Exercise in the heat. - Page 1

Temperatures in my area are through the roof, this is not typical for where I live. That being said, I was wondering if others could share some tips on how to give my working line GSD the required amount of daily exercise without overheating. We have tried waiting until night time, but their is an increased risk of wild encounters later in the day ( we let our dogs run off leash in a rural area). A simple solution to this would be slapping a tracking line on them and exercising them only on leash at night.....but their is no way they can get adequate exercise on leash. I'm at a loss on what to do.....what does your typical summer exercise routine consist of?  What are some of the safety precautions you use with your dogs. How long is your typical daily run?

 

Also, what are some warning signs of heat stroke in dogs and what would you do if you suspect your dog may be overheating?

 

Thank you in advance.

 

how much exercise do they need?

train early in the morning or late in the evening. break up training into as many shorter sessions as possible. keep plenty of water on hand. constantly monitor your dog's condition (and your's too). on the especially hot days do less training.

its been in or near the 100's for months for us - its texas, its not unusual.

You need to be very careful when exercising or working dogs in the heat.  I am a K9 Officer and it is in the 90's here, but I have to work my dog in the heat for extended periods at times.  If you exercise your dog in the heat you need to limit the dogs water intake directly after working.  Give the dog a small amount of water then remove the bowl.  A little while later you can give another small amount.  A dog that has exerted itself in the heat will drink large quantities of water and runs the risk of bloating.  I watch my dog very closely in the heat. 

You can check the dogs gum color and elasticity of the skin  for signs of dehydration.  If you wet the dog's coat or hose him down to cool him off you need to be very careful.  Never put your dog into a crate or allow it to go into a dog house with a wet coat.  The water on the coat will "steam up" in the confines of a crate or dog house and actually overheat the dog even more.  The crate will become very humid and actually become hotter from the water on the dog's coat.

Just a couple of things to keep in mind.  Limit the water till the dog cools down and relaxes.  Let the dog lie in the shade of a tree or in the AC of a car.  Never put a wet dog into a crate when it's overheated..

JMO FWIW,

Jim 

I live in an area with very hot and long summer weather. I also live near a lake, so my dogs swim several times a week.

Also either early morning or in the evening, each gets 15 - 20 minutes of chasing a ball launched from a "chuck it".

I make a couple of long tosses, then a few  short  "hoppers"  for a little rest. It drives the dogs nuts. They love this.

I also keep water close and offer it to them every few minutes. Up to them if they want it or not.

If you don't have access to a pool, lake or pond get a plastic kiddie pool so after they exercise they can jump in lay down and cool off.  My dogs love to just lay in the pool after they have been playing.