Dogs in the summer don’t always have it easy – and if you’re raising a puppy, you already know how fast hot weather can turn fun into frustration.
In this episode, I’m giving you practical advice on keeping dogs cool in summer and staying safe when the heat is on. I’m breaking down real-world summer safety tips for dogs that every pet parent should know – whether you’re heading to the park, the pool, or just hanging out in your backyard. You’ll learn how to prevent emergencies and still have fun, even when the temps soar.
In this episode, I’ll cover:
- How dogs in the summer overheat faster than you think (especially puppies) – and which breeds are at the highest risk.
- The exact steps for dog heat stroke treatment – plus what not to do in an emergency.
- My favorite ways of keeping dogs cool in summer, including frozen treats, shaded potty spots, and indoor games.
- Must-know summer safety tips for dogs if you’re traveling or just running errands with your pup.
- The lesser-known dangers of dogs in the summer – from bee stings to snake bites – and how to avoid them.
If you’ve ever wondered how to safely enjoy the sunny season with your dog, this is the episode for you. Keeping dogs cool in summer isn’t just about water – it’s about being proactive and prepared. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to protect your pup and still enjoy everything summer has to offer
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Connect with Staci Lemke:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:
[00:00:00] Staci Lemke: If you are raising a puppy right now, you might already know that Summer brings with it its own set of challenges, hot weather, outdoor distractions, travel, fireworks and more. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered in this episode of The Well-Mannered Mutt podcast. We are diving into the dog days of summer.
[00:00:21] Staci Lemke: Literally, we’re talking about how to keep your puppy safe, cool, and entertained all summer long. Welcome to The Well-Mannered Mutt Podcast. I’m Staci Lemke, certified professional dog trainer, registered veterinary technician, and proud owner of Manners for Mutts Dog training. I. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve helped countless dog owners just like you, build stronger, happier relationships with their furry friends.
[00:00:48] Staci Lemke: From private lessons to online courses, I’m here to help make life with your dog easier and more rewarding. I believe in training that is kind. Fun and scientifically proven positive reinforcement is at the core of everything I do because it’s the most effective way to teach your dog while strengthening your bond.
[00:01:07] Staci Lemke: Whether you’re tackling basic training, solving behavior challenges, or just looking for tips to keep your pup thriving. You are in the right place. So let’s dive into today’s episode and take the first step toward having the well-mannered mutt you’ve always dreamed of. So let’s kick things off with one of the most important summer topics, how heat affects puppies and why it matters.
[00:01:31] Staci Lemke: Puppies aren’t just small versions of adult dogs. They actually handle heat very differently. For starters, puppies are still developing their ability to regulate body temperature. They can overheat much faster, and since they’re new to the world, they’re not good at pacing themselves. If there’s a game to be played, they’ll keep going long past the point when they should stop.
[00:01:53] Staci Lemke: Some puppies are at even higher risk due to their breed or type of coat. They have double coated breeds such as Golden Retrievers Huskies, German Shepherds, and Australian Shepherds. Have a dense undercoat beneath the top layer of guard hairs. The undercoat acts like insulation. It keeps heat out as well as in much like a thermos.
[00:02:13] Staci Lemke: However, if the undercoat is matted, it can trap heat. Shaving these dogs however, is not recommended. Doing so can interfere with their natural cooling system and increase the risk of sunburn. Instead, regular brushing will remove the dead undercoat, help air flow to the skin and keep them cooler. Hurly or wavy coated breeds such as poodles, doodles, or Portuguese water.
[00:02:37] Staci Lemke: Dogs have a thick, dense coat that doesn’t shed much, which can lead to overheating if not properly maintained. The coat acts like a sweater if it’s not trimmed. So regular grooming and summer appropriate haircuts are key to comfort. You don’t wanna shave them too short because then they’re at risk for sunburn.
[00:02:56] Staci Lemke: But if you have a little bit of a shorter coat, it can be a little bit airier. Be cautious of matting, which traps heat and moisture, especially after water play and doodles tend to mat from the skin out. So pet parents think they’re doing a great job of brushing when they really are just brushing the outer guard hairs.
[00:03:13] Staci Lemke: Then when they take the dog in for a groom, the groomer tells ’em that they have to shave the dog down due to matting. So make sure when you’re brushing that you’re getting all the way to the skin. Flat faced or brachycephalic breeds French bulldogs, hugs, tzus, boxers. These dogs have very short noses and elongated soft palates, which make it harder for them to breathe efficiently and to pant, and dogs don’t sweat through their skin like we do.
