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Original poster

Are you walking your dog in this heat?

237 replies

weleasewoderick23 · 21/07/2021 11:08

Just that really. My dog is desperate for a walk, but I'm really concerned about the heat. I took him to a river yesterday so he could stay cool, but by the time we got back he had dried off and was panting.
Shall I just keep him in and stick to the hosepipe to keep him cool? He's a Labrador so not a thick shaggy coat.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 21/07/2021 13:51

I took mine for a walk along the prom at our nearest beach this morning at about 11 , it was lovely , nice breeze on the walk and a good blow in the car there and back .

Shapesorted · 21/07/2021 13:52

We haven't neither, our dog needs medication two hours before a walk so rules out even early morning walk. He's also still a puppy so have to be extra careful.

SueSaid · 21/07/2021 13:55

@ArrrMeHearties

Have walked my dog properly about 3x in the last few weeks and I'm not even sorry for it tbh. She's been lounging in the garden or hiding beside the fan. It's too hot for me so it's definitely too hot for her
Even at 7am?
1WayOrAnother2 · 21/07/2021 13:56

We have a 'working' black Lab - who sunbathes at any opportunity. left to his own devices he moves between shade and sunny spots all day. He is a sensation seeker!

We walk him in the woods in the morning (from a shady parking spot) and he knows the location of every dew pool. I hose him before we set off and make sure he is wet/can drink when he wants. We can be out an hour at the moment .

His eve walks are shorter and in shade. It seems hotter at that time of day.

I'm not comfortable in direct sunlight either so shady walks are usual- I'd go by his panting and inclination - and keep away from heated pavements.

FastFood · 21/07/2021 13:57

we go for walks at 6am, and 10pm.
I live in a flat, no garden, so walks are mandatory. We also pop out for 30sec 3 times a day for a quick wee + poop, on top of the walks. He's super used to that since the first lockdown and does what he has to do straight away, no needs to potter and snif around.

And to keep him cool during the day, I shower him with cold water regularly. He has 2 cooling mats but refuses to use them, so I'm the one ending using them for my feet.

SueSaid · 21/07/2021 13:59

'we go for walks at 6am, and 10pm'

This!

I have other commitments on a morning so yes it does mean I need to get up earlier. Walking our dog in a cool breeze at 7am I was amazed I didn't see many other dog owners doing the same.

Be responsible. Set your alarm and get up, they don't want to lie in the hall all day they need a bit of exercise when it isn't too hot and as we don't live in the Middle East it is not 30⁰c at 7am!

MotionActivatedDog · 21/07/2021 14:03

@warmfluffytowels

Only in the morning - as early as possible.

I'm a dog walker and cut all my walks short today - we stuck to the shade, I carried plenty of water and we just did slow, sniffing walks with no running about. All walks past 10.30am were converted to garden breaks and toilet walks only.

It's far, far too hot. I saw someone walk their doodle dog at lunchtime today - the poor thing was panting like mad and was being dragged along the pavement Angry

Please excuse my thread hijack @warmfluffytowels- I’m considering becoming a dog walker and the heat has had me wondering how this would work. So like you- I would plan to finish all walks early on hot days and just do house visits for toilet breaks and play- but do you then lose out on income? Or do you charge the same for a house visit for one dog as you would for the same dog going on a group walk?
EmmaGrundyForPM · 21/07/2021 14:03

Our poodle cross has been clipped short but his coat is still quite heavy. He is so think that he goes and lies on the patio in the full sun if we leave the back door open.

Dh walked him at 7.30 this morning, and I'll walk him after 9pm if it's cooled down enough. If not, we will play some indoor games

altiara · 21/07/2021 14:04

Before 8:30 and either 9 or 10 pm.
Dog usually loves pottering outside, but he can’t take it and spends his time sleeping near the window. Bought him a cooling nat but he scared of it.

MotionActivatedDog · 21/07/2021 14:05

@Floralnomad

I took mine for a walk along the prom at our nearest beach this morning at about 11 , it was lovely , nice breeze on the walk and a good blow in the car there and back .
What about the pavement heat?
Ghosttile · 21/07/2021 14:08

I’ve been up at 5:30 so she can have a good walk with plenty of off lead time and be home by 7am. With a good walk in she’s happy and relaxed and spends the day sleeping in the house. I’m shattered but it’s what she needs.

warmfluffytowels · 21/07/2021 14:11

Hi @MotionActivatedDog - I charge by time so whether the dogs are being walked for an hour or getting an hours' playtime in the garden, the cost is the same :)

I don't really do big group walks - I specialise in household or solo walks (or pairs sometimes) so I don't have to try and fit six dogs into one hour "slot" when it's hot, if that makes sense?

