OVERHEATING

Summer in Wisconsin is often very hot, which creates a greater risk for overheating in dogs. It’s important to be informed of the signs of overheating and what to do if your dog does overheat. In this blog post we will go over how to prevent your dog from overheating, signs to look out for, and what to do if your dog does overheat.

Preventing overheating

Preventing your dog from overheating in hot weather is extremely important. It is vital that your dog always has access to fresh water and shade in the summer months. Some other ways to prevent overheating are to make sure your house or car is at a cool temperature, use a cooling product such as a vest or pool if you’re going to be outside for long periods of time, and limit your dog’s time spent outside on those extra hot days.

The temperature every dog can safely handle will depend greatly on your dog and how exposed they have been to the warm weather. It’s important to always supervise your dog when they are outside on hot days. Once it starts to get around 90 degrees, it is important to limit your dog’s outside time to short potty breaks only. Save her walks and outside play time for the early mornings or evenings when the temperature is lower.

It is also important to never leave your dog unattended in a car in the summer and to always do a double check for your dog before leaving your car. The temperature in your car rises extremely quickly in warm weather and will get too hot for your dog in a matter of minutes. Don’t assume just because the windows are cracked and you’re only going to be gone for a minute that your dog won’t overheat. It happens quickly and can turn into an emergency situation very fast.

Signs of overheating

It’s important to keep an extra close eye on your dog for signs she may be overheating in the summer. There are very clear signs to look for that will tell you if she is becoming too warm. The easiest sign to see is excessive panting and saliva. Some other signs that may be a little less obvious are bright red or purple gums/membranes, glassy eyes, racing heart, and high body temperature. In severe cases your dog may also look like they are struggling for air or collapse unexpectedly.

Dogs with short or smooshed snouts, puppies, and elderly dogs are at an increased risk of overheating. If your dog has a double coat or darker fur, they may also be at an increased risk. It is important to pay extra close attention to these dogs in hot weather because they won’t be able to tolerate the heat as well as other dogs.

What to do if your dog is overheating

If you notice your dog is starting to overheat, get her out of the heat immediately. It is important that when your dog overheats that you don’t change her body temperature too quickly, this can be just as dangerous. You want to slowly help her lower her body temperature with cool washcloths and allow her to take small sips of cool water. It is important that the water and washcloths are not ice cold so that the body can cool down gradually. If you notice your dog is really struggling to cool off and in distress, seek veterinary help immediately. A dog that is too hot is at risk of serious health complications, so it’s important to get professional help quickly when it is needed.

Summer can be filled with fun adventures for your dog, but the hot weather imposes a new risk that isn’t present during the other seasons. Knowing what signs to look for, how to help your dog, and ways to prevent her from overheating will ensure that everyone stays cool and safe.  

A lot of pups struggle with the fourth of July fireworks. Check out our firework safety for tips on how to keep your pup safe and comfortable this holiday season.

The Fourth of July is approaching fast and is notorious for being a day that dogs go missing. Fireworks are loud and unpredictable, which frightens a lot of dogs. With these tips, you can help keep your dog safe and make them more comfortable during this time.

Before the Fireworks

It is important to give your dog exercise during the day. This can help tire her out for the nighttime festivities and help make it go faster for her. Plan time into your day that you can take your dog for a walk or do an activity she really enjoys to burn off any extra energy. Also, plan to take her out for her last potty break of the night before the fireworks start. This can help ensure she is inside and in a safe place once they begin.

If you do need to take your dog out after the fireworks have started, it’s extremely important to take her out on a leash and make sure she has a collar on with identification. This will help prevent your dog from bolting if a firework were to go off and startle her as well as help get her back home to you if she does happen to slip away.

During the Fireworks

You want to set up a safe place for your dog to be while the fireworks are happening. Create this space in a more centralized area of your home where the noise will not be as loud. If your dog is not comfortable in her crate, I would not suggest using this. You want her to feel safe and secure and if the crate doesn’t provide this feeling for her, it can add to the anxiety she is already feeling. Turn on the TV or a white noise machine to help further drown out the noise. You can offer your dog a special bone or frozen treat to enjoy during the fireworks to keep her mind occupied. Another option that can be helpful for some dogs is a Thunder Shirt. The tight pressure these shirts provide helps your dog feel safe and can add an extra layer of comfort. If you know your dog really struggles with fireworks, now is the time to talk with your veterinarian about any anxiety medication you could use during that time.

My dog isn’t afraid, is it safe for them to participate?

It is important that even if your dog isn’t afraid of fireworks, they are still in the house during them. It can be a huge safety risk to your dog and everyone around for them to be involved. Not only is the fire a safety concern, but you never know when or how a dog will react if they are startled. There are plenty of other times during the day when the fireworks are not happening for your dog to be involved in the holiday festivities with your family.

The Fourth of July can be a fun holiday for us but a scary time for our four-legged friends. It’s important to prepare early and have a plan to keep everyone safe and comfortable during this time.

