Summer is typically a time of great family fun and activity. The days are long and warm, the kids are on vacation, and the sun worshipers are out in full force. Unfortunately, the season also brings with it some very specific hazards - sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Not only are these hazards a threat to your human family, they can endanger the lives of your furry family members as well. As temperatures soar, your dog will need a little attention in order to ensure his safety.

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Just as with humans, one of the biggest health problems today for dogs is obesity. Many owners think their pudgy dogs are adorable, when in fact they are extremely unhealthy. Overweight dogs can develop the same kinds of problems that overweight humans can, such as diabetes mellitus, which can be very tricky to treat. Obesity can also reduce your dog’s life expectancy.

If you are not sure if your dog is overweight, there is a very easy way to do so visually and by touch. A dog of normal weight should have an indentation at his waistline, and his ribs should be easily felt under his skin. An overweight dog will not have a waistline and there will be a thicker layer of fat over his ribs.

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For many dog owners, how to keep their dog warm during the cold winter is a big concern. Luckily for them, there are many ways to do this.

If your dog is small, has short hair, or is older, you may want to consider purchasing a jacket to help keep him warm. In some climates, it is appropriate to choose a sweater for the fall months and a heavier jacket for the colder winter months. When choosing outerwear for your dog choose something simple that is easy for you to put on. You may need to acclimate your dog to wearing a coat as some dogs do not like to be dressed up. To do this, simply put the coat on for short periods each day making sure to give lots of good treats. Your dog will learn to associate wearing his coat with yummy treats making it much easier for you to dress him. Choose a coat made from durable materials that are easy to care for. Just because it’s cute doesn’t necessarily mean that it is appropriate. Also, if snow is a concern, look for water resistant materials. Make sure to know your dog’s measurements and follow the manufacturer’s directions to ensure proper fit.

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It’s always very important to keep your pets cool in the summer, especially if you live in really hot climates. And of course, you should never leave a pet (or child) in a car while you run into the store. It’s just too hot. Here are some good links to help you keep your pet cool for the rest of the summer.

10 hot products to keep pets cool. I think that they are all pretty cool, but I like the misting fan because it helps pets and people stay cool together.Here are some tips for keeping your cats cool. Did you know they sweat out of their paws?Some good tips for keeping dogs cool from About.com.And for the indoor pets, make sure they are able to get out of a sunny spot, and try to keep the indoor air at a comfortable tempature based on what kind of animal it is.

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We are now offering record keeping software for police, detection, tracking and search and rescue dog teams. We are currently distributing KANINE 2006 Software designed by Code Blue Designs. Our working dog handlers will have an opportunity to purchase the program to maintain the records for their dog during our handler courses. The program will aready contain records for their specific canine including their medical records, etc. This is a great K9 record keeping package that we will soon be offering through our online store.

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Cleaning your dogs eyes more or less depends on his type of breed. Dogs with protruding eyes and wrinkles on their face such as the Pekingese, Pug, and Boston Terrier, need to have their eyes cleaned on a regular basis. On the other hand, other types of breeds do not require as much attention. Different eye types need different kinds of care.

* Flat-faced dogs with protruding eyes require the most care because they are less protected than breeds with eyes that are set deeper and protected by a long muzzle. Protruding eyes have the tendency to dry out easily and are also easily injured.

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