Keeping Cooler in the summer - DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate

**Fiesialenp** · 03-05-2010, 10:44 PM

Well Summer is approaching and temps are soaring here.

I've always kept my dogs indoors in the AC, but I have a foster that is mainly an outside dog due to not getting along with my other dogs.

I'm not sure what the best thing to do for him is. Right now, he has a big bucket of water and a shallow wading pool. The backyard is shaded pretty well. Oak trees along the back and one side then I have a tree too under the oak plus a big shed on one side. Grass is already dead from having 3 foster dogs out there. Now it is just Dexter.

I sooooo wish I could find this dog his forever home or another foster, but we've tried so hard and no one wants bad enough to help get him to them.

He hates being by himself, he was used to have Wendy and Luna with them. So I've been putting Jassmine the Great Dane out with him for part of the day.

So options I have is sticking him in a crate when I go to work and he would have to stay in there all day then putting him out at night when I get home.

Or keeping him outside in the heat.

I know my neighbors never let their dogs in and they survive, but I think it is just too hot.

I know several on here have outside dogs that are kept out. What do you do to keep them cooler?

He is not chained and has access to the entire backyard. We are in FL. It was around 90 degrees today. It is a at least a good 10 degrees cooler in the shade area. I can tell the difference just walking out there. So in the shade and the dirt it is cooler, but still wonder how hot is too hot???

**VottCetaVeivE** · 03-06-2010, 12:25 AM

Actually I've had this concern too... I'm about ready to start making a chainspot and was wondering about the heat.

**pharmaclid** · 03-06-2010, 12:28 AM

make sure she has 24-7 shade. go buy a kiddie pool or a large bucket or a horse trough (or hell you can go get a bath tub) fill it up with water so they can soak in it.

**cauddyVab** · 03-06-2010, 12:30 AM

I use a barrel i cut it in half just enough for the dogs to jump in and get out.... The pups seem to like it to just have to ration their water alot more

**disappointment2** · 03-06-2010, 03:18 AM

Right now, he has a big bucket of water and a shallow wading pool. The backyard is shaded pretty well. Oak trees along the back and one side then I have a tree too under the oak plus a big shed on one side.

He should be fine back there. Better than in a crate all day.

Just don't have him in the AC for half the summer, then decide he needs to stay outside all day. He won't be acclimated and then he WILL have problems with the heat.

Can another dog stay with him?

Carla

**tinetttstation** · 03-06-2010, 03:28 AM

I agree with Sagebrush. My only worry apart from the dog having shade and water is that if the dog hasn't got used to the heat gradually and is used to cooler weather then it can suffer but otherwise they are fine. Out here it gets hot as hell and dogs do fine outside even in the height of summer. Some of them dig little ditches or holes that they lie in to be cooler.

**DrBrightonone** · 03-06-2010, 06:56 AM

also I would say mostly right now brush him well to get shed off, and everything else sounds good, my main problem with Goren is he does not like water unelss its a lake or river (I have tried pools and such he never uses them the bugger lol ) but as long as the dog has water and shade 24/7 it should be fine, maybe if it gets really really hot with no wind and all you see is the dog panting and looking distressed should it come inside but other than that it should be fine (for me that would be in the 90s but down in FL that would probably be close to if not past 100 degrees since the acclimation to the temp. is the key, if they are used to 90 degrees then 95 would just be hot but 100 would be to hot I think

**seperalem** · 04-05-2010, 03:20 PM

make sure she has 24-7 shade. go buy a kiddie pool or a large bucket or a horse trough (or hell you can go get a bath tub) fill it up with water so they can soak in it.

yep, thats a good way to help them out in the hot months. thats what i do anyway. folks need to be aware of this, i had a buddy whos dog suffered a heat stroke and seemed more sensitive to the heat afterwards. that dog had a shadetree to lie under when it happened, so it shows, they need a little extra help when its real warm out there

**disappointment2** · 04-05-2010, 06:23 PM

make sure she has 24-7 shade. go buy a kiddie pool or a large bucket or a horse trough (or hell you can go get a bath tub) fill it up with water so they can soak in it.

