Do you get irritable when you're too hot?  Is it any surprise that dogs can also feel hot and bothered?

A dog's whole routine can change in Summer.  Children at home, increased activity, rising temperature - all this can lead to them feeling quite stressed out.

If your dog is walked during the hottest part of the day, allowed to get over-excited or over-heated in the sun and has nowhere to get away from it all, it can be very upsetting for him. It can be no surprise that more people are bitten during hot weather!

In the Summer months, remember your dog's needs:

Don't let your pet overheat when playing or getting excited in the garden, home or outside.  Try and keep your dog cool, calm and relaxed during hot and humid weather.   Dark-coloured dogs especially can feel the heat.

Provide a safe space where your dog can retreat to and rest undisturbed.

Make sure children and dogs are supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Adults can see stressful situations occurring that a child may never notice.

It's BBQ time - friends are over, food is cooking - think ahead and plan to keep your dog safe [no bones or burns!].

Summer is a happy time - and with a little thought your dog will enjoy the Summer too!