How do you keep your Rottie cool for summer

[Nyla's Mom]

Hello all - the heat is finally picking up as were heading towards May. I'm new to rotties and want to be the best mom to my girl, she'll be 8 months next week. We live in California, & to my surprise she already seems as if the heat is bothering her and it's only gotten to 80 so far, boy is she in for a big surprise in the months to follow. But I was wondering how all of you Rottie owners seem to keep your guys cool and content during the summer months. I've read that some of you use small kiddie pools which I'm definently going to get and try out, but what else can I do? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Disturbed_Angel]

I've not tried these yet,as it doesn't get too hot in Scotland, but i've heard people having tents in their back gardens for the dog to get shade in and even a white reflector vest /t-shirt so the sun isn't as hot!
And of course, regular soakings with the garden hose LOL

[2rotties2luv]

It can take them a while to adjust to summer temperatures, although none of my rotties liked the hot weather. They much preferred to be in the house where it's air conditioned. I set the temp to be cool but not cold, around 78 degrees - at this temp the air conditioner will take much of the humidity out of the air without making it feel too cold.

Be very careful not to get your dogs overheated in the summer, it can happen quickly especially if it's humid as well as hot. If they are outside during the heat of the day, be sure they are in the shade and that they have plenty of water to drink. With their black coats, they can overheat quickly if the sun is beating down on them.

The only time my rotties ever liked to be outside in the summer was after dark.

[Brooke&Ryan]

We really try to limit our activities to the morning or evening hours. Julius gets overheated so easily in the summer. Luckily we have a very shady yard, & I put a kiddie pool in the yard as well so that he has free access to water. We do a lot of swimming with him in the summer. Usually 4-5 times per week, he's out swimming. But remember, dogs can overheat while swimming as well. He never gets walks during the afternoon when it's hot out. We usually do his long walk in the morning before it gets too hot & in the evening once it's cooled down. I don't deal well with heat either, so it works for me.

[dmoniz]

I work in Mountain View and yes it is getting hot! I don't have air conditioning at home and Logan is definetly feeling the heat. He tends to do a lot more sleeping during the day. We try to walk in the evening after it has cooled off. The kiddie pool is nice and Logan like to wade in it. Other options are fans, our friends bernese mountain dog would just lay in front of a fan all day before they got central air. We also like to go to the ocean and to Del Valle for swiming and staying cool for the day.

[Patty1231]

Mine stay in the house in the air conditioning mostly. I bought a large window air condition that keeps the downstairs cool - and I bought it just for the dogs! I don't particularly care for air conditioning, myself - a fan will do just fine 98% of the time.

We switch our walks to early morning or late evening, as well. And also walk in the park, where it's always much cooler with all the trees and the stream running through it.

[LORHEL]

I always say summer is NOT our best season. I walk Makita after the sun has went down and usually in evening hours. But some nights, if it is too hot, we don't go. I've found that even now, for example yesterday was only mild 60's, if the humidity is up then she's panting after the walk.

Keep the walks shorter too and take a break if you have to. I will actually put Makita in a sit for a couple minutes (although she's 6, not a young thing anymore) just to get her breathing slowed back down. Its a good time to teach them sit, then I use the command "wait" (you can use whatever)...

If they are outside, always have fresh cool water (put ice cubes in the water, some dogs love them) available. My girl stays indoors though. Its just not worth taking the chance.

Just compare it to standing outside yourself, covered in a black shirt, and pants, with the sun beating down on you....

Also, I don't take her on car rides unless we are going somewhere and blasting the AC for a short trip through a drive through or something.

It takes a very short time for them to get overheated.

Best to play it safe.

[miccmill]

Yes to early morning walks, 5:30am for us but even that is sometimes too hot in the peak of hot/humid summer weather.

We have a kiddie pool, shady spots and a big stainless bowl of cold water. Even then, she will go back in the house with the air conditioning while I sit outside in the sun, if it's just too hot.

[SaranBear]

I have a fan that sits on the floor and blows right at the dog, he loves it and will lay in front of it all day. We also leave the A/C on for him when it's really hot. We limit outdoor activities and when in the car I crank the A/C for him. I actually had my dog overheat on me once. It was scary! There were no huge warning signs. It happened very quickly. He was panting alot, but it was NC and hot. Then he just laid down and couldn't get back up. I was terrified, and devastated to see him try to stand and then not be able to. Thankfully he recovered, and I learned my lesson. I am now hypervigilant about the heat.

As for other things. My neighbor used this neck bandanna thing for her husky. You wet it and freeze it and put it on their necks. I don't know if it worked but she claims it did. Never tried it as Bear hates stuff on his neck. She also used to soak her dog with the hose on a regular basis. Again I never tried it because my dog hates water.

[NikitaChampagne]

I have a kiddie pool for Nikita as well as a misting system that is in a timer to cool off the covered porch. I live in Texas and the heat has already been in the 100s this "spring." I usually don't let the dogs stay outside when the temp is above 85 for long amounts of time.

I know that pets mart has a mat that is suppose to stay cool and always give your pet a cool place to lay down out. I've not bought one since they cost too much and I'm not even sure my dogs would lay on it. That and I know my youngest would chew it to bits.

Good luck

[rottix2]

If we are going to be outside in direct sun for any length of time during the summer, I bring frozen or refrigerated towels. I wet down a bunch of white shop towels (you can get them pretty cheap in a lot of places), roll them up and stick 'em in the freezer or refrigerator so they are ready when I need them. When I am heading out, I just grab a few and throw them in a small cooler in the truck. I also bring along a jug or two of cold water.

If the dogs appear to get overly warm, I take a towel or two out of the cooler and drape them over the dog's shoulders and back. Keeps the sun off them and cools at the same time. I rewet the towels from the cold water in the cooler to use again or to cool off their heads and faces.

[Sharon Marples]

You can purchase a misting system at Home Depot or other home centers. Install it where she stays outside a lot. Our dogs love them, they provide a light mist that really cools the area down nicely. They are made for picnic and porch areas for humans to use.

[Paulos]

My girl stays indoors, but in the winter, I let her out frequently to enjoy the mild winters her in San Antonio (SA). As the opressive SA summer deepens, I take my girl ever earlier for her daily walk. Try the kiddy pool, they are very cheap and don't expect them to last more than one season. Also change the water daily to stop mosquitos from laying and developing their eggs there.
You are correct in your concerns...Rotties don't do well in the sun and heat.

[Dimitri]

I'm thinking keep in indoor with my a/c on all day, if he does go outside to keep him hydraded during the day or take him out in the early morning and evening to avoid the heat and humidity

[spoiledbabies3]

We have had a few hot days already here, but my guys stay indoors during the day. Like most others, we walk in the evening after dark. We have a kiddie pool also but only one of my guys likes it, the other likes to chase the sprinkler. So we just laugh as he enjoys himself! We have 3 huge shade trees so the backyard is never extremely hot...but I don't leave them out there for a long period at any given time. They usually stay 15-30 minutes and then IN they come. We've also found that they love to lay on the hardwood and tile floors vs. the carpeting. We do have 2 fans that were purchased specifically for them so that they can keep comfortable. Treats in the summer include frozen fruits or veggies and ice cubes. It seems that this helps with cooling from the inside out! Good luck!