How not to worry about your dog overheating during dove season.
 

Shoot at the first legal time in the morning. Have your MOJO decoys up and your station set up already. It's cooler in the early morning. Hopefully you will limit out before it gets too hot for your dog or you. Still have cool water for your dog and you. Pack up and get out of there before the heat gets too bad. Others may chime in here too. There is a winter season for dove too in some jurisdictions. No worry about canine or human heat stroke there.

I'm about as heat sensitive as a human as any fat black Labrador Retriever. I figure if it's time for me to beeline for the air-conditioned truck, it's time for my dog and I to both wrap it up and head for home.

I used to have black Labs. A male and bitch pair. One time I played the male too hard at catching frisbee one hot summer afternoon at a local elementary school field. He was a good catch but the heat darn near killed him. He collapsed and I managed to get him home in the truck and fortunately he recovered. From then onward, my dogs would be taken to a cool river in town for a swim when the thermometer got red and frisbee play at school grounds was reserved for the cooler seasons. I felt OK throwing the Nylabone disk in the heat but it was my poor dog doing all the running and catching in the heat. This was in Boise, Idaho where the climate is dry and not humid but still. Boise is also 2,750 feet above sea level and my male Lab was raised in California down near sea level. My Labs lived full lives and passed on. Labs and especially black ones are most heat sensitive. I don't dare walk dogs on hard pavement when it's hot. For summertime walks in the street, it would be early morning and late evening around sundown or along the river trail in the cool shade trees where the dogs can take a dip in the water too cool down.

Thank you for sharing your valuable insights and experiences regarding hunting with dogs in hot weather. Your advice on shooting at the first legal time in the morning and setting up early to beat the heat is certainly sound. It's crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of both hunters and their canine companions, especially in hot conditions.

Your personal story about your black Labs highlights the importance of being mindful of heat sensitivity in dogs, particularly breeds like Labrador Retrievers. It's commendable how you adjusted your activities and routines to ensure your dogs stayed safe and comfortable, such as limiting intense play in the heat and opting for cooler environments like the river for exercise.

Your proactive approach to managing heat-related risks with your dogs serves as a valuable reminder for all dog owners. Ensuring access to cool water, avoiding hot pavement, and scheduling outdoor activities during cooler times of the day are essential practices to keep our furry friends safe during the summer months.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and emphasizing the importance of heat safety for dogs. Your insights will undoubtedly help others make informed decisions when hunting or engaging in outdoor activities with their canine companions.