My husband and I love taking our dogs to the river near our house, especially on hot summer days. With winter coming soon and temperatures dropping fast, I'm wondering when we should stop allowing/encouraging them to get in the water.
It would depend a lot on the dog and how sensitive they are to the temp. Some dogs don't like cold water even in the summer while some can swim in near freezing temps for hours without trouble (think Newfies). In general, single coated dogs are more temperature sensitive than double coated dogs since the undercoat helps keep a layer of dry insulating air above their skin. Of course, a lot of dogs won't stop doing something they love even if they're uncomfortable, so be aware of how long they've been out. Ask your dogs to come in from the water frequently and check them over. A dog's normal body temp is about 101-102 F, so he/she should still feel warm to the touch if you're checking areas like the armpits/inner thigh. Keep an eye out for shivering or any signs of weakness. Check their gums as well. If they start to get pale it's time to stop. And make sure they get dried off quickly and to a warm place to lay down when they come inside. I'd recommend skipping the water if they're going to have to be outside for an extended period of time after swimming.
Hi there I would try to stop the swim thing now so that they get
used to change. Depends on how cold it gets in the late afternoon as well. If it's to cold and not dried off properly they can get sick. I would just play it from day to day.