Hot Weather Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe

* Never leave your dog unattended in a parked car.  Even if you park in the shade and leave windows open, the vehicle may become too hot for your dog and they may die. 

*Always exercise your dog in the early morning or evening, when the weather is cooler. 

*Do not allow your dog to stand still on concrete or asphalt in extremely hot weather.  The pads of their feet may burn. 

*If your dog spends alot of time outside, be sure to provide shelter from the sun.  Bring him/her in the house during the hottest time of the day.

*Be especially careful with older or overweight dogs in the heat.  Be sure to provide them with a cool, shaded place to rest.

*Always leave identification tags on your dog.  Consider microchipping him/her for easy identification were they to become lost.

*Keep your dog away from areas that have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals.  Keep any insecticides or chemicals out of reach of your dogs in your home.

*Watch for vehicles leaking coolant.  Dogs are attracted to the sweet smell, and they can be deadly if ingested. 

*Keep your dog well groomed.  For dogs with heavy coats, keep them groomed to 1″ in length.  Leaving some hair will give them protection from the sun. 

*Be sure to have your dog tested for Heartworm, and keep him/her on Heartworm and Flea/Tick Preventative. 

*If you use a outdoor tether, do not use a correction collar, your dog could choke to death.  Use a buckle collar with identification tags. 

*Never allow your dog to run loose.  They may catch a deadly disease, hit by a passing vehicle, or stolen. 

*  Be sure there are no unscreened windows or doors in your home that your dog could jump or fall out of.

Source:  http://www.petfinder.com/pet-care/hot-weather-tips.html?page-index=1&