Summer is fun time to get wet with your pooch, but what if they have never been in the water before? Teaching your dog to swim is not as difficult as many may think! There are just a few steps to keep in mind before just tossing your best friend into the water.

The first thing you have to do is to make sure that you know all of the safety precautions. Some are naturals, as many will learn to swim just by merely jumping into a body of water. They will oftentimes jump in and start to try to drink the water, but out of nowhere, they will begin to doggy paddle in the water. These dogs do not need any lessons. It is the resistant dog that needs coaxing into the water. Take precaution and go slow; some are very frightened of it. Have the proper equipment on hand, like a canine life preserver, just in case something goes wrong.

It is also very important for you to know your dog's personality as well as their behaviors. This way you can have good judgment on how the lesson is going to most likely go and how your dog may react. Being prepared is the best thing you can do for your dog and yourself. You will get very wet, so be ready. You never want to leave your dog's side until he is paddling as if swimming is their second nature. Speak in a very high tone, calming voice if they seem scared. Let them know you will not let them go until they are ready. When doing all of these things you are ensured to help your dog learn how to swim safely. If venturing out to the lake for a summertime fun day, take along a life jacket, so they can paddle with ease alongside you and the boat.

Everyone thinks of summer as the best time to take Fido for long walks and exercise. In actuality, the summertime can be a very difficult season for dogs. Dogs suffer the same problems people do. Heatstroke actually occurs more in dogs than in people! Never leave your dog in a parked car. Dogs should stay inside when temperatures are at their worst. This means in the air conditioning, not just a dog house. Many dog houses provide safety from the sun, but not the heat. That could be deadly.

Exercise and walks should be taken early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are cooler. If the dog is outside, make sure the dog has plenty of fresh, cool water to drink. It should be located in a shady location. If there is a place for a wading pool, many dogs would love to soak in it or have the sprinkler on for the dog to run through. That should also be located away from direct sunlight. If the dog is near a pond, pool or ocean, make sure the dog does not drink that water. There are many predators, both microscopic and larger that live in these areas.

Brush or clip the dogs hair to keep it cooler, but do not shave the dog; they need hair to be a sun barrier, as they can burn easily. Dogs also get skin cancer. Make sure dogs with pink noses, and stomachs have dog safe sunblock on. Make sure that the dog has all their flea and tick prevention up to date. This is the time when insects are the worst. Summer is a fun time for people and animals. In order to make it safe, make sure that Rover follows the same summer safety you would!

When thinking of fishing, many of us picture the iconic summer image of a man, hat tipped over his eyes, line dragging in the water, with a big, loyal dog sitting close by his side. And indeed, a dog can be a wonderful fishing companion, but as a responsible pet owner, there are some things you must take into consideration to ensure your dog's safety.

It is vital to remember that fish hooks do not only hook fish; they can also lodge themselves in your pet. Make sure to keep all your fishhooks safely out of reach of your dog. Bait on a hook can look just as tasty to a canine as to a fish and it can be quite serious if the hook is swallowed. It will require immediate veterinary attention. Never pull on the line if your dog has swallowed the hook, as it will just become more firmly stuck in the skin. Hooks can also become lodged in feet if your dog steps on one. The importance of keeping your hooks safely stowed away cannot be overstated.

Even if this measure is taken, your dog may get into trouble while you are occupied by your fishing. A rod and a line going into the water is not interesting in the least for them, and they will likely go looking for more fascinating things in the area around you. Even if they don't wander far, they can find all manner of unpleasant things to roll in or encounter some of the local wildlife. Therefore, when you take your furry companion with you on a fishing trip, it's probably safest to keep keep him on a leash.

Just because you have a dog whose breed has a reputation for loving water doesn’t mean they know how to swim. It is essential to have safety measures in place while your dog figures things out. The trainer or owner should go in the water with the dog for reassurance and encouragement; this is critical if they are nervous getting into water. Shallow lakes or pools will allow the canine to get in the water and still have his paws on the ground. The dog’s confidence will build and his courage will take over.

Toss one or two of his favorite toys in with him and see if he will retrieve them. Make a game of retrieval and see if he will swim to get the toy and bring it back. Have two toys within reach and toss one to the dog. If he won’t bring it back, toss the other toy closer to you and encourage him to get that one. Then you can grab him him before he turns away.

Another tip is to bring another dog that can swim to help your pet see how it’s done. There are life vests or jackets one can purchase to aide in the lessons of learning to swim. Many times, the vests will have handles on them to allow you to hold onto to the pet easily and lift them out of the water. Take things slowly and let your dog go at his own pace. Never force your dog to swim and never throw him into the water. That "sink or swim" philosophy may just give your dog a phobia of water, which, when you're trying to teach him to swim, is definitely not the result you're going for.

Dogs are an important part of the family, so it always necessary to keep their best interests in mind. Our dogs love recreational activities during the summer as much as we do, so more and more often we’re finding fun things to do with our dogs such as going out for long hikes, taking trips to new destinations and always remembering the evening walks. Yet, just like us, our pet’s paws can be susceptible to extreme weather conditions and dangerous ground debris. That is why more and more families are investing in doggie footwear to protect their pooch’s precious pads.

Hot summer days are known to make the asphalt and sidewalks reach unbearable temperatures. A dog’s pad can be easily burnt or injured from standing bare pawed on a summer day. Websites such as Dogbooties.Com offer a variety of durable and affordable doggie tennis shoes that can protect your dog’s paws. In addition to hot weather, cold weather can also have harsh affects on doggie paws. The cold snow can make dogs more susceptible to frost bite. You can now purchase heavy duty fleece booties that can keep their paws safe and warm.

In addition to protecting your dog’s feet during extreme weather conditions, dog shoes can also protect a dog’s pads from ripping, tearing, or getting infected with hazardous debris during long hikes and walks. While some owners might slip a pair of shoes on their furry friend just for the fun of seeing them walk around and make a fashion statement, protective footwear for Fido is actually very beneficial and an effective way of keeping them happy and healthy.