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 like what you've done. There's a person near me who takes their 2 large, very hairy breed dogs out during the night - I'm assuming due to shift patterns etc.
As long as you aren't too knackered, go for it.

Used to take my English Bulldog girls out about midnight when it was super warm the last couple of years. Sadly they're no longer with us.

Don't let anyone tell you, you can't call yourself a dog mum!!

I think it’s lovely you’re being so caring towards your dog and I’m not surprised your dog loves going for a walk in the middle of the night. A dog isn’t worried about his sleep being broken and the early hours are lovely are cool so more enjoyable for your dog to be out.

BUT, make sure you’re safe doing this! It is dark and with no one else around just be careful.

Above 20 degrees? What do dogs in other warmer countries do or is it a dog specifically bred in Europe/ UK?
I think if you want to do that then do it but I'd be too chicken to walk at that time.

You do you OP and look after your girl. Ignore your 'friends'.

I've got two closely clipped spaniels who've been utterly miserable all week due to the curtailing of their normal exercise. It was too hot to walk them even at 10pm last night in the last of the daylight.

I wish I had the energy to walk during the night!

First time dog mum???

If you are happy to be out walking at that hour then it's fine. Where on earth do you live however that it is too hot late in the evening or around 6 in the morning?

Yeah I'd judge you. I'd judge you to be sensible and dog-focussed, and I'd be a little bit jealous that you have the motivation to walk when it's quiet and still.

I’d judge you for calling yourself a first time dog mum 😆 but not for walking when it suits you and your dog.

Of course they can cope with temps above 23 degrees. Where I live that is autumn/spring temps, and people walk their dogs all the time. Even in summer people take their dogs out in the evenings or during the day as long as it is not extremely hot.

Unless you wake me up with the mutt yapping then crack on as you see fit.

In the nicest possible way you need to stop worrying so much what other people think.

Thank you very much for all the honest comments! She loves her nighttime walks and isn’t disturbing anyone so we will keep it up. But thanks everyone for all the tips about staying safe during the night such as not wearing headphones, I’ll take all that onboard :)

there’s no point in commenting that she is fine to walk at 23 degrees because she’s not and I’m going to ignore you. She is at risk of heatstroke and visibly uncomfortable. The fact that she technically would be ok to walk at that time makes no difference when she hates every second of it and is visibly distressed with the heat.

and not sure why people dislike the term dog mum so much, it’s just a tongue in cheek phrase haha

Completely reasonable. I used to get my dog to the local woods for an off lead walk around 5am - headtorch on , no bother.

I genuinely do not understand why you would choose a breed of dog which can’t cope with going outdoors in daytime for at least three months of the year, because that is what we are talking about if she can’t cope over 20°.

If you're happy to do it and it's the best solution, then no, I'd not judge you at all. I'd think you were a responsible and loving pet owner.

I absolutely judge the arseholes I've seen dragging their dogs around in the middle of the day in this heat. I don't understand why so many people are still doing it when there's so much splashed online about it these days.

Apologies OP, I have read your comments but have not RTFT.

I have labs, also double coated, and black so very susceptible to heat. ( Never ever shave a lab, or indeed cut it’s coat, it will spoil it)

I spray mine with cool water, then let the evaporation cool them down. That with some cooling mats or wet towels, keeps them fairly comfortable.

And no, I don’t think you are mad. I do many things for mine that people thin’ are daft, but they are family,🤷🏻‍♀️

Well I now live in Southern Spain with a labrador so I can answer this! Firstly dogs acclimate to the heat just like humans do, so dogs used to living here are less effected by the heat. Also it is usual to take your dog out very, very early and very, very late. You will NOT see dog walkers out in the heat of the day because the pavement gets hot enough to burn paw pads., and unless it's for them to toilet you can be prosecuted.

We have tiled floors and the dogs can cool down fairly quickly.
We have cooling mats, cooling collars and ceiling fans. On the hottest days its aircon on and ddog only goes out to toilet.

Oh, I missed her picture. She's just lovely 😍

My parents had 2 golden retrievers. They are the best dogs. So loving and gentle.

I love my rescue boy so much so I totally get why you're doing what you are. You do you and don't give a flying fuck about what other people think or say.

I’m in a big city, people walk their dogs in the middle of the night, no one cares.

I'd be a little worried for your safety and all I'd say is please do have your wits about you wandering the streets at that time. Otherwise though what you're doing sounds like you're being a totally responsible dog owner. Better than the idiots who walk their dogs at midday in 30 degree heat. It's none of anyone else's business if it works for you

Well… thermodynamics says you’re wrong.

A lady in our street takes her dog out at 5am whatever the weather. Because her dog is reactive so that's the only time she knows they won't bump into other dogs.

When we get a dog we take on responsibility for its needs so we do what we need to do.

Although I don't understand why people get cold-climate breeds when they live in a warmer climate.

I wouldn't do it, in a way I think its madness but if you are happy and dog is happy its nobody's business. As long as you are able to hold down your job and do everything else you need to do in life. It must be nice in a way to have the world to yourself and breathe the fresh night air.

Honestly. One thing I’m beginning to realise as proud pup parent of an 8m old double coated breed is that you decide what works best and what your pup needs.

this place is bonkers about so much but until I had a puppy, I had no idea of just how ridiculous people are on here, generally and about dogs even more so.

the Only worry I’d have about walking at that time in the morning is your safety

my pup was struggling with the heat so we clipped him and he’s transformed! Super energetic and just so pleased with life. I’ve started taking him out at 7am for his 30mins daily exercise with a bit of a play in the shade later in the afternoon if he gets bored.

we know our dogs, we know how they’re feeling and we do the best for them.

Oh and before someone comes on to ask why so little exercise… 🙄 it’s 5mins per month of his life until he’s an adult.

protects his skeleton from hip problems in older age.

yes. Decent Dog owners do their homework.