Should I take the dog out?
Discussion
Just wondering if I am accidentally harming the dog.
I was supposed to be having a run tonight with the local canicross lot but they have all cried off because of the weather (fair enough as a few have husky type dogs).
So I asked if anyone else would come for a shorter run tonight in some shaded woods with plenty of water stops.
People are still saying no and telling me how it was even too hot for their dogs walking this morning. These are people with labradors and spaniels not great woolly things.
My dog is say medium woolly and seems to have no issue with being out at the moment. She quite happily runs around like a loon all the time she is out occasionally seeking shade.
Am I missing something and doing her any harm letting her behave like this or is it a case of if the dog looks happy then it is fine?
I was supposed to be having a run tonight with the local canicross lot but they have all cried off because of the weather (fair enough as a few have husky type dogs).
So I asked if anyone else would come for a shorter run tonight in some shaded woods with plenty of water stops.
People are still saying no and telling me how it was even too hot for their dogs walking this morning. These are people with labradors and spaniels not great woolly things.
My dog is say medium woolly and seems to have no issue with being out at the moment. She quite happily runs around like a loon all the time she is out occasionally seeking shade.
Am I missing something and doing her any harm letting her behave like this or is it a case of if the dog looks happy then it is fine?
They don't have to be woolly or thick coated to get heat stroke and it doesn't always hae to be the midday sun.
I'd say common sense should prevail but I see so many dogs walked in weather too hot panting away it makes me cringe. Not all dogs have the sense to know when to stop so we have to judge it for them and often they cope with the walk and flake with heat exhaustion after.
You also have to realise that dogs don't have chance to adapt to the weather, if they lived in this climate all year round they'd deal with it better.
Shaded areas obviously much better but just take it a bit easier than you would in colder weather. Hope that helps!
I'd say common sense should prevail but I see so many dogs walked in weather too hot panting away it makes me cringe. Not all dogs have the sense to know when to stop so we have to judge it for them and often they cope with the walk and flake with heat exhaustion after.
You also have to realise that dogs don't have chance to adapt to the weather, if they lived in this climate all year round they'd deal with it better.
Shaded areas obviously much better but just take it a bit easier than you would in colder weather. Hope that helps!
RB Will said:
It does thanks.
Are there any signs to look for while out on a walk so I can calm her down if needs be?
If the tongue is damn near touching the floor and drool everywhere, time to let her stop for a drink.Are there any signs to look for while out on a walk so I can calm her down if needs be?
Can you also carry a bottle of water that you can pour over her head and ideally her chest too?
Odie said:
Labradors, part dog part fish.. My parents labradoodle is the same if it see's water it goes to jump in it.
Except he's a Weim'. People keep telling e they don't like the water. He starts getting giddy as soon as he hears running water. He'll swim in anything but seems to prefer messing about in strong currents.Last year he swam the length of this...
Swam out 50m, turned right and kept going 'till he got to the end. About a mile.
On a day like today if i have to take my dogs out in the day i dont go to far and keep them on the lead so there not running about like loons. Any hotter than this i dont take them out until late on at night and always take warter with me.
You have to remember dogs dont sweat like us to keep them cool. All they can do is pant. Id rather be safe than sorry.
You have to remember dogs dont sweat like us to keep them cool. All they can do is pant. Id rather be safe than sorry.
AdiT said:
Except he's a Weim'. People keep telling e they don't like the water. He starts getting giddy as soon as he hears running water. He'll swim in anything but seems to prefer messing about in strong currents.
Last year he swam the length of this...
Swam out 50m, turned right and kept going 'till he got to the end. About a mile.
My old GWP would have done exactly the same. Not sure why people say HPR breeds don't do water!Last year he swam the length of this...
Swam out 50m, turned right and kept going 'till he got to the end. About a mile.
Anyway back on topic: I take mine out early doors or later at night when its cooler.
Had to put a dog to sleep today, triggered by heatstroke 
. She was an elderly staffie that had some aged issues but she was allowed to stay out in the garden all day and couldn't cope. Dogs don't always know when to get in the shade and elderly dogs are the worst, this dog had always been a sun worshipper but sadly today she pushed it too far and the owners didn't think of the consequences of letting do this. Very sad.
Re: reading the signs of a hot dog I can only suggest if a dog has its mouth open as wide as it possibly can, with tongue stretched out to the max, hypersalivating and even wheezing sounds, it's too hot.
I've seen my fair share of heatstroke dogs, some make it, some don't, they come in all shapes a sizes, it can and does affect all breeds and all ages (though obviously some are more susceptible than others)
. She was an elderly staffie that had some aged issues but she was allowed to stay out in the garden all day and couldn't cope. Dogs don't always know when to get in the shade and elderly dogs are the worst, this dog had always been a sun worshipper but sadly today she pushed it too far and the owners didn't think of the consequences of letting do this. Very sad.Re: reading the signs of a hot dog I can only suggest if a dog has its mouth open as wide as it possibly can, with tongue stretched out to the max, hypersalivating and even wheezing sounds, it's too hot.
I've seen my fair share of heatstroke dogs, some make it, some don't, they come in all shapes a sizes, it can and does affect all breeds and all ages (though obviously some are more susceptible than others)
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