YES, we do! They haven't turned on the AC yet. Argh...... I'm tempted to bribe whoever made that call. I feel so bad leaving Buffy during the day. I left all the windows open with shades closed and two fans on today. But that means the train is deafening and goes by every half hour or so.
Summertime trim
- Thread starter Abby's Dad
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YES, we do! They haven't turned on the AC yet. Argh...... I'm tempted to bribe whoever made that call. I feel so bad leaving Buffy during the day. I left all the windows open with shades closed and two fans on today. But that means the train is deafening and goes by every half hour or so.
corbinam
Moderator
Here in SC I find that it's hard for my dogs to spend any significant amount of time outside. They get hot so easily, it just doesn't look fun anymore. The raking/line brushing of undercoat helps, but at 95 degrees and 90% humidity, you can only do so much.
My dogs are lucky because I like the house really cold
So the air has been on for months here!
Caro
Moderator
Had a discussion about this recently with Deska's physio (who breeds and races Huskys). Its actually a very interesting topic, if you are interest in physiology.
Its really important to remember that dogs do not cool themselves in the same way humans do - that is, their skin has only a marginal role in temperature regulation.
In summer they lose their undercoat and this allows not only a cooling breeze to get through to the skin surface, but it also makes it easier for them to raise their guard hairs to assist air flow. That's why it is far more important to get rid of undercoat than worry about removing guard hairs.
Secondly, a dog's primary mechanism of reducing body temperature and coping with heat is through panting. They take in air through their nose and exhale through their mouth - their noses have extra folds to take in more moisture from the air, and their tongues have a greatly increased blood flow for releasing heat. When they dont want to lose heat they breath only through their noses. You will notice breeds with double coats usually also have long noses - a longer nose gives an increased capacity for regulating temperature with panting.
So the best you can do for your dog is
Its really important to remember that dogs do not cool themselves in the same way humans do - that is, their skin has only a marginal role in temperature regulation.
In summer they lose their undercoat and this allows not only a cooling breeze to get through to the skin surface, but it also makes it easier for them to raise their guard hairs to assist air flow. That's why it is far more important to get rid of undercoat than worry about removing guard hairs.
Secondly, a dog's primary mechanism of reducing body temperature and coping with heat is through panting. They take in air through their nose and exhale through their mouth - their noses have extra folds to take in more moisture from the air, and their tongues have a greatly increased blood flow for releasing heat. When they dont want to lose heat they breath only through their noses. You will notice breeds with double coats usually also have long noses - a longer nose gives an increased capacity for regulating temperature with panting.
So the best you can do for your dog is
- help remove the undercoat (I used a furminator this summer and it did a great job)
- cool drinks will assist the cooling in their breathing processes (ice in their water, I also give mine frozen yoghurt for a quick cool down)
- a fan or just a breeze will lift their fur and help get air circulating underneath (I have little hand held fans that they just love)
- reduce the ambient air temperature or provide a cool surface for them to lay on. Dog's skin is thinner than humans so laying on a cool surface can be useful in lowering the ambient temperature for them (mine love to lay in a cool dark place on a tiled/concrete surface)
hey Caro, that is actually really helpful. Thank you for typing that out!
We have been complaining about the temp all week and evidently we weren't the only ones... sounds like the condo management has given in and will turn on the AC a few weeks early this year. Yay
Only a few more 80-degree days for Buffy-bear.... hopefully we can keep it bearable for her with fans and windows. Just gets so hot in here from all the heat from units under us.
We have been complaining about the temp all week and evidently we weren't the only ones... sounds like the condo management has given in and will turn on the AC a few weeks early this year. Yay
Only a few more 80-degree days for Buffy-bear.... hopefully we can keep it bearable for her with fans and windows. Just gets so hot in here from all the heat from units under us.
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ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
Some of us don't have a choice. I don't have central air, and I live in a brick house. Once that brick heats up in late July, there is no cooling the inside of the house. I usually run three a/c units (for 1000 square feet), and I am lucky to get my living room down to 80 degrees (see the reason for my reverse seasonal affective disorder?)
So my dogs get to be as miserable as I am.
Here in SC I find that it's hard for my dogs to spend any significant amount of time outside. They get hot so easily, it just doesn't look fun anymore. The raking/line brushing of undercoat helps, but at 95 degrees and 90% humidity, you can only do so much.
My dogs are lucky because I like the house really cold
As well here to.The A/C has been on now for over a month.Once the days stay warm,it never gets shut off.
Being a native northener,I do have in very early spring time,before the dreaded pollen starts flying,that I do open windows as the breezes are nice.But its a short lived time.It would be nothing to have windows open here in the winter.Got to have a fresh air exchange,heating with wood.
I find that in the warm months,prior to bringing Trapp & Jasper home,Earnhardts time outside is very limited.Early morning,late nights.The rest of the time,he's inside.He does not do well in this heat.And I'm suspecting the puppies will also mind it.
We cool the sun porch,as much as we can with a window unit,and leave the front door of the main house open,so the air from the house will also go out there.And 2 big fans besides on the porch,when they must be corraled together if we leave to go to town etc. Other than that,they are in the house,I just let them be where they want.
Some of us don't have a choice. I don't have central air, and I live in a brick house. Once that brick heats up in late July, there is no cooling the inside of the house. I usually run three a/c units (for 1000 square feet), and I am lucky to get my living room down to 80 degrees (see the reason for my reverse seasonal affective disorder?)
So my dogs get to be as miserable as I am.
It's strange that your home feels warm,as being brick I would think it would feel cool.But then you don't have central A/C,so that probably why.
Our home is brick also,and it always feel cool in here,even on the hottest days.We do use blinds,and do keep them down & closed in summer to help also.
corbinam
Moderator
Also, you can buy cooling coats for your dogs. A lot of people use them at our agility trials. There are also cooling beds which help lower their temperatures.
Emmasmom
Forums Sage
There is also a cooling collar that you get can and tie on similar to a bandanna.