One of the perks of my self-employment is that I am able to take my dogs with me throughout my day.
Not only do I enjoy their company while I drive, but I am able to take them for walks or hikes at any time of the day between clients and classes. When we get home, they are well exercised and ready to relax and let me enjoy a quiet evening and a glass of wine.
When I purchased my Toyota Tacoma seven years ago, I did so knowing that I would be carrying precious cargo in the back and spent a few extra bucks to ensure their comfort and safety, especially in inclement weather, thus creating the Taj Mahal of dog vehicles.
It may seem counter productive to offer this advice, but many people, like me, enjoy the company of their dogs as they run errands. It is possible to travel with your dog on warm days if you take proper precautions to ensure the dog's safety and comfort.
Regardless of the destination, once you get there, park in the shade, even if that means you have to walk a bit further. Finding a shady spot that is on the north side of a building or a tree that also offers some ventilation from a breeze is best. This type of spot is less likely to experience the heat of the day and thus the pavement beneath will be cooler and not radiating heat back up to your vehicle.
Sun shades can be purchased at most big box home hardware or vehicle accessory stores and are great at deflecting the heat and sun from windows. Even though I park in the shade, I still use them to help keep the interior of my canopy cool from reflected sun light. My dogs stay within the security of my truck's canopy. I spent a fair amount of money getting the inside of the canopy that covers the bed of my truck insulated, which not only keeps it warmer in the winter months, but cool in the summer. Tinted windows with UV-reflective coatings offers additional protection.
You can also purchase window guards, which allow you to open windows fully without the fear of your dog escaping.
In the bed of my pick-up I have an AC outlet that allows me to plug in either a fan or heater. It runs off my truck battery whether the engine is running or not. Portable fans can be purchased at many vehicle accessory stores. They plug into what used to be called a cigarette lighter, but is now referred to as the cell phone charger adaptor. Some are even battery operated if your vehicle no longer has an adaptor.
Accessibility to cool water is a must. I place a small ice pack, available at most camping supply stores, in my dog's water bucket which helps keep the water cool. I also place larger ice-gel packs within the covering of the dog beds to keep their beds cool.
Now the disclaimer: I still don't recommend people take their dogs with them when temperatures are high. I am a very conscientious dog owner and take extra precautions that others may not consider before I leave my dogs in my truck. The biggest precaution is that I never put my dogs in my truck if it has been sitting in the sun. The back of my canopy has to be cool if I am going to take my dogs anywhere with me. I also never put my dogs in my truck if they are hot, such as after exercise. They must be completely cooled down and fully hydrated before I place them in the truck.
Even with these precautions I don't take my dogs and leave them in my truck when temperatures are high, regardless of how much they want to come. Being a conscientious dog owner means putting my dogs' needs for safety and comfort before mine. So as much as I'd miss them, they stay home in the safety and comfort of the house when it's hot.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
