During the summer, the children are off school for six weeks, there is often increased activity in the home, the sun is out, children are out playing, temperature is rising, the routine may have changed and some dogs can become overheated, more sensitive and maybe less tolerant than usual... A hot dog can understandably feel quite stressed out.

A recent study by pediatric otolaryngologists from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences analysed 84 cases of dog bites in children.

The study showed that young children are at the greatest risk for dog bites in the summer and 27% of those cases studied involved a family pet dog.

Young children are especially at risk from being bitten due to their size and because they are unable to recognise danger-they don't understand when they are in trouble.

If a dog has been walked through the hottest part of day, allowed to get overexcited and/or overheated in the sun, can’t get cooled down, can’t relax as the garden is full of children all happily playing away and enjoying themselves, it is any surprise really that more people may be bitten during hot weather as some dogs are being left with a lot to cope with?

There will be more children outside during the school holidays and especially when the weather is warm.

During the summer months please don’t forget your dog's needs and act responsibly.

• Don’t let your dog overheat playing and/or get overexcited in the garden, in the home or when outside.

• Always make sure that children and dogs are supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Situations need to be under the watchful eye of an adult and kept under control.

• Children should not be left alone with a dog - putting an older child/teenager 'in charge' is not responsible, adult supervision is essential and that adult must be responsible.

• Always make sure that your dog is under the control of a responsible adult (not a child) when he goes out.

• Don't let your dog enter areas where he is not permitted to be, e.g. inside a fenced playground area specifically for children only.

• Keep your dog cool, calm and relaxed during hot and/or humid weather.

• Provide a safe space where your dog can retreat to and rest undisturbed.

• If you are having a summer BBQ, party, friends over etc, think ahead and plan for your dog's needs during this time.

Just following a few simple tips can help keep everyone happy in the heat and prevent situations from escalating.

Please read our dogs and hot weather advice here.

Please Visit Our Responsible Dog Ownership Section