These days the weather is getting nicer and nicer, and we can see lots of dogs walking with their companion of their owners in streets, parks, and so on. I would like to share some tips with every dog owner who walks their dogs outside.

Q. It is getting hotter and hotter, and soon the steaming summer will arrive. For owners too, walking outside on hot asphalt is not an easy thing to do. For dogs, covered with thick fur, it seems too hot to wander about. Do they really need to walk on summer days?

A. The answer is yes. Dogs let their stress out by walking and smelling. Those who do not walk enough might have problems with their muscles, heart-artery, metabolism, and even mental illness. Even if it is hot in summer, I recommend strongly to take short walks.

Q. How long and how often do we have to walk with dogs?

A. Are you caring for a big dog, or a small dog? If you are caring for a big dog, you should walk your dog twice a day. First 30 minutes in the morning, and second 30 minutes in the evening. If you are caring for a small dog, 20 minutes a day would be enough.

Q. Where do you recommend to walk your dog?

A. It is better to walk your dog than not, so if you prefer surroundings near your house, that would be fine. However, I recommend going to new places, where the dog has never been before. Dogs feel refreshed when they smell new places, and this also leads to better sociality formation.

Q. My dog does not want to go out. Is she or he a problematic dog?

A. No. If your dog hesitates or dislikes going out, it is better to leave them in. It is not really a common situation, but some dogs do get stressed about unfamiliar outdoor atmospheres. It is always best to do as your dog wants.

Q. Are there any cautions during summer walks?

A. This is a good question. There are two very important things you must remember. First, during summer the heat of the asphalt is much more dangerous than we think. Make sure not to walk them on that surface, and I recommend that your dog wears dog shoes or you paste foot-wax on their feet. However, it would be much better to walk in the evening which is much cooler than noon. Moreover, I recommend that you take walks on soil or grass fields instead of artificial roads.

Second, after the walk is over, you must take proper care of your dog’s condition. If your dog hesitates to walk or keeps licking their feet, it might be the symptoms of burns. Furthermore, if your dog is scratching too much, there might be some mites stuck in their fur. Be careful of your beloved dog’s health condition, and if there are any signs of abnormalities, go see an animal doctor as soon as possible.