[00:03:40] Staci Lemke: So panting is a dog’s main way of cooling down. These dogs are especially vulnerable to heat stroke even during moderate temperatures and short walks. Always avoid exercising in the heat. You can use a cooling mat and limit exposure to warm, humid environments. You need to always have shade, water, and air circulation nearby, and consider skipping outdoor events altogether if it’s too warm.
[00:04:04] Staci Lemke: And then we have the hairless or the very thin coated breeds, such as a Chinese crested, greyhounds, or chihuahuas. And these breeds have very little natural insulation and can overheat from just lying in direct sunlight. They’re also more prone to sunburn, especially in areas with pink skin like the nose, the belly, or the ears.
[00:04:24] Staci Lemke: You wanna use lightweight protective clothing or dog safe sunscreen for brief outdoor time and stick to the shade. And then we have the puppies that have dark coats, so black or dark brown puppies, and they absorb more heat from the sun than light colored dogs. You may notice they overheat more quickly or seek out shade sooner.
[00:04:43] Staci Lemke: Limit sun exposure and keep exercise to early morning or early evening hours. So let’s talk a little bit about recognizing and understanding overheating and heat stroke. As I said earlier, puppies are more vulnerable to heat stroke than adult dogs because their internal systems are still developing and they’re not great at pacing themselves.
[00:05:04] Staci Lemke: They may keep playing or walking long after they should have taken a break, and heat stroke can escalate faster. So you’re gonna wanna know the early warning signs of a puppy that’s getting overheated, and these are your first clues that a puppy’s getting too hot. At this stage, you can still prevent things from progressing.
[00:05:21] Staci Lemke: So you wanna look for excessive panting, faster and harder than normal, even if they’ve stopped moving. A bright red tongue and gums drooling. And this is gonna be kind of a thick, sticky, saliva seeking shade or lying down subtly during activity or restlessness and signs of discomfort. The next set of symptoms is gonna signal heat stroke, and then you need to act immediately.
[00:05:45] Staci Lemke: So if your puppy shows any of these signs, stop all activity. Begin cooling them down right away, and contact your vet. Weakness or collapse, vomiting or diarrhea, glassy eyes, or appearing disoriented and confused. Rapid heart rate seizures or unresponsiveness. This is an emergency. Heat stroke can cause organ failure and death if untreated.
[00:06:09] Staci Lemke: You wanna get to the closest vet, ASAP. If for some reason you are not near a vet or you can’t get to one, then it’s important to cool your puppy down and this needs to be done gradually, not suddenly to avoid shock. So here’s what you need to do. Move them to a cool shaded area immediately. And if you can get indoors with air conditioning, that’s the best.
[00:06:31] Staci Lemke: You wanna offer small amounts of cool, not ice, cold water to drink, wet a towel with cool water and gently lay it over their body, especially areas such as armpits, groin, and the paw pads. Use a fan or air conditioning to help lower their body temperature. Do not use ice or ice water directly on their body.
[00:06:52] Staci Lemke: Rapid cooling can cause blood vessel constriction, which actually makes things worse. Take their temperature if you can. A dog’s normal Temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees fahrenheit. Anything over 104 Fahrenheit is dangerous. Call your vet immediately, even if your puppy seems better. Internal damage can still occur after the fact.
[00:07:18] Staci Lemke: Do you dream of off leash trips to the park or the beach with your dog? But you don’t dare let your dog off leash because you never know if they’ll come back. You’d love to go hiking and exploring with your dog off leash, but whenever you’ve tried this in the past, your dog runs off after wildlife. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed or frustrated when your dog joyfully runs away from you, instead of coming when called, then you’re gonna wanna check out our new online course.
[00:07:45] Staci Lemke: Wait. Come back. Rapid Fire. Recall teaching your dog to come when called is one of the most important lessons in dog training. A reliable recall allows your dog off leash freedom and you peace of mind that they’ll come back when you call. A reliable recall can even save your dog’s life. If you are looking to improve your dog’s recall, then you need this course.
[00:08:08] Staci Lemke: Discover the tips, tricks, and games used by professionals to ensure your dog comes racing back to you. Every time you call. Simply go to manners for muts.com. Back slash recall and sign up today. How can we prevent overheating in the first place? Here are some guidelines for safe summer exercise. We all wanna keep our puppies moving, but midday walks on hot pavements.
[00:08:36] Staci Lemke: No, that’s not gonna happen. Instead, you wanna try walking early in the morning or after the sunsets. You’re gonna play in shaded areas or indoors with fans or air conditioning. Use indoor stores like pet supply stores or home supply stores for leash walking and air conditioned field trips. You can teach Sniffy game, so games when the dogs using their nose, such as find it, and that’ll burn energy without a lot of movement.
