Ottawa K9 School

July has been quite a scorcher! Perhaps you have been seeking air conditioned hangouts for relief, drinking a lot of water and wearing sunscreen when having to venture outside. We are all aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion and sunburn on humans. But what about on dogs?

 Tempted to take your pooch on a run, or have him run beside you while you cycle? Think again! Dogs do not have as many sweat glands as human and can suffer from heat exhaustion. They can even get sunburned.  Dogs can also suffer brain damage and die from the effects of the heat.  Snub-nosed dogs, overweight dogs and older dogs tend to be the most susceptible

Exercising your dog in the heat is not a good idea. But what about a little road trip?

It may seem harmless, but leaving your dog in the back of a truck can cause burns. If your dog doesn’t have a blanket to sit on, the metal will heat up in the sun. Never leave your  dog in a car without the A\C on. A few minutes in a hot car can cause heat exhaustion and even brain damage EVEN IF you leave the windows open a crack.

Dogs don’t have the same coping mechanisms we do to deal with the heat.  Keep your beloved pet safe!

 Think of a plan B to exercise  your dog in hot weather. Walking your dog in the early morning or late evening will help avoid the burning sun.  Bring water along and make frequent stops to allow your dogs to drink. A wading pool, a trip to the pet store, an indoor play-date in an air conditioned home  are all good ways to entertain your dog safely on a hot day.

The Ottawa Canine School is offering Fun Friday events – a great way to do something fun with your dog and keep it out of the heat! Friday August 6th we are hosting a small dog playdate (in an air conditioned space of course!). Friday August 13th we will be hosting an Intro to Agility.

ottawak9school@yahoo.ca or (613) 296-3643 for more information