Whilst how to deal with the heat and dogs is fairly common sense it’s always good to remember some basic points.

• Water: Be it in the house or on a walk just like we do in heat, dogs need to drink more. It’s always good to even plan a walk near some water they can swim in. Dillon likes to when he gets to hot just stand chest deep in water to cool down.
• Shade: Make sure dogs are never left out or somewhere that they can’t escape the sun in. Heat stroke is common in dogs (male dogs and dark haired dogs in particular) and just like us they need to be able to make the choice of sun or shade.
• Earlier and later walks: Change your dog walking times to earlier and later times of the day - there is nothing like a dog walk in a summer’s evening and being out of the heat of the day for a walk will mean your dog is less likely to have a bad effect with the heat
• Provide fans: If your house gets warm bare perhaps having a room at least where there is a fan is a good idea - you will probably benefit from it also.
• Be aware: Make a point of knowing the signs of overheating in dogs. A dog overheating will be less responsive, pant almost to the point of fitting - you know your dog and be aware of changes in their nature as they over heat so you can do something about it.
• Don’t leave in cars: Most advise says leave the window open a little, my advice is you should never leave a dog in a car during heat. If you don’t ever do it you will never enter the grey area of is it cool enough. If you do have to transport your dog in heat make sure you are in the car driving with fans / air conditioning on and windows open to allow air to circulate. Would you like to be left in a car in heat?

Every morning currently I am greeted with dog hair tumbleweeds, it’s a daily process of sweeping the house clean of tumbleweeds gives me the feeling that I am like the dung beetle in the kit kat advert pushing a bit of dung onto a stick and going nowhere fast. A friend suggested partially in jest putting the dogs in a bin bag and cutting holes for their legs - this seemed almost a good idea. Hairless Chinese dogs never seemed more interesting than since we moved into this house. I’ve also found myself pondering if shaving or hair removal cream works on dogs.

All of this tumbleweed dealings brings to mind the importance of dog grooming. Whilst some of the tumbleweeds is said in jest it does bring to light the essential nature of grooming your dog. Grooming is one of the fundamental bonding things you can do with a dog, through grooming you get to reinforce your position in the pack along with check out your dog for any lumps or bumps. If you make sure you do this from the start with a puppy they will find grooming a pleasure. One thing I also like to use with the dogs is a method of massage during the grooming. Dogs respond really well to massage if you combine it with grooming and stroking - a dog loves to be stroked and it’s all a good method of reinforcing the bond. One technique I’ve seen for dominate dogs is to during grooming stand above the dog legs either side of them, this enforces they are lower in the pack than you are. Grooming really is an important part of owning a dog and with our tumbleweed infestation ours certainly are going to have an increase in their grooming.

Labradors are known for being greedy so and so’s when it comes to food, they will literally eat themselves into coffee table bodies. Dillon is no different and neither is Barley. Yesterday Dillon decided to snack on an entire banana skin stalk and all. Just as soon as we noticed he had it. he did a snake impression and gulped it down in one. The usual fear of blockages and vet visits thanks to a stupid dog did come across our minds. He seemed to be gagging a little so we just paid attention to him that night. Today he was fine and had a snack of exactly the same type with another entire banana skin. It’s another little reminder of how a dog is a survivor and designed that way.

A few things came to mind with his particular latest snack food. It not only made me realise we all should be a little careful about what we do drop outside, that aside though it highlights the robust nature of dogs. As owners we are all aware of the fact that it’s not just Labradors but dogs in general are scavengers by nature and will literally eat anything. We are always conscious of what is about and careful that they don’t eat themselves to an emergency vet visit. However, we often forget they are not that delicate in nature. Dillon for instance has eaten an entire Kong toy before along with walls, various wood furniture and many other random odd substances. He’s always survived and their stomaches aren’t as delicate as ours.

The nuances of a dog’s barks, howls, yaps and growls can now apparently be discerned by a new computer program developed by Hungarian scientists. The software is said to distinguish the emotional reaction of 14 dogs of the Hungarian Mudi breed. After analysing 6,000 barks, it aims to determine when a dog has seen a ball, when it is fighting, playing, meeting a stranger or when it wants a walk.

However, if you read the article a bit clearer it goes on to say:

But the scientists admit the technology only just out-performs humans. While the computer correctly recognised the emotional state of 43% of dogs, humans did almost as well with 40%.

I’ve always felt humans do pretty well when it comes to understanding their dogs. The problems usually arise when you ‘over think’. Dogs and humans have lived together for a very long time and it’s inbuilt into both our genes to understand each other to some degree. We know what ‘feed me’ means’ we know what ‘walk me means’ and the biggest one we know what ‘danger’ means. Originally we joined because of the symbiotic relationship of ‘you feed me I guard you’. This is still true now.

Our understanding of dogs is far more than we often realise. How many times has your dog seemingly read your mind about something? How many times with one look do you know what your dog is saying? Whilst, I am all for most technology, to me this software seems a little bit of over kill. Also, the language between a dog and human a fair lot of the time isn’t even audible - it’s body language. Have you ever had it that just without you saying anything your dog knows it’s time to go for a walk and gets excited? Perhaps this is all another sign of humans over thinking the relationship and communication with dogs.