[00:09:01] Staci Lemke: You can try a cooling vest or a bandana if your pup tolerates it, and you always, always wanna have water Playing in a pool or using some sort of frozen enrichment toy is also a great way to entertain your puppy in the summer. Water can be a puppy’s best friend if they enjoy it. You can try a shallow kitty pool with floating toys or treats.
[00:09:24] Staci Lemke: Playing in the sprinklers or bobbing for treats in a bathtub of water. And for hot afternoons indoors, frozen enrichment is a lifesaver. You can freeze yogurt, peanut butter, or wet dog food in a Kong. You can make popsicles with broth, mash bananas. Or a canned pumpkin In silicone molds, you can freeze fruit like watermelon or bananas, and it’s both healthy and cooling.
[00:09:49] Staci Lemke: When it’s hot out, you may also notice that you have more potty accidents, and that’s not your fault. Puppies may not wanna go outside to go potty if it’s hot out or if it’s on a hot surface, and you might be rushing them in order to avoid both of you standing out and melting in the sun. But when we rush them, they often don’t finish, and then they finish later, usually inside on your rug.
[00:10:11] Staci Lemke: So here’s how we can help that. We can create a shaded potty spot or use artificial turf in a covered area. Bring an umbrella or stand in a shaded spot and wait patiently for your puppy to go potty. Stick to your routine and reward as always. And if needed, consider an indoor potty solution like a turf tray.
[00:10:30] Staci Lemke: Summertime also means travel. And if you’re planning a road trip, your puppy can come along too. But let’s make it safe. Secure travel is safe travel, so you never wanna allow a puppy to roam loose in the car. It’s dangerous for both of you, especially in the event of a crash or a sudden stop. So you wanna use a secure crate with good airflow.
[00:10:50] Staci Lemke: And oftentimes crate trained puppies feel safer when they ride in a crate. You can use a dog’s seatbelt harness that clips into your car’s seat belt system for small pups, a soft sided carrier secured with the car’s seat belt. Place your travel setup in the backseat away from any airbags and never drive with your puppy on your lap.
[00:11:09] Staci Lemke: This is a huge safety issue should you get into an accident and that airbag deploys. You never wanna leave a puppy in a parked car, even for a very short time. And even with the windows cracked, the temperature can rise dangerously high In just a few minutes, you can use sunshades air conditioning, light colored blankets over crates to help keep your pup cool and comfortable, and bring along a battery powered fan for extra ventilation.
[00:11:36] Staci Lemke: If your car doesn’t have great airflow in the back seats. If you are traveling with your puppy, you’re gonna wanna make sure that you pack them a travel bag. Things you might wanna have are water and food bowls, their food in their treats, their leash harness, and of course, poop bags. You might wanna bring a familiar blanket or toy because it smells like home.
[00:11:55] Staci Lemke: Bring cleaning supplies, paper towels, puppy wipes, trash bags. Also, make sure that you have a copy of their vaccine records just in case you need them. Make sure you plan plenty of breaks. You’re gonna wanna stop every one and a half to two hours for a potty break, stretch their legs and a little drink of water.
[00:12:14] Staci Lemke: Use a long leash or a travel pen for safe exercise in unfamiliar places, and you wanna avoid grassy rest stop areas where other dogs may have pottied. If you have a young puppy who has still not completed their vaccines, is something that comes up often when I’m talking to puppy parents about traveling with their puppies.
[00:12:32] Staci Lemke: Is motion sickness. And motion sickness is common in puppies because their inner ear, which controls balance is still developing and they also may have anxiety about the car and which can make their symptoms worse. I. They haven’t learned to associate car rides with positive outcomes yet, so it may be all of their car trips have been to go to the vet to get vaccines.
[00:12:53] Staci Lemke: Signs of motion sickness can be excessive, drooling or lip licking, yawning, whining, or restlessness, vomiting sometimes without any kind of a warning and lethargy or acting kind of off after a ride. So here’s a few tips for you to prevent or reduce motion sickness. You wanna start with short rides. Build positive association by pairing car rides with fun destinations such as a park or a training class.
[00:13:19] Staci Lemke: Or maybe you go get a pup cup at your local coffee place, and then you wanna keep your initial trips short, like maybe under 10 minutes. Use a crate or a car seat. Facing forward and staying low in your car can help reduce motion related nausea. Puppies often do better when they can’t see the world zipping past the window.
[00:13:37] Staci Lemke: Try to drive smoothly, take it easy on the curves, and avoid rapid acceleration and braking. Withhold food before the ride. An empty stomach can reduce vomiting. Wait two to three hours after feeding, before traveling, unless your vet advises otherwise. Keep the car cool and well ventilated. You can crack windows slightly but safely to improve airflow.
