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

Oh my she is a cutie and so gorgeous, I can see why you’re besotted. For your safety though, please don’t go for walks in the middle of the night. Closely clipping her fur for the summer months and taking her out early mornings would be the logical solution. Enjoy spending time with your lovely Custard!

I think you’re a wonderful dog mum, and your dogs are very very lucky.
I have 2 poodle mixes and I’ve shaved them pretty short and walked them at 9pm tonight and it was still pretty close. The other night we walked them at 5am and that was lovely as it wasn’t warming up yet.. in fact I was a bit cold…
Onky you know what your dog(s) can cope with, well done you for amending your life to keep your dogs comfortable.

Personally, I think it would be better to take her out twice a day for shorter periods, i.e. early morning and late evening, rather than one big long walk in the middle of the night in the dark when she (and you) should be sleeping. That way you aren't disrupting her sleep, she's less likely to overheat, and she will get full sensory input from the environment.

It’s completely up to you.

I’m more baffled by posters who seem triggered by you doing it😂 who cares!

Sweet but bonkers.

My DD is similar with her dog - I'd never sleep if I knew she was walking the streets in the early hours

I think you sound really neurotic, sorry. I also don't understand why you've actively got a dog you think is unsuited to the climate

YANBU about night walking

YABVVVVVU using phrase ''Dog Mum''..that's just ridiculous..I adore my dog, but I'm not her mother- Equally cringey is the term ''Pet parent''.

Probably an American term.

If it works for you and avoids your dog becoming distressed with the heat, then why not! It shows you care a great deal about your dog. I wish all dog owners were as considerate.

Have you never heard of a fur baby??

What breed can't cope with 23 degrees?

Sorry, I see it's a Golden Retriever?
Is that right?
They are fine at 23 degrees and much higher. Who has told you they aren't?
Strange post.

If it works for both of you why not?

Biphasic sleep used to be common in pre industrial Britain. You can think of it as going back to your roots. 😉

That broken sleep pattern that @1offnamechange mentions is probably my natural sleep pattern if I went with it - I definitely feel better if I have a few hours, up for a bit, then a few more hours, but it isn't overly convenient to arrange if you need a CPAP and someone to help you into bed/out of bed!

Back to dogs - it isn't just heat, where you live and can walk plays a big part.

If your walk is mostly on pavements then these can stay pretty warm for quite a while, a heavy coated breed, a short flat faced breed - may find this pretty hot even if the air temps say 23. My lanky saluki would laugh at the idea that 23 is too hot, my low slung bassety type would be melting on pavements at that heat.

But out in the shade of the woods that have never got particularly hot, they're fine!

She’s majestic!!! Thank you for sharing!

You should never cut double coats at the cost works to insulate the dog's skin from the heat as well as from the cold.

We have a giant breed double coated rough St Bernard mix. He has been fine walking approx 3km at 8-9, although any warmer and we'll be taking him earlier. He has frozen beef trachea to cool down after and then is happy to potter about with us.

However if your dog is uncomfortable and this works for you then why not? My only concern would be the safety aspect for you.

It works for you and your dog, and affects literally no-one else, so what does it matter what your friends think? Sounds a working solution for now; it won't be this hot forever.

It also depends on the dog's age and fitness as well. My dog is 5 but super fit and strong - 3km is a nice little potter and sniff for him.

To the person saying that not shaving double coats has been debunked - I found plenty of sources disagreeing, including AKC. I can also feel that my dog's skin is cooler under his coat.

You may get away with walking 4-6?

I'm up at 4 because my ds is a swimmer and I walk at 5am.

Lots of people walking dogs then because of current heat but it's actually about 13-15° so still cool enough.

Yanbu to do what needs doing to care correctly for your pet though. That's responsible ownership.

Perfect solution! I love taking my large bread down on the beach late at night. Take a torch and her and we have the beach to ourselves. It’s lovely,

I have a large double coated breed. I haven’t done it yet this year - but I did that last year when it was super hot. I agree that even in the late evenings when it’s 23C you can see they are still struggling with the stuffy heat!

You are doing the right thing. Lots of people don’t appreciate their dogs enough. You are one of the special ones!

This!

You asked for honesty so here you go. There are lots of things in your posts that I do judge you badly for, looking out for the well-being of an animal in your life is not one of them.

I don’t know what their problem is. It’s not like you’re making them get up early and go with you.

If more pet owners were like you, OP, the world would be a better place.

It's great that you're able to be so flexible and give your dog the care that she needs. Ignore the friends who are rolling their eyes.