Dogs

Summer can be brutal on your dog’s paws. The temperature of asphalt can rise fast and become much hotter than the air temperature. You may not realize it, of course, since you probably don’t go very far in your bare feet, but your pup can easily get ouchies from hot paws. Even hot beach sand can burn your dog’s feet. But that doesn’t mean your dog has to miss out on all the summer fun. There are some simple precautions you can take to shield your dog’s paws from hot pavement and other too-hot surfaces. We spoke with two experts to get some quick tips on protecting your dog’s paws from heat.

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High-Performance ‘Fits is outdoor wear that is “purposeful, functional and innovative,” Kim says. Perfect for the more adventurous bunch, its hallmarks are protection and comfort. “Each item was designed with purposeful functionality to address a more inclusive, overall fit, which supports freedom of movement and comfort while staying stylish whilst out and about,” adds Kim. Think sleek, monochromatic wind-resistant and water-resistant outerwear (like the Frisco coat seen above, which also boasts a removable hood and adjustable sleeves) that’ll keep your pet warm and dry from ever-changing outdoor elements; and lightweight, soft-to-the-touch cooling apparel (like the Frisco UPF 30+ colorblock playsuit) that protects them from the harsh sun rays and keeps them cool when the heat is just too hot to handle, Kim says. High-Performance ‘Fits apparel also features thoughtfully chosen colors to help keep pets visible and safe while at play. Here are our favorite High-Performance ‘Fits for pets:,Whether you’re planning your next big hiking trip or already dreaming up possible themes for your pet’s birthday, you’ll have plenty of on-trend apparel and accessories to choose from this year. That’s because the top pet fashion trends for this spring and summer range from high-performance activewear (what we call High-Performance ’Fits) for pets who love exploring the outdoors, to Joycore, a trend that encourages dressing your pet for all their milestones (and we mean “all”—big and small!). Ahead, Chewy Design and Trend Manager Ann-Margaret Kim dishes on the top spring and summer fashion trends for pets, which also include Retro Playwear and Adventurous Apricot, the color of the year for pets. Oh, and bonus? Some of these pet trends reflect human fashion trends, too—which means more opportunities to twin with your pet.

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Certain compounds found in onions can cause toxicity or poisoning in dogs. When consumed, these toxic compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream and cause your dog’s red blood cells to break down—a process known as hemolysis—which can result in a condition called hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than your dog’s body can produce new ones, resulting in a low red blood cell count. Red blood cells are essential because they carry oxygen in the bloodstream. When this process is compromised, your dog may show symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, an elevated heart rate, or even collapse.,Jump to section Why Are Onions Unsafe for Dogs? How Much and What Kind of Onions Are Bad for Dogs? What Will Happen to My Dog If They Eat Onions? Uh, Oh—My Dog Ate Onions, What Do I Do? How Do I Prevent My Dog From Eating Onions? FAQs About Onions and Dogs

Image via Belish/Shutterstock By Victoria Schade It takes more than a patch and vest to make a service dog. Although it’s easy to assume that service dogs, emotional support animals and therapy dogs all provide the same type of aid for their caretakers, their training, responsibilities and access to public spaces differ greatly. The confusion over what working assistance dogs do versus what “support pets” provide can have far-reaching consequences for the people who rely on the tasks their service dogs perform every day. Here’s a breakdown of what each of these categories mean. What Is a Service Dog? According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Veronica Sanchez, a certified professional dog trainer and the owner of Cooperative Paws, an organization that offers service dog training for professional trainers, says, “In the service dog world, we refer to this as ‘task training.’” These tasks are essential functions that handlers are unable to perform on their own because of their impairment. Service dog responsibilities depend on the needs of the handler. Certified professional trainer Michaela Greif from Paws & Affection, a nonprofit organization that trains service dogs for children with a range of disabilities, says that some of the of skills include retrieving dropped items, pulling doors open, turning lights on, pushing drawers and cabinets closed, bracing to provide balance for an owner, interrupting panic attacks or alerting an owner to a change in insulin levels. But the breadth of a service dog’s abilities goes well beyond the day-to-day support they provide their handlers. “The harder work is in creating a dog that can flourish under all types of circumstances, because a service dog needs to be quiet, attentive to the handler, accepting of a multitude of environments and unfazed by every imaginable situation,” Greif says. Training Service Dogs Training a service dog takes commitment. For example, Paws & Affection dogs go through over two years of training, starting at just eight weeks of age. The training starts off with basic pet dog manners, and builds to include thorough socialization, impulse control and the specialized skills needed to support their handler. The formal training process culminates with the Canine Good Citizen Test and Public Access test, which Greif says evaluates the ability of the dog to be an appropriate, unobtrusive helpmate in public. Then, dog and handler are matched and train together to become a working team. The scope of work that goes into preparing a service dog for the responsibility of assisting their handler and acting appropriately in public goes well beyond what typically happens in pet dog training. People with disabilities have the legal right to take their service dog to any place where the general public is allowed, from movie theaters to hospitals, even if pets are not usually permitted there.  How Should You React to Service Dogs in Public? Although it’s tempting to reach out to pet a service dog, it’s critical to resist the urge. Remember, service dogs in public are on the job. Greif cautions, “It is wonderful that so many people are enthusiastic about seeing such dogs in public, and it is most appropriate to direct your interest toward the human on the other end of the leash, rather than assuming it is okay to pet or speak to a service dog.”

