Jul
2012
Keeping Cool During The Dog Days Of Summer
It’s the dog days of summer. The mercury rises and we sizzle.
It happens every year and every year we complain about it because we are human.
I get that.
But this summer is just so darn hot!
I have found myself hanging out inside with the dogs rather than outside with the kids these days.
When I do venture outside with the dogs I often encounter this statement from other people, “I bet your dogs don’t like this heat.”
No. No they do not.
They hibernate. Only to go for walks when I feel that they can not get overheated, which is not very often these days.
They would rather feel that white cold stuff under feet rather then the brittle dry grass.
It’s been so hot I have found myself trying to accommodate everyday things in order to keep the dogs comfortable.
This is more challenging for Sherman who wants to be outside with us all the time. If we are out there, he wants to be out there and if he’s not I get this look from the window:
Leroy not so much. He would rather be laying inside on the cool tile floor. He could care less if we were outside. If he had his way he wouldn’t go out again until there was a fresh coat of snow on the ground.
Besides the obvious of always having fresh cool water available for them, monitoring their time outside, keeping the air conditioner set on FREEZING, playing inside, and making them cute little ice cubes, I have also moved my grooming station from the garage to the basement. I have given up hope that there will be a day with temps below 80 anytime soon.
They have a big pool and a little doggie pool.
They prefer the doggie pool.
It’s easier to drink from and to lounge in.
I also set up a misting station outside if I know that the dogs are going to out for more than 15 minutes.
I got this idea from Facebook and as soon as I saw it I went outside and hooked it up. Of course my way of doing this was a bit different from what I saw on Facebook but it worked pretty good. I just set the hose on mist and bungee tied the hose nozzle to the pole.
I also have a cooling towel that I purchased a few years ago at a dog show. It’s basically a large bath towel that has velcro straps on it to strap around the dog’s chest. I use this if we are going to be out and about, or at a show during the summer. I don’t strap it on the dogs because of their double coated hair but I do put it in a cooler of ice and then when I need it I take it out and have the dogs stand on it for a bit.
So those are a few way that I am keeping my dogs cool this summer, how about you?
Rottrover
July 20, 2012 at 1:13 am (334 days ago)This morning mom got up REALLY early to do some work stuff. About 5:30 we alerted her that a beautiful Newfie was walking past our house. It was nice and cool!
-Bart and Ruby
Bassetmomma
July 20, 2012 at 2:11 am (334 days ago)This summer does seem to be exceptionally hot. I love the look Sherman is giving you from the window. The cooling station idea you got off of facebook is a great idea. We have just pretty much been staying in the air conditioning.
bichonpawz
July 20, 2012 at 4:52 am (334 days ago)We have just patched a hole in our old dog pool. Ben is moving it up to the cottage this week. We shall see if the girlz will venture into it! Chloe did as a tiny puppy, but we haven’t really had a use for it since Zippo passed away. He LOVED that pool! Chloe has recently decided to wade into ponds and bodies of water that have frogs and tadpoles in them…so we are thinking that perhaps she will use the pool…LadyBug could totally care less. They spend alot of time inside in the air conditioning. As do I! My health doesn’t support this heat and humidity at all. Asthma and hot do not mix!! Try to have a cool weekend Jen! I LOVE the pics of the boys in the pool!! Great idea for the misting station!
we three doxies
July 20, 2012 at 6:50 am (334 days ago)Good golly, you do way more fur your dogs than my mum does fur us. I must have a talk withs her bout dis.
Well, bein’ a half nekkid dog I not get hot. Actually, I has to keep goin’ outside to warm up…hehehehe.
Puddles
Emma
July 20, 2012 at 7:11 am (334 days ago)My sister mom and I really are not summer fans – all the other seasons are great but in the summer we are always restricted because of the heat which makes us sad. We are outdoor lovers and having to stay indoors is a bummer but we are very thankful for a/c! Early morning long walks are good but still warm!
2 brown dawgs
July 20, 2012 at 8:16 am (334 days ago)I like the misting station. I know some trainers that have those for their outside kennels. We have no pool so have been letting the dogs play if the sprinkler. Mostly they are in the house in the ac. We try to get them out a bit each day, even in the heat, just for some conditioning. We haven’t really been doing walks though. Just too hot.
