How hot is too hot? - Page 2

GSDguy, that sounds nice!  I live in the city.  It's flat and paved.  I don't mind leash walks when the temps are bearable but we do it just for something to do.  Normally I have to stop and find a park and toss a ball for the exercise component.

I also disagree that swimming is a requirement.  Right now I only have one dog that even enjoys swimming (two dogs enjoy the hose/sprinkler, and two dogs don't want to get wet).  Some of the places we swim (my aunt's pool, the lake where we go for two weeks....) the water is in the mid-80s, so the dogs aren't really getting much relief by swimming and I still have to limit swimming.  Also you have to be careful when a dog is wet and it's really hot and humid.  If you confine them too much it creates a sauna effect.  If you start blasting a dog with cold water and a fan, then you can over-chill the dog.  That is why I run the hose or the sprinkler and just let the dog decide how wet to get and where to lie down afterward.

VKGSDs, it's definitely nice.  It keeps me in shape too lol. If I didn't have dogs, honestly..... I would be extremely lazy.  To me its fun to go walking with my dogs so I try to do it as much as I can.  None of my dogs except for the pup like to get wet as well.   Good point about the fan as well,  we use to have a fan for them downstairs, but it died......not to mention they have a/c anyway in the downstairs of the house.

It is normally in the 100's in south Texas. On the weekdays I work been keeping dogs in side. I keep my GSD in my garage with fan stays very cool. On the weekends I have more time so I do a run in the morning. On the weekdays we go running or bike riding late in the evening still hot and humid but starting to cool. On the weekends when I am home more tend to play during the day. I prefer not too when so hot mid day but sometimes I will take my GSD out if she is "bouncing off the wall". I have to watch her cause she will over work herselft. If I dont keep her in side during the day while I am at work she will run around the backyard almost all day. She is demanding physically as far as wanting to run or play fetch and doesnt slow done much in the heat. Luckily she loves ice so I use that to keep her cool. Freeze fruit if we are out while warm. Hard not to get out in the heat sometimes as hot most of the day. Gotta balance it. I try to do as much running as she does so we are both doing the same things and I am just as tired.
Reggie

It is in the 90's here with a heat index over 100 most of the summer.  I work my dog every day and every night.  Since it is part of my job, I can't pick the weather I work my dogs in.  Your dogs must be conditioned and used to the heat.  You need to be careful when working in the heat.  I do not swim my dogs.  My dogs won't go in my pool and the only water they will go in is swamp water. 

You must be careful when working your dogs in the heat.  Never wet your dog down and put it in a crate or back into a car with out proper ventilation.  The heat coming off the wet dog will cause the temperature and humidity to rise in the crate very quickly.  You must also restrict water after a vigorous work out in the heat.  You can give the dog a small amount then wait 10 minutes to give more.  Dogs can "tank" a condition like bloat after ingesting a large amount of water in the heat.  Give a small amount of water and let the dog cool down for about 10 minutes before giving more.

If the dog is overheating rather than wetting it down take it inside if possible into an air conditioned room.  Walk the dog and let it cool down.  You can also check the color of the tongue and cheeks.  I also watch my dogs breathing and panting. 

It is also a GSD trait to find shade when they start getting fatigued.  You can safely exercise your dog in the heat if you are careful and take the proper precautions.  I also check on my dog frequently after working in the heat and ensure he is ok.


Jim

Good info Jim. I always thought wetting a dog in the heat can increase temps especially in dogs with coats like the GSD. Something like the air may not circulate very well and trap heat next to skin. Thanx for the tip about water after workout. I was questioning that a few days ago. I agree with conditioning dog and you make some good points. If you dont mind me asking, What kind of work do you do?
Reggie

Thanks for the info Jim.  I take it your dog works with you as a police k9? I think I remember you saying that before.

Up here in Alberta, we can get temps hitting mid-80's (at most) in the summer time, but this year has been unseasonably wet. I work my dog typically in the evening however the mosquito population has made it damn near impossible to enjoy anything outdoors related. Regarding the heat...I will work my dog in the heat sometimes. I can't not, since we can never predict when we'll get called out on a search (and typically it's when it's the most undesirable conditions...no wind + high temps). Typically, when we are deployed on a hot day, the key is mini-breaks in the shade, and small amounts of water....and yes....dumping a bit of water on the head. The water can't be ice-cold...this can shock a dog (who's over-heated). Administering Isopropyl alcohol is another way to cool a dog (pads, armpits & groin).

Actually, I said *I* wouldn't own dogs in this climate (Northeast US) if I could not take them swimming.  I have *never* found an acceptable alternative for keeping them sane and healthy and fit in the summer months.  If I was the type to get up at 4am and run them before sunrise, perhaps that would work.  As it is, I never run a dog during the day when it is over 80F, but swim them, and then I still throw balls/bumpers/frisbees for about half and hour late at night 3-5 nights a week.

Too many people cut way back on summer exercise and then cut back on rations to make believe their dogs are fit.  But the dog is then hit with a double whammy -- no exercise and reduced rations.  Hellish life, IMO.

Gemini,
Completely wetting a dog in the heat is not always a good idea.  I am a K-9 Handler and he ----> in the avatar is my K-9.   

I run and work my dog all hours of the day.  I even run vehicles in 90+ heat for narcotics and the vehicle interiors get hot when working.  Part of my job.  If your dog is accustomed to it and has stamina it is not a problem.  Look at our dogs working oversees in the Military.  The only difference is how they hydrate and condition those dogs.  My dog works in the heat all day or all night just as I do. 

I do SchH on the weekend and all of the dogs track, do OB and bitework in 90 degree temperature.  You simply adjust the intensity and duration for each dog.  Since I work for 2 weeks till 3 AM and I'm usually in court by 10AM I am not into getting up early to work my dogs.  I need at least 4 hours sleep.  

 

I also agree with the basic physics that some of you seem to know: don't put a wet, hot dog into a confined, unventilated space for long.  That would raise the humidity in the space, counteracted the effect of the cooling of the water.

But anyone who really thinks that even an 80 degree pond is not helpful in dissipating body heat of a creature that has an internal body temp of 100-102 F is missing something.  I am training my 11th gsd in my adult life, and a dog that can tolerate 5-10 minutes of dry work can swim and run and retrieve for 45 minutes in a river, stream or pond.  Some dogs can put in long workouts in the heat, others can't, but any of them would be improved with a good soaking of preferably cool water.  I was also a world class athlete, and no one who knows better can deny that water evaporates and cools - even better for people whose skin is largely exposed, but for every creature it creates a more efficient conduit for heat dissipation.