ideas on keeping dogs cool

[Mattweiser]

I am currently in the proccess of having a cap put on the bed of my truck.. With summer right around the corner, I was wondering what kind of ideas, inventions, or gadgets any of you have to help keep your dog(s) cool....

as always, thanks

-Matt

[Chloesmom]

We feed Chloe ice cubes. But she wilts like a flower in the heat. We live in Virginia, and she spends the hottest days sleeping over the AC vent. Does your dog swim? That cools them off quick.

[Christine's harley]

Jasmine has her own Kiddie Pool, and she loves it :D She also likes running through the sprinkler when it's on ;) although I do have to watch her, she thinks the hose is the enemy. She loves ice cubes too!!!!

[WorkinDogz]

Matt,

The most I'll do in the summer months (I'm assuming you're talking about when you're at training; the dog is crated and there is some down time in the back of the truck (??) ) is use a "cooling mat" (Trainers Choice catalog sold them...it's a crate mat that you soak in water and put in the fridge....keeps cool for almost 12 hours) and make sure the van is parked in as much shade as possible. Ventilation is also a priority.

I don't go nuts "trying to cool the working dog" (even when I bought my dog trailer I didn't go the A/C route for one reason...acclimation purposes.)

You can always tell the dogs that live most of their time in Air Conditioning.....they run out of steam REAL FAST in the warm/hot weather.

In the summer; we spend a TON of time outside and the dogs don't come in to cool off...they cool down outside THEN come in.

They always have access to clean, fresh water in their crates in the van and when outside; but I don't want my dogs to "fizzle out" in 10 mins if the temp rises above 70...

[whitney greenway]

Annette,
Cam is one that fizzles!

The week or so of hot weather was too much for him.

He ran under the trees for shade, he huffed and puffed.

It was down right embarrasing! :D

That boy needs to toughen up, what is he going to do when the temps. soar?

Too big to be a hot house flower! :D

[Judi W]

When we are out training, I make as much ventilation as possible and then hang those reflective sheets (held in place with magnets) wherever the sun might hit the van. I don't often have shade to park under so the sheets really make a big difference.

[Mattweiser]

Workin,

thanks... I understand what you mean about acclimation.. but do dogs (specifically Rotties) acclimate like humans do??

My trainer does not think so, but I am open minded to the subject..

btw... you did read my post correctly :) , sorry for not being more clear..

-Matt

[ April 18, 2001: Message edited by: Mattweiser ]

[ April 18, 2001: Message edited by: Mattweiser ]

[suzanne611]

One of the reasons the black doberman and rotties were not as useful as dogs in WW.I and II, was because their black coats absorb heat and they do not have the insulation of the GSD, so they did no do well either in Africa or the Russian front. I am sure that acclimation has some effect but you cannot dismiss the black coat.

[LucyJ]

I can't remember which sites, but online I've seen some vests for the dog to wear like the mat Workindogz was talking about.

Chief and Mojo will probably need one for Rott Stock. Our whole house has AC and I literally have to SHOVE Chief out the door and lock it behind him so he will go out to potty in the summer (and we're in Massachusetts!). Trust Workindogz advice and don't let your dog get spoiled with the AC like Chief has! ;) :D

[Mattweiser]

Suzanne, I whole-heartedly agree with you about the black coat, my boy is scalding to the touch when we are out in the heat.... but I am talking more about in the truck, in the shade, in his crate.... not in direct sunlight...

Lucy... that is an exact image of my boy also... that is why I am wondering about some type of acclimation process....

thanks again guys,

-Matt

[suzanne611]

Mattweiser, Each of mine claims an air conditioning vent in the summer, but there are differences. Our female seems to enjoy the heat and stay cooler than our male. This is our second male and the old guy was the same. I have left them in the car on a sunny cool day for a short time with windows for ventilation. When I come back Sophie is as cool as a cucumbe and Boris acts like he is dying.

[2rotties2luv]

Check out www.rottbros.com
They have a cape/vest type garment called a "Kanine Kooler" designed specifically for roties which is supposed to cool them by evaporation.
I've considered this garment for my rotties, because I also have AC, and they HATE to go outside in the summer. We can only go for walks in early morning or after dark in the summer. During the day, it's dash out, squat, dash back inside in record time !

[ April 18, 2001: Message edited by: 2rotties2luv ]

[WorkinDogz]

Matt,

No; I don't believe they acclimate the same as humans...but I do believe that they can acclimate enough to be able to work.

There is no doubt that the black coat (just like a black car) is a magnet to heat and the sun. It's important that the dog is started NOW..during the "mild" weather...not tossed outside to acclimate when it's 90+ degrees.

(Same as with owners of long coated breeds who INSIST on shaving them down....do it NOW...not when it's summer and hot...the coat is an INSULATOR AGAINST the heat too. They have to have time to adjust.)

This is the #1 reason people don't like working Rottweilers. Know how many jokes I've heard about "it better be below ___ degrees; or the dog won't leave the A/C" Many people feel the breed lacks stamina; and it's hard to argue when the GSD's are bouncing around at the club and the Rotties are looking for shade.

[Judi W]

Most of the "cooler" coats are simply coats made of terry and wet down. If your are so inclined, a better deal is to make one out of that pretend chamois cloth. It holds the moisture better and is lighter in weight when wet. The terry cloth simply drips. I have one that I made for when the dog must stand around for a bit and it works quite well. The other thing I used to do when tracking, was to put a man's white Tshirt on the dog (to reflect the sun) and knot it up so the dog wasn't stepping on the hem.