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

My golden retriever would look at me like this if I woke him up to walk him at 2am
He likes his sleep.

I love you a little bit for this. You know your dog, you know what it can and can't cope with, and you're doing something to accommodate that which impacts on noone but you, and makes your dog happy. Your friends are dicks.

We had a FB post on our local page this week reminding people how hot the pavements are, danger to dogs of walking in the heat etc. Multiple people jumped on saying why it was OK to do it, and why their particular dog 'needed' to be walked, on pavements, in 30 degree heat. Those are the people that should be judged!!

Please explain to me how it's possible for a dog's coat to act as insulation in Winter but not in Summer? If it can, someone should create a man-made material with the same properties, to insulate our houses in Winter and keep them cool in Summer.

Wolves shed their undercoat in Summer so that they don't overheat: https://www.whitemarmotte.com/alpine-wildlife-notes-grey-wolf-canis-lupus/

Oh good grief

it creates a layer of air that acts as insulation from the heat and to keep warm in winter

just like it’s better to sleep with a thin layer on than naked on holiday, the air layer helps keep you cool, and layers are more effective than a single thick coat.

Well you’re not being unreasonable for walking at that time, it’s your life, what has it got to do with anyone else. However I do think you are being unreasonable to not clip your dog and just leave them miserable in the heat.9

Is that a golden retriever? Looks like a GR.

As I’ve said I’m following guidance from my vet that it’s unsafe to clip as she is protected from sunburn by her coat. And as I also said she is regularly at the groomers and her hair is as short as it can safely be for her :)

Yep :)

We have a black Lab also double coated. We have 3 kids and jobs so can't get up at 2am to walk...but he does walk after 7pm or at about 6am. It is cool enough then.
Put the hose pipe on them with cool water before you go out. Stick to shady fields. It really dangerous for you to be out on your own at that time!

I am hoping you live down the road from me and I can bring my dogs too. I'd love it and I think they would too. 😂

@Happenchance that is exactly how insulation works, if your house is properly insulated it is easier to keep it cool. Double glazing prevents heat leaving when you have the heating on inside and prevents heat coming in from the sun when it is hot outside.

Double coated breeds shed their undercoat in summer - my dog has deshed appointments at the groomer where he is bathed, dried and brushed and that gets rid of the undercoat. The guard hairs are not clipped because they protect the skin from the sun. If I put my hand on his skin I can feel it is noticeably cooler than the top of his coat.

@Cornflakesaredabomb and anyone else who is interested
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220107-the-lost-medieval-habit-of-biphasic-sleep

I'm with you about getting your dog a close clip. I always try to take mine (currently a Cavalier with a luxuriant coat) to the dog groomers before the hot weather starts - it took me by surprise this year by starting early so haven't been able to get an appointment till this week but I know he'll feel much more comfortable afterwards. Luckily I live near the sea in Cornwall so we rarely get really warm nights, but like the OP I've taken the precaution of walking him mostly after dark and avoiding the middle of the day.

What about walking at 5 am when it's cool. Also, can you cut the dogs hair shorter? Finally I've always found a wet towel great for cooling mg dog down!

I have a neighbour who always walks his 3 dogs around 3am, regardless of the weather. If you’re happy with your routine, stuff what everyone else thinks. You’re doing a great job x

What a lovely dog mum you are. I wish there were more like you. x

One of my friends has exactly the same issue and she does a similar thing. It is a win-win solution for you both, well done.

Your dog us gorgeous!!!!!

I thought you had some other breed from your description.

Please don't trim the hair. Get advice from the breed support group if you must but with a young Retriever you really don't need to worry as much as you do.

First of you myst, please, please stay safe.
You can walk your dog whenever you want/can. It's not at all silly and as long as it works for both of you, then it's fine.

What I would suggest, if you can, take her to the river and let her swim. It's great exercise and cooling. Which means you could walk later, 5 or 6 or 7 AM. Depending how precious you are about your home, don't bother drying her fur when you get back.

Honestly your dog is absolutely fine at 23C as long as she's free to seek shade and water. Fit, healthy retrievers have a lot of stamina.

Enjoy your walks!

Not being unreasonable at all. It’s your life, do what you want with it, as long as you aren’t harming others. If you and your dog are happy, who cares what other people think? Plenty of people work through the night, why can’t someone walk their dog through the night?

As a dog mum myself I think it’s great that you’re taking on board your dog’s needs and walking them when it’s cool enough for them to enjoy it. I see so many people taking their dogs out when it’s hot during the day and I feel for their dogs, as I know mine are struggling with the heat. You do what’s right for you - I suspect only dog owners will understand. I walk mine in the woods when it’s dark on winter afternoons and evenings. We all actually love it and only ever bump into other dog walkers.

How do you manage this with kids as well? Are you not shattered the next day. I don’t think it’s that mad, I guess it’s just until the weather cools down, and it’s your choice! Who cares what your friends think.

We have been getting up super early 3ish to walk our dog too.. its been too hot other wise. I don't think it's unreasonable it is caring for your dog.

I think your a fab dog owner my only concern is being out at that time there’s a lot of weirdos around your certainly braver than me x

If it works for you and you feel safe out at that time (And I think I'd probably feel pretty safe with a really big dog by my side!) then great!

How thoughtful of you. I think I might try this cos I was on holiday during the heatwave.

One day us humans will realise we're just another animal too and give more animals rights...