AIBU to be upset my parents walked the dog in this heat?

[rollinginthedeepsea]

My parents are looking after our dog this week whilst we are abroad. They’re not dog owners themselves so I had messaged them a few days ago reminding them to not walk above roughly 20’c with the dog as that’s the rule we go by in summer. I wouldn’t expect them to be able to walk at 7or 8am as they are in their early seventies so presumed they would use common sense and just skip any walks . Checked ring camera for a parcel today and seen they walked our dog at 10.30 in 26’c.
I've called them out on it and they’re acting like I’m being completely over the top and that the dog was fine. AIBU?
The dog is not a risk breed or elderly but I’m upset at the principle of ignoring what I’ve asked.

Problem is you left your dog with a non Dog person

all done with good intentions but they got it wrong

what’s done is done
don’t leave your dog dog with them again I suspect they won’t offer again anyway

Is your dog hurt? Why have you left your dog home alone? Why not use a kennels?

Im guessing the answer is no, easier and cheaper. That’s on you.

Well if you are upset at them for ignoring your instructions you can fire them from their dog walking duties and hire someone else to do it.

You’re going to get two sorts of responses to your post OP.
You’ll get the “Don’t be ridiculous, a heatwave isn’t hot, my dog enjoys a daily sauna, we live next to a river” responses from some.
And you’ll get the “Yes they were unreasonable, today was a heatwave, your dog should not have gone out” responses.
One group will never agree with the other!

My dog cannot handle anything above 22/23 degrees and is fine to not have a walk all day, so we stayed in the cool house and she popped out the door a few times during the day for the toilet.

You know your dog, you know their limit, you asked your parents not to take the dog out. It’s going to be hot tomorrow too. Call them and give clear instructions for the dog.

Why do you think someone in their early 70s couldn’t walk a dog at 8am? Are they infirm or live some distance away?

If you feel your parents are that clueless about dogs you shouldn’t have entrusted your dog to them.

What ill-effects did the dog suffer?

What was your reason for asking your parents to look after your dog rather than paying a reputable dog expert?

YANBU and gave them clear instructions by the sounds of it.

I have golden retrievers and if it’s above 22 they don’t go out. Our regular walk includes a swim so 22 is OK but pushing it for them in my opinion. Skipping a walk won’t kill them.

they are retired and generally get up at 9am, I would feel cheeky asking them to get up what is considered very very early for them (it’s not early personally for me)

To say anything above 20deg is hot is frankly fucking ridiculous. 26deg is perfectly fine as long as the dog (and human) are hydrated.

Either trust them to make adult decisions or don’t.

You didn’t feel cheeky asking them to look after your dog instead of paying someone to do it though?

I think it’s very dog dependent. I took my dog down to the river for a paddle and I went for one whilst she wanted to spread out in the sun. I had to lure her in with chicken. Big fan of sunbathing on conservatory windowsill too and of rolling in the snow. Basically she likes any extreme weather spart from pissing rain.

No course not! It’s my parents! They enjoy it

Yes you are right.

YABU as you went on holiday without your dog.

i know that this UK heatwave was a bit unexpected, but if you thought your parents weren’t up to dealing with anything out of the ordinary then I’d be booking a dog sitter or kennels.

Not anymore they won’t!

There is a lot of hysteria at the moment about walking dogs in the heatwave. It seems to be the latest bandwagon to jump on and give owners shit about. Some People seem to just see a dog outside and lose their minds.

Every dog/breed/health/tolerance is different. And it depends on the area, shade, temperature, how long etc…

obviously hours and hours walking in glaring sun is irresponsible, cruel and stupid. But a quick 5 minutes round the block? Isn’t going to kill a dog.

Ive seen people booting off on the local community group today about so called irresponsible owners walking their dogs in the heat.
Said owners clapped back in the comments as they recognised the description as themselves.
Turns out they live in an apartment and have no outdoor space for the dog to do its business so had to simply pop out for a few 5 minute brisk walks to burn some energy and let the dog shit! Stupid nosy cunts.

So I guess what I am saying is your parents have done a kind thing for you and obviously made the call to walk the dog as they felt it was safe.

Ours are just going to the beach and swimming this week. They flop out the rest of the day indoors mostly.

20 degrees seems a v low bar unless it’s Newfoundland or some such

My first reaction is your trolling them. Right? 😭🤣

They’re saving you around £20 a day in kennel fees and the dog is fine. I doubt very much they’ll ever dog sit again after this. Ours went out at 8am and it was over 26 degrees here, then they lay in the sun all morning.

i felt really cruel not walking mine today because she loves her walks and she is large, high energy, needs stimulation

but I didn’t, it was 31 here at 5, it’s too hot