If you must take your pup out during the heat of the day (starting at about 85F and above), here are some tips: When getting out of the car, make sure the pups are the last ones out so they don’t have to stand around and wait for others to get out of the car. When you start walking to your car, make sure you have your keys in your hand and quickly unlock the door, and let them get in first before unlocking the other doors. If you relieve your pup, try to do it in shade. DO NOT LET THEM STAND on pavement/sidewalks/dirt that is in the sun, while putting jackets on. Move them to a shaded area or grass then put the jacket on.
f your pup does burn his/her feet, avoid any further contact with hot pavement, and take him/her home. Do not leave them in the car. When you get home, check pads to make sure they aren’t severely burned. If you can’t see any signs of blistering, then no treatment is necessary. If there is evidence of blistering or your pup appears to be in pain when walking, you should contact your leader who made advise a vet appointment. On that same note, do not let your pup walk over any grates during the summer, unless the grates are cool.
Always check the pavement/sidewalk/dirt/grate with your hand laying flat on the surface for about 10 seconds if you are uncertain how hot they are.
A good rule of thumb: If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot on or to hold your hand down on for 10 seconds, it’s too hot for your pup. Also keep in mind that it’s easy to get sidetracked by chatting and it’s easy to forget puppy is standing on something hot. Never stop or walk slowly on a hot surface. Always move quickly to shade or grass.
HEAT STROKE
It is very easy for a pup to get overheated when outside on hot days, especially black labs. You should be cautious taking your pup out starting about 85F. Do not take your dog out for exercise, especially vigorous when it is hot. You may be able to stay reasonably cool, but your dog cannot.. The signs we see with heat stroke include:
- Rapid panting (sounds like a locomotive).
- Rapid heart rate.
- Reddish mucous membranes best seen in the mouth.. Check their gums. They should be a light pink and slick. If they are a dark pink and sticky to the touch, the pup is dehydrated.
- Thick stringy saliva and later very dry mucous membranes.
- The eyes can get a glassy appearance.
- You may see stumbling, confusion, etc.
- The thermometer is very important. The temperatures for heatstroke are 104.9 to 109F.
- Jim Russell has seen dogs that lose the ability to use their rear legs, and may actually walk on their front legs while dragging their rear legs.
What to do if your pup has heat stroke? It is important to run the cool (not cold) water on the abdomen, where there is no hair . DO NOT use cold water or ice. Call the veterinarian and transport your pup immediately.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke? Dogs are not designed to work hard in hot weather. They cool only by panting, not by sweating (which is a much faster method of cooling).
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Provide water regularly. Stay in the shade as much as possible. Pups are never ever to be left alone in the car.
Hot Weather Coolers!
Pups like to chew on ice cubes too, so you can give them ice cubes any time. If you give them ice while inside your house, keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t leave it on the kitchen floor. If they do, and you don’t realize it, it could result in a nasty slip and fall for someone who didn’t see it or the puddle of water a dropped cube leaves behind.
Get your pup a child's wading pool, and fill it with 3 or 4 inches (or more) of water and let them splash around in it. You can put a bone or 2 in the bottom to see if they'll retrieve it. I saw them do this at Guide Dogs, and the pups went nuts over trying to get the bones out. Be aware...male dogs especially, for whatever reason, like to pee in the pools, so try to relieve your pup right before, or even a few minutes after they start playing... putting feet in water must be the stimulant. (Be aware that a wading pool left on your lawn may kill the grass it sits there for an extended period of time.
After they have played in the water is a great time to trim nails because they'll be a lot softer to cut!!!! .
If you have a regular pool, you can take your pup swimming, just don't push them in. If you have to, carry them in. Or lead them in to the step. Get them to sit on the first step, and let them get used to it, then gently lead them into the next. Then, what really helps is if you get behind them and sort of hold them around the middle and walk around the pool with them so they get comfortable. Be careful of their paws!!! They sometimes try to paw at you in the water, and it can hurt, thus the main reason for holding them from behind. Make sure you take them in and out of the pool steps 8 or 9 times so they know how to get out. This is very important. Do not leave the pups unsupervised around an unfenced pool. Never allow them to enter the pool on their own...only on command. Some pooches aren’t meant to swim and may sink. If this happens, always support your pup when you’re in the pool. You can place one of your arms just in back of their front legs, and the other at the flank area, and support them as they try to swim. We had a pup who never could swim without support , and her career change owners have to put a doggy life vest on her when they go swimming. Never force a pup into a pool if they do not want to go in.
Just be aware that water causes pups to shed like crazy! So brush them a lot before going into the pool. Then once they dry, you'll want to brush them again because you'll have lots of doggy dust/hair devils running around your floor if you don't. Plus your pool filter will be cleaner.
Please make sure you clean and dry their ears after playing in water to prevent ear infections.
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From: Eyes for Others Yolo County Guide Dog Puppy Raisers
June 2011 Newsletter
