As a former dog owner, there’s nothing like that feeling you get when you see your dog’s facial expression when they hear the word “walk”. They give off what seems like a combination of immediate excitement and pure joy, which is pretty much the best. Dogs love walks, but summer can make it a little tricky when it’s hot and humid outside. Just imagine jogging around the block in a fur coat. No thank you!

So if you want to make sure your dog can enjoy the nice weather, here are a few tips to keep in mind for your good boy.

…or girl.

  1. Keep Your Dog Cool And Pay Attention

If it’s so hot outside that you can fry an egg on the pavement, your dog probably doesn’t want to put its bare paws on the concrete. Paying attention to your dog’s temperature is important, too; some owners even carry around a thermometer with them on hot days. If you want to go that route, note that they’re fine around 101 to 102.5 degrees - anything above that might require a trip to the vet.

It’s also a good idea to make sure there’s plenty of shade around, or that your dog can cool off with water. If you’re at the lake, you’re all set. Otherwise you can get a ton of amusement by keeping a tub of water in your backyard and watch them splash around.

  1. Don’t Forget To Bring Clean Water

You don’t need to give your dog Fiji Water, but definitely don’t forget to bring a good water source with you – even on shorter walks. It’s also really fun watching using a squirt bottle or hose to quench your dog’s thirst. Personal recommendation.

  1. Watch Out For Bugs

My dog would always love to run around in the grass, which often made him a tick factory. Take a few minutes after a walk to inspect him for ticks or fleas. I also learned to always have Benadryl in stock after my dog had an allergic reaction to a bug bite. Look out for those nasty deerflies and horseflies. They’re the worst.

  1. Don’t Let Your Dog Drink From Blue-Green Algae Water

You’ll probably see this stuff in puddles around parks or nature areas. I could go into depth about why you don’t want your dog to drink that stuff, but instead I’ll just say one word: diarrhea. Enough said.

Most of this stuff is fairly obvious, but it’s never a bad idea to remind yourself to keep your pooch happy and healthy. Now get out there and enjoy a nice walk!

Source: Star Tribune

 

 

 

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