Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) Practice Exam

Temperature outside the normal range is a red flag that something serious is happening. Dogs normally run around 101 to 102.5 F. If the temperature falls below 100 F, the body is cooling too much, which can slow heart and brain function and lead toward shock—it's an urgent situation. If the temperature rises above 104 F, the dog is overheating or fighting an illness, and high heat can damage organs quickly if not treated. Because either extreme can worsen fast, these values are treated as emergencies requiring prompt veterinary care. Keep in mind that mild deviations around normal can occur, but once you see a temperature under 100 F or over 104 F, seek urgent help.