That first picture of Sherman is just too cute.
houndstooth
July 20, 2012 at 8:36 am (334 days ago)Well, I found a few local places that are dog friendly, so we’re going to be doing a little retail therapy this weekend — just to break the boredom of being stuck in the house. Freezing yogurt in Kongs and getting Frosty Paws are some other things. We also occasionally take a certain puppy to the lake to play, too.
snoopy@snoopysdogblog
July 20, 2012 at 10:15 am (334 days ago)Lots of great tips there to stay cool!! I don’t like being hot either – we’re lucky here though as it cools right down again when the Sun goes in and this week has been overcast so not as hot – though Mum says the hot weather is coming back today…..
Time for her to get me a pool I think?! Tee Hee
Wags to all,
Your pal Snoopy
Blueberry's human
July 20, 2012 at 10:44 am (334 days ago)We’ve been doing less outdoor activity too. Blueberry starts panting like nobody’s business after about 15 minutes outside – even in the early mornings, so we spend a lot of time in the a/c. The a/c by the way – best invention ever! It drives us both a little nutty at times to not be able to get our hiking in and this time of the year, I get on the computer and seek out places we will eventually be able to hike once October gets here. Come on sweet sweet October – be here already!
I love the idea of the misting station – but I know that B would not enjoy that. She doesn’t even like the sprinkler.
Nichole
July 20, 2012 at 12:03 pm (334 days ago)I think the Lapdogs are right there with your kids… they’re rather have the white stuff to romp in than the nasty humidity!
We’ve been hanging out inside quite a bit as well… however today our temps are quite pleasant! YAY… but who knows how long it’ll last.
Rama's Mama
July 20, 2012 at 1:57 pm (334 days ago)Same thing going on here–gazing out at the hotness! Ready for Fall!
Two French Bulldogs
July 20, 2012 at 3:12 pm (334 days ago)You guys have the life! Big pool, little pool, misting station….nice!
Benny & Lily
Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner
July 20, 2012 at 3:58 pm (334 days ago)I have friends with long-haired Dachshunds and I see how overheated they get….quickly. I can’t imagine being a newfie. It makes me really glad Chester and Gretel have short hair. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to do half the hiking we do.
sprinkles
July 20, 2012 at 7:02 pm (333 days ago)I like the idea of a misting station, I just don’t think my dogs would like it. Now I’m tempted to get them a pool. They’ve never had one before, I wonder how they’d react to it.
caren gittleman
July 20, 2012 at 8:11 pm (333 days ago)your babies are so lucky to have you!!!!
you are a great doggy mama!
If I were a dog, I would be Leroy
24 Paws of Love
July 20, 2012 at 9:23 pm (333 days ago)We just don’t move very much. Stay inside where it’s cooler or in the shade. And we play in our baby pools sometimes. Like the misting station, I could dig that for myself.
Jackie
July 20, 2012 at 10:10 pm (333 days ago)Lucky for us, it’s not that hot here (San Diego) because Rita doesn’t do well in hot weather. She needs to be in the water if it’s at even close to being hot out. So, it’s also lucky for us that we leave near “Doggy Disneyland” – a HUGE off leash park along the bay/beach. She loves to go there. She immediately runs down to the water, trots in and lies down. She doesn’t like to swim, but she’ll do a little belly crawl along the bottom in the shallow water. It’s very cute. But many is she a sandy mess when we get home!
Your pups are lucky to have you looking out for them in the crazy heat! Stay cool.
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
July 20, 2012 at 10:34 pm (333 days ago)I love the mister idea! I hope the heat breaks soon for everyone, so hard to do stuff with the dogs in this heat.
Jen
July 21, 2012 at 12:14 am (333 days ago)Hah, the misting station is a great idea!
Elka, mysteriously, doesn’t seem to mind the heat much at all. She still gets hot, but still wants to do very energetic things.
Julie
July 21, 2012 at 12:46 am (333 days ago)We have two “cool beds” for Cali to lay on – they keep her cool in the house (she lays on the cold tile when they don’t keep her cool enough!) She would rather not go outside when it’s hot!
Linda |Alfie's Blog
July 21, 2012 at 10:53 am (333 days ago)We’ve had the worst summer ever over here in London so we don’t really need to worry about keeping cool. Its more about staying dry! I can see how Alfie would love both that swimming pool and your home made misting station though!
Misti Aljoe Graber
July 22, 2012 at 4:59 am (332 days ago)Cold chunks of Watermelon
Jen
July 22, 2012 at 4:40 pm (331 days ago)Watermelon is a nice cool treat on a hot day!