Summer Safety Tips For Your Dog

The sweltering hot temps are here to stay and we have some important Summer Safety Tips For Your Dog to keep them safe all summer long.

During the week, I babysit our brother’s beloved dog, Sydney. She’s an older gal nowadays, but she still thinks she’s a young pup. If we let her, she’ll run around the yard like bat out of hell and won’t stop until she can’t run any longer. Needless to say, we have to keep a close eye on her, especially in the summer.

Plus, she’s a Gordon Setter so she has long, silky, jet black hair with brown patches on her face and feet. This means that she just bakes in the sun and can get overheated pretty quickly. I’m always mindful of keeping her cool as the temperatures rise, but she doesn’t always listen.

In case you didn’t know, all setters think they’re the boss. Wait, that’s not fair. All girl setters think that they’re the boss and don’t always listen to their Mommas and Poppas. Trust me, I have three setter girls underfoot at all times.

So now that the sweltering hot temps are here to stay, we’ve dragged out the Little Tikes baby pool for Sydney to jump in and out of all summer long. And as I watch her frolic in the water, I wanted to share some important Summer Safety Tips For Your Dog that Travis Brorsen, one of the most sought after dog trainers in America today, shared with us earlier in the month.

Summer Safety Tips For Your Dog

1.) Pups in Pools.

Some dogs will jump right into a pool with reckless abandon.  However, others may be more timid and need some time to get used to the idea.  Make sure you take the time to acclimate your dog to the idea of a swimming pool which can take up to two weeks.  

Here are some tips for making it a better experience for everyone:

• Introduce your dog to the area around the pool.
• Never force your dog into the pool.
• Use treats to lure and encouragement to make it a fun experience.
• Once your dog is comfortable around the pool, try to lure them onto the first step using a high-value treat or favorite toy.
• The best situation is that your dog makes the decision to come into the pool on their own
• Allow them to come in and out of the pool on their own accord.
• Make it FUN & cheer them on!
• Once your dog is OK in the water, encourage them in further with the high-value treat.
• Be positive and upbeat so they think it’s a game.
• Make sure you take them in and out where the steps are numerous times so they learn where the exit is. 

2.) Buddies at the Beach.

There’s nothing better than the idea of taking a leisurely stroll along the beach (or running if you are that ambitious) with your dog at your side. But the beach can actually be a little overwhelming for dogs at first and can certainly be laden with some safety concerns.  

Here are some of the ways you can have a successful visit to the sand: 

• Keep initial visits to the beach short until they get used to the sand
• Pay attention to beach dog rules and follow them at all times
• Keep your dog on a leash for safety and use a favorite toy or high-value treat.
• As soon as those paws hit the sand, deliver the treat to give them that first good impression.
• Play with them and keep them busy – perhaps a game of fetch.  If you don’t give them something to chase they will find something…like birds.
• As always, remember to cheer them on.

3.) Keep them Hydrated.

Always make sure that your dog has plenty of cool, fresh water available.  If your dog doesn’t stay hydrated they can suffer from heat and kidney damage along with many other health problems.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Lethargy
• Dry gums
• Sunken, darkened eyes

4.) Avoid Fleas and Ticks.

Call your vet months before you travel to make sure you’re taking all the preventative measures against fleas and ticks. Prevention is a fraction of the cost of the intervention.

Three most common diseases from ticks:

• Lyme Disease
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• Ehrlichiosis

Three most common diseases from fleas

• Tapeworm
• Plague
• Haemobartonellosis

For more information and helpful tips visit www.greatestamericandogtrainers.com.

Are there other suggestions that you think should be included? Let us know!

Denine

Want more articles about dogs?

• how to be a responsible dog owner
• 5 questions to ask before bringing a puppy home
• make your own dog toy with old t-shirts
• star wars dog treats (sweet potato and bacon)

ABOUT TRAVIS BRORSEN

Travis Brorsen is one of the most sought after dog trainers in America today. Travis is Founder and CEO of Greatest American Dog Trainers, and is host of the new Animal Planet show, MY FAT PET, which premiers in Fall 2017.  He is a regular contributor to both Dogster.com and DogingtonPost.com. Travis and his team of trainers at Greatest American Dog Trainers not only provide hands-on training and dog walking to their canine clients and their humans, but are also focused on helping pets become more holistically healthy, fit and happy. In 2008, Travis and his 14-month old, highly energetic and untrained boxer, Presley, won the grueling 12 week CBS’ national dog training competition, Greatest American Dog. As a result of the show, Travis discovered he had a passion to help other dogs and their owners create similar positive learning and relationship building experiences. Today, Travis and his Greatest American Dog Trainers team specializes in basic and advanced obedience, dog health and fitness training, as well as behavioral issues.

0