New canine physiology research reveals a faster, safer way to prevent heatstroke on the trail.
Start training your dog to dip his head by introducing him to a bucket of water. (Photo: AKC)
Published July 9, 2026 01:32 pm
Like humans, dogs are also sensitive to heat. An incident involving an overheated dog can quickly turn fatal. About half of heatstroke cases in dogs are fatal, with hundreds of dogs dying each year in the US.
New research shows that most pet owners are treating their dogs incorrectly for heat stroke. Instead of pouring water over the dog to cool it, the owner should dip the dog’s head in water.
This is because the dog’s head helps cool them, and previous methods of treating heatstroke, such as applying alcohol to a dog’s paws or placing wet towels on their stomach, do not directly address the root cause.
“Dogs cool themselves primarily by panting. When they pant, warm blood rushes to their head to help release heat. Cooling the head, mouth and nose (by immersing the head in water) speeds up this process.” stephanie montgomeryVeterinarian and CEO of AKC Canine Health Foundation told Outside.
Research shows that partially immersing a dog’s head reduces heat stroke.
In 2022, Cynthia OttoThe executive director of the PennVet Working Dog Center at the University of Pennsylvania studied whether partially submerging a dog in water would help treat heatstroke. When compared to other common methods, their research, conducted in collaboration with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, found that the head-dunk method provided the fastest, most sustained reduction in body temperature.
“This technology can be invaluable for dogs who overheat,” Otto explains. Outside.
symptoms of heat stroke This includes persistent heavy panting, weakness, vomiting, or dark brick-red gum color. Experts recommend cooling the dog first and moving them afterward.
How to Train Your Dog to Dip His Head
Start by placing a treat or favorite toy in an empty, clean, clear container and let your dog retrieve it. Then, add enough water to cover the bottom of the container – but no deeper than the fleshy part of the dog’s nose – and place another object or toy in the water for them to fish with. Slowly double the amount of water and repeat, making sure the dog is expelling air through his nose as he dips his head in the water to receive the treat.
If your dog is not expelling air under the water, you can hold the object under the water until he starts doing so, then reward him. Ultimately, you want the dog to submerge his head, past his eyes, in the water to ensure he is cooling down effectively.
But be careful: If your dog is lethargic, seizing, or has collapsed, never attempt a head submersion, as they may not be able to clear their airway from the submersion.
Other tips and tricks to prevent heatstroke
To prevent overheating in the first place, Montgomery recommends keeping your dog hydrated and cool whenever possible.
“Provide adequate amounts of fresh, cool water and provide access to shade, fans or air conditioning if available. Take walks in the morning or evening to avoid the hottest part of the day,” he said.
Leave a dog in a parked car – even if the windows are cracked and the air conditioning is on. If the air conditioning fails the temperature can rise rapidly.
“The most important things for owners to do is to recognize when their dog is overheating, stop the activity and cool your dog down! If there is a pool or body of water, allow the dog to completely submerge; however, if you have limited water, teaching them to submerge their head is a highly effective means of cooling down faster! This is also a fun trick to train, but be sure to train it before your dog needs it,” said Otto.
If a dog is showing signs of heat stroke, take them to a cool, shady or air-conditioned area and cover them with cool, but not ice cold water. If your dog doesn’t know the head-dunk trick, pour cold water on his neck, stomach and armpits. In any case where there is excessive panting, weakness, collapse or vomiting, contact your veterinarian. Symptoms can worsen quickly, and heat stroke is a medical emergency.
While you were here, did you know that you should put bug spray on your dog? Some brands can be deadly to dogs—be sure to read about how to treat your pup safely here.
