Cromwell Dog Life

26/06/2026

Truths about heat strokes as some myths and old advice are still out there:

Thanks to Cat The Vet for this summary 🌞

Heat Stroke Truths!

We are headed into a hot week, which means the usual posts containing dangerous myths about heat stroke are going to appear; so here is the truth;

💦 Cold water is FINE

It is fine for them to play in and it is absolutely fine to cool them down if you are worried they are too hot.

It does NOT need to be 'tepid' and it will NOT send them into shock.

If a dog is overheating, they need to be cooled down as fast as possible, especially if their body temperature is rising into the danger zone.

Cold water is the best way to do this. Any temperature lower than the dog will help but the colder the better for a fast reduction.

💦 Get them as wet as possible!

Always remember the phrase 'Wet then Vet' if you are worried they have heat stroke.

Soak them to the skin with the coldest water you can find and keep them in a breeze (roll down the car windows) while you travel to veterinary care.

You should NOT only wet their paws and bellies, soak the whole dog.

🧊 Ice cubes and iced treats are a great idea!

They have the same effect on dogs as they do on us! They are a lovely, cooling treat on a sunny day and giving frozen treats on a Kong or Lick-e-mat will help keep your pet entertained but quiet.

🐕 Thick double coats do NOT keep them cool

If you have a thick coated dog, their fur does not have a cooling quality. The undercoat traps their body heat and makes it harder for it to escape, doubly so when the outside temperatures rise and triply so if they start to exercise.

If you have a thick coated dog, you need to be extra careful in this warmer weather and put every measure in place to keep them safe, especially if they are elderly, flat faced or overweight.

For more great information and the latest evidence and science of heat stroke, I can recommend the following pages;

Hot Dogs - canine heatstroke education for dog owners

Veterinary Tactical Group

Dr David Marlin

29/05/2026

Excellent examination of ‘prey drive’ or ‘predatory sequence’ which I talk about with my training and behaviour clients. If you search for predatory sequence you will see it is a break down of a series of behaviours and steps which range from looking for prey to consuming it. Humans have bred dogs to have certain parts and not others eg a Border Collie will eye and stalk but not chase or grab bite to consume (maybe collie nip to herd) because that would leave a shepherd with no sheep. We give appropriate outlets to our dogs through play and controlled and managed training to help reduce any unwanted behaviours around wildlife and livestock.

26/05/2026

Really interesting post about how dogs try to keep cool in the heat

11/05/2026

This is the best post about rehoming rescue dogs I have seen. The flight risk is high. Everything is weird. Their world has been turned upside down. Being quiet and compliant does not mean they are happy and settled and a ‘good’ dog. Sometimes it can take months for behaviours to emerge or reduce. Other times - like with our rehomed rescue - it can be just days before you find out all is not well.

Their world completely changed.
And they don’t know why.

We see their quietness as coping or relaxing so we can accidentally expect too much, far too soon.

One of the hardest parts with newly rehomed dogs is their stress doesn’t always look dramatic.
We would recognise that easily, but some dogs become extremely still and quiet.

Some follow people constantly.
Some sleep more.
Some avoid all interactions.
Others become busy, mouthy, overexcited or unsettled.

We have a job to do from the second they arrive and it’s not about training.
It should be far more about observation.

We should be watching.
Learning who they are.
Recognising patterns.
Seeing what changes their emotional state.

What startles them?
What helps them relax?
What environments suddenly change their body language?
When do they seek distance?
What happens around food, visitors, handling or rest?

They are telling us who they are and how they are coping, often as clearly as they can and we have a duty to listen.

One thing nearly all rehomed dogs share? It’s incredibly easy to unintentionally overwhelm them.

And it’s usually done with the very best of intentions.

07/02/2026

Vid showing long lead action

07/02/2026

Nova chilling on her long lead weekend style

06/02/2026

Current scene: my dog Nova laying next to me while she sleeps. Or more accurately, she hopped up into my spot on the bed earlier and I squeezed back in beside her nearly hanging off the side!! She has been in such deep sleep that she was ’doggy dreaming’ with paddling legs and deep breathing. Nova has been with us six years this summer and we could never have imagined being this close to her when her guard was down. She would sleep startle and go for you if you accidentally made her jump when dozing.

Yesterday was a tough day dog support wise. I had two dog professionals contact me to ask for advice: one where a dog was in a home environment which was no longer suitable and family considering having the dog put down; another about a dog whose ability to go on walks was reducing either due to pain or worry. Then later I had an upcoming prospective behaviour and training consultation session cancelled and they are instead going down a residential training route - I hope with positive reinforcement approaches. The reason why I hope this is because without five years of patient trust-building, consent and choice-led approaches my dog would not be laying next to me in deep sleep. She would still be snapping and lunging and full of mistrust. It might take a bit longer, but it will be long-lasting.

10/12/2025