Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU dog question !?

31 replies

dogquestion · 13/06/2023 12:26

Hi,

i have a golden retriever who is struggling a bit with this heat (currently 26 degrees) it is obviously far too hot for her to go out walking so we have been walking when it’s cooled down enough for her (usually at 11 at night and 5 in the morning etc). She is spending the day sleeping and plodding around the garden. I got a paddling pool for her but she clearly finds it boring!

But I was wondering- would it be ok to take her to the beach in this weather? I would drive her there with the ac on and park right beside it and it’s a stones throw to the sea. She absolutely ADORES the water so I know she’ll spend the entire time swimming and rolling about in it and I’m thinking it might cool her down a bit as the water is freezing lol. We wouldn’t be walking about in the heat, she would just be playing in the water the entire time. I also put dog suncream on her too.

but just wondering would it still be too hot for that? Paranoid about heatstroke given that she’s a large long haired double coated breed. But I know how much she loves the water and it would make her day to take her if it is safe to do so. But would it be safe or too risky? And would other people look at me and judge me for being irresponsible taking a dog out in this heat?

TIA x

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Murdoch1949 · 14/06/2023 02:20

The only way to do this is to get to the beach VERY EARLY, then leave before 10 am.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/06/2023 13:36

ilovemydogmore · 13/06/2023 13:26

I've been told that getting dogs wet in the heat is a bad idea as the water gets trapped between the fur and skin, heats up, and makes them even hotter. E.g. never hose down a hot dog. Perhaps if you're ready with towels and straight into a cool car?

The problem with water is that in full sun, it heats up really quickly - so if you're going to use it to keep your dog cool (which is fine) you need to keep them indoors or in a cool, shaded area so the water doesn't just immediately evaporate.

Taking a dog swimming in hot weather isn't in itself a danger, you just need to be sensible.

PinkFootstool · 13/06/2023 13:32

You'd be nuts at this time of day. The sand will be burning her paws and she'll still be in full sunshine!

Take her later in the day when the sun isn't as high and you can comfortably walk on the sand in bare feet.

ilovemydogmore · 13/06/2023 13:26

I've been told that getting dogs wet in the heat is a bad idea as the water gets trapped between the fur and skin, heats up, and makes them even hotter. E.g. never hose down a hot dog. Perhaps if you're ready with towels and straight into a cool car?

bibbityboppityboo · 13/06/2023 13:23

As PP said I wouldn't - could you invest in a splash pad? I bought one for my mums dog and he loves it! It's like a large plastic pad with a rind around that ends up spraying the water about so it's a bit more interactive than a pool smile

MooMooSharoo · 13/06/2023 13:21

My DM's Goldie quite enjoyed having a wet towel over her, when she stopped trying to chew it or hump it! She also loves trying to catch the water from a water pistol in the shade.

Otherwise take her to the beach either first thing or last thing. First thing perhaps if it means she won't be quite so over excited all day long!

FlamingoQueen · 13/06/2023 13:09

I take my dog to the beach, but we’d be home by about 10am (45 min journey home). The sand can actually get really hot which I would worry about. Or go in the evening.

2bazookas · 13/06/2023 13:09

I'd keep her at home in the shade, let her lie in the paddling pool if she wishes or damp her down. In hot weather ours prefers to lie on a cold indoor floor (not carpet, and not in his usual cosy bed.) We're walking him the the cool of early morning and evening and keep him indoors (much cooler than garden) from 10 am to late afternoon.

Springbuds38 · 13/06/2023 12:54

Swimming will still raise her heart rate. A cool pond/lake in shaded woods would be better idea, although still stick to cooler times of day.
Louise Glazebrook did a good insta post on ways to keep dogs entertained and safe in the heat.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/06/2023 12:52

dogquestion · 13/06/2023 12:49

She has a paddling pool but she’s always found it thoroughly boring- no matter what toys, treats, etc. And she won’t go near her cool mat, again, she’s never been interested in it lol. I think she loves the openness of the sea and swimming underwater etc!

Show quote history

I think that's part of the problem iyswim - she loves the beach so she'll just want to zoom around and play - so while she might be in the cool water, she'll still be running about in the midday sun which is where the danger comes in :)

Definitely wait until tonight.