[00:14:00] Staci Lemke: And use calming tools. You can try calming pheromone sprays like Adaptil in the car or on a blanket, and some puppies respond well to a pressure wrap like a thunder shirt. Also, consider anti-nausea medications. Talk to your vet about motion sickness meds such as Renia or Dramamine Safe Vet approved options for puppies who struggle despite other strategies.
[00:14:23] Staci Lemke: So let’s talk about some other summer hazards that you might encounter with your puppy. Summertime usually means more time outside, but it also means sharing space with some not so friendly critters. Puppies are curious by nature, which makes them especially vulnerable to bug bites, bee stings, and even snakes.
[00:14:42] Staci Lemke: Puppies will often try to chase or snap at flying insects, and sometimes that backfires. Bees, wasps, and even ants can sting your puppy, which can lead to swelling, especially around the face or the mouth pain, whining or licking at the spot, and in rare cases, allergic reactions like vomiting, trouble breathing, or collapse.
[00:15:02] Staci Lemke: If your puppy does get stung, try and remove the stinger if it’s visible. Apply a cold compress to the area and call your vet for guidance, especially if the sting is on the face or inside the mouth. Never give your puppy human medications without checking with your vet first. Some over the counter meds are toxic to dogs.
[00:15:22] Staci Lemke: Also keep an eye out for mosquitoes, which can spread heartworms, fleas, and ticks, especially in grasses or wooded areas. Make sure to check your puppy when you come in from an outing and fly bites on ears or noses, particularly in shorthaired breeds depending on where you live. Snakes can be a real danger in summer, especially for curious noses sniffing around logs, bushes or tall grass venomous snakes like rattlesnakes.
[00:15:49] Staci Lemke: Copperheads or water moccasins can be life-threatening. Even non venomous bites can become infected and traumatized your young dog. To reduce the risk of snake bites, keep your puppy on a leash during hikes or trail walks. Avoid letting them sniff under rocks in brushes or in wood Piles stick to well groomed paths and open areas where snakes are easier to spot.
[00:16:14] Staci Lemke: And if you live in snake prone areas, ask your vet about the rattlesnake vaccine and rattlesnake aversion training programs that can teach dogs to avoid snakes. If you suspect a snake bite, get your puppy to the vet immediately. Try to identify the snake if you can, but be careful not to go near it and carry your puppy if needed because you wanna avoid raising their heart rate.
[00:16:37] Staci Lemke: Time is critical. Snake bites are always an emergency. I wanna talk a little bit about socializing your puppy in a loud, hot world. Summer events like fireworks festivals and barbecues seem like a really cool place to socialize your puppy, but they’re often way too overwhelming. Instead, let your puppy observe from a distance.
[00:16:57] Staci Lemke: So watching a parade from across the street. Pair new sounds and sight with treats. You wanna work to desensitize your puppy to the sound of fireworks. And I’m going to add a link in the show notes where you can access my fireworks training plan and also a workshop that I did. And this will teach you how to desensitize your dog to the sound of fireworks.
[00:17:19] Staci Lemke: You can use calming mats. Shade tents or a quiet zone where they can retreat and watch all of the action from far away. And don’t force greetings. Let your puppy choose to engage or just hang back. Socialization is about positive exposure, not just throwing your puppy into the chaos and hoping for the best.
[00:17:38] Staci Lemke: Training doesn’t have to stop just because it’s hot outside. Here are some indoor games that build skills and wear your puppy out, but without the risk of overheating. Find it games using hidden treats in a room. Obstacle courses using couch cushions, broomsticks or boxes. Training tricks like spin high five or go to your mat recalling down a hallway or through different rooms of the house.
[00:18:02] Staci Lemke: An impulse control practice such as waiting for doors and sitting to be greeted, mental stimulation is just as tiring as physical play, and these games are perfect for a heat wave afternoon. So there you have it. Your summer Survival Guide for raising a puppy from avoiding heat stroke to making road trips smoother and finding creative ways to burden energy a little planning goes a long way.
[00:18:26] Staci Lemke: If you found today’s episode helpful, I’d love for you to share it with a fellow puppy parent. Leave a rating or subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode. Until next time, stay cool out there. Thank you for joining me today and taking the time to help your dog become a more well-mannered mutt.
[00:18:43] Staci Lemke: If you’ve got questions about today’s episode or an idea for a topic you’d love to hear about, let’s connect. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram at Manners for Mutts. Also, be sure to visit manners for mutts.com for links, resources, and more. If this episode helped you and your pup, I’d be thrilled if you left a review on Apple Podcasts.
[00:19:06] Staci Lemke: Your feedback helps me create even more content to support you and your furry friend. Talk to you next time.
