I have a 13 month old GSD. Here where I live (Nevada) we're just getting into the hot months. I'd love to hear what others do about training and playing with their dogs when the temperature in the early morning is already in the 80's.

Sandra More & Drithle (pronounced Dreelah)

Hi and welcome. I love your dog's name.

Lots of strategies you can try--I've used all of these:

-Keep outdoor sessions short and work in the coolest part of the day.
-Gradually build up the dogs tolerance to the heat--but do it slowly and provide breaks, shade, and water.
-Invest in a cooling vest for the dog. There are several kinds out there. I have one that has gel packs like you'd put in a cooler. These help keep the dog cool in hot weather.
-Play indoors. Work on obedience or other games that work the dog's mind.

Thanks Tracy. Drithle means Sparkle in Irish.

I hadn't even thought of the cooling vest. I have one from my last Shepherd sitting in the closet. I'll have to see if it fits Dri.

Thanks again.

Keep an eye on the dog's tongue.

The tongue will get wider at the tip the hotter the dog is.

Taking it's temperature is also a good idea.

I like to take a hose and water the dog's belly down occasionally.

That and the feet is where they loose most of their heat.

I never water the whole dog. I think that transfers heat and null and voids the double coat for insulation.

Think about wearing a wet pair of jeans in the hot sun.

The heat transfers much more then when dry.

Work in the mornings and evenings as often as possible.

I agree with Bob, who is cooling the dog with a hose. I'm doing the same, when necessary. Training sessions in during hot months with that awful heat and high humidity of the air are nearly impossible here (Brazil, Bahia). Perhaps a very short session but they don't react with the enthusiasm they normally do. I don't want to spoil the fun they have with training.

With cooling vests like Tracey recommends I have no experience. I can imagine that this can help. I guess that someone who wants to train his dog to be a service dog or something like that, has to accept the heat and westher in general and get his dog slowly used to different conditions.

In my case, this is not necessary. I simply avoid the heat. In summertime I get up at 3 in order to walk my dogs. I have 4 and walk each one individually. So when I come back with the last one it is already quite hot.

During the day they lie around like dead flies. When the dusk comes they get lifely again and then I can train.

Of course, if you have only one dog, no need to go to that extreme. Perhaps just a little bit aerlier than normel.

By the way, I love tour dog's name too!!! Sparkle, how nice.
Hope to hear from you and Sparkle again in the Webboard!

Ditto to what's already been said. All are common sense. The only other thing that I didn't see mentioned is to use caution when you've worked with your dog and he or she has gotten overheated. Ours then wants to drink lots of water immediately and we have to be careful to only allow her to take small drinks at a time. She's thrown up everything if she tries to gulp down a whole dish of cool water at one time, which she is prone to do if not supervised. Plus, if we've worked a lot in the heat, I make her just walk with me to cool down for a few minutes rather than just plop down and pant. Last thing you want to deal with gastric torsion, bloating. It's much easier to experience that when working with them in warmer weather.

 Quote: Christina Stockinger

I agree with Bob, who is cooling the dog with a hose. I'm doing the same, when necessary. Training sessions in during hot months with that awful heat and high humidity of the air are nearly impossible here (Brazil, Bahia). Perhaps a very short session but they don't react with the enthusiasm they normally do. I don't want to spoil the fun they have with training.

With cooling vests like Tracey recommends I have no experience. I can imagine that this can help. I guess that someone who wants to train his dog to be a service dog or something like that, has to accept the heat and westher in general and get his dog slowly used to different conditions.

In my case, this is not necessary. I simply avoid the heat. In summertime I get up at 3 in order to walk my dogs. I have 4 and walk each one individually. So when I come back with the last one it is already quite hot.

During the day they lie around like dead flies. When the dusk comes they get lifely again and then I can train.

Of course, if you have only one dog, no need to go to that extreme. Perhaps just a little bit aerlier than normel.

By the way, I love tour dog's name too!!! Sparkle, how nice.
Hope to hear from you and Sparkle again in the Webboard!

"Eirinn Go Brach" !!!

I had a lovely pair of Irish Wolfhounds named Breegh & Brogue back in the 80s...

Of course, the "gh" is SILENT in Breegh -- Which I was told means "beautiful" in Irish Gaelic

And I agree with everyone else about NOT training or even Playing outside in the killer heat (even if it's dry)...

Check K9 Heatstroke on Wiki or Vet sites -- It hits fast with Deadly results & you want to know the Early signs.

Agree fully, Candi. Agree also with what Gregs says, giving them to drink we didn't mention. This really we need to be aware of. I always carry a big water supply with me when on a walk for about an hour. While training or even just idle at home it is easier, but they Always need to have access to water. Like we ourselves too.

Wow, thanks for all the great responses! Today is supposed to be 38C/100F so it was an early walk at 5am to get ahead of the heat. That gave us an hour to enjoy a game of tug, practice formal heeling and then a relaxed loose leash walk home. By 6:30 it was already getting too warm to work.

I do have to start carrying water for both of us. I thought about it this morning when we got home and she was sucking water up like a sponge. I need to find a way that leaves my hands free.

Greg, Dri had emergency surgery at 7 months for an intestinal blockage (she ate a cat's hairball and it didn't pass) and the vet did a stomach tack. I know they aren't a guarantee, but it at least cuts the likelihood.

Sandra & Drithle
(pronounced Dree-lah, means "Sparkle" in Irish)
jezzys.mum@gmail.com

 Quote: Sandra More

I do have to start carrying water for both of us. I thought about it this morning when we got home and she was sucking water up like a sponge. I need to find a way that leaves my hands free.

Most sporting goods stores sell a variety of water bottle carriers that you could strap around your waist or over your shoulder or across your body. I happen to have one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/NEOSLING-Adjustable-Neoprene-Bottle-Racecar/dp/B004VAABZ4

It's got a really comfortable stretchy neoprene strap. The company also sells bottles to go with it where they claim the lid works as a water dish. Unless your dog is small, it's not going to work well. I just put my Kleen Kanteen 27-oz metal bottle in the holder and carry a separate collapsible silicone water dish, 3-cup size, which can be attached to your belt or belt loop or the strap of your water bottle carrier with a small carabiner.

Of course I'm not dealing with the kind of heat you are, and I don't know how long your walks are, but this set-up has served my large dog's needs (and mine) for an hour-or-so-long walk, plus I always have extra water and a larger dish available in the car when we get back to the parking lot.