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It's way too hot here in New Mexico for my dogs right now. They are panting all the time as we have a crappy a/c system. One of our dogs is happy to wear a wet dish towel on her back to cool down, but the other dog hates this. Any ideas on how to cool down our water-phobic dog? I hate to see him overheat! Sometimes we put a fan right in front of him but he just walks off. His favorite thing right now is to lie in full sun and then come inside and drink a whole bowl of water
My cousin puts out a tray filled with ice cubes with a towel over them. There are also large cold packs that you can freeze and put them out with a towel. They don't stay cold for a real long time, but they help.
Make sure the dogs have shade, plenty of water, and a fan is always nice.
Location: Monterey Bay, California -- watching the sea lions, whales and otters! :D
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Sometimes the dogs "seem" water-phobic, but really enjoy the after effects.
I take my dog outside and he knows when I start going toward the hose, it's coming. He starts backing away, but I pull him toward me, and he's not happy at the moment, however, he lets me hold him on a leash, while I gently spray his whole body, including his belly. Afterwards, he is "smiling" (you know, a doggie tooth smile) and running around and feeling good.
Indoors, sometimes I just use a spray bottle and gently spray it on his back and ears and feet. And then put the fan close to him. I also use a portable swamp cooler in the house (they are cheap) and cart it from room to room, along with using an overhead fan. Of course, as has been said, lots of water and ice cubes in the water.
NO, don't shave the dog! They can get sunburned. All that hair is actually insulation for them as well as protection from the sun. Some of mine like to lie in the bathroom on the tile and one or two used to lie IN the bathtub for the cool feeling of the ceramic. Just keep them inside with you when the heat is brutal.
Get some marble or ceramic tile for them to lay on maybe.
The fan idea was a good one too. I've learned not to underestimate the power of a $14 box fan to make the place much more comfortable. Don't know how I lived without one all these years.
Alot of the dogs that do agility out here in the summer heat use the cooling mats or the cooling wraps/vests/collars there is a whole line of such products. They also tend to get hosed off which really helps.
My dogs love cool floors and their fan or a trip to the beach for a dip in the ocean when it gets hot.
It's way too hot here in New Mexico for my dogs right now. They are panting all the time as we have a crappy a/c system. One of our dogs is happy to wear a wet dish towel on her back to cool down, but the other dog hates this. Any ideas on how to cool down our water-phobic dog? I hate to see him overheat! Sometimes we put a fan right in front of him but he just walks off. His favorite thing right now is to lie in full sun and then come inside and drink a whole bowl of water
Thanks
I have 2 Golden Retrievers. We took them for summer cuts* and we walk them very late during the evening to avoid the heat. Lots of water and A/C. One of them sleeps in the bathroom because it's fresher.
Location: Monterey Bay, California -- watching the sea lions, whales and otters! :D
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Ooops, sorry, used the wrong word. I DO cut my dog's hair -- no, I don't shave him.
Tiles are good, if you have them. I guess I'm fortunate that my lab mix is so gentle, that when I spray him, he doesn't fight me, and seems really happy afterwards. Of course, if you saw him before I sprayed him, you might not, but seeing his joy afterwards, it's obvious he loved it.
I don't know. Each dog is different, and so is each owner. I've seen little baby pools at the dog parks -- but you're talking about a water-aversive dog.
I don't know the answer, really, except for air conditioning, and fans.
And try to walk during the early morning/late evening as well.
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