My buddies at Only Natural Pet Store in Boulder, CO are the experts on The SummerTime Blues for Animals!  Get products to remedy your dog or cat’s warm weather troubles by clicking on the store logo on the right side of Hap the Pup’s Dog Blog page……. TELL THEM “HAP the PUP” SENT YOU!

Top 10 Summer Safety Tips for Pets

by Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM

Most of us are out and about much more in the summer, including many of our pets! But summer comes with its own set of potential problems. Common sense and preventive measures can prevent illness and injuries for our pets. Here are our Top 10 tips for a safe and happy summer:

1. Prevent Parasites. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other parasites are a year-round problem where warm weather is the norm, but in summer they’re practically everywhere. Not only are these pests a nuisance to your dog or cat, but they can carry tapeworms, heartworms, and diseases such as Lyme, Bartonella (often called cat-scratch disease, although dogs actually carry more species of this nasty bacteria than cats), West Nile Virus, leptospirosis, and even bubonic plague. Keeping your pet parasite-free requires a broad approach and vigilance on your part, with a little help from effective preventives. (See our comprehensive article on fleas here. Many natural products are available; talk to your vet about what’s needed for your area.

2. Stay Cool! Pets can succumb to heatstroke, so be sure that whenever your pet is outdoors, he always has a shelter from the sun, and plenty of fresh water. Add ice cubes or blocks to the water to keep it cool longer. If it’s extremely hot and humid in your area, consider a cooling vest for your dog. Don’t jog or bike with your dog in hot mid-day temperatures; stick to morning and evening. This is especially important for short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs (Pekes, Pugs, Bulldogs, etc.) or those with double-thick coats or long hair (huskies, shepherds, collies, some terriers and retrievers).

3. Leave Rover at Home. You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again: never leave your dog in a car if the weather is warm, and certainly not if it’s hot! Cracking the windows makes no difference in the temperature gain. It doesn’t take high temperatures for it to be dangerous. A car parked in the shade can reach dangerous temperatures on a hot day; and if it’s in the sun, the temperature can rapidly rise up to 160°F. Experiments showed that even at a mild 72°F, the inside of a car reached 116°F in an hour, plenty hot to kill a dog. One dog died after being locked in a parked car on a sunny, 67°F day, even though the car windows were cracked. If you’re out running errands, the safest place for your dog is at home.

Dogs can’t sweat—they control their body temperature by panting. If the air in the car is near or above the dog’s body temperature (about 100°F), the dog will be unable to cool itself, and its body temperature can quickly rise to fatal levels (over 107°F). Heatstroke symptoms in dogs include: heavy panting, salivation, disorientation, agitation, rapid heart beat, lethargy, vomiting, seizures, coma and death.

If you see a dog left alone in a car under dangerous conditions, note the car’s location, color, model, make, and license plate number, and contact local humane authorities or police, who usually have authority to break in to save the animal. If you can make a good guess as to which store the driver might be in, ask the store manager to page them. If the animal shows symptoms of heatstroke, immediately take these steps to lower its body temperature in a controlled manner:

* Move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area. * Apply ice packs or cold towels to the head, neck, and chest; or immerse her in cool (but not cold) water. * Allow small amounts of cool water or let the dog lick some ice cubes. * Get to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

4. Avoid Sunburn. Sunscreen may be needed for pets with white fur around their face and ears—even indoors, if they’re sunbathing through windows. Susceptible areas are where the fur is thin and the skin is white or pink. You can use a human sunscreen or sunblock product (but be sure to clean it off when you get home), or get one especially made for pets, such as Solar Rx, which is green, vegan and chemical free.

5. Protect Against Poisons. Toxic mushrooms grow in many areas of the country, so be vigilant about removing them from your yard. Many plants (and all bulbs) are also toxic. Bulbs look a lot like dog toys, so keep them out of reach!

Summer also brings chemical hazards. Antifreeze is particularly deadly, so leaky cars are a hazard; clean up any spills immediately. This is the also the time of year when people are using fertilizers, mulches, and pesticides in yards and on lawns. While professionals will usually put flags up, do-it-yourselfers might not. Don’t let your dog wander in other yards where chemicals or cocoa mulch (toxic if ingested) might be used.

