Below I have a few suggestions that may save your dogs life from the blistering heat of summer.

1. Air Conditioner – For people who own a kennel, the best thing for the dogs would be to have an air condition building that you can keep your dogs in when the temperature keeps climbing. After the heatwave, than they can go outside in their kennel runs so they are able to enjoy the cooler breeze of summer. (Note: I have kennel runs inside my building and kennel runs outside as well. I do bring my dogs inside the building every night around 9 pm. or so; no matter what the weather is. I feel the dogs are safer and it keeps the neighbors happy because they don’t hear any noise from the dogs during the night).

2. House dogs - If you only have house dogs and live in a super hot place during summer – having an air conditioner is a real plus for your dog(s) as well. During the hottest part of the day, the dog needs to be in the house. If the dog needs to go “potty,” make sure that the dog is not outside for too long. The dog can not survive without shade and plenty of water during a heatwave. (Note: I have a doggy door installed in my backdoor. This way the dog can go out when he needs to potty and can come back in when he is done).

3. Fans - Use fans or a “gel pack” fan covers over the fans. There is a product that fits over the round plastic (or medal) cover of the fan, (that protects the blades from being touched). It’s a thin netting type material, that holds a “gel pack” in the middle. This gel pack can be frozen and put in place on the fan cover. When the fan is turned on, it forces the air to blow on the “gel pack,” and it instantly produces a cool breeze.

4.Garden hose - Use your garden hose to wet down the “underside” of the dog, (belly, inside back legs and up to his chest. Also soak the dogs feet. This helps keep him cooler.

5. Make a pool of water - I fill the front of my kennel runs with water so they can run around in it and stay cooler for a little bit, (until the water leaks out). I do this several times a day, (along with soaking the dogs underside thoroughly each time).

6. Fresh drinking water – Always change the dogs water daily. The dogs love the taste of cold water.

7. Swimming – Take you dog swimming when you go the lake or swimming hole. One of our friends has a very large pool that she uses just for the dogs. ? Swimming is a great way to cool down your dog and it is also great exercise for him/her.

8. Use a sprinkler – Turn on your sprinkler and let the dogs play in the water, or get a child’s plastic swimming pool and fill it with water and let them jump in and out of the pool. They love to splash the water everywhere. Try to keep the kids pool in a shaded area if you can.

9. Your yard – Soak a large section of your yard that is in the shade, so they can lay in it and/or roll around in the cool wet grass.

10. Shade – Don’t let your dog(s) outside in the direct sun for very long. They need shade, (and water). Dogs can get “heat stroke” just like humans can and they can also get sunburned; (especially the light colored dogs and/or dogs with a white nose).

For more information on how to keep your dog safe all year around, take a peek right here!

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The first baby teeth to come in are the canine teeth. These are the longer teeth on each side in the front of their mouth, which erupt around 3 or 4 weeks of age.  The incisors, (tiny teeth in front) and the premolars, (larger side teeth), start coming in about 4 -6 weeks of age. The pups should have all their baby teeth by the age of 8 weeks, which total  28 baby teeth.

As most of you may know, puppy teeth are sharp as little needles when they are young. That is why people will start puppies on a gruel or mushy food about 3 weeks old. It makes life a little easier for the bitch, as the pups teeth will soon become uncomfortable for her. When this food is offered to the pups, it makes weaning the pups easier.

At or about 4 – 5 months old, the pups will begin shedding their baby teeth. By age 7 – 8 months, all the permanent incisors, canines, premolars and molars should be in. Most adult dog breeds have a total of 42 permanent teeth.

Puppy Teething

All puppies love to chew. They chew on things because it eases the discomfort of teething and they chew too, out of boredom. You may have noticed that the pups chew on or “mouth” each other. This is a form of playing with each other. When they are young it is natural for them to chew on things as they explore the new world. That’s just part of being a puppy and will continue as he grows and matures.

Although at a certain point in his life, he must learn, especially with his sharp teeth, that chewing on everything is not acceptable and must be taught to chew only on certain things like his toys and not to “nip” our hands or face. To train your pup to stop “nipping,” you can say the word, “no” in a stern voice and stop playing with him for a minute or two. He will learn over time, that you don’t like this ‘rough playing’ and will stop doing it.

I know that your first thought when the pup nips at your face or hands, would be to slap the pups mouth because it hurt you and you want to let the pup know that it hurt. This will only make matters worse. Hitting or slapping a pup or adult dog could lead to making him aggressive or even become hand shy, (meaning that if you raise your hand toward him, even if it’s to pet him, he will back up or cower down because he is afraid you might hit him).

This is why you need patience, time and love, to raise well-adjusted puppies that will do well when they go out into this big wide world, and not be afraid of anything or anybody.

Tips

For puppy teething, try giving your pup a large carrot to chew on to help relieve sore teething gums, or freeze a wet rope toy, as this would ease the pain of teething with a cooling effect on the gums.  Try freezing beef broth in ice cube trays and giving him one to chew on.  Also, puppy teething toys can be bought in Pet stores.

To help keep the pup (or adult dog), from getting bored, or from chewing on things he is not suppose to, let him have plenty of playtime and exercise.

Give the pup (and adult dog), plenty of safe toys to chew on. Never give him toys that pieces could be chewed off and swallowed. I found the safest toys for my dogs are Kong toys. Kong toys can also be filled with treats that could keep the dogs busy for hours, and they come in all sizes.

Always puppy proof your house. Keep electrical cords out of their reach. Basically – anything that doesn’t belong on the floor or in his reach should be picked up (pens, paperclips, pencils, TV remotes, garbage, medicine bottles, etc.), and use a baby gate  because this will keep him out of any area you don’t want him in.