K9 Manners & More: Summer safety tips for exercising pets in the heat

As Oklahoma temperatures climb, Tulsa dog trainer Mary Green from K9 Manners and More is reminding pet owners to take extra precautions when exercising their dogs during the summer.

How to Protect Dogs During Summer Heat

“You have to be so careful,” said Mary Green. “So if you're good about walking your dog, earlier in the morning is better. The earlier you can go, the better. Maybe shorten the duration of your walk.”

Green advises pet owners to use the “five-second rule” before heading out. “If you can't put your hand on the pavement and hold it there for five seconds, it's too hot for your dog's feet,” she said.

Dog shoes can also help protect paws. “We are learning to wear dog shoes. And it's kind of funny at first because they walk like they've never walked before,” Green said with a laugh.

Water Is Key for Safety—and Fun

Green emphasized the importance of hydration and recommended carrying water on walks for both the owner and the pet. For fun and cooling off, water activities are a good option.

“My dogs are dock jumpers, and so they swim and dock dive a lot,” she said. “Playing in the lake, playing in the kiddie pool… playing in a sprinkler.”

She added a tip to encourage pool play: “Kim told me that apple slices will float… I might put a bit of hot dogs or maybe now the apple slices in there and let them kind of bob for that so they get comfortable being in there.”

Know Your Dog’s Limits

“How hot is just too hot? It depends on the animal,” Green explained. “The dogs that have a shorter face, a shorter muzzle, they're going to be a lot more susceptible to the heat.”

She pointed out that some dogs, especially double-coated breeds, tolerate heat better than others. “A lot depends on the dog, the age of the dog,” she said. “Young puppies don't know their limitations. They just go wild… And the same with the elderly dogs.”

Green also warned about a lesser-known issue: “If you're at the lake or you're in the pool a lot and the dog's taking on a lot of water, they can get water intoxication.”

Final Tip

For dogs joining outdoor water sports like kayaking or paddle boarding, Green had one final piece of advice: “Have a life jacket on them. If they're in your boat, on your kayak, on your board, they need to be in a life jacket.”