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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be upset my parents walked the dog in this heat?

185 replies

rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:07

My parents are looking after our dog this week whilst we are abroad. They’re not dog owners themselves so I had messaged them a few days ago reminding them to not walk above roughly 20’c with the dog as that’s the rule we go by in summer. I wouldn’t expect them to be able to walk at 7or 8am as they are in their early seventies so presumed they would use common sense and just skip any walks . Checked ring camera for a parcel today and seen they walked our dog at 10.30 in 26’c.
I've called them out on it and they’re acting like I’m being completely over the top and that the dog was fine. AIBU?
The dog is not a risk breed or elderly but I’m upset at the principle of ignoring what I’ve asked.

OP posts:
ScouserSue · 26/05/2026 23:58

Eenameenadeeka · 26/05/2026 22:16

26 isn't that hot, and if your over 70 year old parents were safe to walk im sure the dog is fine. They're doing you a massive favor. If you put your dog in a boarding kennel instead of having your parents help, they'd still be taking the dogs out and it would cost you a lot.

26C is most definitely hot if you’re working a fur coat. If it isn’t that hot, why don’t you wear your winter coat and gloves and a hat - well you won’t because you’d overheat.

IndigoBluey · 26/05/2026 23:58

Dog get exercise and enjoy their walks in far hotter countries than Englandshire. I’m not sure what the issue is if the dog was happy enough to get a walk in. Better than being stuck indoors

YourShyLion · 26/05/2026 23:56

Depending on the breed 20° may well be too hot, it definitely is for my dog.

To walk any dog in 26° is completely negligent. If you've ever seen a dog suffer from heatstroke,it's not something to be forgotten. For those saying 26 isn't that hot etc are crazy and should never be allowed to have an animal!

Ophir · 26/05/2026 23:54

dogproblems1 · 26/05/2026 22:13

YABU this whole hysteria about not walking dogs is ridiculous. Mine loves the sun and stands at the window and whines to be walked

Agreed. It’s totally OTT

Notthisagainyouidiot · 26/05/2026 23:51

I would be annoyed especially as you specifically told them not to walk above a certain temperature.
My furry idiot did not appreciate my concern for his wellbeing today. As I'd walked early he pestered to go in the garden for a wee. Then stood under a bush glaring at me because it was hot and I needed to turn the weather down.
Even more furious is the cat who had been locked out of the conservatory due to it reaching sauna level temperature.

Waitingfordoggo · 26/05/2026 23:44

Neolara · 26/05/2026 22:22

Genuine question - people have dogs in hot countries. What happens if you have a dog in Australia or Kenya or somewhere else that's hot for large parts of the year? Are you suggesting these dogs should never get walked?

We have some friends who live in Southern Spain and their dogs very rarely get walked! Especially between April and Sept. The dogs are outside all the time so I assume the owners feel that is enough activity for them. I think they also go in the swimming pool so they get some exercise there.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 26/05/2026 23:39

We've been walking our dog early morning (7.30-8.30am) and then again from 9-10pm. It's not worth the risk of taking them out in high temperatures.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 26/05/2026 23:38

HalzTangz · 26/05/2026 23:35

It is ridiculous to a degree, dogs in far hotter countries than the UK survive quite easily and I always see dogs out and about in up to 40 degree temperatures.

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Those dogs are acclimatised to that heat from birth. Dogs in the UK are NOT acclimatised to UK heatwave temperatures. Hence why it's very dangerous for them and dogs do die in the UK during heatwaves.

bittertwisted · 26/05/2026 23:36

Sixpence39 · 26/05/2026 22:21

26 is very very hot when you've got a fur coat and walking bare foot on tarmac! Between 24 and 28 is very high risk of heat stroke and 28+ is extremely dangerous.

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And dogs don’t sweat
I hate not taking mine, it feels so cruel
but I was advised for a large hairy breed 24 is cut off

HalzTangz · 26/05/2026 23:35

rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:15

Even when it’s someone else’s dog?
as my own dog yes I can decide. But if I was looking after someone else’s dog who is not experienced with dogs and they’d asked me not to walk in the heat and then I did, is that just rude?

