Cool ideas for summer!

I don't want to speak too soon, but it's been hot now for at least 48 hours - so I guess this is summer!
Time to share your ideas for keeping your dog cool.
One cheap and cheerful idea is DIY doggie lolly ices! Frozen Kongs!
Be as inventive as you like with the fillings, try chicken stock. Make a savoury canine smoothy with some cocktail sausages or liver cake and yoghurt and then freeze it in a Kong - not forgetting to plug the bottom hole with something like a bung of cheese!
Go on - share your cool Kong recipe's or other tips for keeping your dog cool and content this summer!
Beverley Cuddy, Editor, Dogs Today


Jenny Prevel, from D for Dog, says...
Great replies. I want to say though that you don’t have to order from America to get a Soothsoft Canine Cooler. We sell them at D for Dog http://www.dfordog.co.uk/acatalog/soothsoft_canine_cooler_dog_bed.html. The Canine Cooler incorporates Memory Foam comfort, molds to pressure points and is vet recommended. You activate it once and it does not need refrigeration (unless you need to be extra, extra cool). Simply fill it with ordinary tap water.
As already mentioned, a great idea for a fun and cool summer treat for your dog is ice cubes. Or why not stuff a Kong and freeze it for a lasting summer treat.
I wanted to mention some other summer tips to make sure your dog doesn’t suffer in the heat. As always, make sure that your dog has a fresh bowl of water always available to them. They will drink more in the hot weather so you will need to check and re-fill it on a more regular basis.
Be aware of the signs of dehydration. Given a regular supply of water to drink, your dog should not dehydrate. However, if you think your dog might be dehydrated, do this simple check. When the skin along the back is picked up into a fold, it should spring back into place. In dehydration, the skin stays up in a ridge. Another sign is dryness of the mouth. Late signs of dehydration are sunken eyes and circulatory collapse. If your dog is dehydrated, do not let them gulp down excessive amounts of water at once as they are likely to bring it back up. Give your dog an electrolyte mixed in water, which will be more effective than plain water at replenishing the body. To hydrate slowly, give your dog ice to lick rather than letting them take large gulps of water.
In the hot summer months it makes sense to walk your dog during the cooler part of the day. Always take water and a bowl with you on walks and offer it to your dog regularly throughout the walk. If you dog is a big fan of fetch or running around, try to play less active games.
If you take your dog out in the car then bear in mind that it is hotter in the back than it is for you up in the front. If you will need to leave your dog in the car then don’t take them with you. Never leave your dog in the car on even a warm day. The temperature inside the car might not seem excessive when you first stop but the temperature inside a stationary car can rapidly increase to double the outside temperature - phew. This can happen very quickly, within six to ten minutes. Leaving the window open a few inches, parking in the shade, or leaving a bowl of water in the car is NOT adequate. A dog left in a car on a hot or even warm day can suffer heat stress and ultimately fatal heat stroke within just 10 minutes.
See our Parked Cars Cook Dogs campaign http://www.dfordog.co.uk/hotcars for more information about dehydration, heatstroke and what to do if a dog is left in a parked car.
Similarly, never leave your dog in the conservatory when you go out. The same applies to greenhouses and any area that is likely to heat up in the summer sun. Always make sure that your dog has access to a shady area, whether it is indoors or out.
Learn to recognise the signs of heatstroke (see link above) and stop heatstroke in its tracks in the early stages by cooling your dog down immediately. But remember that prevention is better than cure. Don’t put your dog in situations where heatstroke is likely to occur. Keeping your dog cool and comfortable throughout the summer must be a priority.
That’s not to say your dog can’t enjoy some sunshine. Most dogs love to sit in the sun but don't let them bake themselves. Apart from heat stroke and dehydration, sun burn is another issue to consider. If necessary, restrict access to sunny areas and provide plenty of accessible shady places for them to relax. Pets with light or white coats or exposed skin can get sun burnt. Use a sun block on exposed areas and on the tips of ears, forehead and nose or any area you feel could burn.
Imagine wearing a fur coat all summer. Consider getting your dog clipped short for the summer months so that they are more comfortable. If a short cut is not the answer then make sure your dog's coat is regularly groomed to remove any tangles, avoid matting of the coat and remove dead hair.
Feeling a bit hot and bothered? We can all feel a bit grumpy and agitated in the heat. Do remember that your dog is likely to feel this way too. Some dogs can be as irritable and bad-tempered as some humans when made uncomfortable by heat. Take this into account when you interact with your dog. Even the most docile dog can get hot and bothered. Let your dog be and don’t allow children to poke or tease them, not that they should ever be allowed to do so anyway. Allow your dog some time away from all the excitement and activity that summer and the school holidays can bring.
Not to sound all rules and gloom, it is summer after all so have some fun. On a hot day, water fun is often a welcome distraction and also a great way to cool down. Try your dog with the hose pipe for some fun and games. Take care with this. If your dog is anxious about the hose pipe then don’t force the issue. An alternative is a paddling pool. A hard plastic pool will suffer claws better than an inflatable. Bob some toys or treats in the water to gently coax your dog in. Once dogs get the hang of water they soon learn that is it fun and that it helps them to cool down.
Enjoy!