The Cockapoo Club for owners, enthusiasts and ALL recipients of Hearing Dogs
WHERE COCKAPOOS COME FIRST!
WHERE COCKAPOOS COME FIRST!
SUMMER CARE
Most of us love the longer, and warmer days of Summer, and while we might not get the very hot days of the tropics very often, we do still have warm enough weather to need to take extra care of our dogs.
Unlike humans dogs are not able to keep themselves cool easily by sweating. They only have sweat glands on their paws, which in Cockapoos are covered with fur usually, or they can pant and try and cool themselves that way.
Neither method is terribly effective and so dogs are always in danger of becoming overheated in higher temperatures.
Most of the care is common sense but still worth a mention
Unlike humans dogs are not able to keep themselves cool easily by sweating. They only have sweat glands on their paws, which in Cockapoos are covered with fur usually, or they can pant and try and cool themselves that way.
Neither method is terribly effective and so dogs are always in danger of becoming overheated in higher temperatures.
Most of the care is common sense but still worth a mention
LEAVE AT HOME
First thing to think of when you are going out and about with your dog during the Summer, is do you really need to take him with you? Do you need to stop at the shops, go and visit someone, nip to the bank etc.
If you need to do anything like that then LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME.
The temperature inside a car during a moderately warm day, even with the windows slightly open can climb up to over 100 degrees. Imagine sitting in a hot car, unable to cool yourself and wearing a fur coat!
Even with the windows left open a bit for ventilation dogs quickly overheat and get distressed. Within minutes they can be having seizures and eventually die.
It is much better to do your daily shop, trips etc on your own and take your dog out for its walk at a different time.
First thing to think of when you are going out and about with your dog during the Summer, is do you really need to take him with you? Do you need to stop at the shops, go and visit someone, nip to the bank etc.
If you need to do anything like that then LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME.
The temperature inside a car during a moderately warm day, even with the windows slightly open can climb up to over 100 degrees. Imagine sitting in a hot car, unable to cool yourself and wearing a fur coat!
Even with the windows left open a bit for ventilation dogs quickly overheat and get distressed. Within minutes they can be having seizures and eventually die.
It is much better to do your daily shop, trips etc on your own and take your dog out for its walk at a different time.
PROVIDE SHADE
When your dog is taken out with you in the car, offer some shade from direct sunlight by putting sunshades on the car windows. They are available from pet shops and online shops and can be applied to the inside of passenger windows.
If out with your dog make sure it is not left sitting in direct sun for long periods, but go somewhere where there is shade available.
This also applies when out in your garden. Some Cockapoos will stay in the garden to be near you, even if they are hot.
TIME YOUR WALKS
The hottest time of the day is lunchtime and early afternoon, so if possible take your dog for its walk in the early hours or late afternoon and early evening.
Check your dogs paws after long lead walks. The pavements can get very hot sometimes and there are stories of dogs pads getting burnt from the hot surface. If you do have to do lead walks, try and find areas where some shade is available.
PROVIDE REFRESHMENT & COVER
Always have fresh water available when you are out with your dog. There are several fold up bowls available which are lightweight and easy to carry, or bottles and bowls combined which are quite handy.
Cool pads or cool coats are also worth considering.
There are various types, but they are good for the dog to either lie on or wear after exercise, or during the walk and help keep the dog cool.
In your garden on hot days why not provide a little water fun for your dog by filling a baby paddling pool with some water for it to dip into. That, or the garden sprinkler, can provide great, cooling fun
GARDEN HAZARDS
Its a lovely time of year for us all to be in the garden, and our dogs like to be with us there too. Some plants are poIsonous to dogs, and the increased use of things like slug or snail killer can also be a problem and make dogs very ill.
You can see some information on this HERE
Wasps and bees can also be an issue. Training your dog not to chase them can be a good idea, but it is not uncommon in the Summer months for dogs to chase and want to eat these. Unfortunately this can result in a vet trip for your dog, as the stings will cause pain, swelling and distress.
SWIMMING
A lot of Cockapoos just love the chance ti dive into any available patch of water, be it a lake, the sea or local canal. It is lovely for them to be able to do it, and you can see how much they enjoy it.
If it is an unfamiliar stretch of water, then why not keep a long training lead on your pet for safety? It is also a good idea to wash your dog down in clean water afterwards to remove any debris, algae or sediment that may be caught in its fur.
NEVER let your dog swim in water where there is an outbreak of blue/green algae. It can be nasty stuff and fatal for dogs if ingested.
When your dog is taken out with you in the car, offer some shade from direct sunlight by putting sunshades on the car windows. They are available from pet shops and online shops and can be applied to the inside of passenger windows.
If out with your dog make sure it is not left sitting in direct sun for long periods, but go somewhere where there is shade available.
This also applies when out in your garden. Some Cockapoos will stay in the garden to be near you, even if they are hot.
TIME YOUR WALKS
The hottest time of the day is lunchtime and early afternoon, so if possible take your dog for its walk in the early hours or late afternoon and early evening.
Check your dogs paws after long lead walks. The pavements can get very hot sometimes and there are stories of dogs pads getting burnt from the hot surface. If you do have to do lead walks, try and find areas where some shade is available.
PROVIDE REFRESHMENT & COVER
Always have fresh water available when you are out with your dog. There are several fold up bowls available which are lightweight and easy to carry, or bottles and bowls combined which are quite handy.
Cool pads or cool coats are also worth considering.
There are various types, but they are good for the dog to either lie on or wear after exercise, or during the walk and help keep the dog cool.
In your garden on hot days why not provide a little water fun for your dog by filling a baby paddling pool with some water for it to dip into. That, or the garden sprinkler, can provide great, cooling fun
GARDEN HAZARDS
Its a lovely time of year for us all to be in the garden, and our dogs like to be with us there too. Some plants are poIsonous to dogs, and the increased use of things like slug or snail killer can also be a problem and make dogs very ill.
You can see some information on this HERE
Wasps and bees can also be an issue. Training your dog not to chase them can be a good idea, but it is not uncommon in the Summer months for dogs to chase and want to eat these. Unfortunately this can result in a vet trip for your dog, as the stings will cause pain, swelling and distress.
SWIMMING
A lot of Cockapoos just love the chance ti dive into any available patch of water, be it a lake, the sea or local canal. It is lovely for them to be able to do it, and you can see how much they enjoy it.
If it is an unfamiliar stretch of water, then why not keep a long training lead on your pet for safety? It is also a good idea to wash your dog down in clean water afterwards to remove any debris, algae or sediment that may be caught in its fur.
NEVER let your dog swim in water where there is an outbreak of blue/green algae. It can be nasty stuff and fatal for dogs if ingested.