If you suspect that your pet has gotten into something, poison-control hotlines (there may be a charge) include: • Kansas State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital 785-532-5679 • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 • The National Animal Poison Control Center 1-900-680-0000 or 1- 800-548-2423 • Angell Animal Poison Control Hotline at 1-877-2ANGEL

6. Watch Out for Critters. Walking and hiking with your dog summer increases the chances of encountering unpleasant or even dangerous wildlife, such as skunks, porcupines, scorpions, or rattlesnakes. Some toads have poisons on their skin that can be deadly even if your pet merely licks at the toad. Toads come out in wet weather and when it’s dark, so be especially careful when letting your dog out at these times.

7. Don’t Let Burrs Get Buried. Summer grasses often produce sticky or spiky seed cases. Foxtails and burrs can get caught in the paws or fur and work their way into—or even through—the skin. Foxtails have been known to work their way inside the chest or abdomen, where infection can be life-threatening. Check your pet after every outing to ensure its fur isn’t harboring any of these nasty items. Other sharp items also multiply in warm weather…if you live near water or take your dog on fishing trips, be careful with your fishing hooks and lines, and watch out for those that may have been left behind by others.

8. Drive Safely. As much as your dog may love to ride in the bed of a pickup, or hang his head out the window, either can cause your dog a world of hurt. Dust and gravel in the eyes are just the beginning; every year thousands of dogs are injured or killed when they jump or fall from vehicles. Even in an enclosed car, pets can be thrown and injured if you have to brake suddenly.

For car rides of any length, the very safest place for pets is in the back seat, either wearing a safety harness, or in a carrier or confined area. Pets loose in the car can distract and interfere with the driver, which could result in an accident. Harnesses designed as “doggie seat belts” provide safety during the trip, and prevent your dog from getting loose if someone unexpectedly opens the door. If your dog must ride in a truck bed, use a carrier or cross-ties to prevent injuries.

Cats should always be kept in a carrier while the car is in motion; many cats actually prefer it, because the smaller space makes them feel safer. Always make sure the cat is well secured before opening the car door. Some cats can be trained to walk with a harness and leash, but this is not something to try for the first time the day of the trip!

9. Always Carry Identification. Pets should always wear a collar or harness and ID tag, no matter where they are or where they’re going. Cats should be fitted with a breakaway collar for maximum safety. Please consider having your pet microchipped as added “insurance.” Rumors of cancer from microchips are greatly exaggerated, while the sad truth is that lost pets are often gone forever. Thousands of lost pets have been returned home thanks to microchips!

10. Be Prepared. Whether at home or away, keep a first aid kit ready in case of emergencies. There are special kits for both dogs and cats, so you never have to panic! You might also want to keep flower essences on hand, to keep your pet calm while you give first aid or head for the vet. Several products are available:

Click on the ONLY NATURAL PET STORE logo on the right side of Hap the Pup’s Dog Blog page! TELL THEM “HAP the PUP” SENT YOU!

Be safe, be well, have a wiggle filled fun summer!

……Hap

I remember my heart pounding out of my chest as “Oily”, my whining, curly black mutt perched upon a craggy pinnacle without a safe way down. It was all the muster I could muster to scramble closer to him, risking my own safety, to barely gap the distance, reach out, grab him by the knap of his neck, swing him into me… and keep my own precarious balance. That was the last time I climbed a rocky ledge with a dog!

Since then, I gulpingly resolve that if my companion dog gets into trouble where I can’t wisely rescue him, then keeping calm and quiet, I trust he will find a way to maneuver out of his situation without my help. God forbid, I ever lose a pet this way but it won’t be both of us carwheeling downslope.

Nope, I don’t coddle canines on cliffs anymore! 

This article in the Boulder Daily Camera by Chris Weidner inspires my comments today. I don’t think a dog running loose in the canyon is like a squirrel on your street that plays “chicken” with oncoming cars… but wow it’s dangerous!

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_15254557?source=rss

Bottomline is:

1. Don’t bring dogs on climbing expeditions

2. If you do, tie them up while you prepare your gear and then guide them away from the parking place and highway before you unleash them.

