dog moms in Arizona

[Loving Furgie]

I got Furgie this past November, she is 8 months, I live in Tucson, AZ...this will be my first AZ summer with a dog....any advice how to survive or things I should be aware of??? Thanks!

[yorkietalkjilly]

I've always heard Yorkies have a tendency to overexposure to heat and cold so any measures you can take to keep her out of the direct sun, cool and well-hydrated will be best with ready access to water and shade when she goes out to play. Here in Dallas some people have baby swim pools for their dogs to use but I fear mesquitos so don't do that, just limit Tibbe's time outside when it is very hot and humid.

[Deuce]

I'd avoid mid-day walks, get some protection for her little paws because that concrete doesn't cool off at all, it's still warm in the middle of the night (not burning hot like at mid-day though)
Keep some fur on her (don't shave her down) she will need some fur to help protect her from the sun's rays.
Make sure she has access to water all day, and keep the a/c on and I think you'll make it through it.

[Deuce]

Oh, and take lots of trips to Mt. Lemon and drive to the top. Lots of cool air up there all year round, not to mention the best L-M Pie EVER! LOL, I miss Tucson a bit I guess, haha.

[Nancy1999]

Concrete can get very hot, but blacktop can really burn their feet fast, be especially careful with blacktop, even in the later hours of the day, it holds the heat. We keep water in one of those gerbil types of water holders if we go on trips to the store. Walks are better really early or very late, or not at all! Hope you enjoy it in Tucson, the first summer is usually the worst. Now I'm freezing if it's less than 70 degrees! Love your avatar picture, Furgie's a doll!

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Loving Furgie

I got Furgie this past November, she is 8 months, I live in Tucson, AZ...this will be my first AZ summer with a dog....any advice how to survive or things I should be aware of??? Thanks!

I spent this past Thanksgiving with a friend who lives in Tucson and she has a Schnauzer. Said he has to stay inside most all summer because of the heat. Such a shame.

[Loving Furgie]

Thank you for the information!

[Sandysbabies]

We have schnauzers and yorkies and they never stay outside long. The advice about walking them on payment or asphalt is good. Have a friend that took her little pom for a walk in the summer late in the afternoon and burnt her little paws. You have to really be careful of the heat and cold. They can have heat strokes too just like humans. Enjoy your baby and stay in the air conditioning.

[smallmans]

Hi, We are in Mesa. We always walk Bella early in the morning. I test the temp of the pavement with the back of my hand. Don't want to burn her paws. She only potties in the shade in the back yard. She seemed to know it was hot as she would run right to the shade and back in. Never put Booties on her. Always took water wherever we went with her. Not really much of an issue as she was happiest in the house when the weather is hot. When the sun is hottest, I carry her to the shade. Bella lets us know when it's too hot. I worry most about her feet.
If you're hot, she's hot. She hates water so that is not something we use to cool her off. We just keep the ceiling fans on and she finds her comfortable place so she's not too cold from the AC.
Good luck!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by smallmans

Hi, We are in Mesa. We always walk Bella early in the morning. I test the temp of the pavement with the back of my hand. Don't want to burn her paws. She only potties in the shade in the back yard. She seemed to know it was hot as she would run right to the shade and back in. Never put Booties on her. Always took water wherever we went with her. Not really much of an issue as she was happiest in the house when the weather is hot. When the sun is hottest, I carry her to the shade. Bella lets us know when it's too hot. I worry most about her feet.
If you're hot, she's hot. She hates water so that is not something we use to cool her off. We just keep the ceiling fans on and she finds her comfortable place so she's not too cold from the AC.Good luck!

Good point, I think Joey wears more hoodies in the summer than he does in the winter, homes can get pretty cool with AC's.

[alisonJ]

Welcome to Tucson! What part of town are you in? I am in the UA area.

Summers are really not bad here. My little Edie stays home during the day while I am at work, but she has a doggie door. I suspect she stays most of the time in the A/C.

Evenings and early mornings are the best time to take your little one out. As soon as the sun goes down, it is quite comfortable! The desert air cools down fast.

