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With record temperatures around the country, it is important to keep your dogs in mind when it comes to keeping cool. Here are Cesar's Top 10 Tips for beating the summer heat!

1.) Exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night.

Since these are the cooler parts of the day, this will make the walk more comfortable for both you and your dog. I'm a believer in vigorous exercise for healthy dogs, but this is the time of year to back off on exercise intensity.

2.) Use doggie boots.

You can find these at your local pet supply store. If you can't walk your dog during the early and later hours of the day, this is a good way of protecting him. Heat rises from the ground, especially on surfaces like cement and asphalt, and dogs absorb and release heat through their feet. Just like boots prevent the dog from absorbing the cold in the winter, they also isolate heat.

3.) Watch for signs of dehydration.

Dogs can't sweat. They cool off by panting, so an overheated dog will drool excessively. It will become lethargic, its eyes will be bloodshot, and it may appear a little pale. If you lift its skin, it will take longer than usual for the skin to fall back into place.

4.) Keep your dog hydrated!

Different dogs have different needs when battling the heat. Keep in mind that darker coats absorb more heat than lighter coats. Also, overweight dogs are at higher risk for dehydration. Carry a bottle of water when going on a walk with your dog. Better yet have your dog carry it for you in a backpack or a vest! The water in the bottles will keep the dog cooler and also give the dog a sense of purpose.

5.) Find innovative ways to cool your dog.

Don't have air conditioning? No problem! Find a spot in the shade and set up a kiddie pool. Lay down a wet towel for your dog to lie on. Or simply set up a fan in front of a pan of ice. At the Dog Psychology Center, we have sprinklers that spray the dogs with a gentle mist of water.

6.) Dogs cool from the bottom up.

Make sure to spray the paws and stomach, not just the top of the dog, when spraying it with water. A wet towel does more good on the bottom of your dog than when laid on the top of its coat.

7.) Let your dog dig!

Your dog may resort to finding his own way to avoid the heat. Dog in nature dig their dens not out of frustration but to find food, hide, give birth--or keep cool! If it's possible, locate a shady area where it's okay for your dog to dig.

8.) Let your dog check the weather.

Dogs don't have the Weather Channel, so they don't know why they are being denied a long walk for the day. Allow your dog to step outside and feel for itself that it is too hot, too wet, or too cold to go on a long walk. Instinctually, the dog will understand that it has to shorten its walk, or simply come back inside where it's safe.

9.) Never leave your dog in a parked car.

The car retains more heat than an open area, even if it is in the shade. Plus, a dog may get overexcited in the car due to passersby or panic from claustrophobia, making dehydration more likely. On longer trips, make sure you have water for the dog and keep the AC running.

10.) Use hot weather as an excuse to swim more often!

The best activity you can do in summertime or hot weather is swimming. Instead of walking the dog, take the dog on a swim! If you hold on and allow your dog to take you around the pool, it becomes a powerful bonding experience for the two of you, similar to the walk.

Officially it is best to wait until your new puppy is 8 weeks old, and can leave their mother before you consider getting them groomed. Once the puppy has been introduced to its new home and has established relations with the new owner they can think about getting the puppy groomed. That Groom Room recommends starting at 12 weeks of age. The very first grooming appointment is an introduction to the puppy and the owner to the world of grooming.

The puppy with being introduced to a bath, blow drying, nail clipping, and slight trimming. We do not recommend having a puppy be given a full hair cut the first time being groomed. The reason behind this is you are forcing the puppy to stand still and be handled for 1.5 hours. This is a lot to ask of a puppy. It would be like asking a one-year-old child to sit without moving, going to the bathroom, or play with any toys for 45 minutes. That is why we only do the basics for puppies first groom. We bathe them, slowly dry them, trim the nails, trim the fur from around their eyes, pads, and around the sanitary area. This is about all they can handle. The puppy will be introduced to having scissors around the face, having to hold still while the pads on their feet are trimmed.

Depending on how the puppy reacts to the first grooming we may recommend doing this type of trimming one more time before the full haircut. The more comfortable the puppy becomes with being handled by the groomer and being on a table, and in the tub the better the puppy will become as they grow up.

1. Choose a good veterinarian and cat sitter.

One of the first things you’ll have to do is find a great veterinarian for your cat, preferably nearby. Ask your cat-owning friends for their local vet recommendations or check vet directory sites like BringFido. During your cat’s first check-up, be sure to ask if your vet notices anything about your cat’s health that you should be aware of.

Line up a local, loving pet sitter to watch your kitty while you’re away. You can also find an experienced cat sitter to do quick drop-in visits with your new pet, which is especially helpful when you work long hours. Pro tip: many of the sitters on Rover also sit cats.

2. Get your cat’s room ready.

The best way to help your new cat adjust nicely to your home is for him to get settled into a designated spot. This room or enclosed area should contain his litterbox, bed, food, and toys.

Cats typically need time to warm up to new people and environments so having a space set aside for your new feline family member is important, especially if you have other pets or children in your household.

3. Remember: it’s okay if your cat hides from you.

It’s normal for a cat to hide under the bed and disappear for long periods of time. If this is the case, sit by your cat and wait for him to approach you. If he doesn’t, try again later.

Make sure to leave food and water out for your cat, and if it seems like he’s not eating for a few days, contact your veterinarian for advice.

4. Be prepared to groom your cat constantly.

You’re going to start seeing cat hair everywhere. All cats need grooming to some extent, so invest in reliable grooming tools because you’ll find yourself using them on your kitty every week.

5. Socialize with your cat often.

A lot of people think that cats are antisocial, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t need playtime. Hang out with your cat everyday, and let him get used to different social situations and environments.

If you bring home a kitten, this is especially important since 2-12 weeks of age is considered the prime socialization period.

6. Clean out their litter box everyday.

Litter boxes are convenient, but they can get messy if you don’t clean them out. A simple daily spot cleaning will do the trick and many litter formulas make it easy to scoop and flush any waste down the toilet.

Your cat will love you for give him a nice clean place he relieve himself and you’ll appreciate not having to smell the clutter he leaves behind.

7. Invest in a scratching post.

Your furniture, drapery, and carpet will thank you for it. Cats need an outlet for their scratching urges, so it’s smart to provide a scratching post. It’s also a great way for cats to exercise and get their daily stretches in.

8. Know the ingredients in your cat’s food.

Before being enticed to buy the cat food featured in adorable commercials, take a moment to read the ingredients list. Many of these massive consumer branded cat foods include preservatives, like BHT, BHA, and ethoxyquin, and filler ingredients, like meat by-products, meat meal, and cornmeal.

Keep an eye out for food approved by the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and talk to your veterinarian about what brands of food are best for your cat’s nutritional needs.

9. Remember, you can train your cat.

Positive reinforcement is the ideal way to train your cat, and you’d be surprised to find how much they can learn! Don’t punish them for bad behavior, instead, reward them for behavior that you want to encourage.

If your cat seems stressed and he’s acting out for no reason, visit your veterinarian to make sure nothing is wrong medically.

10. Get your cat some fun toys.

Cats love playing with toys! From little felt mice to balls with tiny bells on them, there are plenty of toys out there that are great excuses for you to hang out with your cat. They’ll enjoy it just as much you will.