06/15/2026
*NOTE!
How Hot Is Too Hot?
As the weather gets warmer, we have to remember something very important: dogs do not regulate heat the same way humans do.
We sweat over much of our body. Dogs mostly rely on panting, limited sweating through the paw pads, shade, airflow, hydration, and rest. That means a dog can become overheated much faster than many people realize, especially when excitement, drive, stress, or physical activity are involved.
The chart I am sharing is a general outdoor heat risk guide. It is not meant to replace common sense, observation, or veterinary advice, but it gives us a clear reminder that temperature alone does not tell the whole story.
A 75-degree day can already become a moderate risk for many dogs when they are working, playing, training, or standing in direct sun. At 80 degrees and above, we need to become much more careful. By 85 to 90 degrees, especially for large dogs, heavy-coated dogs, puppies, seniors, overweight dogs, brachycephalic dogs, or dogs with heart or airway issues, the risk can become serious very quickly.
Heat risk increases with:
High humidity
Full sun
Dark or thick coats
Intense exercise
High-drive working dogs
Poor airflow
Obesity
Age
Puppies under 6 months
Senior dogs
Brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds
Heart, lung, or airway conditions
Heat risk decreases with:
Shade
Fresh water
Short sessions
Longer rest periods
Lower intensity
Cooler times of day
Good airflow
Handler awareness
This is why, at Canine Evolutions, we adjust training based on the dog in front of us and the environment around us. On hot days, sessions will be shorter. Dogs will get more breaks. Shade and water are not optional. We do not push through heat to prove a point.
Good training is not about exhausting the dog.
Good training is about clarity, timing, relationship, emotional regulation, and safety.
Also remember the simple paw rule: if the ground is too hot for the back of your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws. Asphalt, concrete, sand, gravel, and even artificial turf can become much hotter than the air temperature.
And please, never leave a dog in a parked car. Even mild weather can become deadly inside a vehicle in a very short time.
Our dogs trust us to make the right decisions for them. Heat safety is not weakness. It is responsible handling.
Train smart. Watch your dog. Bring water. Bring shade. Keep sessions short when needed.
The dog always comes first.
Bart De Gols
