For dog lovers up early on Saturday, June 25, 2011 there was a reward on the CBS show called, aptly, The Early Show on Saturday Morning. On that morning the show, broadcast from New York and getting underway at 8 a.m., featured a lengthy, and highly informative, interview with California dog trainer Cesar Millan.
The focus of that morning's interview with the host of the National Geographic channel's Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan was summer and dogs. The pooch behavior expert, who grew up in a small town in Mexico, took questions from the Early Show on Saturday Morning's studio audience on how to care for your dog during summer heat and while on vacation.
Summertime: Caring For Hot Dogs
Millan was asked how to care for a dog during the heat and noted that in Arizona leaving dogs at home requires air conditioning but more often in other states it's okay to leave them without it. He told the woman asking the question that short-haired dogs can tolerate great heat more easily than can long-haired dogs. He was also asked about dogs and dehydration.
"You should always have plenty of fresh water available and monitor your dog for signs of dehydration (such as) red eyes, excessive panting, and lethargy," he said. "However do not force the dog to drink water if nothing is wrong...you can actually do harm by forcing the dog to drink or being nervous about drinking, and create negative associations.
"If it is hot, a dog will do one of two things: He will either go to find some shade to lie down and cool off, or he will drink some water. Just be sure that there is plenty of fresh water available and, for the most part, your dog will take care of himself."
The Vacationing Dog and Dog Owner
The other aspect of summer that received great attention was vacationing with dogs. He said it can be wise to get a dog to become used to the car by simply putting it in the car with you when the car is not moving; let it relax, give it a treat and then get out of the car. He also suggests that you do not get stressed about the trip, your dog will pick up on that.
It is similar with crates, which many hotels require. He says to acclimatize your dog to a crate before the trip and always exercise a dog adequately - by adequate he means a "minimum of 30 minutes" - before placing it in a crate. He also said to never use a crate as a means of punishing a dog.
Millan says to call ahead and learn how the place you are staying at expects you to handle your dog. "Always respect your environment and surroundings," Millan said. "When staying in a hotel that welcomes pets, it is important to respect your fellow travelers and the hotel environment."
The Dog and Your Hotel
Finally, when arriving at a hotel his suggestion is to give your dog a sense of where you are. "Claim your travel space. When you arrive at the hotel, walk your dog around the property to ensure he's familiar with the place," he told the audience.
"When you arrive at the room, enter first. Get the dog to stay where he is. Don't let him wander around, or he'll assume control of the situation. Be calm and assertive, which will help you feel comfortable in the room before you introduce your dog to an unfamiliar place"
Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan is on weeknights at 8 PM ET/PT on 'National Geographic WILD'.
