Socialization, exercize, and training is the best way to get a happy, well behaved dog. There's no way around it. Check out the programs below that will help you to be a responsible dog owner. Watch this page for upcoming articles and tips to help you and your dog.

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Dog Days of Summer

Some of us take "dog days of summer" literally - we want to go everywhere accompanied by our beloved canine companions! As tempting as this may be, keep in mind that when temperatures are soaring your dog is likely best served by staying home. Heat has the potential to be hazardous to a dog's health.

Dogs are incapable of significant sweating - their only sweat glands are located on the undersides of their paws. The major mechanism by which dogs dissipate heat is by panting, but this cooling system is easily overwhelmed when the temperatures climbs. Panting becomes even less effective in humid conditions or for dogs with underlying respiratory tract ailments (collapsing trachea, laryngeal paralysis, lung diseases) or dogs that are overweight. Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and others I lovingly refer to as "smoosh-faced" breeds readily overheat because of their unique upper respiratory tract anatomy.

What happens when dogs get too hot? The result can be heatstroke, a life threatening condition. Symptoms of heatstroke tend to occur abruptly and can include increased heart rate, labored breathing, weakness, collapse, purplish gum color, and even seizures and coma. Of all the "summertime diseases," veterinarians dread heatstroke the most because we know that, even with aggressive therapy, many heatstroke victims will succumb to organ damage and death.

Most cases of canine heatstroke are a result of confinement in cars. Perhaps the vehicle was parked in the shade, but the sun shifted, or a well-intentioned person thought that leaving the windows cracked or returning to the car quickly would be a safe bet. Over activity in the heat is another common cause of heatstroke. The desire to chase the ball trumps all else, and the person throwing it doesn't recognize when it's time to quit.

If you suspect your dog has or is on the verge of heatstroke, spend just a few minutes cooling him off with water from a hose or covering him with towels soaked in cool water. Then get to the closest veterinary hospital as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence - the earlier heatstroke is detected and treated, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Knowledge is power when it comes to preventing heatstroke. Here are some pointers to help keep your best buddy safe during these hot summer months:

· Never leave your dog inside the car on warm or hot days. A panting dog in an enclosed space quickly creates a muggy greenhouse environment that can quickly cause heatstroke. Even with the windows down, temperatures inside a car can rise to 120 degrees or more. If you happen upon a dog confined in a car on a hot day, find the owner of the vehicle or contact a police officer - whichever will most rapidly liberate the dog from danger.
· Exercise your dog early in the morning or during evening hours to avoid the heat of the day.
· Allow for plenty of rest and water breaks during play activity and exercise. Your dog may not know his limits and will continue to enthusiastically chase the Frisbee even when his internal thermometer is getting ready to blow a fuse.
· Keep your dog indoors, ideally in air conditioning, on very hot days.
· If your dog is left outside, be sure he has plenty of shade and provide him with access to a sprinkler, wading pool, or sand pit soaked with water.
· If flying with your dog during the summer months schedule your flight for nighttime or early morning. Check with the airlines to find out whether or not the cargo hold is temperature controlled.

Now, here's wishing you and your four-legged

best friend a most enjoyable and safe summer!

adapted from www.speakingforspot.com

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Have questions? Many of MDOG's Friends of the Canine Community are veterinarians and trainers. Please forward your questions to mdogct@yahoo.com and we will try and post your question and answer on this page.

*Please note that any information posted for Q&A is not a diagnosis and may not apply to every dog. MDOG always recommends that pet owners follow up with thier vet or trainer for more specific information.

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AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program

At the American Kennel Club, we're not just champion
dogs, we're the dogs' champion. We believe that all dogs
deserve training and a responsible owner and our goal is
to reward responsible dog ownership.

The AKC's Canine Good Citizen Program is designed
to recognize dogs who have good manners at home and in
the community. This rapidly growing nationally recognized
program stresses responsible dog ownership for
owners and basic training and good manners for dogs.
All dogs who pass the 10 step CGC test may receive a
certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Find out more about the CGC Program by visiting www.akc.org/events/cgc
Learn where you can sign up for classes and testing here.

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Did you know?

Dog Scouts is another resource for dog-related information. The Dog Scouts organization is dedicated to teaching all of us how to have a successful relationship with our dogs. Dogs can become "Scouts," earn merit badges and participate in scout troop activities! "Let us learn new things, that we may become more helpful" is the Dog Scout's Motto. Check them out at http://www.dogscouts1.com/

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MDOG

encourages all owners to spay/neuter your pets.

Please click for information on the State Of Connecticut's FREE/low cost vet services for low-income families and the CT's Animal Population Control Programs.

Click here to go to application form.

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Disaster Preparedness Quiz

Are You Prepared? Find out by answering these questions:

Imagine that a police officer knocks at your door.

A hurricane is quickly approaching, and you have 45 minutes to evacuate.

If You Have Pets:

• Can you gather all your pets and put them into pet carriers in time?
• Do you have carriers for all your pets?
• Are all your pets wearing collars and ID tags with their name, your name, your telephone number, and an emergency telephone number?
• If your cat escapes the cat carrier and becomes lost, could you provide a photograph?
• Do you know where you can go with your pets in the event of an emergency evacuation?
• Do you know of any animal-friendly motels nearby?
• Do you know where your local emergency animal shelter is located?
• Do you have your veterinarian's telephone number on your list of emergency numbers in case your dog or cat becomes ill?
• Do you have a contingency plan to evacuate your pets if something happens when you are at work?
• Where is your pet's disaster evacuation emergency "go kit"?
  

If You Have Horses:

• Can you have your horses loaded on the trailer ready to leave in time?
• Will your horse trailer hold all your horses?
• Have you recently practiced trailering up your horse?
• Is your horse wearing a halter with her name, your name, your telephone number, and an emergency telephone number on it?
• Do you know where you can go with your horses in the event of an emergency evacuation?
• Do you know where your local emergency equine shelter is located?
• Do you have your horses' Coggins tests in your emergency packet to present to the officer at the emergency shelter?
• When you arrive at the emergency shelter to pick up your horse after several days, could you provide identification photos and descriptions from your emergency packet to prove ownership?
  

If You Have Farm Animals:

• Can you evacuate your animals in time?
• Do you have a way to transport your animals?
• Have you mapped out an evacuation route?
• Do you have a safe place to shelter your animals on your property if you cannot evacuate them?
• Do you have materials on hand to reinforce your barn and outbuildings?
• Do you have a backup plan for feeding and watering your animals should your power supply be cut off?

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, click here to learn how you can be prepared.

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