National Dog Week is the last week of September!

Celebrate this milestone by taking your furry friend someplace new. How about a hike? Or dinner at a nice outdoor cafe? The weather will be cooling soon; perfect for outdoor activities with your pooch.

It's also a great time to think about taking the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test! I'll be doing this testing on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at the Atlanta Humane Society from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Please call (404) 974-2899 or email me to make an appointment.

Is your dog ready to be a Canine Good Citizen? Having this certification from the AKC may give you and your pooch a leg up when looking for pet-friendly housing. Have you thought about trying to get your dog involved in therapy work? The CGC is a good first step.

Get your pooch out and about!

The CGC test is a ten-item pass/fail test that is administered by a certified AKC Evaluator. It takes about 20 minutes in most cases, and if your pooch passes, the AKC sends you a certificate.

To see if your Fido is ready for the test, go here to look at the test items.

Think Fido needs more work first? Many trainers around town offer classes specifically designed to prepare you and your dog for the test. This link may be of help. Most dogs who have passed a decent Basic Obedience Class will have most of the skills to pass; you may just need a bit more work in some areas. Talk to your trainer if you are not sure.

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Summer heat can be a real drag for dogs

We all know summer is the time to sit back and take it easy (if you aren't doing so, it's your own durn fault, workaholic). Of course, you want your pooch to partake in the festivities with you, and while I applaud your enthusiasm and your willingness, I ask you to please think about the weather and how it will affect your dog before you set out on a grand adventure (or a trip to the store).

Most people are cognizant about the basics, but I'll list them here:

--Exercise your dog in the early morning or late evening to keep him more comfortable. Not only can he overheat from mere exertion, but pavement gets very hot (and blacktop asphalt scorchingly so) and retains heat for a long time. Fido is a lot closer to the hot surfaces than we are, and his furry body soaks up that heat like a sponge! Not only that, but sensitive foot pads can burn on hot pavement. Carry plenty of cool water and don't exert him for long periods. Also, don't depend on him to let you know he's had enough! Dogs will sometimes go and go until they collapse. As his leader and protector, you may have to make him slow down.

Haley is demonstrating what over-exertion can do to a dog. When the dog's tongue is hanging out the side of his mouth, he's extra hot! Provide shade, cool (not cold) water, and lots of breaks. And get off the pavement!

--NEVER leave a dog in a car by himself in the summer! The temperature in a car, even with the windows open, can reach 160 degrees in minutes. Your dog can suffer brain damage, or die, in the time it takes you to get through the checkout line. Most people assume their trip will "only take a second," but what happens if it takes more? We've all had the misfortune of getting behind the "wait-until-the-last-minute-and-write-a-check" person in a line. PLEASE leave your dog at home unless someone is going to wait in the car with him and keep the air conditioner on!

--Shaving a long-haired dog may do more harm than good. A dog's fur protects it from bugs and dirt and can even act as an insulator to keep heat out. Shaved dogs are more susceptible to sunburn, too! Before you shave, speak with your veterinarian or a professional groomer. It may be OK for some dogs, but don't assume.

This long-haired mix probably doesn't need shaving. Daily brushing is helpful to remove dead hair, however, and will prevent matting, which is painful.

Whirling Dervish loves her pool! She doesn't like it more than a few inches full, though. She's a wader rather than a "submerger" and she spins, barks, and frolics happily. Then she gets out and races around like she's on fire. It makes for a good laugh.

--How about giving your pooch a place to cool off? A child's wading pool may be just the ticket. Don't fill it full--just a few inches is fine until you figure out what type of "wader" your dog is. Some dogs like to immerse themselves in the water, while others prefer just getting their feet and faces wet. Of course, some dogs can't swim, so always supervise "pool time," and don't forget to have towels handy for drying off before heading back inside. NOTE: stagnant water invites mosquitoes to breed, so change the water every few days or cover the pool when not in use.

WARNING! If you have a full-size (human) pool that your dog likes to get in, please do not allow him access to it without supervision! A dog can easily tire when swimming and may not be able to get out. Teach him to go in and out in the shallow end so that if he falls in, he can get back out.

Snub-nosed breeds such as Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and this Pug cannot cool off as fast as longer-nosed breeds can. Even minimal exercise for these guys can cause heatstroke.

--Watch for signs of heatstroke: excessive panting, glazed eyes, immobility, and unresponsiveness, tongue hanging way out of the mouth with a "spatulate" end, and immerse the victim in cool (not cold) water to lower body temperature. Get the dog to a vet as soon as possible; heatstroke can cause brain damage and death.

STAY SAFE and cool this summer! Fall isn't too far away!