If you have a yard, your little one might appreciate a little wading pool.

[Loving Furgie]

Originally Posted by alisonJ

Welcome to Tucson! What part of town are you in? I am in the UA area.

Summers are really not bad here. My little Edie stays home during the day while I am at work, but she has a doggie door. I suspect she stays most of the time in the A/C.

Evenings and early mornings are the best time to take your little one out. As soon as the sun goes down, it is quite comfortable! The desert air cools down fast.

If you have a yard, your little one might appreciate a little wading pool.

Thanks! I am probably right around the corner from you...by Glenn and Country Club. I have been here in Tucson for going on 4 years now...but this will be my first summer with a little pup! We don't have a doggy door...I work 3 12 hour shifts, when I work I take her to doggy day care Just today they broke out some kiddy pools for the dogs! I have been looking forward to seeing if she would like the water!!! Do you ever go to any of the dog parks around here? I like Brandi Fenton and Reid Park..... anytime you want to get together for a doggy date, let me know!

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Concrete can get very hot, but blacktop can really burn their feet fast, be especially careful with blacktop, even in the later hours of the day, it holds the heat. We keep water in one of those gerbil types of water holders if we go on trips to the store. Walks are better really early or very late, or not at all! Hope you enjoy it in Tucson, the first summer is usually the worst. Now I'm freezing if it's less than 70 degrees! Love your avatar picture, Furgie's a doll!

Awh TY! Haven't been feeling hot lately
1. Dog shoes! Alldogboots is a member here she just started with socks for dogs who need em under shows or en-loo of shoes here's her site Dog Boots | Dog Shoes & Dog Booties

2. keep rubbing alcohol handy it can be used to wipe on law pads and ears to cool dog in emergency, also keep Nutical around for dehydration always carry water ( I take a bottle of ice cubes to hot weather).

3. Never leave dog in hot car (obviously right) can't believe ppl do that...oh ye doggy day care YAY!

4. Arizona has some nasty no-see-ums be sure you are using the appropriate parasite preventatives and educate yourself on what's there

5. Speaking of no-see-um what about those do see-ums like coyote, and other predators-learn about what to be aware of.

6. Consider a shaded dog run, with AC (swamp coolers are great! then again so is a fan faced towards a big bucket of shaved ice) for an at home doggy too and ice cubes added to the bottle part of a water bowl if you have that kind.

[Loving Furgie]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

Awh TY! Haven't been feeling hot lately
1. Dog shoes! Alldogboots is a member here she just started with socks for dogs who need em under shows or en-loo of shoes here's her site Dog Boots | Dog Shoes & Dog Booties

2. keep rubbing alcohol handy it can be used to wipe on law pads and ears to cool dog in emergency, also keep Nutical around for dehydration always carry water ( I take a bottle of ice cubes to hot weather).

3. Never leave dog in hot car (obviously right) can't believe ppl do that...oh ye doggy day care YAY!

4. Arizona has some nasty no-see-ums be sure you are using the appropriate parasite preventatives and educate yourself on what's there

5. Speaking of no-see-um what about those do see-ums like coyote, and other predators-learn about what to be aware of.

6. Consider a shaded dog run, with AC (swamp coolers are great! then again so is a fan faced towards a big bucket of shaved ice) for an at home doggy too and ice cubes added to the bottle part of a water bowl if you have that kind.

Thank you so much for the great ideas! I tried to get Furgie to wear some booties when we go to Reid Park...they have these burrs that will get all in her paws! But she doesn't like the booties! Awesome idea about the alcohol! I just started using a frontline (I found a really good price for it online)..(I want to look into heartworm prevention meds too)...the other stuff I think I should talk to my vet and see what they recommend what to have on hand or be aware of. And I am going to need to get some more shade for the yard! Done and done!

[concretegurl]

I'm so cheap, LOL:
Did ya know...only works with Frontline Plus not other brands or kinds...you can buy the extra large dog Frontline Plus from Costco and break it up by weight and save literally over $100 per year per dog in flea and tick control?