How Long Can I Keep My Dog Outside When It’s Hot Out?
“I have a rescue dog (a lab mix) that I got at about 6 weeks. She turned a year old on March 1st. I have worked remotely since early 2020. Now they are calling us back 2 days a week. The drive is an hour and 15 minutes one way with no traffic and then an 8-hour work day, so Id need to leave her outside for approximately 11–12 hours a day 2 days a week.
I cant leave her inside for that length of time, no relatives are close, and I cant afford to board her 2 days a week. She has a little swimming pool and a really nice dog house, but it terrifies me to leave her outside. Today its 97˚F with a heat advisory. Were in west Tennessee. Will it hurt her to be outside as hot as it is?” —JoAnn
Why Leaving Your Dog Outside is a Bad Idea
As a professional dog trainer, this is easily one of the most common questions that comes up during consultations. Many pet owners assume their dogs would prefer to play outdoors alone, but that’s not always true. The simple answer is no; you shouldn’t leave your dog outside unattended. Please allow me to explain why, and I think you’ll agree too.
Keeping an eye on your dog in the backyard is preventative, and not overprotective, behavior. Many pet owners assume hanging outside while their dogs play in the backyard is helicopter pet owner behavior. While it’s not necessary to hover over their dogs like a helicopter, they should be aware of what their dogs are doing outdoors. It’s best to hang out in your yard while your dog potties and plays. Of course, you can go indoors and grab a drink, but never leave your dog outside for longer than 5-10 minutes.
Clubs Offering:
Dogs get an unmistakable twinkle in their eyes the minute you reach for their leashes or open the back door. That’s because they know that they’ll be enjoying some fresh air and sunshine in no time. After all, when they’re outside, dogs have an endless supply of interesting smells to track down, squirrels to chase, patches of sunshine to lounge in, and, of course, stinky mud puddles to roll around in.
While dogs love spending time outdoors, it’s best to bring them in before bedtime to spend time with your family. But you might be wondering how long you can keep your dog outside safely during the day, especially in hot or cold weather. The answer is a little more complicated than you’d expect and varies according to your individual dog’s needs, health, and breed. Here we explore just how to determine when it’s time to call your pup back inside after a day of outdoor fun.
Dogs come in all sizes and breeds, which can affect how long it’s safe to leave them outside. While larger dogs with thick coats may enjoy outdoor romps for longer periods in chilly temperatures, their smaller single-coated and hairless counterparts, on the other hand, can spend more time outside on sunny days but not in the cold.
While small pups can spend a few hours outdoors in temperatures between 60ºF and 90ºF, keep outings in temperatures below 32ºF and above 90ºF to short spans of no more than 10 to 15 minutes, recommends Dr. Wooten.
Medium to large dog breeds like the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Malamute, Newfoundland, and Bernese Mountain Dog are adapted to extremely cold temperatures because of their thick double coats. For this reason, they can stay outdoors longer in temperatures below 32ºF, usually for 30 minutes to an hour, says Dr. Wooten. Additionally, healthy arctic breeds can stay outside for indefinite period of time during chilly days as long as they are acclimated.
“The long guard hairs that form the outer layer of fur protect against snow or ice and can even shed water; the soft undercoat lies close to the skin and keeps a dog warm and dry,” says Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, Lead Trainer & Behavior Specialist for Dog Savvy Los Angeles. While these double-coated dogs shed their undercoats in the summer to stay cooler, don’t leave them out for long in very warm temperatures above 90ºF.
Livestock-guarding breeds, who are typically medium to large in size can stay out for longer spans of time when the weather is temperate, between 60ºF and 90ºF, especially if they have a job to keep them busy, recommends dog trainer Danielle Mühlenberg of Pawleaks.
Is it Okay to Have Just an Outside Dog
With proper access to water and shade, certain dogs are able to stay outdoors for up to 12 hours at a time.