So today I had a walk at 8.45am and another at 9.30 (brought forward from 10am) - we went to the woods and I cut the walk down to 45 minutes but the owners paid me the full hour. My following walk was a solo and I only walked for 30 minutes - again I was paid in full though I always offer a refund or credit towards a future walk - none of my clients accept though lol.

I just factor it into my prices, the same as owners might cancel due to an injury or something - you just have to plan ahead for it really. But owners appreciate me keeping their dogs safe and are more than happy to pay for my time, even if it means the dogs spend most of it having cuddles inside :)

MotionActivatedDog · 21/07/2021 14:12

Thank you for responding @warmfluffytowels! Really helpful.

MonsterMunchConnoisseur · 21/07/2021 14:13

Mine have been getting walked at 10pm at night. Although I did take them to a shaded spot of the local river for a swim at lunchtime.

warmfluffytowels · 21/07/2021 14:18

@MotionActivatedDog

Thank you for responding *@warmfluffytowels*! Really helpful.
You're welcome! It's the best job in the world - good luck! :)
MotionActivatedDog · 21/07/2021 14:23

Thank you! I am very excited at the prospect.

YelloYelloYello · 21/07/2021 14:23

@Floralnomad

I took mine for a walk along the prom at our nearest beach this morning at about 11 , it was lovely , nice breeze on the walk and a good blow in the car there and back .
What about their paws on the pavement though @floralnomad ? Could you stand on it for seven seconds barefoot?
DonnaPruMcCullough · 21/07/2021 14:24

@weleasewoderick23

Just that really. My dog is desperate for a walk, but I'm really concerned about the heat. I took him to a river yesterday so he could stay cool, but by the time we got back he had dried off and was panting. Shall I just keep him in and stick to the hosepipe to keep him cool? He's a Labrador so not a thick shaggy coat.
Beware if the pavement. Too hot for their paws. Stay cool in shady kitchen.
Are you walking your dog in this heat?
Wineat5isfine · 21/07/2021 14:28

6am and 10pm only at the moment - and we only go out at night if the pavement has cooled down significantly. No car journeys either.

Actually had to tell someone at the school gates yesterday to pick her poor puppy up from the pavement - 3pm and boiling! (I did it nicely…)

She didnt seem bothered at all until I told her to put her hand on the pavement…she scooped pup up then. 🤬

Sunshineandflipflops · 21/07/2021 14:41

I don't have a dog but on my early morning runs I have seen a lot of people walking their dogs before it gets too hot. I get home at 7.30am after running 5k dripping with sweat as it is!

I'd definitely try and give them at least 1 walk a day but either very early or late in the evening. Saying that, my brother's border terrier refuses to go for a walk if it's too hot or if it's raining...he is lazy like my brother!

LolaSmiles · 21/07/2021 14:42

Mine are getting walked late evening once it's cooled down.

Floralnomad · 21/07/2021 14:49

@YelloYelloYello absolutely could , the ground didn’t seem that hot and the prom is lined by a grassy bank which he jumps on and off of anyway . He is now pestering to go out again as yesterday we took him in the afternoon when it was like a monsoon here .

0ntheg0again · 21/07/2021 14:58

My one had a funny turn on Friday which I now suspect was some sort of heat stroke, totally my fault for taking him out but there was a breeze and didn't feel that hot! He started lying down on the way home and wouldn't walk but he is too big to carry so we took it slow and eventually got home.

He then started behaving really weirdly, wouldn't settle, panting, running round in circles, very worrying. In the end I got him to drink and put a wet towel on him and he was fine in the end. It was a bit scary though so lately we have only been out very early or late

harriethoyle · 21/07/2021 15:02

Had mine out at 6.30 this morning and then will take them at 9 or so tonight. Other than that they just pop in and out for comfort breaks. Luckily our kitchen is stone floored so nice and cool for them. My old boy, their predecessor, used to love frozen low salt gravy iuce cubes! Must buy some more granules to make them up...

TanyaLoves · 21/07/2021 15:04

Only in the early mornings and late evenings