--- title: How Do You Keep Dogs Cool in Summer? | Happy Paws Kennels url: https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-do-you-keep-dogs-cool-in-summer/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/) - How do you keep dogs cool in summer? # How do you keep dogs cool in summer? Every Happy Paws run has an air-conditioned indoor section, and each dog uses a doggie door to choose between the cool inside and the outdoor space. Summer is hot here, with an average July high near 97 degrees Fahrenheit at the Vacaville weather station about eight miles away. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) Dixon summers are the main reason owners ask about cooling, so the numbers come first and then the setup. ## How hot it gets NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Vacaville list an average July high of 97.3 F, with about 27 days a month at 90 F or above in July and about 10 days at 100 F or above. August is close behind at 96.5 F. Those are 30-year averages, not forecasts, and the kennel's own spot will differ a little, because the weather station is about eight miles away. ## What the building does The indoor and outdoor runs are heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer. The 2022 kennel building has an HVAC system and 25 doggie doors along each side, so a dog can walk from the outdoor run into a cooled indoor space whenever it likes. Kuranda raised beds keep dogs off the floor, and blankets are provided. Walks are included in the nightly rate. ## At drop-off and pick-up Keep the car's air conditioning running while you wait to check in, and leave your dog in the vehicle until staff come out. Staff carry belongings and walk your dog in, and on hot pavement they may scoop up a small dog and hurry. Pavement can be much hotter than the air, so the [hot pavement guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) is worth a read. ## What owners can do Tell the staff about thick double coats, short-nosed breeds or older dogs when you book, because those dogs feel heat sooner. Your dog's records must be current for the whole stay. The [heat guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) and [heat stroke guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) explain the signs to watch for at home. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, Vacaville](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/USC00049200.csv) - [Happy Paws Kennels facility tour page](https://happypawskennels.com/touring-the-facility/) - [Happy Paws Kennels construction updates](https://happypawskennels.com/construction-updates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Are the runs heated and air-conditioned?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/are-the-runs-heated-and-air-conditioned/) - [Dixon heat & cold by month for dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/data/dixon-heat-and-cold-for-dogs/) - [How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) - [Heat stroke in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) - [Hot pavement and paws](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) - [Summer vacation boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/summer-vacation/) - [FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/) ## Read next - [What safety features does the kennel building have?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/what-safety-features-does-the-kennel-building-have/) - [Can I see where my cat will stay?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/can-i-see-where-my-cat-will-stay/) - [What if a toy gets lost or damaged?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/what-if-a-toy-gets-lost-or-damaged/) - [Do you accept all breeds?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/do-you-accept-all-breeds/) - [What is included in the nightly rate?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/what-is-included-in-the-nightly-rate/) - [How much does it cost to board a dog over Christmas?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-board-a-dog-over-christmas/) - [How much does it cost to board a large dog?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-board-a-large-dog/) - [How much does it cost to board a small dog?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-much-does-it-cost-to-board-a-small-dog/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Can my dog stay outside all day? Each dog chooses. The doggie door lets the dog move between the air-conditioned inside and the outdoor run. ### Is the cattery cooled too? Yes. The kennel and the cattery are temperature controlled.