IDIOTS walking dogs in heat.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

It's 34C where I am and idiots are walking dogs. Are these people totally stupid. My dog hasn't been for a walk since Friday due to the heat. I am shocked 😲 at the stupidity of some people.

I used to live somewhere with extremely hot summers. Regular temperatures were 32-35. One year the high temperature was over 38 every day for 40 days straight. It never got below 26 that entire period. And we didn't have air conditioning either. Of course I didn't walk my dog during the hottest part of the day. But we did go for walks when it was at its coolest. My dog would have been miserable to be denied walks all summer. I suppose it was a matter of becoming acclimated to the higher temperatures. I'm quite glad not to live there anymore, though.

My dog would be ok with an on lead sniffy walk in the shade at that temp. On lead because she'd run round too much off lead. It's very dog specific though, I know others of the same breed who would struggle.

Yep! I've seen a few dogs about today and the dog Walker across the road....

21 degrees is a perfectly acceptable temperature for a walk, unless you have a brachycephalic breed, or your dog is young/elderly.

The generally accepted "danger" point is at around 24 degrees, but even at that temperature it depends on the dog, and whether you have access to shade and water, what surfaces you're walking on etc.

You really, really don't need to stop walking your dog just because it's 21 degrees outside!

It was 24 round here this morning at 08:30 when DDog and I got in from this morning's walk (had been 22 when we set off)

Forecast is hotter for tomorrow, so she's won't be going for a walkies but will be going to work with DH, where she will be petted and fussed over and where, DH says, it's cooler than indoors here

I couldn't stand on my own patio today. Anyone who walks their dog in that heat is a cunt.

Have a look at the link I posted upthread. It will be cooler as yes the sun baking down heats the ground, but test it by holding the back of your hand on the ground for 7 seconds. I'm sure by 6am it will not have absorbed too much heat. 6pm will be a totally different matter though.

Gotta love the judgement.

I have spent time in countries where it regularly hits the temperature we saw today. Street dogs walk on tarmac there. In the sun. They don't melt.

Admittedly they are acclimatised to the heat, but our two have been sunbathing in the conservatory for the past however many weeks, and are not struggling at the moment. They are young, fit, not overweight and have sensible muzzles.

They were out for 45 mins at 6.30 this morning. They had 10 minutes in the shade at noon. They had 20 minutes in the shade at 4pm. They have voluntarily gone into the garden and not wanted to come in several times this afternoon.

I wouldn't go and do loads of training in full sunlight, but a short shady walk, with a short drive home and water available... They're fine.

And having been told of the 7 second rule, I tried holding the back of my hand on the hottest tarmac I could find at 5pm. No problem. I'd just walked on it barefoot for 200 metres so didn't think there would be.

Can we just stop with the hysteria? Yes, be very cautious if your dog is old, fat, or unfit, had a short nose, or a known health issue, or a heavy coat. Don't spend 20 minutes lobbing a ball in full sun. But if your dog is young and fit, a short shady walk should be fine

I agree. Each dog is different and calling people “fuckwits” and “fucking idiots” for walking their dogs perfectly safely is very unpleasant.

It's 30 degrees until 11pm here.... PLEASE do not walk your dog at 7 or 9pm!!!!! Ffs

Shock horror - not everyone lives where you do! It'll be perfectly safe to walk dogs at 9pm in many parts of the country.

She said 'if it cools down' and 'depends on the heat'

Not everyone is in a place where it is 30C at 11pm

Anyone taking their dog for walks in this heat doesn't deserve to have a dog. I honestly think people should have to have training before they can take on the responsibility of an animal
And some people should realky stop thinking they become experts because of what they read in the media.

I took my small dog in the car with air conditioning for 10mns to the beach at 5:30 today. Oh no, you should come and take my dog from me! My dog was over the moon, having a great time chasing their ball, sometimes getting a bit wet ( but won't ever go in). They didn't pant once and wasn't even interested in the water I offered because they were not thirsty.

No sickness, no exhaustion this evening, just a happy dog who had a great time on the beach who's very happy to have me at their mum because I know what is best for them.

