Doggy training tips

Top 5 tips to keep your dog cool in this gorgeous weather

Unlike human’s us dogs can’t sweat through our skin and have limited ways of cooling down. Dogs do sweat through the pads on their paws, but it’s by panting that us dogs circulate the necessary air through our bodies to cool down. So here’s a few tips on how you can help keep your furry friend, like me, cool in hot weather.

1. Frozen fruit and vegetables
Frozen berries, apples, bananas and carrots are perfect for keeping a dog
cool in hot weather whilst keeping us entertained. They also make a
perfect gum soother for teething pups. The plus side is hoomans can enjoy
these treats too, but DON’T include grapes or cherries as these are toxic to us
dogs.

2. Walkies early in the morning or late at night
Roads and pavements absorb heat from the sun throughout the day and hot pavements can burn and blister our paw pads. If it’s too hot for your own bare foot, then it’s too hot for your pooch. Also, walking dogs during hot summer temperatures can lead to heatstroke, which can be fatal. So, heading out first thing or last thing when its cooler will be welcomed by your woofer.

Evening dog walks in the shade

3. Doggie paddling pool
For those dogs who LOVE water like me, nothing beats a refreshing doggy paddle in the pool to cool down those paws.

4. Stone/ tiled floors
A tile floor is a great flooring option to keep your dog happy. In hotter months, your pet will have the coolest, most comfortable spot in the house. Provided your underfloor heating is off!

5. Ruff and Tumble dog coat
For those fashion-conscious owners look no further than the Ruff and Tumble dog coat. These versatile coats act as a brilliant drying/cooling/warming coat for your furry friend. In hot weather soak the inside of the drying coat in cold water to cool a hot pooch! I love it!

Ruff & Tumble Dog Coat
Doggy training tips, My life 'tails'

Human Foods that us dogs can’t get enough of

It’s so EXCITING when Simon visits to drop off the groceries. He seems to always remember my carrots – what a ‘Top Dog’ he is.  I always have a friendly tail wiggle for him as he pulls into the gravel drive.  I obviously BARK first like any good guard dog would (I’ve got a reputation to keep! I’m a 32kg Labrador… I sound FIERCE!  Grrrrr……(winky face)).

Is there a place at the dinner table for me?

Anyway, it turns out it’s not only the carrots that are edible for us dogs (I hear you yelping for more!). Here are 10 canine-edible foods that I’ve discovered I can eat from the hooman’s very own supplies:

  1. Natural yoghurt

Oh boy! oh boy! – drool…whine…drool…this stuff is darn T-A-S-T-Y! It’s drooltastic!

  1. Eggs

Cooked eggs are SO SCRUMMY and nutritious for us dogs. But watch out for raw eggs my four-legged friends as apparently they carry the risk of salmonella which as with humans, makes us dogs sick. According to my daddy this type of food poisoning is NOT COOL!

  1. Strawberries

These are PEDIGREE! I haven’t tasted blackberries or blueberries, but I’ve overheard I can eat these too! #cantwait

  1. Apples

I LOVE these juicy treats but for some reason I’m never allowed the core…something about apple seeds containing cyanide which just sounds dangerous, so I’m happy to avoid.

  1. Bananas

At first, I was a little unsure of the texture on my tongue but once it hits my taste buds I was hooked!

  1. Broccoli

Chomp Chomp! A great low calorie snack but not too much as it may irritate the digestive system!!

  1. Peanut butter

BOW WOW…‘TOP DOG’ treat! Hours of licking to be had if it’s placed in our KONG toys – an essential for all dogs. WARNING – peanut butter must be Xylitol free.

  1. Oatmeal

Porridge is my FAVOURITE breakfast.  Its wooftastic. I’m sure I have some Scottish blood in me somewhere! I like to think of myself as a doggy Braveheart, being a passionate, soppy, loving thing. But I’m a lover not a hater and Yorkshire’s where I call home.

  1. Cucumber

Staple! Chomp … Chomp … Crunch

   10.  Meat

Obvs! After all I’m a carnivore!! The word CHICKEN sends me NUTS! Crazy like a dog! (chasing my tail) Woof!…Woof!…I’ll do ANYTHING for chicken!

So…what do my fellow canine friends get delivered in their shopping? Are there some tasty dog friendly treats that I haven’t tried yet?

 

Dylan