I know, I know; how can a musher enjoy summer? Shouldn't I wish for it to be cold all the time?
NOPE! Sled dogs can have fun in the sun too! We like to go to the beach, hiking/backpacking, camping. Anything a pet dog can do, my sled dogs do too.
As summer hits and the temps rise to almost unbearable numbers in some areas, one of my main concerns with my own dogs, and those around me, is heat stroke. A couple of years ago, I got first hand experience with heat stroke when my German Shepherd, Ellie, started showing sings of it on a hot summer day in July. She acted lethargic, she stumbled around as if she had spent too long at the local bar, and her eyes were glassy. I quickly got her into the shade and had my dad turn on the hose so I could put cold water on her feet and belly. With in about 15 minutes, she was back to normal, no worse for wear.
I was lucky with Ellie but others are not so lucky. Heat stroke, if not caught in the early stages, can cause permanent damage and even death to a dog.
The quote "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is especially true in this case. Make sure your dog always has access to cool water and shade as the temps rise. It would be a good idea to read up on the symptoms of heat stroke and what you can do if your dog shows signs of it. Here is a link to get you started: Heat Stroke
Another thing that goes with summer is travel whether it be on vacation, to the beach, or to the dog park.
Remember:
Just like you wouldn't leave a child in a car in the summer, don't do it with your dog either.
On to other subjects; I am starting clicker training this summer! I bought a clicker the other night and I am in the process of learning everything about it. I also signed up with the Canis Clicker Training Academy! I will provide the link and info about it on the right side of my blog when I get a chance.
I'm especially looking forward to doing clicker training with the sled dogs and the two leaders I will be training this summer, Char and Sydney.
Well that's all the time I care to spend on a computer on a beautiful day. My posts will probably start to become less and less frequent as the summer goes on and I start getting more and more busy. I will try to come back as often as possible though!
Enjoy summer!
