Summary: This summer safety guide helps dog owners protect their pets from common seasonal hazards including fireworks, heat, hot pavement, water risks, campfires, and travel-related stress so dogs can stay safe, comfortable, and healthy all summer long.
Bark Busters' Key Points:
- Create a calm, secure space during fireworks and thunderstorms, and keep ID tags and microchip information current.
- Always supervise dogs around grills, campfires, bonfires, and other open flames.
- Teach dogs how to safely exit pools, consider a life jacket for deep or open water, and rinse them after swimming.
- Protect dogs from heat with shade, fresh water, cooler walk times, and care around hot pavement.
- Use safe travel practices such as proper restraint, updated identification, and exercise before and after trips.
Summer holidays often mean pool parties, barbecues, bonfires and fireworks. As we enjoy the season, it’s important to keep our canine companions safe and comfortable during our favorite summer activities. By following these tips you can help your canine companion enjoy a happy, healthy summer.
How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks and Thunderstorms
Dogs can hear sounds up to four times farther away than humans and across a wider range of frequencies, so loud or distant noises, like fireworks or thunder, can feel especially overwhelming to them.
- Whether it’s fireworks, or thunderstorms, doing the booming, you can help your pet feel secure and protected by creating a comfortable den, like a properly introduced crate or cozy dog bed, for them to relax.
- Stay calm and speak in a relaxed, confident tone to reassure your dog they are safe.
- Make sure their ID tags and microchip information are up to date in case they get out.
- If you’re attending an event with fireworks, leave your dog at home and safely inside. Keep windows and curtains closed to reduce noise and bright flashes. Consider leaving the TV on or calm music playing at a normal volume to help distract your dog and help them to relax.
Dog Safety Around Grills, Campfires, and Outdoor Fires
Cookouts and campfires are fun, but open flames can be dangerous for dogs. A simple tail wag or curious sniff could lead to injury.
Always supervise your dog around fire—whether it’s a campfire, grill, stove, or beach bonfire.
Water Safety Tips for Dogs: Pools, Lakes, and Open Water
A dip in the swimming pool is the perfect way to beat the heat, but a little caution and training goes a long way.
- If you have a pool, whether your dog likes to swim or not, it’s important to teach your dog how to safely get out of the pool. Dogs will instinctively try to exit a body of water from the point of entry. An inexperienced swimmer can exhaust themself trying to climb out.
- Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, it’s important to regularly remind them where the pool steps are.
- Teach your dog not to enter the pool without permission. Just like with people, accidents can happen, no matter how confident they are in the water.
- If you're taking your dog to deep or open water, do your research and consider a vet-approved dog life jacket. Let your dog practice wearing, walking, and swimming in it at home or in a pool first, so they're comfortable before heading into larger bodies of water.
- Keep your dog out of hot tubs. While people may enjoy relaxing in them, hot tubs can quickly become dangerous for dogs.
- Rinse your dog after swimming. Chlorine can dry out their skin and coat, causing itching and discomfort. It's especially important after swimming in lakes, ponds, or rivers to help prevent ear mites, eye infections, and insects from clinging to their fur.
Protecting Your Dog from Heat, Sun, and Hot Pavement
As we would take the extra steps to protect ourselves from the sun and heat, we need to remember to protect our pets as well.
- Ask your veterinarian about a pet-safe sunblock, preferably one that they cannot lick off. Dogs can also suffer from sunburn and skin cancer.
- Protect your dog’s paws from hot pavement by walking on dirt or grass and sticking to early morning or late evening walks. A dog relies on the sweat glands in their paw pads to cool down, and if the ground is too hot, they won’t be able to get relief.
- Ask your vet or groomer if a haircut will help your dog stay cool. For some breeds, a long coat is a dog’s defense against getting sunburnt and their protection from skin cancer. Additionally, a long coat can keep your pet warmer in the winter and provide insulation in the summer depending on the breed.
- Always provide fresh water for your dog. If your dog stays outside during the day, place the water bowl in a shady spot and use a non-metal bowl to keep the water cooler. When running or traveling with your dog, bring extra water for them to stay hydrated.
Traveling with Your Dog This Summer: Essential Safety Tips
They call it summer vacation for a reason! If you are planning to bring your dog along for the ride, a few basics can help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
- Make sure your dog is wearing an up-to-date identification tag, is microchipped, or both.
- While traveling make sure your pet is properly restrained in a crate (airline- or train-approved, if applicable) or on leash if out and about.
- Last, exercise your pet before you leave and once you arrive at your destination to help them relax and acclimate to their new surroundings.
Summer Safety Starts with Training: Help Your Dog Enjoy the Season with Confidence
A little preparation can help prevent accidents, reduce stress, and make summer more enjoyable for both you and your dog. Whether your dog struggles with fireworks, travel, water, or leash manners, training can help them stay safe and confident during seasonal activities.
At Bark Busters, we help dogs and their owners build better communication and address the root causes of unwanted behaviors through our in-home training approach.
If your dog struggles with anxiety, reactivity, excessive barking, jumping, or leash pulling, contact your local Bark Busters trainer for personalized guidance. With the right training and preparation, you and your dog can enjoy a safer, happier summer together.
