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CONTACT Nancy Hook Widener 14934 Taylors Mill Rd. Zebulon, NC 27597 252-235-2545 Write Us! 
E-mail
© Copyright 2002-2005 Hook's K9 Training Nancy Hook Widener All Rights Reserved |
| Summer Care |
The Camp Hook pool is open--let the games begin!
The pool is more than a diversion--in hot weather it is a necessity. Dogs don't sweat like we do, so they can more easily overheat.
Watch your dog for signs of heat stroke:
- Rapid, heavy panting
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Impaired coordination
- Confused or panicked look
- Loss of consciousness
Heatstroke can cause brain damage and death.
Crucial to your dog's summer survival:
- Water: Must be changed frequently to stay clean and cool. I snap my buckets to the fence to prevent turnovers.
- Shade: Trees, shadecloth, raised roof. No tarps--they trap heat, hold hot pools of water, and will roast your dog!
- Ventilation: Lack of ventilation causes the temperature to rise to dangerous and deadly levels--another reason to avoid tarps!
- Vehicles: The safest thing you can do is leave your dog at home. Leaving your dog in a vehicle in the summer is the same as leaving him in the oven. Just not a great idea.
Sophie is no dummy--when she's hot, she stops!
In very hot weather, restrict dogs' activity during the main heat of the day. When they are playing, make sure there is plenty of shade, and, of course, fresh water available. Some dogs have more energy than common sense. Limit their activity for them if they don't!
Above all, make sure your dog stays hydrated! He should have access to fresh water at all times.
As CamelBak exhorts: "Hydrate or Die!"
Insect stings and bites are another hazard of warm weather.
Spiders, ants, ticks, mosquitoes, fleas...good grief, your dog is a bug buffet!
There are so many effective flea and tick deterrants out there there is no reason for your dog to suffer.
Dogs love to investigate the tantalizing buzz of bees and yellowjackets!
If the bite or sting is causing swelling and pain, apply ice to relieve the discomfort. Give your dog a single antihistimine like Benedryl to relieve the allergic reaction, and call your vet.
The most serious response to any insect bite is difficulty breathing, caused by the allergic reaction and swelling of the site--especially if the dog was bitten in the mouth or on the face.
Get your dog to the vet!
A cause of great discomfort and injury that's frequently overlooked are the surfaces we ask our dog to walk on. We have shoes on, our dog doesn't. Hot asphalt, sand and other hot surfaces can burn his pads. Check with your hand to see how much heat has been retained by the surface before you ask him to walk or stand on it. Many dogs are so stoic they won't react until they are really injured.
