL go in the creek and belly the water. Dogs know what to do if they have the resources. Otherwise, they are all indoor dogs with a dog door and can go in and out of the fenced yard 24/7 and into the air conditioned home or a warm home in the winter.
I have seen dogs do this countless times-- in lakes, streams, and kids paddling pools. They always look ridiculously happy when standing in the water as well.
I hate the Dog Whisperer, but we won't get into that! LOL But he is right on this issue. Cooling their feet and bellies is the quickest way to cool them off. Unfortunately not all dogs enjoy standing in water like that. I know mine don't. I have dachshunds (both are black and tan so they absorb that sunshine) and when they come in overheated I spray them down with cool water, making sure to get their bellies and chests, legs, underside of the paws, armpits, and under their necks. Then I spray the tops of their heads, and the underside and topside of their ears.
After all that, I take a couple of wash cloths and wet them, wringing only to the point of not dripping anymore, then I drape the cloths over the dogs as they lay on the kitchen floor. One I make sure is covering their chests and the other covers the tops of their heads. They aren't happy about all this but within 5 minutes they are cooled off enough that they can get up and play again inside.
During the summer heat my dogs don't spend a lot of time outside tho. They stay inside most of the time with the a/c on. During the day they only go out long enough to do their business. Once the sun starts going down I let them go out and spend some time outside. That and first thing in the morning before it gets real hot.
That's exactly what our Lab does. We live on a stream. When he gets hot in the summer, he takes himself on a trip to the stream. He stands in the water up to his belly until he's cooled off.
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Tip: Pet Care in Hot Weather (05/18/2009)
I just want to remind all dog owners that they should have water and shelter available to their pets outside.
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Tip: Pet Care in Hot Weather
Archived on 05/18/2009
I just want to remind all dog owners that they should have water and shelter available to their pets outside. Even if you are just letting your pet out for a while on a nice sunny day, they need a bowl of water and a sheltered spot to get out of the sun. A shady spot is especially important for dogs with a dark coat. Even if you think it is cool enough out, the direct sun can be very harmful to a dog if he/she is exposed for some time. Lola, our brindle boxer, gets so hot in the sun! Thankfully, we have plenty of trees to give her shade.
By Carrie N from Okemos, MI
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RE: Pet Care in Hot Weather
I won't let my pups out from noon until 5 as I am afraid their feet will burn on the pavement.
During the summer, my dog walkers come around 11 instead of 1, take a short walk and then spend the rest of the my allotted time indoors with them.
To those of you with dogs that you have chained outside, please bring your dog inside to be part of your family, or seek a more appropriate/humane home for your dog.
Thanks for the excellent tip, Carrie. It's definitely worth providing an extra measure of care for your pets during these hot months.
I have a way of testing whether to put my dogs in the car. I go out and sit in it with the windows rolled up all the way. If I can't stay there COMFORTABLY for at least 15 minutes, then I know it's not safe for my pets.
P>They NEVER go with me in the summer, or in the winter because of the heat/cold. If we go on a trip in these seasons (or any other time) I never leave them in the car while I go in to eat or anything. If I have to stop to use the restroom, I pull into a trucker's weigh scale and leave the car running with the a/c on and the doors locked. I have never been turned down to use the restroom real quick when I explain I'm traveling alone with pets. (04/27/2009)
Did you know? Some shelters have bumper stickers in their offices that are usually free, to put on the windshield of cars with pets in them, stating that someone is calling the police to notify them of your car and pet. I always take a handful of them and leave a donation, and put them on cars I see with animals inside. I even broke a window once, where a cat was inside with NO windows open, and it was unconscious. I got the cat out and walked out along the beach until I found the owner. I wasn't very popular, but I was really angry, so the point got across. Anyway, check your local shelter and see if they have any resources like I mentioned above. I am rather passionate about animals. Good luck. (04/28/2009)
What do you actually do if you see a pooch/critter inside a vehicle in visible distress? Sure, call 911; on the other hand, how long would they take to get there? Or, would that be a low on the priority list as calls go? Baltimore, Maryland (04/28/2009)
Thanks, Christy! I feel the same about dogs being chained. I live next door to one that whines, wants to be with it's people. So sad. In Washington state, a bill is being proposed to outlaw a dog being chained up 24 hours a day. I hope it passes and more states adopt a similar code. If people don't want a loving companion, really a member of the family, they shouldn't get a dog. (04/29/2009)
