Be wary of warming weather when exercising dog

While exercise is important for all dogs, it's important to plan activities during the cooler part of the day to prevent overheating.

Dogs who are overweight, out-of-condition, elderly or pug-nosed are especially at risk. For these dogs, heat stress can quickly turn lethal.

Don't take a chance with your dog's life. Keep exercise sessions short and plan them for early or late in the day. Stop at the first sign of overheating, such as heavy panting.

Always have cool water available both for drinking and for wetting down dogs on warm days. For the latter, concentrate on a constant flow of cool water — not ice cold and no ice packs — to the belly.