• Toys: You do have to be careful with too many toys as these can lead to bad behavior in themselves with dogs seeing everything as theirs and creating dominance issues. A few toys that are suitable though are a good thing. We use a kong and some 3 rings linked together. Toys such as kongs can have paste added into them to keep the doggy brain interested as they get the tasty paste out.
• Exercise: It may seem logical but one of the biggest causes of bad behavior is not enough exercise.
• Chews: Providing a dog with a healthy chew can both help their teeth and keep their brains active. If you do give a chew though count it as food and give less in their meals that day.
• Fuss: Dogs need attention. Whilst just like a child you can’t let them demand attention, you have to make sure they get enough. To a dog remember any attention is good attention - this can even mean them doing something wrong and then getting told off. Well they did get your attention.

Often we forget that dogs have brains and need to just like us have things to do. If you do remember though you can quickly reduce the bad behavior and also have a happier dog.

• Keep your decorations safe. Dogs not only can get tangled up but also chew electrical leads, make sure you keep them out of the way this Christmas and make sure your tree also has a weight on it to prevent bouncing dog disasters.
• Crackers and dogs don’t mix. Whilst we all may understand what the noise is from crackers and fireworks, dogs don’t. Whilst some may be fine others are not. Barley we know will not have a great night on New Years eve as she is scared of fireworks, Dillon on the other hand doesn’t have any issues with them. Spare a thought for those sounds that you accept as OK but could scare your dog. Also be aware of the little presents in crackers that can fly out and easily be gobbled up by a waggy one.
• Human food doesn’t equal dog food. We all over indulge over Christmas, but that doesn’t mean you should also over indulge your dog. A lot of the Christmas food just isn’t good for dogs. You are the control over what your dog eats and remember to keep boxes of chocolates and other foods that can actually harm dogs, out of reach. Whilst a little Christmas chew treat is fine it’s not fine to server them a full Christmas dinner.
• Don’t ignore them with your celebrations. Why not go for a dog walk after Christmas dinner? Make sure there is time for them in your day. They are your family so should be just as important a part of the Christmas celebrations.
• Clean up wrapping paper and packaging. Make sure any little bits of string, ribbon or packaging is cleared up - it’s so easy for a dog to choke or eat something they shouldn’t. Whilst you are unwrapping your gifts why not give your dog a chew so they are happy and out of the way - nothing like trying to open a present with a dog in the way.

Above all have a great Christmas and enjoy the time off with your waggy ones.

• Dog.com has some great articles which cover a range of doggy topics. Dog.com is a US store for dogs but it also has a little hidden a great resource of articles about dogs.
• Dogblog.dogster.com has a wondeful picture of dog’s being honoured in Nepal during the festival of lights
• Ever wanted to see the world from your dog’s point of view?. Photojojo teaches you how to make a doggiecam.

• Dogiee.com has some good advice on pet loss. Nobody likes to think about their dog going but this article has some good points to make
• Dirt devil’s new portable extractor is looked at by Gizmodo. Both of ours are now house trained but this new ‘illuminator’ on stains certainly would have been helpful in times of hunt the oopsie.
• The dog guide has an interesting post about the evolution of dogs.
• Looking for a different Christmas gift? How about sponsoring a dog - you can do for yourself or give as a different but worthwhile gift. Not everyone has the time or situation for a dog but if they are a dog lover I think this makes a great gift and gives a dog a chance it wouldn’t have before.
• Dog eats 40th paid of undies. Luckily although Dillon does have hoover tendencies he’s never gone this far. Makes you wander what ends up in dog’s stomaches.

As with any doggy reaction there is often a root in pack logic and dominance. Dillon is at the age (a year and a half) where he’s testing everything and constantly looking to dominate us and even Barley. I’m aware of this and he has to have it reinforced that he’s the bottom of the rung where our pack is concerned. Most problems with dogs come from unchecked behavior to do with the pack.

We’ve started using a few things that really are helping to reinforce this, these were advised from our dog trainer. The first is when feeding acting like we are eating from the bowl before Dillon gets the food - we’re also doing this for Barley as it can’t hurt to try and reinforce for Barley also her position. Along with this we are using the ‘we go first’ technique. This is used for through doors, up stairs and also on walks. The idea is that we are leading the pack and as a result reinforcing our position as leaders.

There has been some positive effect from our methods but as with any dog training it’s something we can’t do once and it will work. It’s also a good thing to use as a reinforcement technique by doing occasionally even if they are seeming to know their place in the pack. It really is a reminder of the simple rule of pack mentality that governs a lot of dogs good and bad behavior.

When it comes down to it the sure fire way to get a trouble dog is to treat it like a human, treat it like a child and you’re just adding to that trouble. A dog is a dog not your child. Yes, you can love it and it will love you back probably in ways your child never would. I’m not saying there isn’t a bond between dog and owner - far from it. This is not a child though, it’s a dog.

What’s so wrong with treating a dog like a child? On many levels it’s a sign of disrespect. I love my dogs for who they are not who I want to dress them up like. I don’t want to create little furry humans and I certainly don’t want to put them in a dress. Dogs I love for being dogs. Their furry and don’t come with a wardrobe or have to co-ordinate before they leave the house. It’s probably best I don’t get started on ‘matching sofa’ dog purchasing (some owners who seem to only buy a particular dog breed because it’s in fashion or it literally ‘matches their sofa’).

I do see a point to a proper dog coat when the dog is old or ill. If it has a skin condition, if it’s got arthritis… sometimes dogs need a helping hand. The problem I have is when you’re just substituting or doing because you are applying your human idea of ‘cute’ to the dog. A fair few times this causes confusion and at worst discomfort to the dog - to me that’s not right. As a dog owner and dog lover you should never loose sight of the true nature of your dogs - after all you love them for being dogs don’t you and not for how cute they look in a dress?