Saucery · 13/06/2023 12:52

Will she dive for toys in the paddling pool @dogquestion ? Or schmacko type treats sink to the bottom, I discovered yesterday. Dog did some amazing snorkeling trying to fish them out Grin ‘Which plant pot is the treat under?’ is also a firm favourite. I’m aiming to keep her mind busy rather than her muscles during the day. She’s not best pleased she’s not allowed to embrace her Inner Galumph on the early morning walk, but 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
dogquestion · 13/06/2023 12:49

Galumphing is a brilliant word and describes her perfectly lol!

OP posts:
Original poster
dogquestion · 13/06/2023 12:49

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/06/2023 12:33

Definitely not - if she's already struggling then it's too hot.

Please don't risk it. Get a paddling pool for the garden or use a cool mat instead.

She has a paddling pool but she’s always found it thoroughly boring- no matter what toys, treats, etc. And she won’t go near her cool mat, again, she’s never been interested in it lol. I think she loves the openness of the sea and swimming underwater etc!

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 13/06/2023 12:47

dogquestion · 13/06/2023 12:47

Ok that’s fine I’ll leave it. I don’t want to do anything that risks her being too hot.

she’s got shaded areas and a paddling pool in the garden but she doesn’t really like the pool, she has always found it boring. She’s a different dog at the beach and it’s like her happy place- I know she doesn’t ‘need it’ but I thought it might cheer her up a bit but I’m absolutely not going to risk her being too hot.

there is some woods near us but the car park is a decent walk from the water and shaded areas so she’ll be too hot getting there.

we will just have to spend today chilling in the garden and will go for a late night trip to the beach when it’s cooler tonight. Thanks all!

Enjoy your evening galumphing

mrssilky · 13/06/2023 12:47

thankyou all for the word galumphing! :)

Original poster
dogquestion · 13/06/2023 12:47

Ok that’s fine I’ll leave it. I don’t want to do anything that risks her being too hot.

she’s got shaded areas and a paddling pool in the garden but she doesn’t really like the pool, she has always found it boring. She’s a different dog at the beach and it’s like her happy place- I know she doesn’t ‘need it’ but I thought it might cheer her up a bit but I’m absolutely not going to risk her being too hot.

there is some woods near us but the car park is a decent walk from the water and shaded areas so she’ll be too hot getting there.

we will just have to spend today chilling in the garden and will go for a late night trip to the beach when it’s cooler tonight. Thanks all!

OP posts:
SirenSays · 13/06/2023 12:46

I'd take her to the beach when the temp drops

BreviloquentBastard · 13/06/2023 12:42

My dogs are all wearing cold wet T-shirts, slumped on the lawn like dead bumblebees. I can't imagine even trying to get them up to go for a walk and they all love paddling, I'd say it's too hot for galumphing about as a pp said. Do everything you can to keep her cool and just let her loaf.

123becauseicouldntthinkofone · 13/06/2023 12:39

Personally I wouldnt take my dog on sand, do you have a forest with a stream nearby that you can drive to so they would be in shade and playing in water?

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/06/2023 12:38

To add, I'm a dog walker and I didn't walk any dog past 10.30am today and even then it was only for those who won't toilet in the garden.

27 degrees is heatstroke territory for most dogs - yes, many will be fine but some won't and personally it's not a risk I would take with any dog.

She doesn't need to go to the beach, she needs to stay safe and cool. There are lots of ways to cool a dog down that don't involve them being out in the midday sun at the beach.

Saucery · 13/06/2023 12:37

Swimming and galumphing about will make her warmer, so I wouldn’t. I say that as the owner of a very enthusiastic Swimmer and Galumpher!

Balloonhearts · 13/06/2023 12:36

I'd take her. If I can walk barefoot on the sand then it's fine for her too. As long as she can get in the shade if she wants to and has fresh drinking water, I'd go.

Hoppinggreen · 13/06/2023 12:34

We have a GR who loves water but they are very hairy so he’s on house arrest between 8-8 at the moment.
My concern would be the hot sand, a lake or similar might be better

AliceInTheMoon · 13/06/2023 12:34

I'd avoid the beach in those temperatures, are there any very shades woods near you? We have a river and very shady woods which stay cool.

grimmers44 · 13/06/2023 12:33

Yes I would, as long as she's in the water and not hanging around on the beach in the sun for long. My current dog doesn't like the water which is limiting our options!

Swipe left for the next trending thread