THE Dogs Trust would like to remind you that summer is here in full force and that means we all have to be careful.

Tips for keeping your canine companion cool and happy when the temperature sky rockets:

  • Keep a water bottle and a drinking bowl with you at all times. Dogs dehydrate very easily.
  • Keep your dog in the shade or indoors at the height of the day
  • Cover any pale skin on your dog's ears, nose or belly with a strong sun block
  • In a real emergency, submerge your dog in cold water to bring down his core body temperature: wet towels aren't enough!
  • Whatever you do, don't leave dogs in cars, even when it's overcast and even with the windows down.

Elenor Silk, Head of Communications Dogs Trust