Dog Day Afternoons

This is the season of parks, picnics and parades and the best time of year to get your dog to drag you down to one of the years long awaited canine affairs.

Dog shows are a great way to socialise your best friend with other breeds and whilst your dog has a field day sniffing around you can pamper your pooch and indulge in some pet shopping.

If you are feeling confident enough you can even try your four paws at one of the many pet talent competitions which seem to be the craze of the moment.

And if your dog can’t dance then you can always opt for the waggiest tail or best looking mutt competitions. There are also lots of demos to watch so you might just discover a new sport for your best friend.

The summer is lined up with dogtastic days out for you and your mutt.

Next Tuesday The Macmillan Trust is holding a Dog Day in Chelsea to raise money for the charity. You might even catch a glimpse of some dog owning celebrities.

If you are looking at a weekend event, The Cold Wet Nose Show in Guildford is taking place on 12 July and is jammed with training sessions and canine entertainment.

On 2 August you can descend upon The Wag and Bone show in Windsor Great Park. Here you can visit the Pooch and Mutt stand and rub shoulders and paws with Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Kate and Gin!

And if you miss the earlier ones then you can always catch the last show of the summer, Paws in the Park which takes place on 13 September in Kent. Another popular dog show equally packed with agility shows and trade stands to get your paws onto.

However, before you venture out to enjoy some quality time with your pooch this summer here are a few tips for you so you don’t end up dogged out:

• If you travel to any of these events by public transport try avoiding rush hour times to give your pet a more relaxing journey.

• If you have a small dog and want to be extra cautious when you travel by car then invest in a dog car seat.

• If you are planning on making quite a few trips this summer use a natural dog supplement that will help them cope with stress and any digestive problems.

• Once you are at an event make sure you keep your dog’s lead on at all times (this is a standard requirement anyway).

• Avoid staying in the sun between 12 and 3pm during the day and if you are spending most of the day outside then make sure you find some shade for your pooch or apply pet sun screen to sensitive areas.

• Most importantly, don’t forget to bring some fresh water with you. You can buy portable dog water bottles at many pet stores and camping shops.