[NAGDU] it's never too early to begin preparations

Thu Jan 17 13:47:55 UTC 2019

What Julie says is great.
I will add that I sometimes put a bit of cool water on my dog's head and
ears when we're out in the heat.  They don't like it, but I think it helps
them cool down a bit.
Also, I had a dog who would throw up if she got a cool drink right after a
walk in the heat, so I had to wait a few minutes after we got inside before
giving her water.  None of my other dogs have had this problem, though.

It's nice to think about being warm, on this frigid day.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie Johnson via
NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2019 8:31 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Julie Johnson
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] it's never too early to begin preparations

For cold weather:
paw wax, like Musher's Secret, to protect paw pads
boots to keep off salt or ice melt products
boots for added warmth, but I don't think these are needed until you get to 
truly artic weather  as in less than zero
sometimes, depending on weather conditions, my dog's feet will stick to the 
pavement.  There has to be some sort of ice or snow and just the right 
temperature that their feet melt it a bit but stepping down causes a return 
to freezing.  It doesn't happen often, but boots are an absolute necessity 
when it does.
Depending on the dog, a sweater or coat.  I have very short furred dogs, a 
Boxer mix and a Doberman, so coats are a necessity.  The Doberman wears a 
light coat at temps less than 40 and a heavier coat with temps less than 20.

The Boxer mix is okay until about 30 and gets his coat when it dips below 
freezing.

Signs of a dog being uncomfortably cold:
curling inward, which includes tail tucking, head lowering, sometimes a bit 
of arching the back.  It's like when we are cold and try to pull everything 
into the middle of our body to keep warm.
Shivering is a pretty obvious sign of being cold.
Whining or similar sounds of discomfort.
Reluctance about going outside.  Increased speed when given the opportunity 
to get indoors.
Dancing or lifting the paws oddly.

Avoid letting your dog get wet when it is cold.  Cold plus wet is a very 
dangerous combination.
Keep moving.  Even when I am outside waiting for transportation, I give my 
dog a bit of leash and encourage them to walk back and forth or in circles 
around me.  If they are confused or reluctant, I will walk back and forth 
with them. Moving keeps the blood pumping, increases circulation and 
increases warmth.
For hot weather:
Try to plan long outings during the beginning of the day before the pavement

has heated up.
Provide more opportunities for water.  Avoid super icy cold water in favor 
of cool water.
Use boots only if your dog shows discomfort on the pavement.  Dogs "sweat" 
through their feet. If at all possible, let them naturally keep themselves 
cool.  To determine if a dog is uncomfortable walking: This will be similar 
to the cold weather tips, dancing or lifting up the paws oddly.  You can 
also put your hand on the pavement and hold it there for a slow count of 
ten.  If you can do this, the pavement will be okay for your dog to walk on.

Avoid blacktop surfaces as they are hotter than typical sidewalk pavement or

brick.  Blacktop is most often found in parking lots.
If you need to stand in one place, like waiting for transportation, find a 
shady spot or step off into the grass if possible.

There's probably lots more, but it's early and this is all that is 
immediately coming to mind.
I look forward to what others will contribute.  We are expected to have a 
good amount of snow and temps significantly below zero this weekend.

Julie
On The Go with Guide-and-Service-Dogs.com
http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
also find my products in the Blind Mice Mega Mall
<https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory_Departments?storeid=19
16046>
-----Original Message----- 
From: Mike Hingson via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 6:36 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: mike at michaelhingson.com
Subject: [NAGDU] it's never too early to begin preparations

Hi all,

As you probably know, our National Federation of the Blind National
convention will be held this July in Las Vegas Nevada. Temperatures during
the day, and most likely at night too, will be over 100 degrees. This means
we need to prepare to keep our guide dogs safe and comfortable during the
time we are in Las Vegas.

We are planning to write an article for the Braille Monitor to provide
people with helpful and relevant information concerning how to handle the
hot temperatures with our guides. I am inviting you to participate here in a
discussion of what you do to keep your guides safe in extreme temperatures.
Let's talk about both hot and cold situations.

All relevant ideas and thoughts are welcome. There is no wrong idea. We want
to get the most information that we can so we can provide good information
for all convention goers who bring their guides.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Best Regards,

Michael Hingson

Vice President, NAGDU

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.

"Speaking with Vision"

Michael Hingson, President

(415) 827-4084

info at michaelhingson.com

To order Michael Hingson's new book, Running With Roselle, and check on
Michael Hingson's speaking availability for your next event please visit:

www.michaelhingson.com

To purchase your own portrait of Roselle painted by the world's foremost
animal artist, Ron Burns, please visit http://www.ronburns.com/roselle

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