Cesar Millan's Essential Summer Tips for Dog Owners!

Cesar's Tip #9 should be Tip #1

Never ever leave your dog in a parked car! With record temperatures around the country, it is important to keep your dogs in mind when it comes to keeping everyone cool. Here are the other 9 Tips for beating the summer heat!

1. Exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night. Since these are the cooler parts of the day, this will make the walk more comfortable for both you and your dog. I'm a believer in vigorous exercise for healthy dogs, but this is the time of year to back off on exercise intensity. Related: Keeping dogs safe in the heat and Heat stroke in dogs: What you need to know.
2. Use doggie boots.You can find these at your local pet supply store. If you can't walk your dog during the early and later hours of the day, this is a good way of protecting him. Heat rises from the ground, especially on surfaces like cement and asphalt, and dogs absorb and release heat through their feet. Just like boots prevent the dog from absorbing the cold in the winter, they also isolate heat.
3. Watch for signs of dehydration. Dogs can't sweat. They cool off by panting, so an overheated dog will drool excessively. It will become lethargic, its eyes will be bloodshot, and it may appear a little pale. If you lift its skin, it will take longer than usual for the skin to fall back into place. That last tip goes for humans too!

We want you and your pooch to be safe in summer heat. Read more summer tips for dogs.