Most dog owners adore their pooches, and if possible, we’d want to take them with us everywhere we go: to the beach, the mall, or to the park, especially now that summer’s here. But what we might not know is that it might actually be better if we leave our beloved pet at home when the sun’s extra hot outside.

A dog left in a car may collapse from heatstroke in just a few minutes, and leaving the windows open and parking in the shade won’t really help prevent your pooch from becoming dehydrated. Dogs can only cool themselves down by panting and by sweating through their paws, and breathing hot air can only make matters worse. Shiella Lloren, a volunteer for Save the Laguna Pit Bulls, shares how you can help your pooch keep his cool in the summer heat.

(Photo by Duncan Rawlinson via Flickr Creative Commons)