Are you walking your dog in this heat?

[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.

'Where do you all live, that it’s too hot even at 7am?'

I'm gathering the cba dog owners haven't considered changing their routines. So, If it's 28⁰c at 1pm then that's it, no walkies! despite it being like this for days nope no chance of a 7am walk for some poor dogs, they have the fun of a 'brain game' instead..

@johnstownflood, the dogs do adjust. I have three rescue dogs, one as it happens a Frenchie, and she spent the first 3.5 years of her life living outside at a puppy mill 24/7. She does amazingly well in the heat, but she has a slightly longer snout and back and is more like the bulldogs of old, so perhaps that’s why.

Still, even when it’s 90 here, she wants to go outside and sunbathe on the patio.

We have a/c throughout our house, which helps massively. Back from a walk by 8.30am and my dogs love to rest by the vents for a bit. As do I, when the humidity is awful!

Mine is even to hot to bound up to strangers and knock them over/sniff them/ eat their sandwiches/ frighten small children (delete as appropriate), and I've not had to shout 'its ok he's friendly' for days!

TBH its too hot, he doesnt even want to go out

Mine hasn't been walked for a couple of days. Rough collie, massive shaggy coat. But she's also very elderly and walks were more half hour potters anyway now rather than a chance to burn off energy. I mooch over to our village field with her about 9.30 so she can sniff around, but she is asleep almost constantly in this heat. Although she did get excited when the kids were in the paddling pool earlier and jumped around after the water they were splashing. That's enough for her though - she's currently jammed under a big bush in the garden where it's shady and there's a bit of a breeze.

Some of us have young children and are single mums. So by the time I'm home at 9am it's too much for a golden retriever. But he doesn't get depressed because he hasn't had his 2 walks a day
Honestly if you're dogs getting depressed because it's missed a walk or 2 there's something wrong with them or you. Everyone's so precious about their dogs these days. I'd rather mine miss a few walks than end up at the vets.

@Lonelydaisy

Some of us have young children and are single mums. So by the time I'm home at 9am it's too much for a golden retriever. But he doesn't get depressed because he hasn't had his 2 walks a day Honestly if you're dogs getting depressed because it's missed a walk or 2 there's something wrong with them or you. Everyone's so precious about their dogs these days. I'd rather mine miss a few walks than end up at the vets.

Some of us are able to walk them early/walk them late. She doesn’t need to miss walks 🤷‍♀️

Why do you all think your dogs will die without a walk?

Why are you making things up?

Honestly if you're dogs getting depressed because it's missed a walk or 2 there's something wrong with them

Yes- there is something wrong with them- they’re bored and frustrated because they haven’t left the house like they normally do. Just like some humans get bored and frustrated when they can’t get out like normal. What is it you aren’t understanding about that?

or you.

Not even sure how you’ve managed to decide this. There is something wrong with a person if their dog is fed up being inside for two days when they’re used to going out? Is that what you’re saying?

@JaniieJones I don't know whether you are just here to stir things or whether you just don't know that for some dogs summer is a struggle. Mine can cope with temps up to 17oC as long as he is in the garden pottering around. He is old and had health issues so walks at that temp are out of the question. BTW where I am in Cornwall it was 20oC by 6am this morning and yesterday morning. The SpAD dog pants as soon as he moves (and yes he's slim and as fit as possible). Even a trip to the garden for a pee and poo means half an hour of panting. Taking him for a walk even early in the morning, even at what you consider an appropriate temperature, could make him ill and possibly shorten his life. I'm not doing that. He will survive without a walk. Dogs do. As long as they have other ways to get rid of the energy then they are fine.

Honestly if you're dogs getting depressed because it's missed a walk or 2 there's something wrong with them or you.

Dogs need to go out and get exercised. If you can't take them out early then you have a responsibility to figure out another way for them to get some exercise - hire a dog walker, ask a family friend or neighbour - but you should do something.

People on here are saying they've not walked their dog since last Friday - barring the dog being injured or sick, that's pretty poor imo. Get up earlier and walk your dog - that's what you sign up for as a dog owner. If you can't do it, then pay someone to do it for you.

Everyone's so precious about their dogs these days. I'd rather mine miss a few walks than end up at the vets.

Those aren't the only two options, lol. Of course nobody should be walking their dogs if it's too hot, but the options aren't "take your dog at midday or not at all".

Honestly if you're dogs getting depressed because it's missed a walk or 2 there's something wrong with them or you

Are you usually this stupid?

