As the year passes, the needs of our dogs change. The temperature changes and other seasonal issues definitely can pose some hazards for your pet. Unless you live in an area where the weather is almost always constant, the following tips can help you accommodate your pet's needs through the year.
The scorching heat of summer can make us all a bit miserable at times, but unlike dogs, at least humans have a built-in system of sweat glands that help them cool off. Dogs do have some sweat glands, mostly in their paws, but this doesn't really help them control their overall body temperature. Providing shady spots to relax outside or allowing them to bask in the joy of an air-conditioned house are good options. Dogs need plenty of water in the summertime, and it's also not a bad idea to shorten the length of their fur during the hottest months. Be sure to never leave your dog in a hot car as this is a very common and tragic cause of pet death. If your dog craves a daily walk, just keep it a bit shorter and opt for early morning or at twilight, when the temperature drops.
While the heat is a challenge, the cold of winter also shouldn't be ignored. While it may be true that many dogs have a fur coat that helps them hold in heat, dogs can be harmed by very cold temperatures, and frostbite can be an issue. Young dogs, sickly dogs and elderly dogs also are more likely to be affected by the cold, so be sure to have a warm and comfortable spot for your dog to enjoy during the wintertime. Make sure your dog drinks enough, as well, as the winter months can be very dry. The holiday season also can be hazardous as dogs might nibble at ribbons or tinsel or the Christmas tree or perhaps the electrical cords needed for your Christmas lights.
As the Ides of March approach and the promise of Spring is in the air, other challenges arise for our pets. For one thing, we begin planting during these Spring months and often use pesticides and slug bait in our gardens, which can be toxic for pets. People aren't the only ones often affected by allergies, so sometimes these seasonal allergies also will affect an animal. In addition, the bug world is waking up from winter, and there are bees and other insects roaming about. Stings and bites are more common in the Spring and Summer and when your pet is bitten or stung, you will need to provide some medical care.
As the leaves change color and the temperatures begin to drop, problems such as pollen and insects begin to become less of a problem. During Autumn, the main problems that are seen involve holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween. Be sure to keep candy out of the reach of your pet as some nuts and all chocolate are dangerous for dogs and they shouldn't have even a modest amount of processed sugar. Thanksgiving is a day of indulgence for humans, but it really shouldn't be for pets. Altering their diet can cause stomach distress and while a tiny nibble or two might be ok, keep the human food to a minimum.
If you have a rascally hound that loves to cavort in the flower beds and cannot wait to hit the park and dive into bushes and head off trail on hiking trips, this can be a big problem at any time of year. Dogs can come into contact with ticks, other animals, scratchy bushes and plants and toxins. To keep your pet from running off, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can prevent these problems with proper obedience training using a dog training program. The Dog's Way, for instance, is an easy option as it is a set of dog training DVDs that provides clear, easy-to-follow lessons that you can do at home. After a few weeks of training, you dog will be a safer and happier animal.
The scorching heat of summer can make us all a bit miserable at times, but unlike dogs, at least humans have a built-in system of sweat glands that help them cool off. Dogs do have some sweat glands, mostly in their paws, but this doesn't really help them control their overall body temperature. Providing shady spots to relax outside or allowing them to bask in the joy of an air-conditioned house are good options. Dogs need plenty of water in the summertime, and it's also not a bad idea to shorten the length of their fur during the hottest months. Be sure to never leave your dog in a hot car as this is a very common and tragic cause of pet death. If your dog craves a daily walk, just keep it a bit shorter and opt for early morning or at twilight, when the temperature drops.
While the heat is a challenge, the cold of winter also shouldn't be ignored. While it may be true that many dogs have a fur coat that helps them hold in heat, dogs can be harmed by very cold temperatures, and frostbite can be an issue. Young dogs, sickly dogs and elderly dogs also are more likely to be affected by the cold, so be sure to have a warm and comfortable spot for your dog to enjoy during the wintertime. Make sure your dog drinks enough, as well, as the winter months can be very dry. The holiday season also can be hazardous as dogs might nibble at ribbons or tinsel or the Christmas tree or perhaps the electrical cords needed for your Christmas lights.
As the Ides of March approach and the promise of Spring is in the air, other challenges arise for our pets. For one thing, we begin planting during these Spring months and often use pesticides and slug bait in our gardens, which can be toxic for pets. People aren't the only ones often affected by allergies, so sometimes these seasonal allergies also will affect an animal. In addition, the bug world is waking up from winter, and there are bees and other insects roaming about. Stings and bites are more common in the Spring and Summer and when your pet is bitten or stung, you will need to provide some medical care.
As the leaves change color and the temperatures begin to drop, problems such as pollen and insects begin to become less of a problem. During Autumn, the main problems that are seen involve holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween. Be sure to keep candy out of the reach of your pet as some nuts and all chocolate are dangerous for dogs and they shouldn't have even a modest amount of processed sugar. Thanksgiving is a day of indulgence for humans, but it really shouldn't be for pets. Altering their diet can cause stomach distress and while a tiny nibble or two might be ok, keep the human food to a minimum.
If you have a rascally hound that loves to cavort in the flower beds and cannot wait to hit the park and dive into bushes and head off trail on hiking trips, this can be a big problem at any time of year. Dogs can come into contact with ticks, other animals, scratchy bushes and plants and toxins. To keep your pet from running off, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can prevent these problems with proper obedience training using a dog training program. The Dog's Way, for instance, is an easy option as it is a set of dog training DVDs that provides clear, easy-to-follow lessons that you can do at home. After a few weeks of training, you dog will be a safer and happier animal.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan enjoys watching dog show. For more information regarding the best dog training DVDs, or to discover dog leash training videos online, please check out the TheDogsWay website today.
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