You've got to be so careful in the warmer weather!

Discussion in 'Labrador Chat' started by David, Jun 15, 2016.

  1. David

    David Registered Users

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    This is an "I feel really guilty" thread!

    We have a black girl 6 years old called Lady and we took her on holiday with us to Cornwall last week. We love it there and go a couple of times a year. In fact if it was just my choice and no other commitments I'd move there tomorrow! Lady loves it too of course.

    We normally do at least one long walk of about 8 miles during our stay and decided to do that on Wednesday when it was cool and cloudy. About half way the clouds cleared and the sun came out and it was quite hot. It's one of our favourite walks that starts at Carnyorth and goes across the moors to Chun Qoit Neolithic tomb, down to Morvah then along the coast via Pendeen Watch back to the start. Just over half way around and about a mile from Pendeen watch is a stream with a bridge, and we always let Lady play in the stream for a bit. I gave her a thorough soaking to cool her off. She was getting tired though, and just after Pendeen Watch she sat down and put her paw over her lead (we were on the road). Poor lamb had had enough. Fortunately there was a stone wall with some shade and we sat there for about 20 minutes for her to recover then walked on and came to the North Inn in Pendeen so we were able to pop in there for a drink and another rest for Lady. She was really tired out by the heat, I think and settled for a sleep under the table. It was about a mile back to the car and she made it ok.

    We were staying in a self catering place, and when we got back poor old Lady flopped in her bed and was snoring lustily within about 30 seconds it seems.

    My fault entirely misjudging the weather, but Lady was fine the next morning and up and ready to go again. We gave her some quality beach time with lots of swims in the sea. Black Labs in particular really don't seem to manage warm weather very well. In cooler weather Lady would have done the walk easily (as she has done many times - in fact she knows the route by heart). We could have been in real trouble so easily! Kicking myself still.
     
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  2. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    Poor Lady, I'm glad she's OK. My Willow loves the warm weather and sits out in the sun far more than Shadow (Shadow being the yellow one and Willow being black, perversely).

    I wonder how warm it was? I've done long walks in the mountains here on warm days and not had any issues - although there will always be lots of shade and water along the way, which I suppose makes a huge difference. Spain is a different matter, though, and we only take them out first thing in the morning and late evening, when it's cool. The rest of the day, they may pop outside for a few minutes, but will go back to the cool of the house after a short time.
     
  3. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Neither of my dogs are particularly great in the heat. Like owner, like dogs!

    Riley will sunbathe a little and he gets lovely and warm to cuddle but after a while he'll seek out some shade. Obi with his spaniel brain is completely incapable of self regulating and would run himself into the ground. I was worried about him the other evening after I'd walked them in what I thought was the cooler evening but his breathing was a million miles an hour! I think I just misjudged how little they're able to cool themselves while out and about.

    I know some people who work their dogs on the grouse moors conciously acclimatise their dogs to heat through the summer as the grouse season is relatively early and the moors are very exposed.

    I'm really glad Lady is ok and her communication skills are as strong as ever - paw over the lead = I'm not budging!!! xxx
     
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  4. David

    David Registered Users

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    The paw over the lead is classic!

    It was just the heat that got to her. I always carry enough water for her on the trip - less if I know there are clean streams for refills en-route. Actually she had enough water and it was muggins here who ran out and was in a bit of trouble himself!
     
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  5. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    So glad Lady was ok!

    Charlie gets hot very quickly - he seeks out water to cool down. Even in mid winter, he'll want to cool his tummy in a puddle. On hot days I'll walk in a circle around water, and take him for a cool down.

    It's partly his coat, but also partly the dog he is. It does not occur to him to slow down in the heat!
     
  6. snowbunny

    snowbunny Registered Users

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    I wonder if some dogs "run hot" more than others, just as people do. Me, I'm always cold. The other night, we were sat at the place in Spain, J with his shirt off and me with a jumper on.
     
  7. mandyb

    mandyb Registered Users

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    I think the humidity plays a part as well. It was particularly muggy last week here in Devon, so probably the same down in Cornwall, it definitely affects Lucan more.
     
  8. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Glad Lady is ok :) Sounds like you monitored it carefully and did all you could to keep her at a safe operating temp on the walk. It's a good reminder to be aware of these things as the weather warms up (for you northerners anyway :) was -4 C here last night).

    Obi gets hot easily and will plunge into any water if he's had to run more than 50m, even if it's a frosty morning.
     
  9. Ski-Patroller

    Ski-Patroller Cooper, Terminally Cute

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    When we take our dogs to our favorite off leash area and throw balls or Frisbees, Tilly will play for a while and then make a bee-line for the creek. She comes back, plays a while and then heads back to the creek again. Cooper either doesn't get as hot, or has not figured it out yet.
     
  10. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    My friend used to live in the converted chapel at Morvah. Love it down their but it can get very hot. I always go off season, I think the black dogs do really soak up the heat I've found lying them on damp towels to be a very useful way to cool them.
     
  11. Saba's Boss

    Saba's Boss Registered Users

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    Saba is experiencing his first 'summer', and seems to be finding the heat unsettling. He's chocolate, frequently melted chocolate just now! We walk early or late just now, same with his training in the garden. There are plenty shady places both indoors and out, but he hasn't yet found a favourite cool spot. We have a pool in the garden, so we're waiting for the day he joins the family in a swim, although goodness knows how we'll get him out again!

    Good to know both David and Lady recovered from their exertions. Paw on lead - that's a classic!
     

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