Proper Paws Dog Training – Summer Update

I hope you are having a wonderful summer with your family and your dog.  I would be remiss if I didn’t remind you of a few things that are particularly relevant in the summer.

1)    With all this heat and humidity don’t forget that your dog needs access to lots of fresh water, just like you do, to stay hydrated and healthy.

2)    If you have access to clean water streams, lakes or sea shore, swimming is a great alternative exercise for your dog but beware!

a.     Algal blooms! Both fresh and salt water can be affected by potentially deadly algal blooms.  For more information on these dangers http://www.gracelinks.org/blog/7425/algal-doom-the-many-colors-of-algae-and-their-potential-haz

b.     No matter where your dog’s swims don’t forget to thoroughly rinse your dog with fresh clean water and dry them off!  Hot spots can develop if moisture is trapped in your dog’s fur for too long.  http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/what-hot-spots-dogs#1

3)    While it probably goes without saying, never leave your dog in a car (even with the windows down) on a hot day (even 70 degrees can get unbearable hot for dogs).  Cars act like greenhouses and heat up quickly! Dog’s systems cannot tolerate heat like ours can, and even a short amount of time in high heat can be deadly!  https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/cats-and-dogs-in-cars-debunking-five-dangerous-misconceptions

4)    While many people shave their dog in the summers to help their pet stay cool, it can actually do just the opposite. http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/05/12/pet-coat-shaving.aspx

5)    Finally, sometimes it is more kind to leave your dog home on a hot day.  Are you planning a hiking trip, day at the beach or long drive? Please consider the WHOLE day, the beach can be pretty hot if you don’t like to go in the water, hiking can be especially taxing on a hot day and long drives are great if you don’t stop, but what happens when you need to eat and the dog can’t come with you!

Now on to future news!  As much as I love summer, I am now looking toward my fall class offerings.  There are classes for every level, some will be offered as rolling admission (Graduate Puppy, Master Puppy) and some will be offered as 6 week classes (Adventure Class, Rally, Wag it Games).  Here is the schedule starting in September.  If there is a class you’ve been waiting for and don’t see, or an idea for a class you’d like to see, please let me know!  As you can see there is a TBD class in there just waiting for people to let me know what you REALLY want to do!

Have a fun, safe rest of your summer, hope to see you all in the fall! 

Check out our schedule for the fall - some of the classes are already full, so don't forget to reserve your spot early!

Fall 2017 Schedule