This is a placeholder text
Group text
by MVF on 15 July 2011 - 20:07
A working K9 spends a lot of time in an enclosed space, usually air conditioned. A wet working dog is unpleasant for everyone concerned, so those are separate issues.
by MVF on 15 July 2011 - 20:07
Here you go: http://www.webheads.co.uk/sleddog/ezine/pdf/Heat_Stress.pdf
It is important not to cool dogs in icy water as the dog's body temperature can drop below normal.
Soaking a dog in tepid water in a tub is recommended for reducing heat stress while working in hot weather.
We should not have so many opinions about scientific principles but make it a habit of seeking out the facts first. If I was misleading, I apologize. But if you just don't want to bother swimming your dogs, don't try to defend it scientifically, please.
It is important not to cool dogs in icy water as the dog's body temperature can drop below normal.
Soaking a dog in tepid water in a tub is recommended for reducing heat stress while working in hot weather.
We should not have so many opinions about scientific principles but make it a habit of seeking out the facts first. If I was misleading, I apologize. But if you just don't want to bother swimming your dogs, don't try to defend it scientifically, please.
by Slamdunc on 15 July 2011 - 20:07
If I thought that wetting my dog was really that beneficial I would wet him. My experience with working dogs in the heat and wetting them is that for a working dog it is not necessarily beneficial. Swimming is one thing but a dog can tank when heavily exerted. If your pet dogs like to swim that is great. When I work my dog it is hard and I do not want him gulping excess water. A GSD has trouble cooling off when his coat is soaked and he is now out of the water. Putting the dog in a crate after soaking as mentioned is very dangerous. I have seen working dogs suffer heat stroke. A dog does not have sweat glands like a person and mainly pants to cool down. Wetting a dog that is already overheating will make the situation worse, IME.
Swimming is good exercise for a dog. If I had access to a nice clean lake or pond I'd let my dog swim. Most of the waterways here are polluted and I wouldn't go in them myself so my dogs do not go in.
Swimming is good exercise for a dog. If I had access to a nice clean lake or pond I'd let my dog swim. Most of the waterways here are polluted and I wouldn't go in them myself so my dogs do not go in.
by Red Sable on 15 July 2011 - 21:07
The first thing my dogs do when they get overheated is run to the pond and jump in.
by alboe2009 on 16 July 2011 - 03:07
I'll second what Jim stated. Anyone who has service dogs are along the same lines. First the dog has to be conditioned, once conditioned/acclimatize that dog can and will handle the extremes.
Here in Maryland the temps the past few days: high 90's heat index 104-110. My dogs work, train, run, play. (I stated this in another thread a few days ago.) My dogs don't swim but they play in a dog pool and with the hose. They're crated in the vehicle and temps were 98 and no panting, no tongue hanging down/out. Conditioning just doesn't happen overnight. I was going to state some notes but Jim hit the key notes. Observe the dog, you'll observe a pant, panting, HEAVY panting, racing panting, rapid breathing, tongue down to the ground. (panting is the way they cool themselves down). When kenneled outdoors when the temp hits 90 they have a medium size industrial fan kick on. Once in a while they have AC if indoors.
Can't remember the numbers but within 2' off a reflective surface increases the temp something like 10-12 degrees.
P.S. One is a LC and one is black.
Here in Maryland the temps the past few days: high 90's heat index 104-110. My dogs work, train, run, play. (I stated this in another thread a few days ago.) My dogs don't swim but they play in a dog pool and with the hose. They're crated in the vehicle and temps were 98 and no panting, no tongue hanging down/out. Conditioning just doesn't happen overnight. I was going to state some notes but Jim hit the key notes. Observe the dog, you'll observe a pant, panting, HEAVY panting, racing panting, rapid breathing, tongue down to the ground. (panting is the way they cool themselves down). When kenneled outdoors when the temp hits 90 they have a medium size industrial fan kick on. Once in a while they have AC if indoors.
Can't remember the numbers but within 2' off a reflective surface increases the temp something like 10-12 degrees.
