☀️🔥 Hot, hot, hot🔥☀️ 

Summers in Chicago often brings high temperatures. Most dogs are happiest between 65-75°F, so 80°+ weather can be uncomfortable—and even dangerous. Never fear—DGDC is here to help keep your darn good dog safe! 

Keep outdoor time short, especially for flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and English Bulldogs, which have a harder time cooling themselves.

Walk during cooler hours. Plan longer walks for early morning or late evening. Dogs won't always stop themselves from overdoing it, so it's up to us to protect them.

Protect those paws. Hot concrete and asphalt can burn. Test the surface with your palm—if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog. For smaller dogs, carry them to grassy areas when possible.

Bring water. Pack cold water and your DGDC collapsible bowl. While cold water won't directly lower body temperature, the cool air from drinking can help your dog feel more comfortable.

Find indoor fun! Bosly's Backyard, Doggy Paddle Aquatic Center for Dogs, and bars that allow dogs indoors like River Shannon in Lincoln Park and Bucktown Pub can provide you and your darn good dog a break from cabin fever.

While I don't think cooling mats and vests are worth the money, cool surfaces can still help. Bring a cold, wet towel in a cooler for your dog to lie on during short park outings.

Want to go a step further? Bring a small cooler with ice, open the lid, and clip a mini fan to it so cool air blows toward your dog's face. That will do more to help them cool off than most vests or cooling mat.