Training in the heat

obby1 · 05-01-2004, 09:50 PM

This will be my dogs first summer of training, and I was wondering how hard you guys train your dogs in the summer heat. Besides lots of water is there any other precautions I should take when training during the summer?

Thanks for the pointers!

wvvet · 05-02-2004, 01:08 AM

Keep the training sessions short. Evenings when it's a little cooler wouldn't hurt. Avoid any training when its over a 100 degrees (90 would be better, but this is impossible in many areas of the country). Provide plenty of water.

Doc E · 05-02-2004, 08:27 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: wvvet
Provide plenty of water.

Plenty of water, both inside of your dog as well as on the outside of the dog.

Swimming a dog in very warm water doesn't cool them and depending on water temperature, can cause them to overheat as well. If you have very high humidity, there is very little effect from having your dog wet due to lack of evaporative cooling.

Train in the coolest part of the day, keep sessions short -- and be VERY aware as to whether your dog might be overheating.