Tips for Walking Your Pug in Summer

Tips For Walking Your Pug In Summer

Who doesn’t love Summer? It brings on lots of sunlight, barbecues, vacations and more. Summer is one of the most favorable seasons of all and it’s no wonder that you begin to see lots of people out and about, especially with their pets. Dog walking is a very common activity and Summer is the perfect season for getting your pets ample exercise that they need. One thing that should be noted is that with Summer season, that means there’s potential for Summer temperatures, which can pretty harsh, depending on where you live. In the south-west states, it can definitely reach temperatures of up to 100 degrees, making it pretty unbearable to be outside for more than 10 minutes at a time. Pugs, in particular, need to be kept cool often due to their tendency to overheat easily.

So then, how are you able to take your dogs out for walks?

You can start by following some of these easy tips to keep your little guy safe, cool and healthy without jeopardizing his ability to take regular walks.

Get your Pug a collar, leash and harness combination.

Regardless of breed, it’s vital to have the perfectly fitted collar, leash and dog harness combination for your dog. Collars are there for your dog to wear every day. It holds his identification and your contact information, which is important if he ever went out of your sights. A leash gives you control during the walk. You can determine how much room to give him when it comes to sniffing around the path. This leash should be comfortable enough for your own grip and ideally, retractable ones are great for adjusting when necessary.

A Pug harness is optimal for tying this combination together. Specifically, the tribal waves option from PorkyPaws is a great harness to use for your pet. It’s adjustable, reversible and can be used to train your dog proper obedience. It prevents him from pulling and you can control him from choking himself.

Together, this combination significantly reduces your pet’s risk of hurting himself and getting loose on your walks. During the warmer weather, you don’t want him getting out on his own and getting lost with no access to food and water. Possessing a collar, leash and harness are perfect for preventing this unfortunate event to occur.

Choose an optimal time for the walk.

On any day, there’s always going to be a certain time where it’s much cooler than the rest of the day. Instead of taking your Pug out during the afternoon, where the heat is the highest, consider only taking him during the morning or evening times. Temperatures are a little more bearable and you won’t have the heat working against you. You can use the morning walk as a way to wake you both up or evenings to wind down from a long day at work. So, both of you can definitely win in this situation!

Pack lots of water for the both of you.

Since Summer weather packs on a lot of heat, you’ll be more likely to become thirsty quicker than other seasons like Spring and Fall. Before you head out the door, be sure that you have a few bottles of water with you to take on the walk. Also, this would be an ideal time to take a portable bowl or cup so you can easily give your Pug some water when he gets thirsty. Pugs have specific respiratory issues that can be aggravated by excessive heat and exercise. Keeping water on hand will alleviate you dealing with health concerns for your little guy. Feel free to take a few breaks on the walk here and there to replenish on water. Your Pug will definitely thank you for it. Don’t feel like you need to rush to get home. You can take as many breaks as you want, depending on you and your pet’s personal needs. Enjoy your time, as much as it will allow.

Since the heat will be blazing down some high temperatures, it will most likely intensify the pavement you and your Pug will be walking on. This would be a good time to invest in some walking booties or shoes for your little guy. There are some great options for all sizes of dogs that you can find for him. This will help to protect his paws from getting burned from the hot temps. You should also keep in mind that it is possible for your doggie to get sunburned. So, consider getting him some garments to that protect areas where his skin is exposed to those harmful UV rays. There are plenty of vest and coverage options available for your little guy.

Opt for more shaded paths.

It is definitely possible to plan ahead as much as you can. If you’re familiar with your neighborhood, you may have observed areas that had the most trees and shade. It would be great if you could try to stay on paths that have more coverage to keep you and your little guy cooler, longer. This will help with limiting the amount of time you are both walking in the sun. Plus, you can always take a break underneath a tree on the path to help cool down even more. Strategically planning out the path can reduce the possibility of both you and your pet becoming overheated.

So, even though many people love Summer season everything that comes with it, it’s probably safe to say that many can do without the heat. But, the heat doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying the great outdoors and spending quality time with your pets. Pugs have sensitivities to overexposure to heat due to their body structures and biology, but they still need their adequate amounts of exercise. You can certainly help them achieve this by taking the necessary precautions to keep them cool, safe and happy. These steps outlined will assist you in preparing for great walks with your Pug.