Wanting to bring your pup to a dog-friendly patio this summer? Check out our info on Madison’s patio season to get your pup ready to join you on these outings.

As the weather gets warmer, more restaurants and breweries are opening up their outdoor seating. There are a ton of dog-friendly patios in the Madison area and a lot of people want to bring their four-legged pal along with them to join in on the fun.

Before bringing your dog to a dog-friendly patio, it is important they are able to do a few things. To ensure success on these outings you want to make sure your dog has a solid down-stay or place command and can remain neutral in stimulating environments. The goal when bringing your dog out in public is for them to be able to relax relatively easily and remain neutral to their environment. If your dog has a hard time relaxing in new and stimulating environments, it might not be the right time to take her to a dog-friendly patio. You want to ensure that you can set her up for success, and patios are typically very small and crowded in the summer months and aren’t the right environment for every dog. Don’t fret if your dog isn’t quite ready for a patio yet, you can work her up to it with exposure and practicing a down-stay or place command.

If your pet can easily hold a down or place command at home, but you are unsure if they would be able to do it with the added distractions of food, new people, and potentially other dogs, try practicing these commands in public settings. Exposing your dog to a variety of distractions while practicing these commands can help get her ready for a patio outing. Once your dog is doing well with this, try taking them to a patio during an odd time of day when it won’t be super busy. This way you can get an idea for how she will do without feeling crowded and trapped. Slowly work her up to more stimulating environments as she shows you she is ready.

The more you practice taking your dog to patios the better she will get at relaxing at them. Start slow and be consistent with what you expect from your dog in these environments. With practice and a solid down-stay or place command, you and your pup will be enjoying the summer patios together in no time.

Tick season is in full swing in Wisconsin. Check out how you can protect your pups from ticks to learn how you can prevent them and what to do when you find one on your dog.

Summer is right around the corner in Wisconsin and with the warm weather comes ticks. Ticks thrive in warm and humid climates, making our summers perfect for them. You and your dogs can pick-up ticks in the woods, in tall grass, and even in your backyard. They are typically close to the ground and will attach themselves to you or your dog when you brush past them. There are three types of ticks that are commonly found in Wisconsin; the brown dog tick, the deer tick, and the wood tick. Ticks can spread various diseases to you and your pets, so it’s important to keep an eye out for them during the summer months.

The most effective thing you can do to prevent your dog from getting a tick is to make sure she is taking her flea and tick preventatives. If you are someone who tends to spend a lot of time in wooded areas in the summer with your dog, it might even be worth making sure she is up to date on her Lymes Disease vaccination. If you are unsure if you should get this vaccine for your dog, have a conversation with her veterinarian and they can help you make an informed decision.

Some other ways to help keep your dog safe from ticks is doing tick checks regularly. The most common spots to find ticks are behind your dogs’ ears, in her armpits, and in-between her toes. However, they can attach themselves anywhere so it’s important to take a quick look over your dog’s entire body. There are also some natural sprays you can use on your pets and yard to help further their protection from ticks. I personally love the Wondercide products and have found they work wonders at preventing ticks with my own pets.

Most dogs will inevitably get a tick at some point in their life. It is important that when you do find a tick on your dog that you remove it correctly. You want to remove the tick quickly and properly. To remove a tick, you are going to need tweezers or a tick key. When removing the tick, grab it as close to your dog’s skin as possible and pull away with even and steady pressure, making sure you get the head. After removing the tick, monitor the area for any signs of infection. If you notice your dog acting differently after being bitten by a tick, it is important to seek out veterinarian help. Once you have removed the tick from your dog, you want to kill it to ensure it doesn’t reattach to anyone. To kill a tick, you can either burn it, put it in a sealed Ziploc bag, or place it in rubbing alcohol.

Unfortunately, ticks are a prevalent part of Wisconsin summers, and there is nothing we can do about that. Make sure your dog is protected and do what you can to prevent them so everyone can have a fun summer.

Is A Public Dog Park the Right Place For My Dog?

With the warmer weather approaching, a lot of owners are looking for ways to get their dog outside and socializing with other dogs. A common way that many families try  is by taking a trip to the public dog park.

The problem with public dog parks is that anyone can use them at any time. This brings a ton of unpredictability to the environment and can often end in a traumatic experience for everyone. It’s impossible to know if your dog will get along with every new dog they meet, and most dogs simply do not like every dog they meet at the dog park. Just like we as people aren’t best friends with everyone we meet, the majority of dogs are the same way.

This can cause a lot of problems at places like public dog parks where all dogs are off leash and not under control. Dog fights happen so fast in these situations and can negatively impact you and your dog for the rest of your life. In some cases, a dog is incredibly resilient and bounces back just fine after a bad encounter with another dog. But far too often, it can create fear, anxiety, reactivity, and potentially aggression as a way to defend itself from unsafe situations in the future. And we don’t want that for your dog. Or you.

