The Canine & Co Classroom

23/06/2026

A good read!

HUMIDITY is very important!

✋🏻 ⛔️ STOP focusing on the ambient temperature alone.

Humidity is highly related to hydration and dogs dissipating heat via panting.

There is published research stating that the ideal humidity range for animals is between 30-70% (it varies a little from different sources), and over 35% panting becomes progressively less effective for dissipating excessive body heat, and when the relative humidity exceeds 80% this body cooling mechanism in dogs is negated.

If the air is already saturated with moisture (high humidity), the water v***r from panting cannot ev***rate. This makes panting ineffective, and their core body temperature rises, because they can't cool down efficiently, they pant more, rapidly losing body fluids through heavy respiration and saliva production upto a point, when they then become dehydrated they conserve body water at the expense of higher body heat.

Dry air (low humidity) acts like a sponge, drawing moisture directly from the dog’s breath as they exhale. This constant exposure to dry air depletes the dog's internal moisture levels, making it a constant threat to their hydration.
Dry air drastically increases the risk of rapid dehydration.

Depending on the dog's exercise intensity, and the environmental temperature and humidity, ev***rative water losses may increase 10-20 fold during exercise.

One of the most common pieces of advice shared over social media in the UK (especially by owners/dog walkers/trainers) is to exercise dogs early in the morning or late at night, yet often times that's when the humidity is very high here.

Look at the environmental conditions, not the time, and be aware of your dogs exertion level.
Remember, higher intensity means more internal heat production, which means more excess heat they need to get rid of.

I know one dog who got into trouble last week at 6am, 17°C, humidity 90%, and needed active cooling, I've seen multiple dogs struggle in the morning and late evening... why?

It's important to understand the humidity you have, the intensity of exercise, hydration status, as well as the ambient temperature.

High ambient temperature combined with high humidity is dangerous.

It is less dangerous to have a higher dry temperature with lower humidity around 30-40% which allows for more ev***ration, but dehydration is a risk, so pay close attention to hydration, and intensity within that environment matters.

Hotter ambient temps mean more work to keep cool. Because they rely on a heat gradient, so the difference between the heat of their body, and the temperature outside their body. The closer the dog's internal body temp is to the ambient temp outside the harder it is for them to manage.
Dogs can acclimate to higher temps upto a point, which is different for individual dogs.

Can dogs acclimate to higher humidity like they can higher temperature?...

I don't know the answer to that, I suspect not, atleast not to the extent they can temperature, as their physical limitations would make it much harder and less efficient.

• Example 1:

With a very warm temp of 25°C with a very low humidity of 25-30% dogs can dissipate more heat through panting than at 18°C with 85-90% humidity which can be more dangerous.

• Example 2:

I went out for a walk on my own at 6pm, temp was 27° with cloud cover (no direct sun), humidity was 40%, there were multiple dogs out walking, not chasing balls or anything high intensity, just walking, they were all fine, in a temperature some people would crucify their owners for and tell them they should be out early or later.

By 10pm the temp had dropped to 19°, but the humidity was 85%, it felt worse.

I would have been walking my own dog at 6pm on that day, because I knew my dog, and managed hydration, giving him a drink of water every 15-20 mins can go a long way to staying in the green.

• Example 3:

I've seen multiple dogs running in harness over the years in temps around 10°C, but humidity above 80%, often in the 90s, even pushing 100%, get extremely hot, sometimes needing active cooling.

I once spoke with a musher about heat injury after an incident, this person always trained very early morning, when it was warm often in these high humidities, had had multiple cases of overheating over the years... I wonder why!


If you're honest, and understand what you're looking at, why are some dogs struggling in the heat when the humidity is in their favour, while others are doing fine?... there are various factors but often because owners push their dogs too far, for too long, before stopping for a break and re-hydrating, they get hotter, dehydration increases, they get hotter.

Is the answer simply to "go out early" ?

No one is saying exercise your dogs in the hottest, sunniest part of the day in temps they are not acclimated for, but "early" or "late" is not necessarily safer, there can be an area in between that may be better.
Just saying "exercise early" with no context can be dangerous.

Higher temperatures are a well known risk. Moderate temperatures with high humidity, combined with higher intensity exercise are less well known, it's a bit more sneaky you could say, but it can get a dog in trouble pretty quick.

But again, good hydration management is a huge part of keeping dogs safe when temps rise.

There's a LOT to heat tolerance.


