How can you tell if your doodle is too hot?

[Frannie & Callie]

I live in Atlanta. It's been RIDICULOUSLY hot and it's just now summer so it's not like cool weather is coming our way any time soon. Callie is not a fan of the heat. That's fine by me - I'm not a big fan of it either. However - she's not behaving normally outside, even by comparison of last summer. Last summer, she was fine on our walks (which we cut back to 15-25 minutes in the summer), and good for about 15 minutes of additional play and then ready to go inside or lay down in shade.  That has not been the case this summer. She's gotten her summer cut, dropped the couple of pounds she put on while I fostered Wilbur but it's still too hot (just for the record I've not dropped the weight I gained while fostering Wilbur!).  Twice in the past week we've been out playing or walking and she's gone under the bushes to lay down, and then lays down several times while we are walking home. Then when we get back home I fill her bowl up with cool water and ice cubes and she seems better, but still wants to lay on me full length (not sure how that's helping her cool down, but I know she's telling me she wants comfort).

 

I'm happy to cut back on the walks to be "business only" but is she getting enough exercise that way? One of my neighbors had a dog who died from heat stroke this past year and I may be too sensitive because she just was telling me about it. We are already only walking in the morning and then past 6pm, (sometimes a quick tinkle at lunch time) so we're not out and about in the dead heat of the day.

 

I'm very open to suggestions and feedback, because I want Callie to feel good and enjoy her life!!

[Linda and Murphy]

Thanks. I will get one for Murphy,

[BG and Gavin]

It's pretty hot and humid here too - not New Orleans hot mind you! I just soaked a couple of pre-tied bandanas in water and put them in the freezer I will put one on Gavin for each of his two walks tomorrow. He recovers in the basement where it is cool lying on the ceramic tile floor. He also loves ice cubes so that helps too.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

If any of you considering the Cool Vest have registered Therapy Dogs check it out on Ruff Wear. There is a post in the Therapy Dog Group where you can sign up with Ruff Wear in their Professional Program and save 40 to 50 % off products for your Therapy Dog. I did this. Took only like 24 hours to get signed up for the program and I saved 50% on the vest. Got mine for about 25.00 vs. 50.00. Was very easy to get signed up.

[Frannie & Callie]

Thanks guys - these are really helpful suggestions! I'm going to start with the gel bandanas (I have on for tennis, never occurred to me to put it on Callie) while I wait for the vest to get here! We're doing plenty of of "stair ball" (a household favorite) and will try to mist her with water when it's hot and we have to be out. I'm also going to switch dog park walks with Chattahoochie river walks so she can get into the water.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sounds like a plan......she's a lucky Doodle.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hey, Chattahoochie River is the river in the song by Alan Jackson!!!! The minute I read your post that song came right into my head. So there really is a Chattahoochie!!!!! ha ha

[Frannie & Callie]

There really is! I always sing that song when I see the signs

[Kevin Poole, Penny & Ozzy]

Isn't it "Chattahoochee" and not Chattahoochie?

[Frannie & Callie]

Kevin - you are correct. I tend to be a very creative speller :)

[Kevin Poole, Penny & Ozzy]

As an Englishman, it's hard enough coping with the differences between our two supposedly same languages, you can be a creative cook, a creative writer...But a creative speller?...I think not. I'll forgive you though, seeing as it's you!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I can let Lucy and Sophie out in the middle of the winter in a foot of snow to play and after they have played for a little while they will seek out the shade.

[Frannie & Callie]

I've never seen a happier doodle than Callie when it snowed here - we went on an hour plus "snow adventure" walk and she was cold, soaked, and thrilled every second (me, not so much)