It’s Fresno, so this dog training question comes up a lot.
In some ways, summer is the perfect time to master your dog’s training. The days are longer, there’s less rain and many people have much-awaited breaks from school or work. So you’re all set to finally train your dog, you’ve planned ahead, done your research, loaded up on all the coolest gear — and then a heatwave comes through. It’s smart to be prudent, but let’s not let another summer slide by without finally teaching our dog to be a wonderful citizen.
Training Your Dog When It’s Hot Out
Key things to keep in mind:
Beware of asphalt.
It absorbs heat. Bend down and touch it and see for yourself. If it’s too hot to leave your hand there, it’s also too hot for your dog’s paws. Concrete sidewalks are usually cooler. A grass field is even better. If the option is available, a shaded trail is best of all.
Keep the training sessions shorter.
Multiple short sessions are better for the dog anyway. No need to keep pushing in the heat. Training momentum can be maintained with just a few 5 minute sessions a day. Remind yourself that short is good.
Listen to your dog.
If they go flop down in the shade, give them the benefit of the doubt and don’t assume they’re blowing off the command. If you’re working on getting the dog to listen, do some extra mat/place/threshold work inside. Adjust your training plan to set the dog up for success.
Be very careful with cars on sunny days (even if it’s not yet that hot outside).
Cars heat up VERY quickly in the sun. Sadly many dogs die each year from overheating when left in vehicles. People will also break your windows (often with good cause) if they see a dog inside panting. Warm days are not the time to do any training that requires leaving the dog in the car.
Sunburn is a risk for some dogs.
Some dogs get sunburned, just like people. Shade and sunblock can be used to prevent this. Dogs with shorter hair and lighter hair are more vulnerable.
Focus on training less active behaviors.
Practice downstays in the shade while you garden. Engage your dog in nosework games. Dogs need to learn calm behavior and there’s a ton of training that doesn’t require system-stressing cardio (for either the dog or the person).
Water activities are also an option (but still beware of things like heat exhaustion and sunburn).
Teaching the dog to swim is another way to engage its mind and body. Obviously take proper precautions like teaching a rock-solid recall before letting your dog venture into large bodies of water or rivers, and monitor the dog in situations where drowning is a possibility. (Pools are dangerous for all sorts of creatures.)
In times of reduced activity, reduce food intake accordingly.
A husky or Great Pyrenees that runs for miles upon miles when it’s cold but naps all day when it’s hot will have different calorie requirements based on the different energy exertion. A less active dog needs less food.
Summer cuts don’t always mean “cooler” dog.
Research your specific breed to see what is best for them. A lot of dogs benefit from the insulation the original coat length provides. (And if you do cut the hair short, be extra careful about the sunburn.)
Enjoy the summer with your dog!
With a little training, you’ll have a whole load of positive memories with your dog to push out all the negative ones that made you seek out a dog training site in the first place. :)
Looking for training help this summer in the Fresno or Clovis, CA area? Fill out the form below and let’s see how we can help you!
Nate Hess is the owner of Dogspring Training, which provides dog training and behavior specialist services in Fresno, Clovis, Madera and surrounding areas. He is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy and Stanford University, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants (IAABC), and an evaluator for the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. He also consults with dog rescues across the country.