Dogs and the Heat

This is a good time to remind people about their canine friends and the heat.  Taking proper precautions will keep your pet cool and safe from heat stroke.  Dogs need adequate fresh cold water, I like to add ice cubes or crushed ice.  If you are traveling with your pet always have cool water assessable using a portable container.  For the backyard, have cool drinking water, and maybe a small pool or sprinkler.  A dog cannot not sit out in the hot sun all day they must have shaded areas where they can cool down.  Tents, gazebos, trees offer shade for your furry friends.  I do not let my dogs spend much time out in the hot humid heat, I prefer that they are in an air conditioned areas where they can lie on a cool floor, this is best for all dogs.  If it’s too hot outside for humans than its too hot for your pets.  

 NEVER EVER leave your dog in a car when it is hot even with the windows open.  It amazes me how these warnings go out every year and yet people still leave their dogs in cars with windows up and no water, it only takes seconds for animals to be in distress and minutes before its too late to save them.  Be responsible and be a good owner, never leave your dog in a car when it is hot outside.

 Older animals, sick, short nosed and overweight animals need to be watched more closely as they are more sensitive when exposed to the heat.  Certain breeds, like pugs, bulldogs, boxers etc. are more susceptible to being affected by the heat as they have poor panting mechanisms.

 When you walk your dog it is best to do in the morning or evening when the pavement is cool on their paws.  Don’t over exert them, go too far or run them in the heat.  Bring water with you to give your animal even on short walks.

 Taking just a few precautions will keep your canine friend cool and safe during the hot days of summer!

The Spoiled Dog

A spoiled dog is not a happy well adjusted, well mannered pet.  Often a spoiled dog can be unruly, stressed, dominate and impossible to live with.  We all love our pets and often will spoil them, but we first must remember that for a dog pack order and rank is what they live by.  A dog needs respect and must respect the pack leader, this is more important than love in a dogs eyes.  Continual spoiling of our dogs is not showing them love rather we are depriving them of their basic needs. 

 Dogs are social animals that live in packs, rank is necessary for pack survival.  Imagine a company where everyone is the president each one telling the other what to do, nothing would get done.  It is the same with a pack of dogs, one leader is required to lead the pack and make all the decisions.  The pack needs a leader who decides when to hunt, play, find shelter etc. 

 Often spoiled dogs are allowed to do anything they want without boundaries and rules, chaos will surely follow.  Spoiled dogs are the most difficult to train, often dominate and stressed as they are not equipped to be a leader but are predisposed to take on the role when no other leader is established.  It can lead to many unwanted behaviors, aggression, anxiety, and dominance.  I have seen people live with animals they are afraid of, dogs that won’t hesitate to use aggression to control their human and yet these people will still insist their dog is very loving most of the time.  A dog that has been allowed to say “no” without consequence and ignore or control its owner is often a dangerous dog. 

 Being the leader of a dog does not mean you can’t love your dog, it just means your dog will follow and listen to you.  Establishing leadership is not difficult, it means making the dog earn its privileges the same as humans work to earn money to buy things.  Dogs earn privileges by making them sit before feeding, or stay before going outside, or doing a down before giving a treat.  It is just simple commands, not done with anger but rather a calm relaxed tone.   Leaders are not cruel they keep the pack safe, feed, find shelter and make all the decisions.  When we are children our parents keep us safe, feed and provide us shelter this helps them to feel safe and loved.  It is the same for our dogs they feel safe and cared for when we have consistent boundaries and rules.  When you spoil your dog you are not giving your dog what it needs rather you are creating stress for the dog.  Dogs thrive on consistency and knowing your expectations. 

 I have seen many times an unruly disobedient dog be put in the hands of a trainer or behaviorist and within a short period of time be relaxed, less stressed and obedient.  As a trainer dealing with a spoiled dog can be both dangerous and difficult.  Love your dogs by giving them what they need and you will be rewarded with a happy, well adjusted and obedient pet!