The primary method dogs use to cool themselves down is through panting. When dogs pant, they evaporate moisture from their tongue, nasal passages, and the lining of their lungs. This process allows the air they exhale to pass over these moist tissues, effectively reducing their body temperature. Panting is a natural and efficient cooling mechanism for dogs, functioning similarly to how humans sweat to cool off but adapted for their furry bodies and unique physiological needs.