"In dogs, the nasal turbinates provide a large surface area for water ev***ration, from the moist mucous membranes, thereby playing an important role in heat dissipation through panting, while hypersalivation increases the ev***rative efficiency through ev***ration from the oral mucous membranes and the tongue. With high environmental temperatures and increased relative humidity (>35%), panting becomes progressively less effective for dissipating excessive body heat, and when the relative humidity is >80%, this body cooling mechanism in dogs is negated. In addition, with a progressive increase in core body temperature, metabolic derangement ensues, cardiac output decreases, leading to heat dissipation failure, aggravating body heat accumulation. When hyperthermia, combined with dehydration, progresses, cutaneous and splanchnic blood pooling results in decreased circulating blood volume and hypotension.... "
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5800390/

"Since dogs have minimal sweating capacity, thermoregulation relies primarily on ev***rative mechanisms through panting. Heat, humidity, and hydration are thought to impact the dog’s ability to thermoregulate. High ambient temperatures decrease the heat gradient from the dog to the environment and add external heat to the dog. Humid conditions impair effective ev***rative cooling. Humid environments can contribute to heat stress. In addition to the environmental factors of heat and humidity, the dog’s adaptation to environmental conditions (also called acclimatization), overall fitness/conditioning and state of hydration are thought to be major factors that impact heat tolerance. Canine thermoregulation involves the inhalation of cooler, dryer air through the nose and mouth, which causes ev***rative heat loss from the nasal and oral mucosa and tongue, and the exhalation of hotter, moister air. In conditions in which the rate of heat generation is greater than the rate of heat dissipation, increased salivation and lingual blood flow allow for convection and ev***rative cooling. Ev***rative cooling results in electrolyte-free water loss (estimated at ~10 mL/kg/h) which can contribute to dehydration.
In hydrated dogs, salivary loss is estimated at 7 mL/kg/h during exercise. In dehydrated dogs, the amount of water lost to cooling was approximately 7% lower than in hydrated dogs, but salivation was reduced by over 90%.
As dehydration increases, the availability of water for ev***ration, salivation, and circulation will be diminished; heat tolerance and physical, mental, and olfactory performance will be reduced.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5662554/

"The most remarkable increase in water loss observed in working dogs is due to the increase in ev***ration from the mouth and respiratory tract. Depending on the dog’s exercise intensity, and the environmental temperature and humidity, ev***rative water losses may increase 10- to 20-fold during exercise.
At cold temperatures, the air a dog breathes in has very little moisture in it. When this cold air reaches the lungs it is saturated with water so that about 6% of every exhaled breath is water. In warm climates the inhaled air is more nearly saturated with water and so the dog loses less water from its lungs with each breath. However, since dogs pant to cool themselves off, water loss through the ev***ration of saliva often leads to ev***rative losses in warm conditions equal to or in excess of those seen in cold
environments...
Dehydration is almost always easier to prevent than it is to treat."
https://www.academia.edu/69683140/Hydration_Strategies_for_Exercising_Dogs?fbclid=Iwb21leASl0_xjbGNrBKXT9GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHh69bl4iFpdUuNHMdj85Ohg8-sAoTH3mmIJFbA4XeF5WukBr8BFV7T0l6x-A_aem_ichxhXIUlUKUHUz2B_sutg

"Even more concerning, in our latest paper we reported the highest daily "feels like" temperature (this is "wet bulb globe temperature", which takes into account air temperature, humidity, wind speed and solar radiation) recorded at the nearest weather station to each HRI event we studied. The average (median) temperature was just 16.9°C. The lowest temperature was 3.3°C (for an exercise induced HRI case), whilst the highest temperature was 23.1°C. These are not high temperatures...
When judging temperature conditions for your dog, you also need to consider how temperature is being measured... "
https://heatstroke.dog/category/research-news/

● Related Posts:

• Differences in Heat Tolerance between dogs and factors to consider
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ELixL5xjQ/

• When is it Too Hot?
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JRyDYfhBK/

• Hydration
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cjGDs9qhC/

21/06/2026

With temperatures rising over the coming days and weeks, it’s important to remember that sometimes the kindest thing we can do for our dogs is skip the walk altogether.

Hot pavements, limited shade and high temperatures can put dogs at risk of overheating, and no amount of exercise is worth compromising their welfare.

The good news is that dogs don’t need a walk every single day to have their needs met. Sniffing, searching, licking, shredding, digging, exploring and learning are all natural behaviours that can provide fantastic mental stimulation and leave your dog feeling satisfied and fulfilled.

From scatter feeding and frozen food toys to scent work games, destruction boxes and confidence-building exploration activities, there are plenty of ways to enrich your dog’s day while keeping them safe and cool.

I’ve put together some of my favourite hot weather enrichment ideas in the blog below. Which ones does your dog enjoy most? 🐾 https://www.thecanineandcoclassroom.co.uk/blog-3-2/hot-weather-enrichment

18/06/2026

Behind every reactive dog is usually a person trying their absolute best. Someone who is getting up early to avoid busy walking times, carrying pockets full of treats, scanning the environment for potential triggers and celebrating progress that others may never even notice. Living with a reactive dog can be emotionally and physically demanding, but it can also teach you so much about patience, empathy and seeing the world through your dog’s eyes.

