Voluntary head dunking after exercise-induced hyperthermia rapidly reduces core body temperature in dogs.

"Cool first, transport second" reduces morbidity and mortality of acute heat injury. When whole-body water immersion is not an option, the trained voluntary head dunk in mentally appropriate dogs prevents postexercise rise and rapidly reduces core body temperature within the first 5 minutes. Alternatively, allowing the dog to drink controlled amounts of cool water and pouring water on the dog's head may provide some benefit but warrants further study.