Friday 10 July 2015

Signs Of An Overexercised Dog In The Heat

We all know our dogs need adequate exercise every day to remain happy, healthy and fit. But what about in the summer? Carrying out normal exercise regimes with your dog during the hot weather can be dangerous, and pose a possibly fatal risk to your dog. There are many ways you can prevent this, but today, we focus on the signs of an overexercised dog in the heat. It's important that you know when enough is enough, and when the responsible time is to stop your dog yourself.


1. Your dog is panting excessively. This is his way of desperately trying to cool down and recover.

2. Your dog is licking his lips excessively in between panting.

3. Your dog is drooling excessively (in breeds which are prone to drooling anyway, excessive drooling is a sign).

4. Your dog gets to the point where he refuses to carry out anymore exercise (be aware that with some dogs, they won't stop, and it's therefore your responsibility to know when enough is enough).

5. Your dog walks off to seek shade frequently during exercise.

6. Your dog becomes lethargic and unenthusiastic (some dogs will not appear to tire, however you will need to stop him yourself, to avoid problems).

7. Your dog decides to crash out on the ground.

These are all more than valid signs that your dog has had enough exercise in the heat. If you don't allow your dog to stop and recover, it could lead to collapse, heat stroke, and more. Also, your dogs pads could become sore due to the heat on them, therefore laying down and chilling out is what your dog needs when exercising in hot weather.


It's vitally important that you know the signs of when to stop.


We're joining our hosts SlimDoggy, To Dog With Love and My GBGV Life in the FitDog Friday Blog Hop. We send many thanks their way, and you can join in below.


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38 comments:

  1. Daisy Poppy's10 July 2015 at 18:29

    Great, informative post, guys!

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  2. My GBGV Life10 July 2015 at 19:27

    We are always extra careful in the heat. It is awful when we see dogs being forced to work in the heat as it is so dangerous.

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    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:00

      Well done guys, that's the sensible thing to do. And I agree, I hate seeing roasting dogs forced to take exercise.

      Delete
  3. zoepheedogs10 July 2015 at 20:25

    Great post! On really hot days we don't go out and I will do training sessions inside with the wobble board and fitness ball. I don't like the heat and I don't want to risk the dogs. Or I will go really early in the morning before it gets hot.

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    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:01

      Thanks, and you're right. There's no point training hard in the boiling heat outdoors; there'll be plenty more days when the weather is safer.

      Delete
  4. M. K. Clinton10 July 2015 at 20:29

    What an important post! It is so hot and humid here that we usually walk and play in the yard during the first half of our day. That being said, Bentley loves to go get in the direct sunlight for a snooze!

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    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:02

      Glad you found our post helpful. Mine love sunbathing too, but only in safe doses.

      Delete
  5. To Dog With Love10 July 2015 at 20:29

    Great post, you just can't remind people enough about the dangers of overdoing it in the heat. And like you say, some dogs won't stop until they drop. Great reminder!

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  6. Two French Bulldogs10 July 2015 at 20:45

    Good post. Let's spread the word every buddys
    Lily & Edward

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  7. SlimDoggy10 July 2015 at 21:06

    Great reminders to everyone. You are right, some dogs just won't quit, so we must be mindful.

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    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:11

      Thanks. It's up to us and the responsible owners to know when to tell our dogs to stop.

      Delete
  8. JoAnn Stancer10 July 2015 at 21:15

    thank you so much for sharing those great signs. we really need to be careful in the heat. have a great weekend.

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    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:11

      No problem, and glad you found this helpful. Have a good one too.

      Delete
  9. Tenacious Little Terrier10 July 2015 at 21:28

    If Mr. N gets really warm, he will go hide under a car. Then I pick him up and head home.

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  10. Your Dog; Mind and Body10 July 2015 at 21:41

    It can happen quickly. Great tips!

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  11. bichonpawz11 July 2015 at 00:44

    Excellent message you have shared!! We all need to remember to stay hydrated during the summer months!
    Xo Chloe and LadyBug

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  12. 2browndawgs11 July 2015 at 00:58

    Good tips. I think people who have not worked their dogs in heat don't realize that you can't just decide to do it one day without conditioning them.

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  13. Kimberly Gauthier, Dog Nutrition Blogger for Keep the Tail Wagging11 July 2015 at 01:13

    Thanks for the tips. These are timely for the PNW. We've had record heat and even invested in portable AC units for our home. We decided to limit our dogs to 15-20 minutes of play every 2 hours during the heat wave. Making sure they stayed cool and well hydrated worked great for our pack.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:14

      No problem. We had record heat here in the UK only a couple of weeks ago.

      Delete
  14. Kinley Westie11 July 2015 at 03:04

    I's tagged ya in da Eight Photos of Happiness tag - check out my post for what to do!

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    Replies
    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:13

      Thanks pal! We'll have some photos up soon, and thanks for the tag!

      Delete
  15. Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them11 July 2015 at 03:26

    Great advice! With a Husky, I always worry about her getting over exercised in the heat and not stopping herself. Huskies will just go and go until they can't go anymore. I need to know when she needs to stop.
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

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  16. Molly the Airedale11 July 2015 at 10:05

    A great post with so much valuable info! Thanks, guys!

    Love ya lots♥
    Mitch and Molly

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    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:15

      Thanks, and glad you think so! No problem.

      Delete
  17. Barbara Rivers11 July 2015 at 15:20

    You're making a very important point! Our boy Buzz is one of those pups who would carry on playing with his beloved chuck-it ball until he would drop. We need to be extra careful with him and keep outside playtime sessions short in the summer heat. When it's this hot out, we always begin our days with super early morning walks.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown11 July 2015 at 17:15

      Thanks, glad you found it helpful! I agree with how you handle your Buzz's ways.

      Delete
  18. Unknown11 July 2015 at 16:36

    It can definitely be dangerous to overexercise a dog in the heat! Great post!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  19. Scruffy Little Terrier12 July 2015 at 17:30

    Great and helpful article!
    Michelle & Barney
    www.scruffylittleterrier.com

    ReplyDelete

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