Never work or play with your dog outside during the hottest part of the day in the summer between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.  Dogs can suffer from sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heat stoke.  Provide her with plenty of shade and cool water at all times.  If you live in an area where the temperatures get very hot keep your dog inside in the air conditioning during the hottest part of the day or install a dog door so that she can get into an air conditioned area when the weather is too hot.  Dogs do not perspire all over their bodies like we do and they cannot cool themselves in high temperatures or high humidity even in the shade.  Dogs should NEVER be left outside when the heat index is 90 degrees or more.

Most dogs love to play in the water.  Swimming and retrieving toys in the pool or at the lake is a fun way for you and your dog to get lots of cool exercise on the hot days of summer.  Remember that swimming is very vigorous exercise!  Know your dog's limitations and don't allow him to become overly tired.  Start with only a few minutes in the water at a time until your dog becomes conditioned.  Even if he is used to lots of running and playing he can quickly become tired in the water and drown.  Be sure to teach your dog how to get out of the swimming pool by allowing him get in and then teaching him where and how to get out numerous times before you begin any kind of water play.  Always keep your dog safe around water.  Never leave your dog unattended around swimming pools, lakes, or at the beach.  Just as with small children it only takes a few minutes for your dog to jump or fall into the water and drown.  Fence off your pool area so that you can keep your dog out when you are not supervising him.  Never take your dog out in a boat without a life vest.  You can purchase life vests for dogs through pet supply stores and catalogs.  Keep your dog's life vest on at all times when he's in the boat.

Stand

During the hot weather it's a good time to train indoors.  You and your dog will be bored with staying indoors with nothing to do and it's hard for your dog to concentrate on obedience in the heat outside.  This is a good time to work on the sit, down, and stay commands.  Click on the buttons above for information on teaching the basic commands to your dog.  Once your dog knows the five basic commands teach her the "Stand" command.  Teaching your dog to stand is very helpful during grooming, or when you are out for a walk and you do not want your dog to sit when you stop during bad weather or for whatever other reason you may have.  Your veterinarian will appreciate your dog’s obedience during her examinations too.  To teach your dog the stand first start by putting her collar and leash on.  Have her sitting at your left side in the “heel” position.  Hold the leash close to the dog’s neck under her chin with your right hand.  As you take a few steps forward gently pull her up as you say “Stand”.  As soon as she is walking forward reach over her back placing your left hand in front of her left back leg to stop the forward motion.  PRAISE! If your dog sits as you stop walk a few more steps and try again. Remove your hand, give her the “Fido Heel” command, and step forward a few more steps then have her sit as usual.  PRAISE!  Once your dog gets the idea you can give her the “Stay” command and signal after she is standing.  Remain standing beside her so that you can put her back into the stand position easily and quickly if she starts to move.  Make a sling with the leash under her belly to help discourage her from sitting during the stand if necessary.  If she begins to move or sit you can GENTLY pull up on the sling as you tell her “No”.  Always be gentle and patient.  Do not attempt to hold your dog’s weight with the sling.  It should be used only as a reminder not as a preventative from sitting or a punishment.  Once she realizes what you want her to do she will no longer need the sling.  Increase the stay time by a few seconds each training session until your dog is doing the Stand/Stay for a full minute.  Then you can begin having a friend or family member touch her while she is standing.  PRAISE her for holding her position while she is being touched.  Always walk your dog out of a stand with the heel command.  This keeps her from getting in a habit of sitting during the stand.  

NEVER leave your dog alone in your vehicle even for a few minutes! Dogs die of heat stroke every summer from being left in hot vehicles. 

 
LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME
ON HOT DAYS!