I share my life with a reactive dog, and I also have the privilege of working alongside many reactive dogs and their families. One thing I have learned is that most people are not asking for special treatment. They are simply trying to help their dog feel safe while navigating a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Reactive dogs are not “badly behaved” or “aggressive”. Some are fearful, some are frustrated, some are worried about unfamiliar people or dogs, and some have had difficult experiences that have shaped how they respond to the world around them. Behind every reaction is an emotion, and behind every dog is a person doing their best to support them.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can help, this might be worth a read. The small choices made by members of the public can have a huge impact on reactive dogs and their owners. A little awareness, a little space and a little kindness can help keep everyone safe while giving these dogs the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.

10/06/2026

A lovely post from Ryan Dillon. Advocating for his dog, Benji’s needs. I too have an older dog and we have adapted our home to ensure Ted knows we are around ❤️

Sometimes, the smallest environmental changes can make the biggest difference.

As Benji, my dog, has got older, I’ve become increasingly aware of how ageing changes the way he experiences the world.

We know that pain (e.g. arthritis) and noise sensitivity can interact. In older dogs, hearing loss can also create new challenges.

Interestingly, my dog initially seemed less bothered by noises as his hearing declined, but recently he has become more startled and unsettled again. My suspicion is that pain and hearing loss may be interacting together. Living in near-silence means that the only sounds he now hears are the louder ones, which can be startling. Startling whilst already in physical discomfort makes things even more emotionally charged. We’re investigating possible pain and he is already attending hydrotherapy.

But it has also made me wonder about something else: what about feeling socially connected (loneliness)?

As dogs lose their hearing, they also lose access to the constant stream of information that tells them where their family members are. Footsteps, conversations, doors opening, and the general hustle and bustle of the home all help dogs keep track of their social world. I wouldn’t be surprised if losing some of these cues can leave some dogs feeling less connected and more uncertain about where everyone is.

I’ve certainly noticed this with my own dog. He spends much more time searching the house for me. Yet once he finds me, he simply goes off to bed, curls up and goes to sleep. And while it always makes me smile, I’ve become very familiar with the awkward creak of the bathroom door slowly opening, followed by a little beagle’s nose poking around the edge whilst I’m showering, just to check I’m there. Cute as it is, I suspect there may be a slightly sad undertone to this. As dogs lose access to sounds that tell them where we are, perhaps they need more reassurance that we’re still nearby.

The challenge is that repeatedly checking where I am means more wandering around the house. For an older dog who may be coping with pain, reduced mobility, or general age-related changes, all that searching can be tiring and uncomfortable.

So, rather than teaching anything new, I made one small environmental change.

I moved his bed in my office around 30–40 cm closer to the doorway. From that position, he now has a view of the upstairs landing and can easily see me move around from room to room without having to get up, follow me, or wonder if I’ve disappeared downstairs.

The result? He’s noticeably more relaxed, spends far less time wandering around looking for me, and settles more readily throughout the day.

Behaviour isn’t always about training. Sometimes it’s about asking:

“What information does my dog need to feel safe, comfortable, and settled?”

Often, the answer is surprisingly simple.

09/06/2026

What if dogs could tell us what they really need from us? (Ted would probably say more treats please!!)

So much of our dogs life focuses on what we want them to do, but sometimes it’s worth stopping and asking what our dogs are trying to tell us.

Behaviour isn’t about being stubborn, naughty or dominant. It’s communication.

When we begin to understand the emotions behind the behaviour, everything changes. We become more patient, more compassionate and more effective at helping our dogs navigate the world.

This shares some of the things that maybe our dogs would tell us if they could put their thoughts into words.

How many of these resonate with you and your dog?

Let me know in the comments!

03/06/2026

A fabulous post from Laura Dog Communication ❤️

ACCEPTANCE MEANS LOVING THEM FOR WHO THEY REALLY ARE ❤️

My lovely Sylvi is 11 this year and I genuinely don’t have any regrets about our life together. There isn’t a single thing I would change.

That doesn’t mean she’s “perfect”, whatever that is. She has so many wonderful qualities. She has fostered many rescue puppies, she is wonderful with people, gentle, kind and absolutely hilarious.

She also has traits many people would want to change. Although she has loads of dog friends, she really doesn’t like some dogs, especially unspayed females and she is exceptionally bossy. She’s a very strong character! The dogs who love her absolutely adore her and she couldn’t care less about the others.

I could have spent years trying to change her and “make” her like every dog. It would have taken so much time away from all the fun things we do together and it wouldn’t have been successful anyway. I don’t like every person I meet, so why would I expect her to like every dog?

