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

From one dog mum to another, I think what you’re doing is wonderful and selfless, putting your dog’s needs first ❤️

You obviously love her very much but a little ott for me sorry, I live overseas in far hotter weather and walk my lab early.
But if it works for you then don’t stress about what others think, and just be safe ☺️

You're doing what's best for your dog and you can accommodate the hours . It's a win win and far better than these idiots who still walk dogs in the heat of the day .

I think you’re being silly and dramatic for this tbh so yeah, I do judge.

You’re also not a “dog mum” 🙄 You are a dog owner.

Kids are hard enough as it is, but doing this for a dog no way would I do it🤣 you can be sensible and wary but I still think you are foolish to be taking a risk at that part of the morning.

Oh after all the dramatics I wasn't expecting the dog to be a golden retriever? 😂 We have a husky who sounds like she copes a hell of a lot better than your dog, it is barmy to walk them at 2am!

OP, ignore the weirdos who are trying to convince you 23 degrees is fine. It’s not just the heat, it’s the humidity which makes it worse and dogs can’t regulate their temperature like humans do. My trainer actually recommends enrichment, playing and training days when it’s too hot so I do lots of that with mine, but also do walks at about 5:30am depending on what the day is like.

I have a big dog with short fur and she’s really struggling in this heat - so I can well believe your girl is too!

She can say what she wants, you’re not the police 🙄

I’ve seen loads of people walking their dog in the middle of the day this past week. They’re the ones I judge for their stupidity and cruelty , not you.

Your time. Your life. Your dog. It's not for anyone else to judge really. It doesn't affect anyone else. Just stay safe :)

If you’re not disturbing people in your neighbourhood then I don’t see a problem.

Whatever you do DO NOT shave the coat.a double coat is there for a reason.i have two dogs both double coated.You will ruin their coat by shaving and also it’s purpose .If you don’t mind walking at those hours I think it’s great.mine just stay in garden and don’t get walked at all when it’s this hot.They are happy to go without for a few days.Ibeoukd only judge you if you did take your dog out in this heat so well done you for being responsible x

Where do you live that it’s cooler at 9 pm than it is at 6 am? I want to move there! The temperature hasn’t been actually cool until midnight at the earliest where I am!

Nothing wrong with it at all. Dogs sleep and wake up in seconds raring to go. They aren’t like people who struggle to wake up etc. Ignore your friend

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/biphasic-sleep#:~:text=Biphasic%20sleep%20is%20a%20sleep,as%20segmented%20or%20bimodal%20sleep.

Also, this form up sleep was completely normal up to the Industrial Revolution. It’s what people’s bodies do naturally.

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

This! Some people on here just looking for a fight, telling you that your dog is absolutely fine over 23 degrees without having ever met her 😂

I agree with what others are saying that you need to do what’s right for you BUT I would also be concerned for your safety at that time. If you could move your walk to slightly late to 4 or 5am you are likely to be much safer. X

I love this! Dog mum 🙄

I think you're doing the right thing by your dog. You're making it's life happier by doing it. Ignore your friends, they don't understand so their comments aren't valid.

Do as you like OP, but it wouldn't be for me.
Good sleep is beneficial for our health- circadian rhythms exist for a reason, when we ignore them we can suffer health problems- physical and mental.
People who work night shift often suffer metabolic problems, raised blood pressure, mood disorders, digestive problems, hypertension, blood glucose disorders and many other issues.
Our bodies are not designed to be active at night.
I wouldn't risk harm to my body to walk a dog.

Dogs are like children. They are all different and need different things. You know your dog and know what is necessary for them. I would slightly judge your decision to get that breed if they struggle in the summer weather but if you explained your dog is a bit of an exception then I would understand. I wouldn’t judge you at all for walking them in the early morning. I would think how refreshing that someone is such a good dog owner dog mum

Have you tried using a "furminator"? Really good for removing undercoat and helping dogs(and cats) in hot weather. Otherwise, you're not harming anyone else, so as long as you are safe, why not walk when you want?

I think it is great, and it is working for you, for your dog and your other responsibilities.
I come from a hot country and there it is not usual to see people out from 1am onwards to walk their pooches for the same reason as you.
Dogs sleep loads during the day too so being awake at night for a while is fine.

I think it's a brilliant arrangement! Really don't understand why people are so inflexible, when doing things a bit differently is often the best way.

It's not got below 17 at night here

OP if it works for you keep doing it.

Yeah I thought this too. If this pattern of heat extremes continues you'll be doing this for years, and for more days.

You don't mention DC but if you go on to have them, how will that work when you are sleep deprived or needing to do night feeds?