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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:
Original poster
rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:53

SabrinaThwaite · 26/05/2026 22:35

Why do you think someone in their early 70s couldn’t walk a dog at 8am? Are they infirm or live some distance away?

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)

OP posts:
EnglishRain · 26/05/2026 22:40

YANBU and gave them clear instructions by the sounds of it.

I have golden retrievers and if it’s above 22 they don’t go out. Our regular walk includes a swim so 22 is OK but pushing it for them in my opinion. Skipping a walk won’t kill them.

TotalBaloney · 26/05/2026 22:39

What was your reason for asking your parents to look after your dog rather than paying a reputable dog expert?

Ablondiebutagoody · 26/05/2026 22:39

What ill-effects did the dog suffer?

Theraininspainishere · 26/05/2026 22:36

If you feel your parents are that clueless about dogs you shouldn’t have entrusted your dog to them.

SabrinaThwaite · 26/05/2026 22:35

Why do you think someone in their early 70s couldn’t walk a dog at 8am? Are they infirm or live some distance away?

FoxHedgehogBadger · 26/05/2026 22:34

You’re going to get two sorts of responses to your post OP.
You’ll get the “Don’t be ridiculous, a heatwave isn’t hot, my dog enjoys a daily sauna, we live next to a river” responses from some.
And you’ll get the “Yes they were unreasonable, today was a heatwave, your dog should not have gone out” responses.
One group will never agree with the other!

My dog cannot handle anything above 22/23 degrees and is fine to not have a walk all day, so we stayed in the cool house and she popped out the door a few times during the day for the toilet.

You know your dog, you know their limit, you asked your parents not to take the dog out. It’s going to be hot tomorrow too. Call them and give clear instructions for the dog.

CypressGrove · 26/05/2026 22:33

Well if you are upset at them for ignoring your instructions you can fire them from their dog walking duties and hire someone else to do it.

Sometimeswinning · 26/05/2026 22:32

Is your dog hurt? Why have you left your dog home alone? Why not use a kennels?

Im guessing the answer is no, easier and cheaper. That’s on you.

rwalker · 26/05/2026 22:31

Problem is you left your dog with a non Dog person

all done with good intentions but they got it wrong

what’s done is done
don’t leave your dog dog with them again I suspect they won’t offer again anyway

Lucinda7 · 26/05/2026 22:29

In hot weather I walked my dogs after 6. They can't cool down by sweating as we do. I agree with you OP.

Dunnocantthinkofone · 26/05/2026 22:28

If you can’t trust them to follow your (sensible) heat rules and they are not experienced enough with dogs to apply common sense, I think you need to find other care for your dog when away

GardenTable · 26/05/2026 22:28

This is why we always went on holidays our dog could come on too.

QueenOfHiraeth · 26/05/2026 22:27

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.

It's a similar principle as the one applying to parents who complain when parents provide free childcare. If you don't like it, pay for an alternative.
I would say YABVU and, if I was one of your parents, you wouldn't be getting your dog looked after again

Original poster
rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:26

DisforDarkChocolate · 26/05/2026 22:23

Can I ask how they go a day without walking a dog? How does that work when dogs need to poop?

dog will go in garden on grass happily to wee/poop, dog didn’t need an exercise walk

OP posts:
Greenknightsuccess · 26/05/2026 22:25

PancakeCloud · 26/05/2026 22:15

YABU. You’re being OTT.

This. The dog was fine.

Original poster
rollinginthedeepsea · 26/05/2026 22:25

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?

The dogs are used to it, from a young age.
if we from the uk and go to a hot country we are not used to it whereas locals are

OP posts:
DisforDarkChocolate · 26/05/2026 22:23

Can I ask how they go a day without walking a dog? How does that work when dogs need to poop?

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?

SummerVibes03 · 26/05/2026 22:22

Yanbu from me. It is your dog and it is reasonable to expect that they would respect what you’ve asked for when it comes to how the dog should be cared for. I have a dog too and would not like it if my partner or mum did otherwise than asked. This has to do with your ideas about the dog’s safety.

Jan24680 · 26/05/2026 22:21

Poor dog. I bet they were not walking bare foot down the pavement. It always amazes me how many people take their dogs out in really hot weather.

Sixpence39 · 26/05/2026 22:21

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.

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.

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

OP posts:
icannotlivelaughloveintheseconditions · 26/05/2026 22:18

I’d be annoyed we will do 22 if say or just a quick walk but 26 degrees is way too hot

DisforDarkChocolate · 26/05/2026 22:18

I got told off by a binman today for popping the dog out to a shady green for wee in the early afternoon. Not sure what the alternative was when she's doesn't wee or poop in the garden!