There are more than 75 million pet dogs living in the United States. Our country’s furry friends do pretty well in the summer. Whether they’re long-haired or short-haired, some cool drinking water and shade can do wonders.

Still, like humans, dogs can benefit from a little extra attention during the summer. Here’s how you can help keep your canine cool and happy this season.

Don’t Shave Your Furry Friend
Some dog breeds, like poodles, can be shaved because they have a single coat. But many dogs (like terriers, border collies, mastiffs, and golden retrievers) have double coats.

A double coat is a two-layered coat of fur. The top coat helps protect your dog from snow, ice, and water. The undercoat helps keep your dog warm and dry.

During the summer, your dog will shed their undercoat. The top coat then helps to protect your dog from heat and sunburn. Air is able to circulate through the top coat and keep your pup nice and cool.

When you shave a double-coated dog, their fur won’t grow back the same. In fact, the originally soft undercoat will grow back coarse and velcro-like.

A dog’s fur isn’t like human hair. Shaving it off won’t keep them cool, but may cause more problems than the one you wanted to solve.

Keep Your Thermostat Low
Dogs can do well in heat, but only so much of it before heat stroke becomes a risk. The highest temperature to keep your thermostat is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Be sure to keep the curtains closed too. The sunshine can be nice, but it can quickly turn your home into an oven if you’re not careful.

Finally, be sure your dog has enough water. Everyone needs to drink more fluids during the summer and your dog is no different.

Consider Daycare For Pets
Some pet owners choose to use small dog daycare while they’re away at work. This keeps their furry friend occupied and happy. It also helps keep the air conditioning bills lower while you’re away from home.

Small dog daycare can be a great place to keep your dog cool and happy during the summer. Not only will they be comfortable, but they’ll have plenty of friends to play with until you come to pick them up. To learn more about small dog daycare and the professional dog grooming Walnut Creek canines know and love, contact Hound Lounge today.

We can’t always bring our dogs everywhere we go despite how much we want to (and how much our furry friends want us to). Some owners console themselves knowing dogs can’t track the time, but that isn’t true.

In fact, the average dog is as smart as a two-year-old toddler and has a pretty good long-term memory. So what can you do to make being away from your dog that much easier on your little buddy?

Here are a few ways you can minimize your dog’s anxiety during those times when you need to go it alone:

1. Don’t leave your dog alone for too long. It’s recommended to leave your dog alone for only eight to 10 hours at the most. Yet it may be best to come home earlier if your dog is older or has a smaller bladder. Be sure to ease your dog into being alone if they’re not used to you being gone. Start with quick trips away from the house, then slightly longer trips. Your dog will adapt.
2. Prepare your pooch for your absence. Don’t leave your house right away if you haven’t prepared your dog for being alone. Be sure to take your dog outside for a potty break and a walk before you head out. This will make sure your furry friend will be comfortable and well-rested while you’re gone.
3. Settle your dog into their crate. Some owners don’t feel right about putting their dogs in their crate, but a crate isn’t a punishment. In fact, many dogs enjoy a comfortable crate and feel more at ease inside one. It’s sort of like a modern den. Crates are best if your dog suffers from anxiety and may become destructive in your absence. Just be sure not to leave them in their crate any longer than four to five hours.
4. Consider overnight dog boarding. If you know you’re going to be longer than eight to 10 hours or you’re staying somewhere overnight without your furry friend, dog boarding is a great choice. Cage-free boarding, in particular, gives your dog the space to run around and have fun with other dogs.

Hound Lounge offers doggy daycare, professional dog grooming, puppy training, and cage-free dog boarding so your furry friend can spend the night anxiety-free. For more information on our cage-free dog boarding and professional doggy grooming, contact Hound Lounge today.

It can be tricky to know whether or not your dog is getting the right amount of exercise. Your furry friend may seem fit on walks, but then gets easily winded during runs. You may also struggle with keeping your dog at a healthy body weight.

Here are four common signs your dog may not be getting the exercise they need and what you can do to get your pooch up and moving.

1. Destructive behavior. Both dogs and cats can begin to destroy the house when they’re not given enough exercise. This is because they have too much pent-up energy. Specific behaviors you may want to watch out for include increased aggression, chewing on furniture, going to the bathroom indoors, and destroying household items. Talk to your veterinarian to determine if fear, separation anxiety, or lack of exercise may be the cause of this behavior.
2. Hyperactivity. Another sign your dog may not be getting enough exercise is that they’re overly active once you take them outdoors. If this is the case, it may be in your best interest to use a daycare for small dogs while you’re away at work. A facility will have no less than 1500 sq ft for a group of 15 dogs, so your furry friend will have enough space to run around and get their energy out.
3. Weight gain. Weight gain is one of the most common signs your dog may not be getting enough exercise. If you’ve noticed your dog has been putting on a few pounds, consider getting them more active. But, if your dog receives regular exercise and you haven’t been overfeeding them, it may be in your best interest to talk to your veterinarian in case your dog may have health problems.
4. Withdrawn behavior. Your dog may become withdrawn for a number of reasons including health issues, pain, depression, or lack of exercise. It may be worth taking your dog out for more exercise if they no longer greet you at the door or they seem disinterested in things that used to excite them.

Hound Lounge offers professional dog grooming, small dog daycare, and cage-free boarding for dogs. To learn more about our daycare for small dogs, contact Hound Lounge today.

We can’t always bring our dogs everywhere we go despite how much we want to (and how much our furry friends want us to). Some owners console themselves knowing dogs can’t track the time, but that isn’t true. In fact, the average dog is as smart as a two-year-old toddler and has a pretty good […]

It can be tricky to know whether or not your dog is getting the right amount of exercise. Your furry friend may seem fit on walks, but then gets easily winded during runs. You may also struggle with keeping your dog at a healthy body weight. Here are four common signs your dog may not […]