How to Keep Your Dog Cool in Summer: Practical Tips That Actually Work
By Shepherd Australia
Summer in Australia is no joke, especially if you’ve got a dog with thick fur, high drive, or a love for chasing tennis balls in 30°C heat.
Whether you’re walking before work or heading to the park on the weekend, knowing how to keep your dog cool in summer isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. Heat stress can come on quickly, and many pet owners underestimate just how dangerous it can be.
The good news? With a few smart changes (and the right tools), you can keep your dog safe, comfortable, and happy, even on the hottest days.
1. Know When It’s Too Hot for a Walk
The biggest mistake we see is well-meaning owners heading out during the hottest part of the day, or thinking that if they’re okay, their dog will be too.
But dogs don’t sweat like we do. Their main cooling mechanism is panting, which becomes less effective when the air is hot or humid.
Here’s a good rule of thumb:
- If it’s over 28°C, rethink the walk
- If the ground is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws
- Humidity above 70% makes it harder for dogs to cool through panting
Even at 9:00am, conditions can be too risky, especially for black-coated, short-nosed, or high-energy breeds.
2. Time Your Exercise Carefully
The safest time to walk your dog during summer is:
- Early morning (before 8am)
- Late evening (after 6pm)
Stick to shaded paths, avoid long-distance runs, and remember: short, slow, and cool is better than long and risky.
3. Use Shade, Water & Cooling Breaks Wisely
Wherever possible, give your dog access to:
- Natural shade, under trees or shelters, not just fences
- Cool water to drink and stand in
- Rest breaks between activities
If you’re heading out for the day, bring a collapsible water bowl, a portable shade option (like a tarp or umbrella), and frozen treats to help lower body temperature during rest.
4. Use Cooling Tools That Actually Work
There are loads of cooling products on the market, but not all are created equal.
Here are a few that can help when used correctly:
- Cooling mats: Great for rest time at home or in the car
- Kiddie pools: Ideal for water-loving breeds (supervised only!)
- Frozen treats: Peanut butter in ice blocks or frozen meat broth
- Cooling harnesses or vests: Aimed at reducing heat retention during activity
Be careful with wet towels or basic evaporative vests. In high humidity, they can trap heat rather than release it. We cover this more in our evaporative vest myth-busting guide →
5. Consider a Purpose-Built Cooling Harness
At Shepherd Australia, we’ve worked with working dog units, vets, and everyday dog owners to develop a better solution for active dogs in heat.
The Shepherd Cooling Harness is different because it:
- Uses gel inserts to cool via conductive transfer, not evaporation
- Targets key zones: shoulders, spine, and under the chest
- Doesn’t rely on airflow or humidity to function
- Works in any climate, even on humid summer mornings
Whether you’ve got a weekend adventure dog or a heat-sensitive homebody, our patented cooling system can help reduce heat stress, improve recovery, and let your dog keep doing what they love….safely.
Explore our cooling harnesses here →
https://shepherdaustralia.com/collections/shepherd-collections
Final Thoughts
Keeping your dog cool in summer doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take awareness and the right approach. Know when it’s too hot, plan around it, offer cool-down opportunities, and equip your dog with cooling gear that actually works.
Because when it comes to your dog’s safety, cutting corners in the heat just isn’t worth it.
Let’s help them stay cool, so they can stay active.