Cool Dood in the Summer
Keeping a cool doodle in the summertime can be challenging with all their hair. The time for soaking up the sunshine and frolicking in the grass is finally here. There were many days last winter when I thought warm weather had abandoned me. Now that the heat and humidity have arrived in full force, Doodles and their humans have new challenges in staying comfortable.
There are many ways to enjoy the summer months with your Doodle while keeping him happy and healthy.
When it's time for his summer haircut, remember that your Doodle is susceptible to sunburns, so don't clip too short.
Before extended sun exposure, apply sunscreen to his nose and areas without full hair coverage.
We may think our furry pals want to spend all day out in the yard, but if it's too hot for you to be comfortable, it's too hot for your Doodle. My dogs have playtime in the morning and again in the evening. We aim for calm, quiet, and as relaxed as possible in the middle of the day.
If your Doodle stays in a crate while you're away from home, a small fan to circulate the air is a welcome treat.
A housebroken dog should always have access to fresh water; a puppy that still needs supervision will need to be offered water at more frequent intervals. My dogs' water intake in the summer is three times that in the colder months.
Always carry fresh water for your dog; saltwater can cause dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Water in rivers, ponds, and lakes can contain parasites and bacteria.
If you begin to notice your otherwise perfect dog digging craters in your flower beds, he's giving you a subtle hint that he's hot and trying to get comfortable. If you're hot, the dog's body temperature is generally higher.
When you're on walks, take extra water for your Doodle and pay attention to the heat of your walking surface. Your shoes protect hot surfaces from burning your feet, and your Doodle's foot pads are susceptible to burns from hot pavement. Your Doodle, unlike humans, doesn't sweat. A dog pants to release excess heat; even a Gentle Leader will restrict his panting ability and possibly cause overheating. Never leave your Doodle in a car; the temperature inside a vehicle can rise 30-50* above the outside temperature in 5 minutes. Even though your Doodle may enjoy car rides, staying at home with a new chew toy during warm months is in his best interest.
Summer is a great time to work on training, teach some new tricks, and have some fun in the water. During these hot and humid days that I was longing for six months ago, rollover might be a better game to play than fetch.