If the dog is one that WILL go to the effort of jumping in something that is deeper, that would be fine. I would start with something very shallow (like the kiddle pool) that the dog can just step into and can at least cool his feet by that action (which DOES help). It also is easy for the dog to just dip down and cool his belly. If a dog has to go to too much effort, he may not use the cooling a pool can afford.

Carla

**DrBrightonone** · 04-05-2010, 06:26 PM

If the dog is one that WILL go to the effort of jumping in something that is deeper, that would be fine. I would start with something very shallow (like the kiddle pool) that the dog can just step into and can at least cool his feet by that action (which DOES help). It also is easy for the dog to just dip down and cool his belly. If a dog has to go to too much effort, he may not use the cooling a pool can afford.

Carla

hmmm maybe that is Goren's problem, it was a kiddy pool but one that was high enough that he would have to hop into it, maybe if I got him one for infants he would use it? they are also only like $10 so might be worth a shot right.

**disappointment2** · 04-05-2010, 06:37 PM

maybe if it gets really really hot with no wind and all you see is the dog panting and looking distressed should it come inside

I agree. You do have to use common sense and keep an eye on how your dog IS reacting to the heat. SOME dogs just do not handle it, especially with the humidity you have down there. The humidity is the factor which will often "get" a dog. If you do have a fan you can rig up in the shed or somehow where it's "safe" and the dog can get to the front of it, I would do that on the hot, humid, still days. (Misting systems are useless in humidity and will make things worse). A breeze can often help in these situations and I have found my dogs laying in front of them in the house on hot days...

If you get those nights where it's almost as hot as during the day (and it's often that way in humid conditions), do bring the dog in at night for a good night's sleep and some relief.

If you do get an extended amount of time where temps really do get extreme (101 to 105), the dogs will tend to become weary of dealing with the heat day after day and may need a break. This happened to me in the Dallas area when I was taking care of a kennel full of dogs one summer and the temps were over 100 degrees for over a month, and I noticed they DO get weary of it -- management of them does become different...and the older dogs DO have to stay inside.

Again, common sense and observing your dog is key.

Carla

**Fiesialenp** · 04-05-2010, 06:39 PM

He should be fine back there. Better than in a crate all day.

Just don't have him in the AC for half the summer, then decide he needs to stay outside all day. He won't be acclimated and then he WILL have problems with the heat.

Can another dog stay with him?

Carla

Thanks. I've been leaving Jassmine my roommate's Great Dane outside with him, but she hates the heat. She is the only dog I have that could be outside with him. He is not good with other males or small dogs. Not to mention my other dogs would rather die than be outside. They don't even want to go outside to pee until the sun goes down!

**bashansasasasa** · 04-06-2010, 12:57 AM

Why not give him a room he can stay in during the day? One that the other dogs don't have access to?

**Fiesialenp** · 04-06-2010, 01:29 AM

Why not give him a room he can stay in during the day? One that the other dogs don't have access to?

B/c he would eat the room and everything in it if left loose in it with nothing to do. Plus I don't trust my bedroom doors to keep him and Casper separated. If motivated Casper can bust thru the doors and Dexter is a big motivation.

**bashansasasasa** · 04-06-2010, 01:55 AM

Where would you put the crate if you were to crate him during the day?

**Fiesialenp** · 05-05-2010, 05:56 PM

Where would you put the crate if you were to crate him during the day?

In the same place it has been since he came here 9 months ago. In the dog crate room. I have to lock his crate in multiple places to make sure he doesn't get out w/ heavy snaps. As long as he is crated he is fine. He has a 10" foam cushion that he sleeps on in the crate.

He sleeps inside at night with my roommate and her dogs and goes outside in the morning when she leaves for work.

**deandrecooke** · 05-06-2010, 01:02 AM

Didn't really read everyone's post so sorry if I'm repeating...

Ruffwear makes a jacket that cools dogs off- it has some sort of absorbant thing that you soak in water and then they wear until it dries.

Also, there are beds made with gel in them that are for older dogs and they definitely keep dogs cool.

