Top5: Summer Dog Musts

Life Jacket

GR’s are natural swimmers. They are also dumb as rocks! As good a swimmer as you think your dog might be they may also get themselves in situations where they can’t sustain the momentum. We took Raylan to the cottage a few weeks ago and he FELL off the dock, y’all. Luckily, he has a lifejacket for such occasions because it just gives us that extra peace of mind when he’s going into deep water.

Mud Buster

If you’ve ever met a Golden Retriever you already know that they can’t ignore a mud puddle. They will find it. They will exploit it. Spring is an actual nightmare! Let me tell you the relief I felt the first time I tried this paw washer and it actually worked. It’s so easy and it comes apart for easy cleaning. I was worried it might be a bit gimmicky but, honestly, I wish I’d purchased it earlier.

Paw Butter

Walking on hot cement is a real danger, but we have been lucky to live in neighbourhoods with a grass strip on the outer-side of the sidewalk. That is where we’ve trained Raylan to walk. He has been on a lot of different terrain though. That being said, no (hilarious) doggy shoes means his paws can get dry. We use a nice paw butter to keep them soft and healthy, although he usually tries to lick it off…ugh.

G would like nothing more than to get him shoes though. We’ll see!

We use the *Buck Naked Soap Company’s Daily Paw Butter

Seat Belt

We love a good Summer adventure and when we have to move for my husband’s job, that usually entails a Summer road trip. It’s so important that our dog is safe and secure on car rides, especially with our kids in the car. He can’t be jumping on them trying to see out the windows, scratching up the car, or becoming a projectile in the off-chance (knock on wood) we are ever in an accident. We purchased him a seatbelt while he was still a puppy so he’s never known another way to ride. Safe and secure just like everyone else in the car!

(Remember, it can only be clipped to a harness, NEVER a collar!)

We use *Rocky Mountain Dog’s Carsafe Dog Seatbelt Carabiner Restraint

Frozen Fruit

Although moderation is important here, frozen fruits are a great way to keep your buddy cool and hydrated on a warm Summer day. Frozen watermelon chunks are a Raylan fave!