I lost my first Inuit at just 26 months old. When she died, I realised I had spent so much of her short life focused on training and trying to help her cope with situations she found difficult. I still regret the amount of time I spent focusing on the things we “couldn’t do” instead of all the wonderful things we could. Ironically, she loved every single dog on earth.

Of course there are plenty of behaviors we should help our dogs with- if it’s impacting their lives and causing them anxiety or it’s presenting a danger. But it’s not a good use of our lives with our dogs spending inordinate amounts of time just trying to make them something that’s more convenient for us or trying to make them meet the expectations we had.

You don’t want to spend the short time you have with your dog wishing they were somebody they’re not. Embracing who they really are and loving them for it is a far more rewarding way to spend your life together

Laura McAuliffe Dog Communication 2026

01/06/2026

A lovely client review. ✨. One of the most important parts of training and behaviour work often has very little to do with the actual training exercises.

It starts with helping dogs feel safe.

When a dog feels worried, overwhelmed, frustrated or threatened by their environment, learning becomes much harder. Just as many of us would struggle to concentrate in a noisy, stressful situation, dogs can find it difficult to process information when they are emotionally overloaded.

That’s why good training isn’t about expecting dogs to cope with every situation straight away. It’s about adapting the environment to set them up for success.

This might mean:

🐾 Increasing distance from things they find challenging

🐾 Choosing quieter walking routes

🐾 Training at quieter times of day

🐾 Using visual barriers where needed

🐾 Breaking skills down into smaller, achievable steps

🐾 Giving dogs opportunities to rest, decompress and process information

🐾 Meeting their physical and emotional needs before asking them to learn

When we make thoughtful adjustments, we reduce stress and create an environment where dogs can engage, think and make good choices.

Progress isn’t measured by how quickly we can expose a dog to difficult situations. Progress is measured by how comfortable, confident and successful they become over time.

The goal isn’t simply a dog that “copes.”

The goal is a dog that feels safe enough to learn, explore, communicate and thrive.

Sometimes the kindest and most effective thing we can do is change the environment rather than expecting the dog to change first.

After all, learning happens best when dogs feel secure, understood and supported. ❤️🐾

28/05/2026

Dog training & behaviour support is so much more than teaching cues and behaviours. It’s about understanding the dog in front of us, meeting their needs, building trust, and supporting both dogs and their humans in a way that feels safe and fair. I hope there is some useful information here to help anyone sharing life with a dog 💙

27/05/2026

We’ve been making the most of our favourite local walking spots lately, although the recent heat has definitely changed how and when we explore. Early morning walks (5am) have been the safest option for Ted, especially with warmer temperatures, it’s also given me a chance to catch up on admin!

One of the things we love most about our local areas is the variety of environments. Woodland shade, open meadows, streams for paddling, quiet sniffy pathways, wildlife to watch from a distance, and plenty of opportunities for dogs to just be dogs. Every environment offers something different for our dogs physically and emotionally.

Hot weather is also a good reminder that walks don’t always have to mean miles and miles. Sometimes a gentle wander, a paddle, some sniffing, or simply sitting together watching the world go by is more than enough. Wildlife, changing scents, different textures, and natural enrichment all help dogs engage with the environment without overdoing it in the heat.

I’ve written a new blog sharing some of our favourite local walks around Sidcup and Bexley, including a few things to be mindful of too if you have a scavenger, reactive dog, or a dog who struggles in busy environments. 🐾. 💻 📱 https://www.thecanineandcoclassroom.co.uk/blog-3-2/my-favourite-dog-walking-spots-in-sidcup-amp-bexley

26/05/2026

No walkies for us today ☀️

We’ve been out at 5am every morning this week, but even at 5am today it was already over 18°C which is starting to become a risk for my French Bulldog. Brachycephalic breeds can struggle so much more in warmer weather, and of course other dogs do too, so today we skipped the walk and chose safer activities instead.

Instead, we’ve enjoyed some Scentwork, snuffling, ACE free work, and physio activities indoors and in the shade. Dogs don’t need a walk every single day to have their needs met, especially during hot weather.

There are lots of safe enrichment options you can do instead of risking a walk in the heat:
• Frozen Kongs
• Lick mats
• Snuffle activities
• Scatter feeding
• Bringing environmental items home to explore such as grass, leaves, sheep wool or rabbit fur
• Toy swaps with friends or neighbours’ dogs for new scents and novelty
• Gentle scent games indoors
• Calm chewing and shredding activities

Mental enrichment and natural behaviours can be far more beneficial than a hot walk.

If you do need to walk your dog, make sure it’s really early or much later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Even enrichment activities are best done during the cooler parts of the day and away from direct heat.

It’s always better to skip a walk than risk heat stroke ❤️ REMEMBER IF YOU SEE SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE GET THEM WET THEN OFF TO THE VET!!!