Some of us have young children and are single mums

Perfect! Up early, kids in the buggy and off you go.

FYI @Lonelydaisy, because I suspect this might need pointed out- kids need to exercise and leave the house too.

I've been walking my hairy dog at 7am and 8.30 pm.

Completely out of our normal walking times which are normally around 11.30am and 5pm ish.

If I didn't take her out she'd be bouncing off the walls. She is spending the rest of the day in the shade in the garden, with a bit of play in between dozing.

These new times are a bit of a shock to both of us as I'm retired and like a lazy start to the day when I can, and she's 10 years old, but it's better than not having walks.

I'm still seeing so many people walking their dogs when I'm out though.

Yesterday was boiling. I was out in a nearby seaside town at about 11/11.30 and saw loads of poor dogs standing around with their owners.

Again today, out in my local area just after midday and there were people walking their dogs.

I wish these people could be made to put a thick fury coat on and walk bare footed on a boiling hot pavement. Maybe then they'd realise how bloody unfair they're being to their dogs.

'I don't know whether you are just here to stir things or whether you just don't know that for some dogs summer is a struggle. Mine can cope with temps up to 17oC as long as he is in the garden pottering around. He is old and had health issues'

No I'm not here to 'stir things'. Of course if yours is old with health issues that is different! however we've had posters with younger dogs even puppies just not taking them out because it is summer. It isn't hot at 7am, it certainly isn't hot at 6.30am. I know because I'm a responsible owner who changes my routine if needed so our dogs gets exercised.

Some have good size gardens, fine for a run-around/play/training before it gets hot or in the shade, so don't really need to go out, out!

@DoubleTweenQueen

Some have good size gardens, fine for a run-around/play/training before it gets hot or in the shade, so don't really need to go out, out!

True, I’ve got an enormous garden that my greyhounds use as a racetrack when it’s not too hot. I’m on maternity leave so I’m home most days and just leave the back door open for them to wander in and out at their leisure.

@DoubleTweenQueen

Some have good size gardens, fine for a run-around/play/training before it gets hot or in the shade, so don't really need to go out, out!

This is true, but garden play isn't really a substitution for a walk in the long-term. As a one-off, though, it's fine.

Yes but in shady woods and very early in the morning. I've altered my sleep time to do this. I also take her for a shorter walk after 9pm

This thread is quite amusing. My working-line Springer is quite content not going out. She would love to, and we will go for a country ramble early tomorrow, but she has her family at home, some exercise and hunting games, sniffs (rural), plenty of cool places, shade, love and attention, and her first doggy ice-cream today.
She likes relaxing in the bell tent with her favourite rock.

We were in the garden at 5 this morning but both decided it was too early and went back to bed. She's being brought up not to work formally, but to be calm, well-mannered, and be a very loved member of the family, so the lack of a predictable walking regime is a useful part of her experience.
She will enjoy going out all the more tomorrow.

I think the thread was to guage thoughts as to walking dogs in the heat of the day, not to judge the nature of, and how much, exercise dogs generally get.
Dogs are all at different stages, breeds, levels of health and fitness, and different family set-ups.
Do what works for you and your dog :)

Those aren't the only two options, lol. Of course nobody should be walking their dogs if it's too hot, but the options aren't "take your dog at midday or not at all"
True. I suspect people trying to suggest it's one or the other, or who seem confused that people might manage to safely walk their dogs any time other than the midday heat were hoping to play the caring dog owner card to excuse the fact they can't be arsed changing their schedule to suitably exercise their dog.

@LolaSmiles

Those aren't the only two options, lol. Of course nobody should be walking their dogs if it's too hot, but the options aren't "take your dog at midday or not at all" True. I suspect people trying to suggest it's one or the other, or who seem confused that people might manage to safely walk their dogs any time other than the midday heat were hoping to play the caring dog owner card to excuse the fact they can't be arsed changing their schedule to suitably exercise their dog.

I definitely think that plays a part tbh.

I don't like getting up early to take my dog out (especially if I've not slept well due to the heat) but I know my dog will be much happier after a walk, even if that walk means he has to get up at 6am.

I’m not at the minute. Mines 13 and really suffering in the heat, so we’re staying home. She doesn’t mind though.

Some wanker has just walked past my house, dragging a pug on the pavement that's panting heavily (I can see it from across the road!!) and it's 30c
Do people not learn?!

Hrft but I'm only walking him in evenings although he sits in conservatory and walks on our patio without any issues which is about 50 degrees I think