Question:
writes: > I have a 10 week old Great Pyrenees puppy, that is being forced to be an > outside dog, at ten weeks he is still the size of a regular dog, but I am > nervous about exposing him to the heat,
Why is he being forced to undergo the social deprivation of being an outside dog? Why not find a home for this pup where he will get the love and bonding he needs? He is still young enoough to bond to a new home. How ’bout it? At least for the dogs sake. Bob Maida Manassas,VA
Response:
My Siberian Huskies were born in Texarkana, TX, a very hot place… I did the pool thing when they were young, and they loved it. I also bought one of those circular plastic sprinklers and placed it where they could stand in it when ever they felt like it. I turned it on low, maybe 18" high (thus not draining the lake) and left it on during the hottest times of the day. This kept their undersides cool, fresh flow of cool water all the time. They are 15 months old now, and I was forced to give one to my best friend, (knew he would love the dog and give the extra effort Siberian’s require). The other is now an "inside" dog (loves air-conditioning) and has adapted very well… Siberian’s won’t make a mess where they live (bathroom habits), and the destructive behavior is absent because we keep tons of chew toys, and hour plus exercise daily. Huskies become destructive when bored. I move a lot, now living in South Carolina…. but if I had owned the property I was leasing, I would have bought a small building (tool type) and put in a "pet door" and an air-condition. Even designed a automatic water device based upon a toilet siphon….. placed in a stainless steel sink that would auto-fill as the water level dropped…. but flushing to keep fresh left me studying the application more. Sorry to ramble on…. hope your dog stays cool… Dan
Response:
Here are the suggestions that my vet just gave me for outdoor summer safety: 1. Provide a wading pool, but *make sure* that the dog can safely get out of the pool. For a smaller dog (yours is not) you may have to use a steel washtub. 2. Have your dog dipped for fleas and ticks- they can pass diseases. 3.Have the dogs shots up to date- same reason. 4.Have a collar with the dogs name your name and phone number, and their shot tag, also have the vets name in case you are not at home! 5.Provide water for the dog in a large container (not the pool!) that cannot be tipped. 6. The wading pool should be out of direct sun, dogs *can* get sunburned 7.Check pads and ears daily for bugs and foriegn objects. 8. Do *not* free feed the dog- and can get to the food and the dog and be ant bit. Get the dog on a schedule and stick to it. 9.Get the dog on a heartworm preventative. 10. Never leave a dog in an unattended vehicle or be allowed to ride in the rear of a moving vehicle. Their pads can burn on the metal in the back the the can suffer and die from the heat in either place. 11. If there is no shade in the back yard, buy an inexpensive table umbrella at the store and mount it in the ground for the dog. (Drugstores have them for around 15 to 20 dollars.). 12.If the dog is being kept outdoors on a porch, provide a cool something to lie on the cement or wood. Ground can hurt the dog by burning- vet suggestion was a towel or something cool and shady. 13. Id possible, dig a trench in the shade for the dog, they will be cooler there. 14. Feed on a reguar schedule.In the summer dogs burn calories quicker. 15. On very hot days check on the dog more often. 16.Wash out the dogs bedding about once every week or so to keep it from getting bugs and stuff. 17. Empty the wading pool water about once every week, bacteria thrive outside, and so do mosquitos. 18.Pour one teaspoon (thats all!) of Clorox into the wading pool. It will kill cooties. Do not use more or you could make the pooch sick. Good Luck and have fun- oh- keep the dog off the blacktop as much as possible! have Fun! Dixie — In a Court of Law, there are always 3 sides to the issue, The Plaintiff, The Defendant, and the Truth. It is my job to be the Advocate for the Truth. Dixie La Pierre
Response:
snip >I would appreciate replies onm any of the following ideas: >1. Setting up a fan in a shady spot. >2. Spraying him down periodically with water. >3. thats all I can come up with >I would appreciate any ideas, thank you. >Jeffrey Hammad
Jeff, Since Pyrs are used quite a bit a herd guards here in Texas, most are kept outside year round and will do fine as long as they have access to: 1. Shade 2. Fresh, clean water. I’d be leery of setting up a fan, make sure he cannot reach the cord to munch on it. In addition to the spraying down, I bought mine one of those plastic wading pools at Wal-Mart. They love it. Pyrs are really neat dogs, good luck with your new pup. Susan Dangar Standan Quarter Horses Lampasas, TX
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 10 week old Great Pyrenees puppy, that is being forced to be an > outside dog, at ten weeks he is still the size of a regular dog, but I am > nervous about exposing him to the heat, I have purchased a large doghouse > that claims to provide protection from the heat during summer, and > insulation during the winter. I have wanted to somehow install an AC > unit to his doghouse, that would blow cold air, but this would be a > mechanical wonder if at all possible, does anybody have any ideas on how > to protect a heavily coated dog from the heat, I know already not to > shave this breed of dog, because of a special insulating "internal coat" > I would appreciate replies onm any of the following ideas: > 1. Setting up a fan in a shady spot. > 2. Spraying him down periodically with water. > 3. thats all I can come up with > I would appreciate any ideas, thank you. > Jeffrey HammadJeffrey,
Your ideas sound alright so far but spraying your dog all depends if he likes it, he doesn’t mind it, or if he doesn’t like it. Another idea is if he can have a certain amount of time inside the house unless you can’t. setting up a fan is a good idea but make sure that you turn it off at night in case he gets a chill or he might not even use it.
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