What steps should you take to keep your dog cool?

with the resent hot weather and the the possibility of it getting hotter here in the uk, what should you do to keep your dog cool, i have a 1 year old he is a cross with a collie and a long haired german shepard, although he he looks more like a collie his fur i very long, he is hating this hot weather so yesterday i put the hose pipe in the back yard propped up so he can play with it he loved it i didn't soak him with it left him running round in it, but then i read you shouldn't do that when its hot as it makes the the dog cold is that even true? i need to take him to get his fur clipped if that's what you call it but has anyone got any idea how much that costs and im worried he might not let a stranger do that to him, you can buy the kits yourself but im not confident to do myself on the count i don't want to make him look silly if i take to much fur off someone said you can buy this rock you put in the dogs water that is meant to keep your dog cool is that true? but what would happen if he ate it? he eats everything any suggestions would be helpfulWhat steps should you take to keep your dog cool?
Okay - first of all, do not clip the fur on your dog. It acts as insulation, for the heat as well as the cold.



Dogs are waaaaay more sensible than we are over hot weather and more likely you'll find them flaked out dozing and waiting until the heat of the day subsides - while we humans continue to thrash around. It's slightly more difficult with a puppy because they are so full of energy.



If you have a dark coated dog, you do have to watch how much time they spend in the sun because a dark coat attracts the heat - you only have to feel the difference between and dark coated dog, and a light dog to confirm this. I watch my dark coated dogs with the sun much more than the light ones. And yesterday I even brought my young Whippet, who loved to lie out in the full sun, for hours if I let her, inside because she was panting her head off.



Lots of fresh water, and ice it too if you like. Never heard about the rock idea!!



Fans around the house help - and if you have a tiled floor, give them access to that.



Exercise early morning, and late evening, and NOT in the heat of the day (ever felt the heat of a pavement or road?).



Cut back on the amount of food, and also feed early and later than usual.



Playing with the hose is okay, but if they should go into heat stroke, do NOT immerse in cold water - shock will kill as fast as anything. Damp cloth on tummy, back of neck - vet, fast. And if you have an a/c car, get them in there.



Finally - NEVER LEAVE A DOG IN A CAR in this weather. In fact they are far better being left at home in the cool than being taken out in a car.What steps should you take to keep your dog cool?
There's nothing wrong with him getting wet. Put a kiddie pool out back for him...he can lay in it all day if he likes. I have several GSD's in Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, Nevada....the majority spend summers in the house or in the pool.
Hello.



We used to have a long haired dog (Collie/lab cross with black fur).



All you can do is to keep a bowl of water for him and somewhere shaded for him to lie. i have heard that dogs prefer to drink running water so maybe keep the hose trickling in his bowl.



I wouldn't clip his coat though. he'll malt enough off himself!
If you want to keep him cool, buy him the latest designer sunglassses and take him to all the best parties
I heard it helps to place a wet bandana around their neck.



If you want to get your dog shaved or groomed try looking into local pet shops. I know Petsmart does it in the US, but I don't know if you have that in the UK. If you do really want to get your dog groomed take it to a pet store or professional groomer. I wouldn't worry about what your dog would ';let'; another person do; professional groomers do this for a living.



I have always heard that a dog will shed out enough of its fur to keep itself cool. My friend is a dog groomer and she thinks shaving dogs is unnecessary.



As long as your dog has access to clean water and shade there should not be any problem.
if hes outside, leave the sprinkler on dogs love the shooting water! never leave dogs in cars with the windows up. just leave them at home in the air conditioned house. i think as long as the dog is under some kind of shelter or a covering and out of direct sunlight, he will do ok
you can buy cool coats to keep dogs cool
make sure it has plenty of water and it can lie in the shade.
I wouuld suggest you get him clipped by a groomer dog when off there own tuff and in a new place with a strange will often behave better when getting groomed and groomers know how to hand the dogs. To help keep him cool don't excersie him in the heat off the day walk him early morning and evening. You can put ice in his drinking water and even get a damp towel for him to lay on. Make sure he has plenty of place to lay in the shade.
Just adding one thing to ';shade'; point....



If you have a shaded area out side on grass its far better than indoor or outdoor on concrete etc, As the shaded grassed area will cool from underneath

(our dog always ends up under the trampoline)