P.S. One is a LC and one is black.
by MVF on 16 July 2011 - 03:07
I have great respect for folks who don't let their dogs swim in water they wouldn't swim in themselves. I do myself swim in the lakes and streams I allow my dogs in -- but only when it is very hot. They tolerate cold water so much better than I.
If my dog was as well conditioned as a K9, and I had to throw him into a crate to get back from the lake, I would probably dry him off considerably before putting him in the car - or not swim at all.
So we're not so far apart.
What I'm getting at in part is that some folks don't feel like going to the trouble of swimming their dogs - and then make up stories about why its bad for them. There ARE swimming risks -- my dogs get 1-3 more ear infections per dog per lifetime than dogs who never swim (I am obsessed with collecting and analyzing such data). So if you have a dog with troublesome ears that get infected often -- I recommend keeping him out of streams and lakes, too.
If my dog was as well conditioned as a K9, and I had to throw him into a crate to get back from the lake, I would probably dry him off considerably before putting him in the car - or not swim at all.
So we're not so far apart.
What I'm getting at in part is that some folks don't feel like going to the trouble of swimming their dogs - and then make up stories about why its bad for them. There ARE swimming risks -- my dogs get 1-3 more ear infections per dog per lifetime than dogs who never swim (I am obsessed with collecting and analyzing such data). So if you have a dog with troublesome ears that get infected often -- I recommend keeping him out of streams and lakes, too.
by GSDguy08 on 16 July 2011 - 22:07
MVF, I myself can't swim, and three of my dogs hate water (only the 14 week puppy likes water). Not to mention I know of no places around here where I can take them swimming anyway.
by alboe2009 on 22 July 2011 - 20:07
Yesterday, (07/21) 100 degrees, heat index 110-115, had the dogs out training and running/playing.
Today, 100 degrees in the shade, had a crate in the driveway, (gravel) thermometer registered 116 degrees (at 16 ' off ground). Don't know heat index. Ran them a little, let them play. Gave the dogs a bath and when dried brought them in for some AC.
Today, 100 degrees in the shade, had a crate in the driveway, (gravel) thermometer registered 116 degrees (at 16 ' off ground). Don't know heat index. Ran them a little, let them play. Gave the dogs a bath and when dried brought them in for some AC.
by skyhorse on 22 July 2011 - 22:07
The club I go to in Texas works dogs thru the summer. We have some shade, but typically it is in the triple digits when we start (around 6:30 pm), and dark when we finish (around 9 pm). I bring a battery operated fan and chilled water (in his own cooler) for the dog. And lately a couple of blue ice blocks covered by a wet towell in the crate. I noticed yesterday he was laying w/ 2 front paws on the ice blocks!
I'm thinking of getting a blue ice blanket ... not sure if it can handle dog paws/claws and what would happen if the dog ate it?
We park in a parking lot and crate is on hot pavement in shade of truck... ice blanket might help keep ambient heat from pavement getting into crate. And also cool dog between sessions. We do an ob session at start, then 2 protection sessions (with break inbetween while others work their dogs).
At home I wait til sun is almost all the way down before going outside to work the dog.
I'm thinking of getting a blue ice blanket ... not sure if it can handle dog paws/claws and what would happen if the dog ate it?
We park in a parking lot and crate is on hot pavement in shade of truck... ice blanket might help keep ambient heat from pavement getting into crate. And also cool dog between sessions. We do an ob session at start, then 2 protection sessions (with break inbetween while others work their dogs).
At home I wait til sun is almost all the way down before going outside to work the dog.
by alboe2009 on 23 July 2011 - 02:07
Skyhorse,
Not sure if truck has a cap or not? You could use a "square" (the footprint) of your crate and cut a piece of 2" foam and set the crate on top?
I'm sure there are a few other nifty ideas; an inverter with a medium size fan?
Not sure if truck has a cap or not? You could use a "square" (the footprint) of your crate and cut a piece of 2" foam and set the crate on top?
I'm sure there are a few other nifty ideas; an inverter with a medium size fan?
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top