[pupluv168]

I have a problem. Across the US, it has been ridiculously hot so I doubt I am the only person dealing with this, so I figured some of you guys would have some tips.

With the extreme heat in Florida (90-100 degrees plus 100% humidity, so heat index around 110 degrees), Toby is getting to the point where he doesn't want to walk for longer than a few minutes. He does 3, 1 hour walks a day during the week with me and 4, 1 hour walks on the weekends with my dad and I. Now, with the heat, he doesn't want to walk! He will literally turn around and try to walk home. That's not like him; heel was one of the first commands he mastered. He huffs and puffs constantly. We stop every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day to give him water, but he has just lost all motivation to walk.

I worry about him not walking as much because he is extremely energetic and needs the energy outlet. But I don't want to torture him or anything either...

What do you guys think I should do? Should I keep walking with him, start doing more frequent, shorter walks, or what? Has anyone else dealt with this?

 

[LaceyBlue]

I either walk my dogs in the am around 7-8am before it gets really hot. Or I walk them around 8:30 or 9:00pm. I also play with Lacey with the hose to get some of her energy out since she loves to chase the water.

I also play "hide and seek" type games with them. Hiding a high value treat in another part of the house and allowing them time to find it.

 

[pupluv168]

We play games in the house all day long. He lovessss fetch. No matter what I am doing, he will bring his toy to me, I will throw it over and over again. For hours. Maybe I will up his play time and minimize his afternoon walk.

I usually walk early am, mid-day, and evening. Maybe I should make the mid-day walk shorter? It is 90 degrees here from about 8am until 9pm, so it kind of restricts my times to walk. Plus, I live in a very rural area and feel uncomfortable walking in the dark. I wish I could let Toby run around in the hose, but we don't have a fenced yard, so off leash play is pretty impossible.

 

[Jerry'sMom]

is he walking on pavement, rock, asphalt? check his paws for blisters.

 

[svdreamer]

If it's that hot, he really shouldn't be walking in it. Remember, he's wearing a fur coat. You don't want him to get heat stroke, I had a dog get this, a stray, I almost lost him. He's trying to tell you it's too much for him, please listen to him. And remember, what ever he's walking on is extremely hot on his feet. Would you walk barefoot where you are taking him? Unless its lush grass, it may be burning his feet.

 

[pupluv168]

Therese, he walks mainly on the grass while I walk on the edge of the sidewalk. Sometimes he does walk right along on the sidewalk, but I encourage him to walk right next to me but on the grass for exactly that reason. I checked his pads, because that was what I suspected too. They seem fine, though. Thanks!

 

[LaceyBlue]

I put Mushers Secret on my dogs paws if I have to walk them on the hot pavement to protect their paws.

I put Lacey on a long 100 ft cable run when she plays with the water. I don't have a fenced in yard either. She never gets tangled or hurt. But I understand others not wanting to take the chance. And not all dogs enjoy the water. Lacey is the only dog out of my four who enjoys water.

If Toby likes swiming maybe take him to a safe creek/pond or a friends pool and allow him to swim? That is a good way to drain energy.

 

[pupluv168]

Pam, I think you're right. It's just too much right now, I think. I am going to minimize his afternoon walk, when it is SUPER hot, to just a shorter 15 minute potty break. Then I'll either make the other two a little longer when it is a bit cooler outside or I'll make it up with extra play time. I don't want to do anything to put him in peril, of course. Thank you, I think I will be taking your advice for a while at least.

Samantha, do you think a plastic child's swimming pool would be okay for him? I could buy a tie out type thing and let him go in the kiddie pool. I'll go in too, off course. Then he could swim his energy out!!!

 

[hershey109]

We play games in the house all day long. He lovessss fetch. No matter what I am doing, he will bring his toy to me, I will throw it over and over again. For hours. Maybe I will up his play time and minimize his afternoon walk.

Toby is probably like Nilla. Her energy level is waaayy too much!! She does love to play fetch too, until my arms get sore.

I upped their playtime to compensate for the walk. It's just too hot outside. We chase each other around the house longer than usual. Hershey likes being chased and Nilla loves to chase me. That works for us all!

 

[LaceyBlue]

Sure a kiddie pool would work too! I have thought about trying that with Lacey. My previous Lab really enjoyed bobbing for balls in two kiddie pools I provided for him in the backyard. He also liked pawing/digging at the water.

 

[KayC]

If the pavement is to hot for you to walk on barefoot, it's to hot for our fur babies. As for the kiddie pool, I just read where a chihuahua drowned in one at a doggy daycare. They can get in but may not be able to get out.

 

[pupluv168]

Kay, that's why I try to make him walk on the grass. I don't want him to burn his little paws!

Also, are you talking about the Cape Coral, FL drowning? I didn't know that was a chi. Do you think it would be okay if I was in there with him? Or just not a good idea at all? I don't want anything to happen. I'd rather just keep him inside if it's that big of a risk, I just thought it would be a good way for us both to cool down and for him to get energy out.

I talked to my mom and she suggested that we could do our afternoon walk at Petco. Then we'd be inside in the ac. That could be a good way to make sure he still gets his exercise, maybe.

 

[KayC]

I think as long as you are with him he will be ok if he likes it. Zoey hates the water. I'm not sure where it happened. I just saw it on the news last week and they said it was a chi.

 

[bayoumah]

Hi i love the pool idea ill get my buster one soon as i get to walmart do chihs like the water thanks

 

[AussieLass]

There was someone in here who was swimming their Chi's inside in the house bath tub to cool them down. That makes more sense to me than being outside in the blazing sun & heat.

 

[Jayda]

I am in SC. I have found Lady really only likes early morning walks before the sun is out or after sundown. It is just too hot if the sun is out/shining. I am in SC and we have have a triple digit summer so far as well. I found a great carry along water bottle and bowl contraption at Pets Mart so I take water. It is called "mini handi drink". Very easy way to take water along.

 

[woodard2009]

Try walking in the grass barefoot!! It's extremely hot! Small dogs can dehydrate quick. I would not walk the dogs in this heat. This heat can't last forever. They're actually calling for a cool down this week. I don't even take Midgie boating with us when it's this hot! Way too dangerous. I know how Toby feels. When Midgie asks to go out & I open the door to let her out, she just about turns around like she's changed her mind about going out.

 

[Lindsayj]

Toby is obviously telling you that 3 one hour walks a day in this heat is too much. You give him plenty of exercise, he will be fine if you cut some of it out until it cools down. I don't know if you mean a walk for exercise or you let him outside for an hour on leash. I can't take Chloe out for more than about 30 min, but we power walk very fast for exercise. I don't know how you even get him to walk that much! I don't mean this in a mean way because I know you're a great chi mom, but I think getting Toby out for 3 hours a day in 100 degree weather is a little cruel. I know you are only trying to do what's best for him, but I think you should listen to his body language. It is too much for him. It's great that you spend so much time with him, and I think that it would be fine to go back to that much exercise once it's cooled down.

 

[Huly]

My kids potty breaks and yard runs are very limited right now as it is way too hot and I don't want them to overheat. We do longer breaks right before dark but otherwise 5-10 minutes and more indoor activities

 

[pam6400]

We too have to endure this Florida heat. Mine do not do well in the summer months here at all. We would never be able to walk one hour at a time. The pavement is scorching and the darn grass is so dry it is like razors. We go out early before it is too hot but 10 minutes is max. Benny absolutely hates it and only goes out after dinner when it is cooler, his coat is so thick. Florida may be beautiful but I really hate the summers here.