3. Buy the beers for all your climbing companions at the end of the day for enduring your mutt’s behaviors and stupid, unintentional pranks that might have stressed out your buddies.

Remember you need friends on the end of your ropes!

“Hap the Pup” Activity Book & CD on sale at Amazon!

Great Opportunity for Kids & Dogs Training!Wholesale prices available for your biz or offer to your members!

I WANT to CONNECT with YOU!!!

And.. keep dogs out of shelters from bad handling by

kids who don’t “have a clue” about dogs:(

We can help, YES!… here’s waggin atcha:)

www.puppytrainingplan.com

TRUE OR FALSE? Send me your thoughts, Folks. I’ll post your answers into my blog and directly quote you or just go to comments in this article below to add your input.

Meanwhile, thanks to Dave Messer for this photo of a po’ sicky bow wow:(

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-is-ill/page1.aspx#

Anything that has to do with kids and dogs is my angle!
They are my Angels! See even Hap the Pup can spell! Angles/Angels…get it…yea!

Waggy Woofs!…. Hap

You have a great relationship with your dog, right? When you got your puppy, you promised to love, protect, and train it, true? But you have a newborn in the house!

SUPERVISE! Be Super Wise!

Do you still have time for Fido! Will your dog be jealous, act out inappropriately, or can you integrate activities with the dog into this brand new world? The pooch must now share his beloved Guardian with a new baby?

Bottom line is you must stay conscientious of your baby’s safety around the family dog. Be sure to give the dog what it requires to feel loved & safe with an ongoing sense that it is not being replaced! Eventually, you’ll teach your kid to train the dog, too, OK? But first begin with the dog & help it understand this new situation.

There is no need to choose between the pet or the baby. Heaven forbid the dog is sent to a new home just because your family dynamic changes! You CAN have the best of both worlds & your dog CAN learn to love your child as a member of the pack, even though you might be extremely sleep deprived!

Expert Dog Trainer, Jeff Milman at www.watchandtrain.com has wonderful tips to help you integrate a harmonious plan into your household so everyone wins! Here’s what he suggests in a nutshell:

”

• Feed out of Kongs or other toys. These provide mental stimulation and activity instead of a few minutes of eating followed by boredom.
• Use a “nothing for free” strategy. This is not to be strict, but to remind the person to train more often. Simple exercises such as sitting before going outside, waiting 30 seconds before release to eat dinner, having to look at you before going to say hello to their dog friend outside are all simple ways to increase the amount of training time each day.
• Put training times on the calendar. I know that baby times are not always consistent, but everyone can find 15 minutes of time per day to train. Everyone.
• Train for dinner. Put the dinner bowl on the counter and do short training sessions while feeding your dog his dinner. If you run out of time, put the rest in a Kong for him to finish.
• Work on “Stay”. Stay is a great mental exercise that can really calm a dog down.
• Take your dog with you when you take your baby. One person can push the stroller, the other person can hold the leash.
• Hide treats around the house. Teach your dog to stay or tether the leash to a doorknob and put 20-30 dried chicken or other treat around the house and then send your dog off to find them. This is a great activity.
• Get dog walkers. If you don’t have as much time for your dog, hire dog walkers a few times a week.
• Find a responsible kid in the neighborhood to play fetch with your dog. There is probably someone that would love to play with your dog if you just keep an eye out.
• Turn the tv off. Everyone needs downtime, yes, but your dog needs you. You can find 15 minutes of time for your dog. You really can.
• Get up 15 minutes earlier and go to bed 15 minutes later. I understand sleep deprivation, believe me. We have a collicky baby that used to cry for hours every evening. But, we are talking about a dog that you took in and promised to take care of. You can do it.”

Suzanne Pierson, creator of “Hap the Pup”, is currently painting original Dog Art!

For a portrait of your family dog or as a gift to another dog lover, contact the Artist at

thepuppysong@yahoo.com

http://www.hapthepup.com

Chesapeake Retriever

Here’s an example of a recent pastel painting of “Bailey” Chesapeake Retriever.

Suzanne knew this beautiful dog but she painted the Dog’s portrait from a photo.

Email today to discuss your DOG ART!

Photo of Bailey