Now that summer is here taking your dog out for their daily exercise can be stressful for your beloved dog. If you plan to take your dog out for a walk, run or jog with you during these hot humid days it is best practice to follow these easy tips before heading out. Exercisemydog will provide a series of tips, fun exercises and advice on how to exercise your dog during the summer.

• It is best to walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening preferably an hour after the sun has set. The temperature would be cooler for you and your pet and the sidewalks won’t be too hot for your pet’s paws.
• Bring a water bottle for you and your dog. Try to make frequent water stops for you and your pet. Like humans dogs do suffer from heat exhaustion, to avoid this always keep your dog hydrated when exercising them during the summer.
• Dogs can get sunburned. Dogs with a short coat or little hair on some parts of their bodies tend to get sunburned. It is best to walk your dog in shaded areas.
• Overweight and older dogs have more difficulty with heat. If you plan to exercise or take your dog out for a walk with these conditions it is best to keep a close eye on them.
• There are certain breeds of dogs that are very susceptible to heat stroke. Snub-nosed breeds like Shih Tzus, Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, Boston Terriers and Lhasa Apsos have poor panting mechanisms to cool off their bodies and are easily affected by heat. These types of dogs should be kept indoors during hot humid days to avoid heat stroke.
• During the summer avoid strenuous exercises for your dogs like running and cycling alongside your dog. Pets tend to tire more easily during the hot season.
• If you leave your pet in the backyard during these hot humid days make sure that they have plenty of clean water to keep them hydrated. A well ventilated dog house, play pen with a shade or cover is important for your dog to escape the blazing sun.

Summer can be a fun time for you and your dog to exercise but do remember to keep them cool and hydrated at all times to avoid heat stroke. Dogs are more susceptible to heat but with proper care and a basic knowledge of do’s and don’ts you and your pet will surely enjoy your summer together.

Nowadays most pet owners are working long hours and have a very active social life. And most dogs are left at home all by themselves getting no daily exercise. Because of my busy schedule with work and the kids I really don’t have much time anymore to exercise my dog. I checked some local dog walking services and learned a few things before trying their services.

Dog walking services are easy to avail. Dog owners like you and me can easily find a very reliable dog walking service by asking your friends and family if they know any good dog walking service in your area. If family and friends don’t have pets you can always check your local yellow pages or the internet to get a list of dog walking services in your area.

Now before availing of the dog walking services you found in your area, here are some very important things you should know:

• Pet owners must look for important details such as the history of the dog walker, his past experience, the type of services that he provides, his love for and knowledge of pets. To do this, it is always best to meet with your dog walker first and see that dog walker on a trial to know his personal traits and his passion for his job. If you would meet your dog walker on a trial with other dogs you would get a clear picture as to how the dog walker handles the pet and behaves with it.
• You as a pet owner should discuss your dog’s individual dog walking needs and requirements with your dog walker. Important information such as the duration of the walks, behaviour of your dog with other pets and other special needs should be openly discussed first to ensure that your dog will be treated right.
• Lastly, it is very important to ask for references. It is always good to ask your dog walking service provider for a list of clients they have serviced before and try to check with those clients who is the most reliable dog walker for that provider. It is very important that you select the dog walker for your dog that got most of the positive response or feedback.

Hiring dog walkers is really important for busy pet owners like you and me. By taking the pets out for walk, dog walkers ensure that they get to play, run, exercise, and enjoy in the fresh air rather than stay confined in the four walls of their homes where they could develop into angry and irritable pets.

Did you know that dogs today are fatter than ever? Studies have estimated that 45% of all U.S. dogs are either overweight or obese. That would roughly be 35 million dogs. What’s worse, obesity can be life-threatening, too. An overweight dog is more likely to suffer from a disabling medical condition like Diabetes, Arthritis, Heart disease, Lung disorders, High blood pressure, Immune dysfunction and Cancerous tumors.

These diseases can greatly shorten your dog’s life. If you want your beloved companion to be with you longer and help him live a fuller life, be mindful of your dog’s weight. And to help keep your dog in tip top shape here are five important things to know to help your dog lose weight:

1. Know the ideal weight for your dog. Consult your vet to see if your dog is really overweight or obese. Your vet will play an important role in your dog’s weight loss program. Your vet can suggest or prescribe the best dog food for your pet to lose weight.
2. Feed your overweight dog diet dog food. Instead of cutting down drastically the intake of dog food try to look for low fat dog food with lots of digestible carbohydrates. This way your dog won’t be losing weight too quickly. If your dog is used to snacking try switching your pet to diet treats or use vegetables like carrots and celery as treats.
3. Eliminate or avoid feeding table scraps to your dog. A lot of people tend to feed their dogs table scraps. Most foods we humans ingest are not that healthy or good for our dogs. Remember that our dog’s dietary needs are different from ours.
4. Come up with a good exercise plan. It won’t be easy to start walking your dog if he is overweight. The best exercise is a low intensity walking exercise. Gradually increase the time or frequency of your walks once your dog gets used to his exercise routine.
5. It’s a good idea to keep a daily record of what you’re feeding your dog and the amount of exercise he is getting. Either make a chart or download one from the internet. Take this along to your vet so that your vet can measure the weight loss progress. Check with your vet for a scheduled regular weigh in to see if your dog is not losing too much weight too quickly.

Remember that “knowing is half the battle”. For your dog to successfully lose weight you must avoid the temptation of feeding him too much and do take time to give him adequate exercise.