Dog owners need to take some precautions to keep their canine safe during the dog days of summer. As we head into the warmest months of the year, the American Kennel Club offers the following tips for keeping canines cool.

• Make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water. Bring a collapsible bowl that you can refill at water fountains. Freeze a bottle of water or bring ice cubes in a Tupperware container on long outings.• Walk your dog on the grass or dirt where it is cooler. Asphalt can quickly get hot enough to burn the pads of dogs' paws.• Never leave your dog in a vehicle. When it's only 80 degrees outside, a car can heat up to more than 120 degrees in just minutes, and leaving your windows open does little to prevent heat build-up.• Never tie a dog outside a store while you run errands. If you can't bring your dog inside the store, it's best to leave him home.• Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or evenings, when heat and humidity are less intense.

• Check out the latest canine gear. There are many products on the market designed to give your dog relief from the heat, including cooling vests, fans that clip onto your dog's crate and mats that cool to 20 degrees below room temperature, among others.• Create your own chill zone. Keep your dog cool by placing a wet towel on a concrete or tile floor in front of a fan or air conditioner.• Don't trim or shave your dog's fur. A dog's coat helps regulate body temperature and protects from sunburn.

• Symptoms of heat exhaustion or stroke include: excessive panting, disorientation and obvious paleness or graying to the gums due to a lack of oxygen. If you feel your dog is suffering, act immediately by submerging her in cool water (not ice cold) or by placing ice packs on her neck. Once the dog has been stabilized get her to a vet.