Six Things This Summer Has Taught Us About Our Dogs

We're several heatwaves into one of the strangest UK summers for years, the lawn gave up weeks ago and we're now reasonably confident that 5am is a perfectly normal time to walk a dog.

So, what have we learnt?

1. Dogs have absolutely no idea there's a heatwave. They will still appear with a tennis ball when it's 30°C outside and look genuinely disappointed when you decline the invitation.

2. Apparently, 5am is an entirely reasonable time to go for a walk. The dog is delighted. The owner may take a little more convincing.

3. A dead lawn is still perfectly suitable for rolling on. It also comes indoors remarkably well. At the moment our floors are covered in dead grass, dust and mysterious bits of hedge. Give it a couple of months and we'll be complaining about muddy paw prints and the inevitable wet-dog shake up the walls.

4. Drought is apparently no match for a determined Spaniel. Somewhere, somehow, there is still a muddy puddle — and yours knows exactly where it is.

5. We've learnt exactly how loud one dog licking one paw can be. Particularly at 2am. If slurp, slurp, slurp has become your soundtrack to summer, you're not alone.

6. The paddling pool you bought for the dog is excellent For drinking from. Possibly standing one foot in. Actually, lying in it would clearly be ridiculous.

What's Behind the Summer Itch?

Back in February we talked about staying ahead of allergy season, with another nudge in April — but we hadn't quite factored this summer into the plan. Pollen is only part of the picture: dogs can be sensitive to grasses, weeds, moulds dust mites and other environmental allergens, and this year they're walking, sniffing and rolling through unusually dry vegetation, dusty paths and brittle hedgerows.

We can't say the weather is causing new allergies, but some owners are reporting skin and allergy-type problems they haven't seen before. A damp wipe over paws, legs and bellies after a walk may help leave some of the countryside outside, and it's worth a quick check for the obvious culprits such as fleas and ticks. If irritation persists, talk to your vet; for milder or seasonal sensitivities, supportive nutritional options may also be worth considering. Dermal O3

When the Kitchen Floor Isn't Cool Anymore

Remember when the kitchen tiles were the most sought-after spot in the house? After repeated spells of heat, some dogs are lying down, getting up again and moving from room to room looking for somewhere more comfortable. That's worth noticing. Early heat-related illness doesn't always begin with dramatic collapse; changes in behaviour, tiredness and becoming less willing to exercise can be amongst the earlier signs.

Our dogs have been remarkably good at adapting to this extraordinary summer, so perhaps the most useful advice now is simply to keep watching them. If your dog suddenly changes the plan — refuses the walk, abandons the ball or can't settle in their usual spot — there's usually a reason.

Looking Ahead…

After a summer of open doors, school holidays and more people around the house, September can bring quite a change in rhythm. Dogs that have become used to company, garden access and a fairly constant audience suddenly find the household empty for parts of the day again.

Most will simply slip back into the old routine. Others may find the transition a little harder. Changes such as increased barking, restlessness, destructive chewing, persistent licking or becoming unusually clingy can all be signs that a dog isn't quite as comfortable with the new arrangement as we'd assumed.

If you know the household routine is about to change, perhaps don't wait until the first day of term to change everything at once. A little time spent now reintroducing periods alone and restoring the normal term-time rhythm can make September rather less of a surprise.

Ace Canine Healthcare

0118 9076627

support@ace-canine.com