I'm currently on holiday in Portugal and lots of people and dogs out in the sun.

I think the dogs and sun hysteria is a British thing tbh.

I have a terrier who loves the sun and we have to bring him in from sunbathing in the garden. I do avoid walking him at the hottest part of the day as the ground would be too hot for his paws but once the ground has cooled off he is fine.

Dogs don't suddenly combust when it goes over 20 degrees...

In all honesty there must be so many people babying their dogs!
Unless the dog is poorly or old there's absolutely no reason not to walk the dog sensibly.
Never heard of the 21C 'advice' and I grew up with very hot summers.
All healthy dogs are fine and can cope with reasonable heat, walk them very early and late, preferably off the lead, ideally with access to a river if they like water. Just sensible stuff which the vast majority of dog owners already do. No mad training or encouraging chasing a ball for example. Give them access to water and the run of the house/ flat / garden and they'll sort themselves out. They don't need encouragement to drink more water or stay in a particular place. Trust your dog, they really do know what they need.
It really isn't difficult at all. I can't see anyone in real life who'd need advice on this.
Let dogs be dogs.
And an air conditioned cool car is absolutely fine for a journey to have a walk in a cooler environment. These dogs need to unfurl and stretch and be free at some point in the day.

Are there really that many dog owners with delicate dogs? Are these real dogs? Are they imaginary dogs?

We'll exclude old or ill dogs here but even then, trust your dog, they know and they show what they need.

I won't even go into pugs and those sort of breeds as we know they are an experiment gone wrong for the sole purpose of pleasing humans. If you've got one of those, you'll have to deal with it and you'd be much more knowledgeable on their specific care than I will ever be.

Advice on temperature from the Kennel Club and RSPCA.

Did anyone see the heatwave coverage on ITV news last night? Someone had a springer spaniel on Bournemouth beach!

I've been on dog watch since yesterday! Whilst I'm out & about, if I see anyone walking a dog they are getting told!

@Branster the advice is what's given by all the animal rescue organisations, as well as vets and trainers.

Dogs in hot countries are much more acclimatised to the heat than dogs in the UK. We only get a few days of extreme heat a year so they never get the chance to adapt to it.

And, as the stats show, many dog owners can't be trusted to know what's best for their dogs - if they could, their wouldn't be dogs suffering with burnt paws or heatstroke every summer.

Did anyone see the heatwave coverage on ITV news last night? Someone had a springer spaniel on Bournemouth beach!
OMG, what a crime! Put that owner in jail! There were a number of dogs at the beach yesterday, having a great time, and thankfully, no heat warriors to ruin it for them and their owners.

I can report that my dog who had a fantastic time had a nice restful night and is feeling great this morning. A miracle it must be 😴🙄

Whilst I'm out & about, if I see anyone walking a dog they are getting told!
I hope you are not close to me because I'd certainly answer you to mind you own business and get lost.

Advice on temperature from the Kennel Club and RSPCA
Of course they do because some dogs will struggle and it's easier to apply the warning to all. That does not mean it does impact on all dogs.

The very vast majority of dog owners, especially those who do bother to take them out on walks adore their dog. Give them some credits that they would not want to hurt them and are not so stupid to not recognise when their dog is distressed.

The minority that are clueless are not going to become sudden responsible owners because of warriors harping at them.

And, as the stats show, many dog owners can't be trusted to know what's best for their dogs - if they could, their wouldn't be dogs suffering with burnt paws or heatstroke every summer
It's the media that make you believe this a common event. The reality is totally different.

My neighbour who is a vet nurse said she'd only seen it less than a handful of times in her career and that was always dogs who'd been abroad. We live in the South. Stop believing everything you see on Facebook!

That was burn paws. Heatstroke is more common but not always in the highest temperatures.

Why are you assuming I get my information from Facebook?

I work with dogs. I see it with my own eyes every summer.

25 where I am and am taking our dog out. He needs it and this heat seems ok for a short enough walk

What you done sounds great.

But there are people who live in flats/have no gardens who also don't drive. So they have to take their dog out. I would not take for an actual walk though just let him/her do their business and straight back inside