The Dog Days of Summer Arrive Early

It’s a phrase I’ve heard, but never understood – “the dog days of summer.”  A little research on the computer and the mystery is solved.  Between July 3 and August 11, the brightest star in the sky – Sirius, the Dog Star – rises and sets with the sun.  Since these days are some of the hottest of the year, the ancient Romans argued that Sirius contributed to the heat.  Of course, we now know that it is the tilt of the Earth and not heat from Sirius that brings us those miserable days, yet the phrase is still common.  It seems the dog days may have arrived early this year, so I’ve dedicated this column to summer activities.

 For those of us with dogs, the extreme heat means extra early or extra late walks with our furkids.   Dogs still need exercise, but they can overheat rather easily.  Be sure to carry water and a bowl, and perhaps a small spray bottle filled with water to spritz your dog,  providing he or she does not find it adversive.  Tennessee has some of the prettiest parks in the nation and many will allow you to hike with your dogs as long as they are on leash.  Within the parks are streams, ponds, and lakes in which your dogs can swim - a great opportunity to cool off and get some exercise.   Check out http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FAQs.shtml for information on parks and pets.

Some people will be looking for opportunities to travel outside the State of Tennessee with their dogs.  Several websites such as www.dogfriendly.com  can help you find pet friendly cities, lodging, and camps.  My friend, Carolyn, brought me a brochure with information on a Bed and Biscuit near Gulf Shores.  What a great idea for people who would like to go to the beach, but don’t want to leave their pets behind!  Dogs will have activities to keep them busy and safe while you enjoy the surf.

One of the items on my personal “things to do with your dog” list is to attend a camp designed for dogs and their humans.  I have seen many advertised and the activities offered are varied and fun.  Dogs can help their owners learn sports like agility, flyball, herding, and canine freestyle. Camps still provide the usual camp activities like swimming and hiking, but also offer courses on doggy massage and canine nutrition and classes to teach your dog tricks and the basics of canine acting.  For a list of camps, check out the website http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/camps.html .

If the cost of gas has you seeking activities that won’t require you to start your car, there is plenty to do at home.  Some dogs will be quite happy playing in a hose, sprinkler, or kiddie pool.  Dogs are natural diggers, so build a sandbox for your dog and bury a few toys.  This is especially helpful if you have a dog who loves to dig for treasures in your garden.  Clear an area in your home and use your legs outstretched on the floor to provide “jumps” for your pup.  Do be sure the area is carpeted for a soft landing to avoid joint injuries to your dog.  This is a great time to begin manners training inside where it is cool.  Low distraction areas are best when first teaching a behavior and your home provides that.  For times when you are too exhausted to play with your dog, you can find inside toys that will exercise your dog’s brain.  One site - http://www.pawlickers.com/products/toys/puzzles-games - has some of the newest toys available for dogs and cats.  While a little pricey, they are receiving rave reviews from trainers across the United States.

Since your dog sleeps about 12 hours a day, you might want to use some of that time to catch up on your reading.  My favorite bookstore is www.dogwise.com and there are many books that will provide you with information about your dog.  One of the best new arrivals is Oh, Behave by Jean Donaldson.  Pat Miller’s new book Play With Your Dog provides information on playing with your dog for mutual enjoyment and is due out sometime this month.   If you need a laugh, try Howl – A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit from the Editors of Bark Magazine or What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love and Marriage by Amy Sutherland.  One of the top ten magazines (that’s all magazines, not just dog magazines) in the U.S. is the Bark.  Packed with articles that cover health, training, and fiction, it’s hard to put down. 

Here’s hoping you can now enjoy the dog days of summer!

Jan Casey is a reward based trainer and owner of Smiles and Wags Pet Services in Cookeville.