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 it's bonkers. I would not disrupt my precious sleep for my dogs. But you do what you like.

YANBU. Just very considerate of your dog's needs.
I am a volunteer dog walker at my local rescue shelter and they are all struggling atm. If I could go there at 2am I would 🐾😊

I'd probably inwardly roll my eyes and judge too, it seems a bit ridiculous and unnecessary. But I wouldn't say anything to your face and I don't think it's particularly unsafe.

I didn’t mean to do that, not sure why I did! She’s definitely a girl, lol

So why do you care about other people's opinions on it if you're adamant there's no other option? You asked what people think, lots think it's fine, I think it's silly to wake up half way through the night and then go back to bed again rather than go late at night/early in the morning. If you're still gunna do it your way then it doesn't matter what anyone thinks.

If it works, it works, and obvs it depends on where you live but most of the UK doesn't have evil doers just hanging about at 3am looking to prey on someone walking a massive dog. I take it you have enough sense to switch sharply into reverse gear if you think you might be walking into any dubious goings-on!

I think it’s very considerate! My dog can’t tolerate the heat at all, thankfully he comes to work with us and sits in the aircon all day, but he misses his walks. I’d have no chance getting him up in the middle of the night though! I have to drag him out at 7am for work as it is 😆

I judge the idiot that was walking their dog at 1pm today.
I’d think you were a bit mad, but only because I don’t like disturbed sleep, however I’d also think how happy your dog is and how lovely it was that they were in a home with someone who loved them so much.

I really miss my 3am walks when I was younger and not tied to the house with small children. Honestly enjoy the peace.

Agree with this^

I think the biggest factor is my flexibility with work and the fact I’m a good sleeper so can easily make up for any lost sleep. It would be much tougher if I couldn’t catch up during the day for example.

ironically it was much cooler tonight (17) so we were able to go out and she got a splash in the river too. No 2-4 am walkies tonight!

Fine if it works for you. Personally I would prefer either going to bed later or getting up earlier than a disrupted sleep - but for 100s of years that was the normal sleep pattern for the majority of people - they would have an early sleep, wake up for an hour or two in the middle of the night and have a chat, smoke, pray, snack, go visit neighbours or have sex, then go back to sleep for a few more hours. It only started changing around the time of the industrial revolution due to increased lighting during the dark (gas and then electric streetlamps) and factory shift patterns.

You are a rare thing, responsible dog owners. It works for you, ignore the naye -sayers

Well as I clearly said in my OP I wanted opinions on what i was doing. You gave your opinion that it’s unnecessary. Fine, I haven’t challenged that. I only challenged your incorrect advice as you can’t say 23 degrees is fine for all dogs apart from flat faced. That’s simply untrue and that’s what I corrected

That’s a really interesting point actually I hasn’t realised that!

Yes, I often do that sort of time. Much more civilised than the wee small hours!

The advice from Vets Now is that unless underlying conditions or flat faced then 20-23 degrees is fine for most breeds, if not being exercised vigorously, like I said.

No, I don’t judge people for loving their pets and doing what they think is best for them.

The OP probably cares about other peoples opinions because she is young and in her early twenties with her first full responsibility of owning a dog, I remember worrying about what people would think of me at that age if I did something different to the norm, now in my fifties I don’t give a shit, but I expect the OP is just seeking reassurance to feel confident in her choices. OP it’s not silly at all what you are doing, you are putting your dogs needs first, you sound a loving, responsible owner.

I don't think it's weird at all. My friend is autistic and walks his dog in the middle of the night simply because he wants to avoid taking to people. I do think using they/them pronouns for your dog is a bit weird and calling yourself a 'first time dog mum' is even weirder, but each to their own. If you want to live your life outside of social norms that is great, but you need to stop caring what anyone else thinks. You don't need strangers to vote on if it's ok to walk your own dog when it suits you.

I have a dog like the one you describe who normally is so active but she is really struggling in this heat so I also wait until late night or early morning.

You are being very responsible and if it doesn't affect your sleep then good for you!

Also anyone mentioning about messing with the dogs sleep, they can literally sleep at any time.

No. I think you love your dog. It's fine.

Vets Now always say that temperatures above 20 degrees leaves any dog at risk of heatstroke, let alone large breeds with double coats! I’d rather not give my dog heatstroke thanks.

Our two usually have a late morning, late afternoon and late night walk. This week they’ve been out after 1AM because it’s just been too hot. They are short coated whippet lurchers and one is quite dog reactive so actually we’ve found it to be a lot less stressful. They’ve really enjoyed some off lead time and we’ve not had to worry about scorched feet or sunburn. During the day they’ve mostly been snoozing on the sofa with the fan on. If it works, it works. Don’t worry about what anyone thinks. You do what you need to do for your girl.