Fall Tips & Tricks for Dog Parents

And as many authorities on weather have stated, the heat is no longer specific to the Summer, so here are some tips to help keep your pooch cool during your walks in the city, as well as some safety training tips for some off leash time if you are heading to the country. Especially as we see an “Indian Summer” in the offing during Harvest season! First, some reminders. A dog’s natural temperature is between 101-102, and because most have fur coats it’s very important to keep them as cool as possible. Aside from panting, the only other area of a dog’s body that helps them cool down is through their sweat glands in their paw pads.

Bear in mind, your dog’s lifestyle is very different from their wild ancestors. Before domestication, dogs were able to adjust to outside temperatures more easily. Compare that to our modern-day pooches that live alongside us in climate-controlled environments. It’s important to be aware of how high temperatures can affect your dog.

It is especially important to keep in mind that the brachycephalic breeds, like Pugs, French and English Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers and Boxers are prone to overheating and heat exhaustion more than other types of dogs. Be especially careful when playing and walking outside in the heat. Particularly if the humidity level is high which is expected as Summer turns to Fall.

Things to consider to help cool your pooch during those hot days:
• Cooling mats and cooling vests.
• Kiddie pools set up in your back yard to terraces for them to stand in cold water.
• Keep walks short on extra hot days and walk on the shady side of the streets.
• Time the walk to be extra early or later in the evenings to avoid the extra heat.
• One of my city tips is to stop in at dog friendly bank foyers to get a blast of their air conditioning whilst on your walk.
• Offer ice cubes or frozen watermelon or frozen blueberries as cooling treats after a walk.  

If you are planning on letting your dog(s) off leash in country settings this Fall (such as during Apple picking season), the most important command I would recommend is COME/RECALL. This can also be practiced in building hallways, the backyard or the dog park. This can become a lifesaving command.

COME commands a dog to go to its owner when they hear their voice. COME should never be associated with punishment, which would defeat the whole purpose of them wanting to get to you. You want to use a happy elated jolly voice with a higher pitched tone and avoid using a stern voice.  

Here is some guidance on teaching this command: Place your dog in SIT/STAY if that’s a reliable behavior OR have someone hold your dog at the other end of the room.
• Call your dog’s name once with a happy high-pitched tone to get their attention.
• Then move your arm down with the open palm facing towards the dog while enthusiastically saying “COME”.
•  Once the dog comes to you, gently take hold of his/her collar from under their muzzle/chin, then mark with the word “YES” and then give a treat from the other hand.
• The goal of this step is to create acceptance from your pooch in having their collar handled without them squirming or resisting being held.
• The added purpose of holding the collar before giving the treat is to teach impulse control and maintain safety so your dog doesn’t run off again.
• Repeat steps 1-4 for 5-10 repetitions in different parts of your home. The sequence is: first call your dog’s name, then say the command “COME”, then gently reach and hold collar while marking “YES” with treat. “YES” conveys to a dog that they have finished the job and serves as a release cue.
• Once you have a reliable “COME” in one location, practice the command in different locations with different distances.
• Then incorporate delayed rewards and jackpot rewards for faster responses. delayed rewards help with impulse control. J
• ackpot rewards mean two or three pieces of food at one time instead of one. This keeps the dog more engaged the next time.
• Once the come command is reliable indoors take it outdoors and repeat the above sequence. 

NOTE: When outdoors train this command with him/her on an extra-long leash and use a variation of high value treats to keep them motivated. Dogs don’t generalize very well so be sure to master each location before moving to the next one. I usually suggest 10 different locations and 10 different distractions while changing up the treats. 

If you are training a puppy, remember they love to follow their owners so be sure to take advantage of this when teaching “COME”.

During outdoor concerts that are close to your home, fireworks or other loud environmental issues, many dogs became very scared and anxious, so if your pooch is likely to be nervous, then be sure to give your dog a safe quiet place in your home. Here are a few options. A spacious partially covered crate, a play pen or a gated off area like your bedroom are good options.

I often suggest adding white noise sounds to help drown out outside sounds especially if the fireworks are nearby. Add high value occupiers. Some of my favorites are Busy Buddy twist and treat, hollow sterilized bones filled with some peanut butter or cream cheese. High IQ puzzle games, Deer antlers and knuckle bones. Adding some exercise and playtime before the festivities will also help to tire them out.

If you must use a muzzle on your dog outside, avoid using a mesh muzzle as it constricts the dog’s mouth preventing them from being able to pant. Instead use a Basket Muzzle as it is air rated and allows them to be able to pant easily, which is crucial for them to cool themselves appropriately. Dogs can also drink water with a basket muzzle on. Always have a collar with an ID tag on in case your dog(s) run off, and make sure to microchip and register your pooch in case collar and ID come off.

For the more anxious dogs, consider some natural calming aids like Thunder shirts, but be sure to keep your homes well-ventilated and extra cool with AC if you do add a thunder shirt since they can overheat very easily. I also suggest Dog Appeasing Pheromone collars (DAP) as well as DAP plug ins and sprays. These products emulate the mother dog’s hormones to their pups which can often help during these times. Or talk to your vet for a stronger prescribed calming medication. CBD for dogs can sometimes help as well but do your research and talk with your vets about this before proceeding.

When a pup follows you, practice short-distanced commands and make sure to gently introduce reaching for the collar.

Include praising and treating as you do this. The goal is to turn the “COME” command into a pleasurable, reflexive, behavior that is fun to do with you and your pup.

Another way to incorporate the command, is to play round robin “COME” with your dog and friends while at home. Start with everyone close together and gradually increase distances and then build up to them coming around corners.  

We are building one success on top of another, so do not proceed unless the current level has become successful. Never be afraid to take a step backwards to a level the dog is already good at. This enhances their confidence. All good dog trainers understand that regression and confusion are part of the learning process. We want to keep those emotional states to a minimum though. Instead, happiness and creativity are the emotional states we want to elicit while working with our pooches.  

Slow and steady wins the race! Have a safe and fun Fall or harvest season with your pooches!