Would you judge me for this? Be honest please!

[Biggestandbrighteststar]

Hi! Just looking for some honest opinions on whether I’m acting weirdly and if you would judge me for this!

I’ve had family dogs before as a child, but im in my early 20s and my dog is my first dog that’s actually been mine IYSWIM. I’m a bit of an obsessed dog mum who spends the majority of my time with my dog and making sure she’s ok. But I’m getting better haha.

anyway, my dog is a large breed double coated dog who really, really struggles with hot weather. We can usually get away with walking very early and very late but with the heatwave recently they have been miserable even with that and even walking at 6am has been too hot for them.

however, I’ve found a good window between 2-4 where it’s perfectly cool enough for them. So we have been going to bed at 10, then walking from 2-4, then going back to bed and sleeping until the morning. I can be extremely flexible with my work (I don’t work 9-5 for example) and I’m feeling fine with the routine. I’m still getting enough sleep I’ve just rejigged my day to accommodate it all and it works.

I don’t particularly like being out in the middle of the night but my dog absolutely adores it so I take a torch, charged phone etc. During the day she gets to plod around the house and chill in her pool but it means she also gets exercise too.

i briefly mentioned it to some friends who snorted, rolled their eyes and said I’m being ridiculous walking about during the night and that it’s unsafe and I’m being selfish disrupting my dogs sleep. But she was so depressed not being able to be walked and this solution works for us both. But I don’t know if me being an obsessed slightly neurotic first time dog mum is clouding my judgement and I’m being silly? Just to clarify I wouldn’t judge others for not doing this, it’s just something that works well for me and my dog

I think that's fine if it suits you and the dog and you feel safe. Also need a photo of the dog lol.

if it works for you and your dog then who cares what anyone else thinks 😂 your dog is very lucky to have you!

Really, I didn't know that and I have often wondered why this dogs always seem to have their hair in their eyes. Are their eyes very sensitive to light?
(Every day's a school day.)

I’d hope you were walking somewhere safe at that time. That would be my only concern.

Yes, she can say what she wants. I’m still right because that doesn’t make it true.

She’s not a dog mum, she’s a dog owner.

It is often coolest around that time. I worked shifts and when I was dog sitting would finish work at 2.30am and walk the dog around 3am (husky) as it was just too hot for her even late evening

Definitely keep yourself safe though

I’m sorry, you’re simply wrong that your dog can’t take a walk in 73 degree weather. I commented earlier on the cute dog pic. Anyone who has had dogs have walked them in 73 degrees and way more than that. A LOT. That temp is very common in many areas and dogs are out in it. It is the LENGTH of your walk. I think you said you go for two hour walks? So the normal 73 degrees will feel warmer if you’re dragging the dog along far longer than she wants. She may not need or care for two hours. She’s not a border collie who wants and needs to work all day. And you won’t address the fact we’ve all mentioned giving her a summer haircut which is the norm depending on breed.

You sound immature and extreme insisting on walking dog in the middle of the night. Foolish. I thought at first the temps were in the 90s or something. But 73? 20 minute walk, 45 minute walk fine. Custard is trying to tell you she doesn’t want two hour walks 😂 of course she won’t be heaving as much in cooler temps and that’s why you’re forcing these middle of the night walks.

Yanbu you are a fantastic dog mum.
I've often walked my dogs at 0400hrs due to the heat.
Enjoy your cool walks and snuggles after.🐕🌈

Personally I'd take her to the groomers as they are much better at removing excess hair, then hose her down and take her at 7:30, I've been taking a 13 year old lab out at that time and she's been absolutely fine - loving it in fact. I wouldn't take her out in the heat of the day but I have a couple of two year olds that aren't bothered by the heat at all and happily go out at any time, one was trying to get me to play ball with her at 3 o'clock in the afternoon which I did think was a bit much so when I wouldn't she took to chasing around with the other dog instead. I just don't find most dogs nearly as fragile as some people seem to think, especially when it's been hot for a while and they've had some time to adjust.

All that said I saw a dog with a huge coat tied up outside the supermarket (with a water bowl) but on tarmac right in the midday baking sun panting. I thought that was bloody stupid - why take your poor dog to the bloody supermarket on a day like that? It was so unnecessary and the poor thing was obviously not enjoying it. I just thought take your dog to the bloody groomers for gods sake and then take them to the woods not the supermarket!

If you want to take your dog out at 2 and the dog doesn't bark or anything else then it's entirely up to you and if you're happy doing it then why not. You don't have to listen to anyone else of course even if I personally think you're as mad as a box of frogs. I'd still say take her to a good groomer though as it might make her generally a lot happier and more comfortable during the day.

I lived in Southern France and agree with all of this.

I judge you and anyone else who uses the nauseating term 'dog mum'.

Your dog is not human.
You did not birth it.
It is not your child.

Beyond that, crack on and do what works for you as a pet owner. You sound very conscientious and loving. Your dog is lucky to have you and vice versa.

Why are you so bothered by it 😂 fgs get over yourself.

No, you’re not right. If she sees herself as a dog mum then you have no right to stop her saying it.

Given that she describes practically all her time is spent making sure her dog is comfortable, she is not wrong.

Like I said, I’m ignoring comments that tell me things about my own dog when they have absolutely no idea about her. Thanks anyway :)

If it suits you why not? My obsession was my cats and I've done things that others would find barmy! Did I really pick out the little biscuit shapes he wasn't keen on - oh yes! Resident hedgehog ate them in the summer months.

I think it’s great that you have found something that works for both of you

I wouldn’t walk mine above 20 either OP. Mine would probably keel over if I tried to make them 😄 You know your dog best.

I do think your mad but each to their own! If your happy ignore everyone else.

Because people treating their dogs like family, and not the animals they are, are the reason there are so many out of control, untrained dogs out there.

They are contributing to the rise in dog attacks by not treating their dog appropriately.

Lol no. “Seeing yourself” as something doesn’t make you one. We should have learnt that lesson already.

You can call yourself whatever you want, but that doesn’t make you it, and everyone else has the right to call you out on such ridiculousness if you’re going to embarrass yourself by saying it.

Im doing the similar at the mo up at 430 out for 445 90mins blasing around the fields then home for a day of napping in the cool house

I wouldn't walk mine at 23 degrees either but I also wouldn't be getting up at 2am

He's missed several walks these past few weeks and he's been fine.

Her calling herself a dog mum has no correlation to that at all - she sounds like a good owner. You sound pathetic and bitter.

How odd. Bitter about what?

Honestly from one dog mum to another do what makes you happy and keeps you and your dog cool. I also have a double coated dog who can't be clipped (long hair gsd) and I don't walk them in the heat at all. I always think would I sit in it with a sleeping bag over me of the answer is no then we don't go. I also worry about burnt paws at night so morning is a better option I think