Add a collar and ID tag to the top of your Golden Retriever puppy supply list. Your puppy should always have your contact information with them in case they get lost. The Animal Humane Society recommends choosing a collar with a standard adjustable plastic clip or buckle.,Welcoming a new Golden Retriever puppy into your home begins an exciting new chapter for your family. These lovable, loyal companions bring so much joy—and they also come with a list of needs to help them thrive in their new environment. For a first-time puppy parent or a parent to a growing furry family, you might be asking yourself, “What are the basic needs for Golden Retrievers?” The key is having the right essentials to ensure that your Golden grows up happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. Here’s a list of must-have items to make your new puppy’s transition smooth and fun for both of you. 

Always Supervise Your Dog Around Water The most important thing to remember when letting your pup play in the water with you is to always keep an eye on them. There are several things to look out for before, during, and after your dog is in the pool: Watch out for dogs drinking pool water. Every dog (and human) who gets in the pool will inhale some pool water, but watch out for excessive drinking. Pools treated with chlorine can be harmful to ingest if your dog drinks too much. The same goes for salt water pools; too much salt is never good for a pup. And if your pup is hot and exhausted from being outdoors and swimming, they’re going to want to drink it to quench their thirst. Fortunately, the amount of chlorine in the pool water is very diluted. Symptoms are mild and include mild gastrointestinal issues, but it’s still a good idea to stop your dog from drinking too much of it. Drinking too much salt water however can have more serious consequences especially if the dog is dehydrated. Never leave your dog unattended near a swimming pool. Keep fresh water and a portable dog bowl nearby so your pup has access to clean drinking water at all times. Watch to see if your dog gets tired. Dogs who are enjoying themselves in the pool may not notice they’re getting tired. If you notice the rear part of their body sinking a bit, that’s a good sign that they’re becoming fatigued and could use a break. This is when a life vest or flotation device can save them from slipping beneath the water’s surface, but if you don’t have one for your dog, ensure that they have a safe and easy way to get out of the pool. Pool ramps, steps, and ladders for dogs will give your pup a safe spot to exit and take a breather before jumping in again. Providing a reliable access point for them will also help during training and if your dog gets nervous in the water.,Summer is here, and it’s only natural to want to be outside. A big part of summer is swimming in the pool, but can your canine family members take part in the fun too? The short answer: Yes! But read on for a few things to keep in mind when it comes to dogs and pool safety. As with humans, pool safety is key to keeping the good times going. When it comes to dogs and pools, many of them love the water and will take to it naturally, while others will benefit from a little swim training.  Whether or not your dog is a born swimmer, it’s important to make your pool accessible for them when you are around, giving them easy ways in and out of the water, that will also keep your pool from being damaged.

Pups like Yoshi enjoy a good day by the pool, too, you know! After a session of dog swimming, he knows there’s nothing like lounging out by the water. But how do you beat the heat on patio concrete? A Frisco elevated pet bed keeps Yoshi a cool dog by lifting him off the ground and letting that breeze flow beneath his belly and through the tight breathable fabric.,If you plan on taking advantage of those long summer months with your furry BFF, that means spending lots of quality time in the great outdoors. After all, snuggling up with your pup in front of a warm fire and Animal Planet isn’t the only way to bond—sunny skies and warm breezes mean it’s time to pack up, gear up and run through greener pastures for some summer dog adventures. Check out how some of the cutest pups on the Internet beat the heat and keep it cool–even when it’s hot under the collar.