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It is ridiculous to a degree, dogs in far hotter countries than the UK survive quite easily and I always see dogs out and about in up to 40 degree temperatures.

bittertwisted · 26/05/2026 23:32

i felt really cruel not walking mine today because she loves her walks and she is large, high energy, needs stimulation

but I didn’t, it was 31 here at 5, it’s too hot

BIossomtoes · 26/05/2026 23:30

They’re saving you around £20 a day in kennel fees and the dog is fine. I doubt very much they’ll ever dog sit again after this. Ours went out at 8am and it was over 26 degrees here, then they lay in the sun all morning.

TessSaysYes · 26/05/2026 23:27

My first reaction is your trolling them. Right? 😭🤣

SlenderRations · 26/05/2026 23:26

20 degrees seems a v low bar unless it’s Newfoundland or some such

justasking111 · 26/05/2026 23:24

Ours are just going to the beach and swimming this week. They flop out the rest of the day indoors mostly.

blueredpurple · 26/05/2026 23:22

There is a lot of hysteria at the moment about walking dogs in the heatwave. It seems to be the latest bandwagon to jump on and give owners shit about. Some People seem to just see a dog outside and lose their minds.

Every dog/breed/health/tolerance is different. And it depends on the area, shade, temperature, how long etc…

obviously hours and hours walking in glaring sun is irresponsible, cruel and stupid. But a quick 5 minutes round the block? Isn’t going to kill a dog.

Ive seen people booting off on the local community group today about so called irresponsible owners walking their dogs in the heat.
Said owners clapped back in the comments as they recognised the description as themselves.
Turns out they live in an apartment and have no outdoor space for the dog to do its business so had to simply pop out for a few 5 minute brisk walks to burn some energy and let the dog shit! Stupid nosy cunts.

So I guess what I am saying is your parents have done a kind thing for you and obviously made the call to walk the dog as they felt it was safe.

WildLeader · 26/05/2026 23:19

rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 23:06

No course not! It’s my parents! They enjoy it

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Not anymore they won’t!

SabrinaThwaite · 26/05/2026 23:16

rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:53

they are retired and generally get up at 9am, I would feel cheeky asking them to get up what is considered very very early for them (it’s not early personally for me)

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i know that this UK heatwave was a bit unexpected, but if you thought your parents weren’t up to dealing with anything out of the ordinary then I’d be booking a dog sitter or kennels.

OneNewEagle · 26/05/2026 23:09

YABU as you went on holiday without your dog.

Copperoliverbear · 26/05/2026 23:07

Yes you are right.

Original poster
rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 23:06

TotalBaloney · 26/05/2026 23:01

You didn’t feel cheeky asking them to look after your dog instead of paying someone to do it though?

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No course not! It’s my parents! They enjoy it

OP posts:
Secretseverywhere · 26/05/2026 23:02

I think it’s very dog dependent. I took my dog down to the river for a paddle and I went for one whilst she wanted to spread out in the sun. I had to lure her in with chicken. Big fan of sunbathing on conservatory windowsill too and of rolling in the snow. Basically she likes any extreme weather spart from pissing rain.

TotalBaloney · 26/05/2026 23:01

rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:53

they are retired and generally get up at 9am, I would feel cheeky asking them to get up what is considered very very early for them (it’s not early personally for me)

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You didn’t feel cheeky asking them to look after your dog instead of paying someone to do it though?

Notmyreality · 26/05/2026 22:59

rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:20

is it not the principle though? , that I’ve asked them not to walk on this particular day as it looked very warm and they went and walked anyway. I would say it’s too hot personally.

Either trust them to make adult decisions or don’t.

Notmyreality · 26/05/2026 22:57

To say anything above 20deg is hot is frankly fucking ridiculous. 26deg is perfectly fine as long as the dog (and human) are hydrated.