Right now it’s pleasantly cool at my desk in the well-insulated apartment. But outside the temperatures are already climbing towards 30 again. Too warm for me and especially for my dog.

Well as a husky he suffers even more from the current temperatures, but also other dog breeds can not stand the heat. So today I have my top 5+1 tips for you, how you and your dogs can get through the summer.

How to get through summer with your dog:

1. Water, water, water

From above, from below, in a bowl or as a wading pool: Water is the easiest way to cool your dogs down a bit. The very first thing to do is to constantly provide your dog with something to drink. At home the water bowl should always be filled and for on the way there are folding bowls or bottles with integrated bowls. A small plastic cup will do just as well.

A visit to the swimming lake or dog beach or a walk along a stream also provides refreshment in between. Even if your dog only goes into the water with his paws, it cools down his body. You may even notice from the behavior of your four-legged partner that he feels better 😉

2. Adjust the dog walk

By now, every dog owner should know that you should avoid the midday hours and the afternoon. It is simply too warm. Rather move the dog walk to the morning and evening (and scurry out at noon at most briefly to pee).

You should also keep an eye on the trail conditions and adapt your usual routes to the heat. Long stretches of asphalt and urban canyons heat up a lot in the summer and hold the heat well into the evening hours. No fun for your dog.

Rule of thumb: put the back of your hand on the asphalt. If you can’t keep it there comfortably for at least seven seconds, the ground is too hot for your dog’s paws.

3. Cool spots

In the apartment, you can use cooling mats and damp towels to create cool places where your dog can retreat. But also watch where he lays down on his own. My husky, for example, has a knack for finding the coldest place in the apartment in no time.

4. Out with the wool

Comb out the loose undercoat. This makes the summer easier for your dog and is also good for the skin. You should only shear your four-legged friend after consulting a professional dog groomer. For many breeds, clipping is not necessary and can even cause problems. In addition, a dense coat can protect not only from the cold, but also from the heat, at least for a little while.

5. Discover slowness – or not?

You often read on forums and tip sites that you should take it slow in the summer. This may be true for many dogs and especially candidates who are eager to learn can be well exercised with intelligence games or fetch training. The husky, however, wouldn’t be happy with that. He wants to run. Slow is no option.

This brings us back to the morning and evening hours, even if that means that the first round has to take place at half past five in the morning and around eleven in the evening, so as not to strain the dog too much. The point I want to make is that you know your dog best and what he needs.

+1 Ice, ice, baby!

The +1 tip is one because it comes with a bit of caution. One tip I keep reading is to offer your dogs ice in the form of ice cubes, frozen yogurt, liverwurst, etc.

I have done this and the husky liked it very much. However, he is one of those dogs that does not gulp, but licks the ice slowly and carefully. If your dog tends to swallow the ice cream in big chunks, this can lead to stomach and intestinal problems. In addition, the body has to expend even more energy to warm up the eaten to body temperature.

Otherwise, it is also an option to freeze the ice cream in a Kong or a bowl, so that your four-legged friend is forced to lick the whole thing out slowly. At least from time to time, this is a great refreshment and entertainment.

I hope you and your dogs survive the summer with these tips.  

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