Due to my schedule, the best time to take the dog for a walk is around 11am. However, it's hotter than hell in Houston, and I don't want him to overheat. What signs should I look for to let me know he's getting too hot?

be careful if you are on a lot of pavement, it can burn their pads

My English bulldogs used to pant excessively then tongue would swell

what breed of dog? overweight or not? generally, a walk is not going to be problem for most dogs.

And how far is the walk?

Excessive panting, lethargic behavior, unsteady. Most dogs will start to "feel" unwell and act like it. They may stop walking, or lay down.

Keep in mind their body temp is closer to 101, so they don't reach a dangerous heat quite as fast as we do.

To cool a dog, splash water on their underside, and legs.

He's a 7-month-old Heeler mix that is not even close to overweight. The walks about been about a mile (which usually means about 20-25 minutes). There is grass next to the sidewalk that I try to push him to walk on.

mrsbeer05 said:

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He's a 7-month-old Heeler mix that is not even close to overweight. The walks about been about a mile (which usually means about 20-25 minutes). There is grass next to the sidewalk that I try to push him to walk on.

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he should be more than fine. pads of his feet might be the only issue. you can get some Musher's Secret Paw protection. it's just a wax that you apply to its paws.

My wife trains our collies to herd sheep in the middle of the day in summer. It'll be 100F and the're out running gathers at A good pace. As long as you let them rest and cool down (they have a kiddie pool of water for the dogs to get in) a dog can get out and walk or run in the summer heat.

If there was ever a dog that can handle heat, it's heelers. Had them at the ranch for decades. It's the 7 month age that may be slightly more concerning. Heelers are tough SOB's and smart.

I'm used to boxers and lived in the Mojave Desert for years. One thing I noticed when I went out jogging with my dog is when he started to get too hot (didn't happen very often, sometimes on 100+ degree days) his tail would go down, like he was trying to tuck it, as much as a short tail can be tucked. That was always a warning sign to get to water and cool down.

Took our two girls out the other evening on my walk with agmom, when we started both girls were zigzaging back and forth across our little black top road trying to sniff every bush and twig, by the time we reached halfway (one mile for humans, probably 3+ for the dogs), both were pretty well walking beside us fairly calm and when we finished, both of their tails were dragging. They headed straight for the water bowl and then to bed. No barking at the cats that night!

Our general rule of thumb in hoit weather is if the tongue looks like bologna, they are getting too hot.

MouthBQ98 said:

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To cool a dog, splash water on their underside, and legs.

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We have a 14 year old small dog. We walk late in the evening now, but get him drenched on the belly and chest when we get started. It seems to perk him up pretty good.

my Vet warned me years ago to keep my eye on my boxer's gums,...would get red when he got too hot

Panting is how they cool themselves and by itself is not a concern. Even a tongue dragging the ground is fine. But at some point the end of the tongue will cup/curl up. It's very distinct. Dog is not in imminent danger but it's time to wrap up whatever you're doing.

Have safely worked hundreds of working German shepherds in triple digit heat over the last decade. The tongue tells all.

I walk around the same time daily. I hose down my Boykin before we start off.