For some people, Summer is the most magical season of all. The weather is warm, the days are long and schedules are wide open, leaving room for anything to happen. Some of the things that make summer so special to us humans- unstructured days, boisterous gatherings and booming spectacles both natural and man made- are exactly what makes this time of year so challenging for many dogs. The sudden loss of a recognizable routine can create stress for dogs who thrive on the predictability of the school year. Dogs who are accustomed to seeing the same familiar faces may feel a bit sheepish or overwhelmed when a summer bash brings a yard full of strangers. Even the most go with the flow pups might find themselves at wit’s end when hot weather gives way to a thunderstorm or the dreaded 4th of July fireworks kick off. Before the season gets into full swing it can help to evaluate your summer plans, taking some key details into account that make the biggest difference to your furry family members. By preparing in advance you can ensure that the dog days of summer are fun and safe for the whole family.
For many kids the summer is a hazy stretch of unpredictability. Schedules tend to be free flowing, if they exist at all, with much more spontaneity than we expect when school is in session. Summer camps may be on one week and off the next or playdates may extend into sleepovers. Plans may change on the fly depending on who is around to play. During this time many parents are still reporting to the office for work which means that supervision of children is left up to whomever is available. For some families this might be an experienced nanny or au pair but in many cases local sitters are called in for seasonal support.
Amidst the chaos, dogs are often overlooked or simply not factored into summer planning. The end of the school year means the end of a more consistent and reliable routine which can be anxiety inducing for some dogs. That stress can be compounded by an influx of unfamiliar children coming in and out of the house. In most cases, babysitters and caregivers are there to cater to the needs of the children but often have little to no experience managing a home that also has a dog. Inadequate supervision can create the potential for unsafe interactions in a hectic or disorganized environment. It can make a big difference to your dog to create and maintain a schedule that meets their mental and physical needs and accounts for where they will be when parents are at work and neighborhood kids are coming and going. A good solution might be to designate separate zones of the house for dogs and children when playdates are happening so that both parties have the space they need.
Block parties and barbecues are hallmarks of the summer season, a perfect excuse to get friends and family together to enjoy food and fun in the sun. It’s not uncommon to see dogs present at these functions, though if you know what to look for you may notice that the dogs in attendance aren’t always having the best time. These sorts of events come with many potential stressors and temptations to take into consideration. It’s to be expected that groups of children will be running, playing and shouting at the neighborhood block party so it’s important to remember that some dogs may find all the action too stimulating or overwhelming. Some dogs may be tempted to herd children as a way to bring the intensity down, while others might try to join in the fun but lack the skills to do so safely. Even if your dog is accustomed to the chaos of your own children at home, we should never assume that this level of comfort or tolerance will extend to children outside of your family. Similarly, not all children are comfortable with or interested in interactions with dogs. Active aware adult supervision is often critically lacking due to the presence of alcohol as well as distractions like socializing and hosting duties.
Keeping your dog inside during a barbecue is always an option, but if your house will be accessible to guests it’s worth having a plan in place for how to manage your dog. For example, a dog who is left free roaming inside the house may be startled when an unknown child comes inside to use the bathroom. An unsupervised interaction could be avoided by having management in place in the forms of a crate, gate or pen. Rather than leaving things up to chance, it’s best to designate a point person who will be in charge of the dog all day. If you want to include your dog by having them outside, this person can make sure the dog isn’t getting overwhelmed, overheated or engaging in unsafe behaviors around children, especially with those with food. If you opt to keep your dog out of the fray, the person in charge of the dog can make sure they’re safely contained in a quieter part of the house with whatever enrichment items they need to be content and comfortable. If you come up with a strategy ahead of time, you won’t find yourself having to rush to intervene if things go sideways between guests and dogs.
Summer is generally the loudest of the seasons in many ways. Mowing grass is noisy business, and kids often spend hours outside playing games and splashing in pools and sprinklers. Parties tend to be held outdoors which means the sounds of people and loud, thumping music may carry from blocks away. Dogs who are particularly sound sensitive may appear more anxious during this time or engage in more vigilant behaviors like pacing, alert barking and window watching. Even dogs who can generally take outside noise in stride may become stressed or frightened by a sudden thunderstorm or the percussive blasts of a fireworks show. Because the general noise level increases during the summer months, it’s helpful to think about how your dog has responded to similar situations in the past so that you can better support them this summer. You can speak to your veterinarian about whether your dog is a candidate for pharmaceutical support, but you can also create a safe space in your home designed to bring your dog a sense of comfort and security when the world outside is simply too loud for them. Dogs may be less tolerant of children or less social in general when frightened, or they may want reassurance specifically from trusted adults. We can expect dogs to need a little more support and compassion when noise causes those stress levels to rise.
Because summer is full of potential triggers, we need to be mindful of trigger stacking and build grace for our dogs into the plans we make for the season. Plans mean predictability, and predictability means comfort for humans and dogs alike. A dog who is still reeling from a disrupted routine may not be in the mood to be pet and fawned over at a backyard party. That same dog may be totally overwhelmed by fireworks going off in the neighborhood and needs time and space to decompress that night, away from where the sleepover is taking place. It’s also important to remember that, like humans, some dogs get grumpy when it’s hot. It’s not a coincidence that we see higher rates of dog bites reported on the hottest and sunniest days of the year. Knowing that each summer day can hold one or multiple potential triggers means you can ensure that you’re providing active, aware adult supervision whenever dogs and children are present, and that your dog gets the rest and decompression time he needs to be his best self. If you’d like to brush up on your Dog Aware skills this season, you can reach out to a Family Paws Parent Educator. With the right education and some planning ahead, you can make sure the summer is special, successful and safe for everyone in your family.
Morgan Jenkins, Family Paws Parent Educator