Our friends at Empire of the Dog, who have helped my little mutt D become a more refined and less-barky lady, have pulled together super important Summer Safety Tips so you can rest assured your premium pooch will be as cool as he looks during the warmer months.
Summer is here! And while you’re putting condiments on your hot dog, your REAL hot dog may be in harms way. Be aware of the danger that high heat and outdoor environments can have on your dog.
Follow this checklist to ensure summer safety for you and your dog:
HEAT & SUN
• NEVER EVER leave your dog in a car unattended. The temperature inside can soar to 160 degrees in ten minutes. (Even with the windows cracked and even in the shade!)
• Know the signs of heatstroke: drooling, bloodshot or reddened eyes, vomiting, lethargy, collapse.
• Offer additional water (at room temp, not cold) and be sure your dog has shade if you are spending time outside.
• Don’t shave your dog’s coat in an effort to cool him. When properly groomed, the coat insulates from the heat.
• Exercise your dog in the early morning or late evening on hot days. Beware of walking your dog on hot cement or asphalt, which may burn his paw pads. If possible (it might look weird!) have your dog wear booties to protect his feet on super hot cement.
• Some dogs require sunscreen on their noses and ear tips if they are spending any time outside. Check for dog safe sunscreens at your local pet store.
HEALTH
• Have you begun heartworm preventative, if you aren’t giving it year round? See your vet for a blood test and get your dog back on this important medication. The American Heartworm Society urges pet owners to use year round protection.
• Are your dog’s vaccinations current? Are the records readily accessible in case of an emergency?
• Is your dog a candidate for a Lyme Disease vaccination? Check with your vet and also look for a topical treatment that also repels ticks. Know the symptoms of a Lyme infection in your dog: lethargy, limping or stiffness (especially if intermittent) and often sudden onset of “crankiness” or even aggression.
SAFETY
• Are your dog’s identification tags up to date and legible? Is he micro chipped? And is it registered with your current information? Did you get your Dog License from the state? For NY dog licensing you can go HERE.
• Is his collar secure? Romping dogs can pull out of loose collars, and collars can stretch with age, too.
• Do you have a recent and clear photo of your dog in case he gets lost?
• If you leave windows in your apartment open, are they safely enclosed with secure bars or screens to prevent your dog from jumping through or wandering onto the ledge.
• Leave your dog at home when you go to see fireworks. Most dogs are more alarmed by fireworks than awed. If your dog gets startled, he could run off and get lost or become injured trying to flee from the noise.
• Never transport a dog in a truck bed, or open hatchback. For added safety you can purchase your dog a pair of DOGGLES to protect his eyes if you have a convertible or he hangs his head out the window or he rides in a sidecar.
• Monitor your dog around puddles of car fluids and leakage, many of these are poisonous, especially anti-freeze which tastes sweet to animals. Use non-toxic brands if you are a driver. It’s better for wildlife and the environment, too.
• Do you have a PET ALERT sticker for your apartment door or window alerting emergency personnel that pets are inside? Empire of the Dog has one for free that we leave at several pet stores locally at PS9 Pets and District Dog …it looks like this.
If you are a new rescue dog owner, Empire of the Dog (415 Grand Street #1) has a FREE upcoming workshop called Dog Training Tips for Rescue Owners, this Thursday June 26th at 7pm. RSVP here. Or call (917) 723-5233.
The workshop covers typical issues that may arise in newly adopted rescue dogs and how to navigate the first several months with your new pet using pet and family friendly methods, like:
• How to build confidence and security
• Managing super “Velcro” attachment issues.
• Remedial house training for re-homed pets.
• Using Family Friendly training methods to teach and modify behavior.
A portion of the seminar will also involve Q&A periods for specific issues.
This is a seminar for HUMANS only.
**If you are having any issues with AGGRESSION issues with your dog, you should consult a professional for individual help.
Be safe, Greenpoint dog lovers! And happy healthy summer!
I have a program funded by Obama that will pay to tag your dog, looking into this program to also be able to buy dog shoes so the dog doesnt step on the bare earth, imagine a human having to go shoeless? Dogs need shoes too. Support the dog shoe campaign now, contact the white house
Can we get an article educating people that street trees, sidewalks and people’s houses are not their dogs’ toilets? How about an article defining what “curb your dog means”?
Dog urine and feces kill grass, flowers, bushes and trees. Dogs should do their business in the street gutters so that they can get cleaned up by street sweepers.
Especially at Transmitter Park, people need to keep their dogs on a leash at all times and off of the grass and away from the plants.