Thank you Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® for sponsoring this post. Complete and trusted flea and tick prevention starts with Hartz!
It’s been a long time since I was a first time dog owner and I feel like our family has learned a lot over the years. Sebastian has finally left what felt like the puppy stage that lasted three long years and as summer hits, we’ve got a few tips for families who might be enjoying summer with a new dog!
FIRST TIME DOG OWNER TIPS FOR SUMMER
Summer is a great time to be a dog owner. We love spending time in the backyard with our pups. Even though Toby has gotten older, he still loves laying out in the sun on the deck. Sebastian will play with the kids until he finally stretches out on the patio furniture cushions.
If this is your first summer as dog owners, you’ll have a great time making memories together. But we have a few tips that have helped us make sure our dogs are safe and healthy throughout the next few months.
UPDATE VACCINES
One thing I always do when summer rolls around is to make sure that both dogs are up-to-date on their vaccinations. We usually travel at least once during the summer and our boarding place requires this. But it’s also important if you’re planning to take your dog out and about exploring.
For their health and safety, as well as the people you might encounter, summer is a great time to get shots updated and ask for a copy of their records so you have one on hand.
DON’T FORGET FLEA & TICK PROTECTION
This seems like such a simple thing, but I’ve got a tale about the year we fell down on protecting our dogs during flea and tick season. It was the year there was a major flea breakout in our area and our old Boston Terrier, Murray, got fleas.
Getting rid of fleas was no fun. It’s not the summer memory I like to look back on. He was miserable for a while and it took a lot of work to get the fleas out of our hours.
So, I always remind every pet owner to make sure their pets are protected from fleas and ticks!
Thankfully, Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® makes it easy to protect our pets! Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® offers topical treatments and collars that help keep the pets away so we can enjoy our time outside in the summer sun! Did you know that over 5 million dogs are protected from fleas and ticks each year with Hartz® UltraGuard Pro®?
We’re counting Toby and Sebastian in that number this year!
This summer we’re using Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® Collars to provide them with full body protection that repels and kills fleas and ticks before they can bite out pups! They’re perfect for spending time outside because they’re water-resistant and they have a reflective strip for visibility.
With the Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® Flea & Tick Collar, I like knowing my dogs are protected. I don’t have to worry about dealing with a flea invasion this year!
You can visit Hartz.com to learn more, including where to find Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® in a store near you, so your pets can be protected all summer long!
HYDRATION IS IMPORTANT
Since we live in Texas, our summer days heat up quickly. No matter where you live, it’s just as important to make sure your dog is hydrated as well as your family. If you’re outside at home, make sure your dogs have easy access to plenty of cool water. If we’re hanging out in the backyard, we have a dog door so the dogs can go in for a drink. But sometimes I put a bowl of water on the deck with us so they don’t even have to go outside!
If you’re going to be out and about in the sun, the dogs still need water! You can get a collapsible bowl that fits right into your purse or the bag you’re carrying. Then it’s easy to fill a bowl of water from whatever water you’re carrying for the family. Everyone stays hydrated and healthy!
NEW TOYS ARE FUN
When we hit summer we go through all of our dog toys. I do this two times a year (and as we need to). Around Christmas, I look at everything we have for the dogs and pick up a few new goodies for their holiday gifts. At the beginning of the summer, I do the same thing. I get out all of the toys we have and then head to the pet store to pick up a few new things to play with.
For the summer months, my dogs love tug ropes, frisbee-type toys, and any type of ball they can chase. They’re not the best at fetching but they love to chase balls. My kids love throwing them so it’s a fun way for them all to play together in the backyard.
THE BEST LEASH LENGTH
If you’re planning to leave your yard, a good leash is important! Our favorite types of dog leashes are the retractable kind. I love that we can keep it short when we’re walking around the neighborhood and cross paths with other dogs. But then we can let the dogs roam more by letting out the length when we’re walking in more open areas.
If your area offers areas where your dogs can be off of their leashes, that is a fun way to explore and enjoy with your pets. But always be sure to research policies so you know when and where this is permitted!
Safety is a priority for me as a mom and as a dog mom!
Whether you’re a new dog owner or a seasoned pro, keeping your pups safe and healthy this summer is easy! Get the basics covered and you’ll be making fun memories together that will be remembered for years to come!
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