03-05-2010, 10:44 PM	#1
Fiesialenp Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 644 Senior Member	Keeping Cooler in the summer Well Summer is approaching and temps are soaring here. I've always kept my dogs indoors in the AC, but I have a foster that is mainly an outside dog due to not getting along with my other dogs. I'm not sure what the best thing to do for him is. Right now, he has a big bucket of water and a shallow wading pool. The backyard is shaded pretty well. Oak trees along the back and one side then I have a tree too under the oak plus a big shed on one side. Grass is already dead from having 3 foster dogs out there. Now it is just Dexter. I sooooo wish I could find this dog his forever home or another foster, but we've tried so hard and no one wants bad enough to help get him to them. He hates being by himself, he was used to have Wendy and Luna with them. So I've been putting Jassmine the Great Dane out with him for part of the day. So options I have is sticking him in a crate when I go to work and he would have to stay in there all day then putting him out at night when I get home. Or keeping him outside in the heat. I know my neighbors never let their dogs in and they survive, but I think it is just too hot. I know several on here have outside dogs that are kept out. What do you do to keep them cooler? He is not chained and has access to the entire backyard. We are in FL. It was around 90 degrees today. It is a at least a good 10 degrees cooler in the shade area. I can tell the difference just walking out there. So in the shade and the dirt it is cooler, but still wonder how hot is too hot??? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-06-2010, 12:25 AM	#2
VottCetaVeivE Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 518 Senior Member	Actually I've had this concern too... I'm about ready to start making a chainspot and was wondering about the heat. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-06-2010, 12:28 AM	#3
pharmaclid Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 419 Senior Member	make sure she has 24-7 shade. go buy a kiddie pool or a large bucket or a horse trough (or hell you can go get a bath tub) fill it up with water so they can soak in it. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-06-2010, 12:30 AM	#4
cauddyVab Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 602 Senior Member	I use a barrel i cut it in half just enough for the dogs to jump in and get out.... The pups seem to like it to just have to ration their water alot more Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-06-2010, 03:18 AM	#5
disappointment2 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 475 Senior Member	Right now, he has a big bucket of water and a shallow wading pool. The backyard is shaded pretty well. Oak trees along the back and one side then I have a tree too under the oak plus a big shed on one side. He should be fine back there. Better than in a crate all day. Just don't have him in the AC for half the summer, then decide he needs to stay outside all day. He won't be acclimated and then he WILL have problems with the heat. Can another dog stay with him? Carla Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-06-2010, 03:28 AM	#6
tinetttstation Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 470 Senior Member	I agree with Sagebrush. My only worry apart from the dog having shade and water is that if the dog hasn't got used to the heat gradually and is used to cooler weather then it can suffer but otherwise they are fine. Out here it gets hot as hell and dogs do fine outside even in the height of summer. Some of them dig little ditches or holes that they lie in to be cooler. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