Almost everyone in the professional dog industry has heard horror stories from owners about how their pets have been attacked by unfriendly dogs at the park. We have even experienced this for ourselves.

That is why we always suggest our clients take their dogs to a private dog park instead. Not only do these parks still offer your dog the off-leash freedom to explore, but they are also a much safer and predictable environment for the entire family. The Madison area has quite a few private dog parks. They are very similar to a public dog park, however you sign up to use them for a chunk of time for a small fee. Most of these parks also have options for friends to bring along their dogs, as well. This way your dog can still socialize with other dogs, but it’s with dogs that you all know and trust.

These dog parks also have lots of other things for your dog to enjoy that most public dog parks do not. A lot of them offer fun play structures for your dog to explore, doggy pools in the summer to cool off in, as well as fun toys for your dog to try out. They are also a great place to build your dog’s confidence up and practice those off leash obedience skills. We have taken our program dogs to a few of them in the area and have really enjoyed them. The ones we have used and recommend are Fly Dogs Park, My Dog and Me Park, and Good Dog Unleashed.

Next time you’re thinking of taking your dog to a public dog park, consider checking out one of the many private dog parks instead. Not only will it give your dog a safe space to be off leash, but it will be in an environment you can control and the whole family can enjoy.

Have you ever had one of those days where your dog is just loaded with energy, but you’re not? We have compiled a list of activities to do with your dog for those days when you’re tired, it’s rainy, you’re sick, or you simply don’t have a lot of time to explore outside.

Springtime in Wisconsin also brings rain. It’s important on rainy days to still give your dog an outlet for her energy. These are the days that mental enrichment activities come in handy. Mental enrichment is providing your dog with things to do that require her to think and problem solve. It’ll burn her energy and fulfill her needs on those days where you just can’t get her outside.

We have all heard the phrase “a tired dog is a good dog.” While that’s not necessarily true, we do believe that a tired dog is less likely to get into mischief. And getting your dog to think and problem solve is a great way to tire her out, sometimes with very little effort from you!

There are a ton of different ways to do this for your dog at home. Here are just a few you can try when you need some fun new activities to do with your dog:

Training Sessions

Practice your dog’s skills indoors. Run through the skills she already knows to help keep her sharp. You can have fun with this and add in new distractions.

Another thing you can do is teach your dog fun tricks. This Dog Trick Book has a ton of different tricks you can teach her at home with step-by-step instructions. If you don’t want to spend money on a book, there are also free resources online that walk you through how to teach her different tricks. You can check out some of our trick videos on our YouTube channel here!

Toys

Toys can provide your dog with all kinds of mental stimulation. One option is to give your dog a new toy to explore and play with on those rainy days. A great tip to save you money and keep her interested in her toys is to only provide her with a few at a time and to switch them out often. This way she is constantly getting to play with a ‘new’ toy without you having to spend tons of money. Another great option is toys that involve food. What better way to keep your dog motivated and entertained with a toy than food. Create a frozen treat for her the night before with her breakfast to provide more of a challenge for her to eat. You can find a ton of easy recipes online to follow that use things you most likely already have in your home. Invest in a treat puzzle or some fun treat toys for her to play with. I have added a few of our favorites below, but there are so many different options on the market. Kong Wobbler, Snoop, Treat dispenser.

Agility course

Invest in an at home agility course or make one with items you already have at home. Not only will this provide your dog with mental and physical stimulation, but it is also a great confidence booster. Make sure to use treats to help lure her around and through the different obstacles.

Nose work game

Grab your dog’s favorite treat and hide it for her to find. You can use boxes to hide the treat under or just hide it around your house. When you do this make sure to show her the treat first and start off with an easy spot. Slowly increase the difficulty as she gets better at finding the treat.

There are lots of ways to tire out your dog and give her an appropriate way to burn off that extra energy. You can practice her obedience, teach her new tricks, play with toys, run through agility, or do nose work games. Not only do all of these options provide great mental enrichment for your dog but some also provide physical enrichment as well. Get the entire family involved and make it a fun experience for everyone.

It’s the holiday season, which means businesses, including your regular vet, may have different business hours over the next few months. Know who to call and how to get there so that you’re prepared if your dog needs emergency care. Bookmark this page so you have it when you need it!

Emergency Vet Clinics in Madison, WI:

• Veterinary Emergency Service – Middleton: 608-831-1101, 1612 N High Point Rd, Middleton, WI 53562
• VCA Veterinary Emergency Service – Madison East: 608-222-2455, 4902 E Broadway Madison, WI 53716
• Madison Veterinary Specialists: 608-274-7772, 2704 Royal Ave Madison, WI 53713
• UW Veterinary Care: 608-263-7600, 2015 Linden Dr Madison, WI 53706
• Veterinary Emergency Group: 608-716-3255, 7456 Mineral Point Rd Madison, WI 53717