Dogs in the woods when it’s hot out

[yorketransport]

This time of year I have a hard time getting my WPG out in the woods as often as either of us would like because of the heat. When we do go out it’s early morning or late evening when it’s a bit cooler, but she still gets very hot. I always try plan the trips so that we can walk to either a river or lake so she can get in and cool off but then I find myself having to leave her at the house when I’m headed out to pick berries or something like that. Even bringing along lots of water for her she just gets too hot.

I’m just curious what you guys do to keep your dogs comfortable in the heat while you’re out in he woods. I hate leaving Pepper behind, but I’d hate even more for her to get heat stressed.

[JimmyHoffa]

have you tried a haircut or at least a heavy brushing if the dog's hair is too short for a cut?

[dontgetcrabs]

My rule is that if it's not to hot for me it's not to hot for my dogs.

Is your dog old?  Maybe a health issue?

[3dvapor]

shave her except for beard and she'll be good to go. She'll thank you.  it will grow back by bird season.

[Knocker of rocks]

My rule is that if it's not to hot for me it's not to hot for my dogs.

Is your dog old?  Maybe a health issue?

Humans natural ability to deal with heat is among the best of all animals, if not the best.   That is why the San of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia can walk their prey to death.   Fido is not nearly as good.

[yorketransport]

She's 5 years old and in excellent heath. I thought about cutting her fur shorter, but I've had multiple folks (including the Vet) tell me not to. Her coat is on the longer side of normal compared to a lot of other WPGs I see, but not too thick after we brushed out her winter coat a while back. What are everyone's thoughts on shaving a double coat dog?

Maybe I'm over thinking it. She's still plenty active while we're out, but noticeably less than when it's closer to 50 degrees out. After a good swim she's back to normal for a while. I just got in the habit of planning our trips so that she can get at least a couple minutes of swimming in on our walks. Even in the winter, she'll find any water she can and take off swimming!

[wapiti hunter2]

Do not shave your dog. period.

Here is a thermal image of a dog with a portion of its body at 24°C (75.2°F) and the clipped portion at 30.8°C(87.44°F.) The hair is present for several reasons, one of them being for temperature regulation. ☀🌡

Please dont shave dogs who have double coats you're not helping them stay cool. Dogs who have dual coats should not be shaved and instead need regular grooming to keep the coat in good condition to properly insulate your dog. Your risking ruining their coat permanently and getting them Sun burned.

[dontgetcrabs]

My rule is that if it's not to hot for me it's not to hot for my dogs.

Is your dog old?  Maybe a health issue?

Humans natural ability to deal with heat is among the best of all animals, if not the best.   That is why the San of South Africa, Botswana and Namibia can walk their prey to death.   Fido is not nearly as good.

I doubt they would ever catch any of my Fidos, no matter how hot it was.   

[yorketransport]

Do not shave your dog. period,

Here is a thermal image of a dog with a portion of its body at 24°C (75.2°F) and the clipped portion at 30.8°C(87.44°F.) The hair is present for several reasons, one of them being for temperature regulation. ☀🌡

Please dont shave dogs who have double coats you're not helping them stay cool. Dogs who have dual coats should not be shaved and instead need regular grooming to keep the coat in good condition to properly insulate your dog. Your risking ruining their coat permanently and getting them Sun burned.

That's a great picture, thanks!

I never liked the idea of trimming my dog's coat, but mostly for aesthetic reasons. Her scruffy appearance is part of the reason I went with a WPG instead of a different bread. If it offered some benefit though and helped her stay comfortable I'd be fine with it.

[kselkhunter]

I typically try to focus on areas that I know have creeks/rivers/lakes for the dogs to cool off in.   But I always pack plenty of water for them as well.  I try to go in the early morning hours in the summer months, and avoid the heat of the day.   I can usually tell when they're getting hot, and I'll stop in the shade with them and make them sit in the shade for a bit with some water.   

[runamuk]

You can get cooling clothing/blankets for them just like for us. I have seen them used extensively at dog shows.  We just dont go out, but I have asthma and incredibly low heat tolerance. I only subject myself to extreme heat for work.

[ghosthunter]

Plan your trips along streams. Cool when needed.

[Pegasus]

Had a young GSP about 18 months old that I hunted on the far side of Crab Creek on a hot day in mid October. After several miles of hunting my dog started to act funny by walking in small  circles with the sage brush right in his face when he suddenly keeled over dead or so I thought. He did not move as I examined him. He had hunted hard up until the last minute. Through the tears I examined him thinking a rattlesnake probably bit him but I could find no marks or blood from the punctures. I could see no breathing , so I checked for a heartbeat and found it was still beating. I hit his mouth with a squirt from my water bottle and finally got a reaction. I forced water down his throat and he eventually raised his head. I decided to carry him out. I walked over two miles with a sixty pound dog in my arms and a shotgun with no sling. Many times I had to leave my gun and gear and carry him and return for my gear. As I tired the dog became heavier and my trips to retrieve my gear became shorter and shorter. The good news was the dog became a little more alert each time. About 500 yards from my vehicle a covey of quail flushed and I could tell it got the dog's attention so I put him down on the ground and he was able to walk very slowly at first but by the time we were close to the car he was running around like nothing ever happened. I think the dog just wanted a free lift home.  Over his lifespan we had a few more adventures over other issues but I never had to carry him again.

The  moral of the story is to make sure your dog remains hydrated the entire time that you hunt even if you are close to water. And make sure you think about what you can do if your dog goes down for whatever reason and you are far from help. Carrying a dog is not easy especially when you are loaded with gear. Also remember that many hunting dog breeds will run themselves into the ground before stopping. If it is really hot out , leave the dog home especially if it is a GSP.

[jackelope]

I would agree definitely don’t cut his coat down. It’s there for a reason.

[Stein]

Plan your trips along streams. Cool when needed.

 

I took our chocolate lab out on Saturday for a long ruck and ended up getting her wet twice to cool off and get a drink.

They aren't any more fragile than we are, but I do remember that they can't sweat and take any advantage to get them cooled.