03-06-2010, 06:56 AM	#7
DrBrightonone Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 556 Senior Member	also I would say mostly right now brush him well to get shed off, and everything else sounds good, my main problem with Goren is he does not like water unelss its a lake or river (I have tried pools and such he never uses them the bugger lol ) but as long as the dog has water and shade 24/7 it should be fine, maybe if it gets really really hot with no wind and all you see is the dog panting and looking distressed should it come inside but other than that it should be fine (for me that would be in the 90s but down in FL that would probably be close to if not past 100 degrees since the acclimation to the temp. is the key, if they are used to 90 degrees then 95 would just be hot but 100 would be to hot I think Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-05-2010, 03:20 PM	#8
seperalem Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 360 Senior Member	make sure she has 24-7 shade. go buy a kiddie pool or a large bucket or a horse trough (or hell you can go get a bath tub) fill it up with water so they can soak in it. yep, thats a good way to help them out in the hot months. thats what i do anyway. folks need to be aware of this, i had a buddy whos dog suffered a heat stroke and seemed more sensitive to the heat afterwards. that dog had a shadetree to lie under when it happened, so it shows, they need a little extra help when its real warm out there Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-05-2010, 06:23 PM	#9
disappointment2 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 475 Senior Member	make sure she has 24-7 shade. go buy a kiddie pool or a large bucket or a horse trough (or hell you can go get a bath tub) fill it up with water so they can soak in it. If the dog is one that WILL go to the effort of jumping in something that is deeper, that would be fine. I would start with something very shallow (like the kiddle pool) that the dog can just step into and can at least cool his feet by that action (which DOES help). It also is easy for the dog to just dip down and cool his belly. If a dog has to go to too much effort, he may not use the cooling a pool can afford. Carla Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-05-2010, 06:26 PM	#10
DrBrightonone Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 556 Senior Member	If the dog is one that WILL go to the effort of jumping in something that is deeper, that would be fine. I would start with something very shallow (like the kiddle pool) that the dog can just step into and can at least cool his feet by that action (which DOES help). It also is easy for the dog to just dip down and cool his belly. If a dog has to go to too much effort, he may not use the cooling a pool can afford. Carla hmmm maybe that is Goren's problem, it was a kiddy pool but one that was high enough that he would have to hop into it, maybe if I got him one for infants he would use it? they are also only like $10 so might be worth a shot right. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-05-2010, 06:37 PM	#11
disappointment2 Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 475 Senior Member	maybe if it gets really really hot with no wind and all you see is the dog panting and looking distressed should it come inside I agree. You do have to use common sense and keep an eye on how your dog IS reacting to the heat. SOME dogs just do not handle it, especially with the humidity you have down there. The humidity is the factor which will often "get" a dog. If you do have a fan you can rig up in the shed or somehow where it's "safe" and the dog can get to the front of it, I would do that on the hot, humid, still days. (Misting systems are useless in humidity and will make things worse). A breeze can often help in these situations and I have found my dogs laying in front of them in the house on hot days... If you get those nights where it's almost as hot as during the day (and it's often that way in humid conditions), do bring the dog in at night for a good night's sleep and some relief. If you do get an extended amount of time where temps really do get extreme (101 to 105), the dogs will tend to become weary of dealing with the heat day after day and may need a break. This happened to me in the Dallas area when I was taking care of a kennel full of dogs one summer and the temps were over 100 degrees for over a month, and I noticed they DO get weary of it -- management of them does become different...and the older dogs DO have to stay inside. Again, common sense and observing your dog is key. Carla Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-05-2010, 06:39 PM	#12
Fiesialenp Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 644 Senior Member	He should be fine back there. Better than in a crate all day. Just don't have him in the AC for half the summer, then decide he needs to stay outside all day. He won't be acclimated and then he WILL have problems with the heat. Can another dog stay with him? Carla Thanks. I've been leaving Jassmine my roommate's Great Dane outside with him, but she hates the heat. She is the only dog I have that could be outside with him. He is not good with other males or small dogs. Not to mention my other dogs would rather die than be outside. They don't even want to go outside to pee until the sun goes down! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-06-2010, 12:57 AM	#13
bashansasasasa Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 702 Senior Member	Why not give him a room he can stay in during the day? One that the other dogs don't have access to? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-06-2010, 01:29 AM	#14
Fiesialenp Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 644 Senior Member	Why not give him a room he can stay in during the day? One that the other dogs don't have access to? B/c he would eat the room and everything in it if left loose in it with nothing to do. Plus I don't trust my bedroom doors to keep him and Casper separated. If motivated Casper can bust thru the doors and Dexter is a big motivation. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

04-06-2010, 01:55 AM	#15
bashansasasasa Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 702 Senior Member	Where would you put the crate if you were to crate him during the day? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
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05-05-2010, 05:56 PM	#16
Fiesialenp Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 644 Senior Member	Where would you put the crate if you were to crate him during the day? In the same place it has been since he came here 9 months ago. In the dog crate room. I have to lock his crate in multiple places to make sure he doesn't get out w/ heavy snaps. As long as he is crated he is fine. He has a 10" foam cushion that he sleeps on in the crate. He sleeps inside at night with my roommate and her dogs and goes outside in the morning when she leaves for work. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote

05-06-2010, 01:02 AM	#17
deandrecooke Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 493 Senior Member	Didn't really read everyone's post so sorry if I'm repeating... Ruffwear makes a jacket that cools dogs off- it has some sort of absorbant thing that you soak in water and then they wear until it dries. Also, there are beds made with gel in them that are for older dogs and they definitely keep dogs cool. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter
	Quote