Moving from PA to Phoenix -- Need desert living tips/advice for our snow-loving doodle!

[Bonne Bouche]

My husband and I (and Bonne Bouche) were born and raised in Pennsylvania. Right now, we are renting a beautiful cottage-like home on 6 acres of wooded property. While I never loved the winters here, my husband and beloved Bonne Bouche ADORE the cold and snowy winters. However, I have finally obtained the job I've been preparing for my entire career, and we will be relocating to Phoenix, Arizona this summer. Of the thousands of things I could/should be worried about, the only ones that are really making me nervous are ones that center around BB. So while I've been on a DK hiatus, I really need tips and advice (and moral support) about moving to the desert with my doodle. 

First, like so many people moving to the southwest, I'm terribly afraid of BB being bitten by a rattlesnake. I have already worked with my vet who will be vaccinating BB at our annual appointment next week for rattlesnake (anti?)venom. We also will be doing a rattlesnake aversion class (referrals welcome!). BB is such a curious and playful dog, I do worry he'll try to "play" with a rattlesnake... We are very outdoorsy people, so we'll be doing lots of hikes, and with these two precautions, I feel mostly at ease with this. Scorpions on the other hand... I worry about BB getting stung. Also, I am terribly frightened about the Lepto breakout and Valley Fever, which are not presently issues where we are now. Though, in reality, we pull ticks off BB nearly daily and he has had Lymes (without issue), so I wonder if this is just me being worried about the unfamiliar. What realistic precautions do we need to take (bringing our own water, wiping paws after going out, etc)?

Second, most of the yards in the houses we're looking at have gravel instead of grass. Can you still play fetch/frisbee with a gravel yard? Does it bother their paws? Does it get too hot? If we get a place with a pool, can we convert it to a salt-water pool so he can swim in it (he LOOOOVES swimming!)? 

The AZ doodles page isn't the most active group here, but I'm going to join it and follow along in the next few months. Please friend or PM me if your a local DKer in the NW Phoneix area! 

In short, I welcome any tips for desert living with a doodle. Thanks in advance!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1D6gXfswOMyjoNkpUo1CL4-gKGiZfqWDYpw

[Amy and Annabelle]

I lived in Colorado for over 30 years and rattlesnakes were an issue. One time we saw a rattlesnake on a hiking trail and our Golden Retriever scared it off. It was scary, I thought it was going to bite my 90lb dog. There is no way either of us could carry him down a mountain. Luckily it just slithered away. I hate snakes, even ones that aren't venomous.

Maybe get BB some hiking boots. We have some for Annabelle so her pads don't get burned on the hot pavement when go for walks. I would imagine that AZ will be a lot hotter than here in MI. We have a walkout basement and have gravel under the deck. If it is a scorcher of day, those rocks will be hot even though they are shaded somewhat by the deck. We finally put up a pergola to add in some more shade. We also have a kiddie pool for her to go cool off in. Last summer she practically lived in it. Last summer was a hot one. 

Congratulation on your dream job.

[Bonne Bouche]

Thank you! Great idea on the hiking boots, too! What kind/brand of boots do you have? 

[Amy and Annabelle]

I have the Ruffwear Summit Trex. That is the brand my favorite local pet store sells, and they helped my fit her to the right size.