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How hot is too hot?

Discussion in 'Dog Discussion' started by dutchy954, Apr 12, 2011.

  1. dutchy954

    dutchy954 Big Dog

    Ive been working my dogs spring 10 mins, flirt 5 mins, spring 10, flirt 2, spring 5 flirt 1... just as a rough guess I like them to stretch and get some air inbetween pulling and hanging. Then I let them drink and then we go on hour - 2 hour handwalk then drink and then later on feed. But when its hot and humid the dogs dont want to stop but sometimes i feel like theyve had too much? How do you know?
     
  2. KennyB

    KennyB Pup

    it is best to feed right after workout so when the body starts to rebuild those tore down muscles there is something in them to rebuild it it makes for shorter recovery time just my thoughts oh i watch the breathing eyes and moisture of the mouth for over heating signs just me though
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 12, 2011
  3. Congoman

    Congoman Big Dog

    You've got to know your dog and be smart. Don't go working the dog when it's hot as hell outside though. The workout won't kill em it's the recovery afterwards. I've seen dogs look wonderful then have a heatstroke not long afterwards and die. Wait til at the least dusk if you can. Your dog will thank you.
     
  4. DirtyD

    DirtyD Top Dog

    I work mine until the saliva starts dropping off his tounge or until he starts to slow down then i hand walk for 15mins let him drink wait 10mins then feed. I also work him in the morning or night time
     
  5. ElJay

    ElJay CH Dog

    I also think, for those that work primarily indoor dogs, that letting them cool down outside is way more beneficial than bringing them into the air conditioning. this way they have a gradual cool-down instead of a sudden hot to cold situation, which, IMO, does more harm than good. when your dog is done working hard, give him a nice easy cool-down walk. just like when people work out hard, you need to have a few slow cool-down easy exercises and stretches. i think a nice rubdown while your dog is cooling off is great.

    otherwise, like others have said, just know your dog. when they start breathing super hard and panting a LOT, give em a rest and pay attention to how they're acting. some dogs will let you know when enough is enough, some, like one of mine, won't. so you have to be the judge. when it's real hot outside, a lot of times, i'll hose down my dog BEFORE i start his workout. dunno why, but this seems to have a good effect on him and his abilities to work AND cool down afterwards. also sometimes before our workout is over, and i can just begin to see he's getting hot but before we're to the end of his capabilities, i'll hose him down then ,too. but i don't ever hose him down after a hard workout. cooling them down too fast can be detrimental.

    any yeah, after dusk is best. but if you're far south like me, dusk still isn't cool enough, so you have to depend on other methods. good luck with whatever you do and KNOW YOUR DOG! :-)
     
  6. DirtyD

    DirtyD Top Dog

    yeah forgot to throw the rub down pointer in there
     
  7. MCS

    MCS CH Dog

    I always liked walking in the mornings, they are cooler than dusk. 5, 6, or even 7 am was nice.
     
  8. Saiyagin

    Saiyagin Chihuahua

    Eljays post was pretty good about utilizing the WATER to cool one down. You can hose a dog down after a hard workout just dont soak the dog but rather a light spray using a spray nozzle attached to the hose. By controlling the amount of water you put on the dog you control how fast he cools down. Heat is one of the dogs worst enemy and water and shade is a dogs best defense against heat stroke.
     

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