Full confession. A few summers back, I took our yellow Labrador retriever, True, out for a run at the local high school football field. We opted for True’s favorite toys — tennis balls and a lacrosse stick. She was a magnificent American field Lab, sired by my father in-law’s prized waterfowl retriever, Zeb. True was 65 pounds of pure muscle and sinew, completely hard-wired to run, fetch, and retrieve.

But even True wasn’t immune to the harsh summer heat. And during that blistering August day, I learned an invaluable lesson about caring for my dog. I ran her too hard. Suddenly, near the 50-yard line, True started stumbling as if she was inebriated. I realized, too late, that she was suffering from heatstroke. I ran out to her, scooped her up in my arms, and put her in the back of the family wagon.

On the way home, I called my wife, and told her to fill the tub with cool water. We immersed True, and within minutes she seemed to bounce back without any lingering adverse effects. According to the experts at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, True and I were both very fortunate that my lapse in judgment didn’t have more dire consequences.

“Pets will not often limit or stop themselves from doing too much,’’ said Dr. Megan Whelan, of Dedham, an emergency critical care director at Angell. “It’s a common misconception that they will.

“Pets have to be acclimated to exercising in hot weather,’’ she said. “Humidity is a key component. If it’s very high humidity or high temperatures, a lot of outdoor work should be avoided to prevent heatstroke.’’

In short, I learned that pet owners need to think for their pets. Dr. Kiko Bracker, of Needham, a critical care specialist at Angell Memorial, agreed.

“Heat and humidity should cause you to change exercise plans with you dog,’’ Bracker said. “They will chase a ball until they drop. Don’t make that happen. Exercise on hotter days should be in the early morning or evening, or by running from lake, to pond, to stream, etcetera. A warm day is not the day to begin an exercise program for a dog.’’

I was also lucky that my instincts to plunk True in the tub were accurate.

“If they’re hot after exercise, sometimes panting alone is not enough to cool them down,’’ Bracker said. “Hose them off with cool or cold water, and then dry them. Allow them to relax out of the sun, in a cooler environment.’’

The key to exercising with your pet, said Dr. Susan O’Bell of Wellesley, director of general medicine at Angell, is to understand your dog’s physiology.

“Your dog may not be able to tolerate the same amounts of exercise that you can,’’ O’Bell said. “Limited sweat glands, fur coats, and physically being closer to hot pavement on a summer’s day all could add up to an overheated, fatigued dog quickly.

Sporting dogs, such as retrievers and sheparding dogs, are bred to work. They can handle more vigorous exercise, provided they’re fit. Conversely, “smooshed-face’’ breeds like English bulldogs aren’t natural runners.

“Heat and humidity worry me the most for the brachycephalic breeds, those with the pug-like faces,’’ O’Bell said. “Add any stress or exertion on even a mild but humid day, and these dogs can start to become overheated and/or develop respiratory distress quickly.’’

A dog’s age is also an important consideration.

O’Bell said warm or humid days can be dangerous for some geriatric dogs, particularly Labrador retrievers or Lab mixes, which can develop a condition limiting their upper airways.

So pay attention. By closely monitoring your pet’s activity level, you can ensure a safe outing.

“Heat and exercise can be a bad combination if the signs are not recognized,’’ Whelan said. “A dog excessively panting or drooling could be the only thing they show initially when they are having a problem.’’

Added O’Bell: “If your dog looks tired, is stopping for breaks frequently, lying or sitting down, panting excessively or noisily, it’s time to take a break.’’

Angell veterinarians also recommend always having water on hand. Lots and lots of water.

“Offer limited amounts of water at a time so they can rehydrate slowly,’’ O’Bell said. “Two of my three dogs — Labs — definitely make it their mission to empty any bowl of water placed before them, so I just try to pace them. I would also wait till they have settled down a bit — rested, not panting so heavily — before offering a light meal.

“If your dog seems to be taking too long to recover — acting winded, reluctant to rise, panting excessively — then you could try cooling them, ideally with room temperature water, and check in with your veterinarian,’’ she said.

Consistency is key, Bracker said. Like any athlete, dogs benefit from gradual increases in exertion.

“The amount an animal exercises should be consistent with their usual lifestyle,’’ he said. “If they are sedentary, they should not be asked to run five miles just because you do. Or chase a ball for an hour in sun.

“Like people,’’ Bracker said, “they will become more and more tolerant of exercise and they get more and more fit.’’

If you have an idea for the Globe’s “On the Move’’ column, contact correspondent Brion O’Connor at brionoc@verizon.net. This column is dedicated to his family’s beloved Lab, True, who passed away from natural causes July 3.