Preaching to the Converted.

[misterjinglejay]

Please, in this hot, humid weather, spread the word not to walk your dog in the heat of the day. Early mornings are best. The amount of people I see trudging along the road, dragging a hot dog behind them - no fun for either.

Make sure there's always water available, and maybe even a paddling pool to cool off those paws.

Ice lollies can be made and given - use water or stock (with no salt), veggies frozen in cubes etc.

We are having to walk ours at 5 am at the moment, and only a brief walk at that - no marathon hikes for us.

Also, if your dog has a double coat - please don't shave/clip him, as this will affect his internal temperature control. Plenty of grooming to allow the air to get to the skin and to remove loose fur, but that's about it.

And if you hose down your dog - dry him off properly. Wet hair next to the skin can promote sore patches and hold the heat next to the skin.

Probably preaching to the converted but hey ho

 

[RunToEarth]

Great post.

I went to the Lincolnshire show yesterday, we don't take the dogs to big things like that anyway because they get a bit stressed and I would hate for them to be trodden on.

It reached 26.5 degrees and I saw so many many hot, bothered and some seriously fed up dogs, one particular Golden Retriever who just looked so hot and bothered I found it hard enough to enjoy yesterday in that heat, so god knows how those poor dogs were coping, I just think it is really really selfish.

 

[MyBoyChe]

Agreed, good post. RTE, Ive never understood why people want to take pet dogs to shows/horse trials etc. Fair enough, if you really have no choice but I always leave mine at home and organise neighbours/family to pop in through the day for wee breaks. Ours are always walked at 6am to fit in with work commitments but when its hot their usual afternoon outing gets delayed until 8pm ish. I dont like the heat so Im sure those of us with full time fur coats are none to keen either!

 

[RunToEarth]

It really bothered me yesterday. Our springers have got the "starfish" impression down to a fine art so when it is hot they can come into the porch which have cool quarry tiled floor and just sprawl out in the shade. Yesterday in that heat all I wanted to do was to sprawl out in the shade on the quarry tiles at home and I found it difficult to watch people dragging big hot dogs around stands and tents food tents in the heat.

 

[ladyt25]

I do agree, I think common sense should be shown. We did used to clip our older dog though as his coat got very thick and he'd get hot, plus when he used to swim (he doesn't nowadays, he's 16) he would take ages and ages to dry even when towelled off a lot! He was happier with some coat clip off. Maybe we were wrong to do that though but he seemed a lot more content.

My dog is totally different, thin coated and seems to seek out the sun (much like her owner I think). She lies by the French windows at my mum and dad's until she HAS to move as she starts panting! I did take her to Bramham horse trials the other week (it's local) as she likes to be with me/'her people' but I have the option to drop her home if she gets fed up. It was hot and I made sure if and when we sat anywhere she had shade. Would she sit/lie in it? Nope, she would head for the sunny patch!!!

I did see a lot of dogs though who looked far too hot that weekend and owners plonking themselves in sunny spots without really considering their dogs at all.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Pups have been to the river today and yesterday. I'm jealous cos I was at work! The OH managed all three (demon dog had on a muzzle) and they were all lovely, some cracking vids! All three are variously cwtched on fluffy bed, duvet and OH's knee, not too hot, obviously!

 

[CorvusCorax]

My car has resembled a bedouin tent the last couple of weekends and young man has become very well acquainted with the hosepipe as above, keep them shaded, well groomed and IMO fit/carrying as little weight as possible and they should cope OK.