14/08/2026
WALKING YOUR DOG IN HOT WEATHER – IS THERE ONE RULE FOR EVERY DOG?
With the hot weather we are having, there seems to be a lot of debate about whether dogs should be walked at all, and what time people should be taking them out. My view is quite simple: there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to dogs. Every dog is different.
You might have one dog, or you might have two, three or even more dogs. You might own a young, fit working breed that needs plenty of exercise, or you may have an older dog, a puppy, a large breed, a thick-coated breed or a flat-faced breed that struggles much more in the heat.
Then there is where you live.
Someone living in the countryside may have access to shaded fields, woodland, streams and grass. Someone living in a town or city may have to walk along pavements simply to get their dog out to toilet. The pavement can become extremely hot and can burn a dog's paws. The RSPCA and Dogs Trust both recommend checking the ground and avoiding walks during the hottest parts of the day.
So when somebody says, "Nobody should be walking their dog in this heat," I think we need to be a little more understanding.
Of course, nobody should be taking a dog out for a long, strenuous walk in the middle of a hot day just because that is their normal routine.
But dogs still have to go outside.
They need opportunities to toilet, drink, sniff, stretch their legs and have some mental stimulation. For some dogs, a very short toilet walk may be perfectly reasonable, while another dog may be better off having its exercise replaced with training, scent games or enrichment in a cool garden or house.
The important thing is knowing YOUR dog.
Watch the dog rather than simply watching the clock.
A dog that is panting heavily, slowing down, becoming lethargic, drooling excessively, appearing uncoordinated, vomiting or collapsing may be overheating and needs immediate attention. Heatstroke can be extremely serious and potentially fatal.
Breed, age, fitness, weight, coat, health and individual tolerance all make a difference. Flat-faced breeds, older dogs, puppies, overweight dogs, dogs with respiratory or heart problems and dogs with thick coats can be particularly vulnerable.
And having more than one dog can make things even more complicated.
You may have three dogs that all have completely different exercise requirements. One may be desperate to go out, another may be happy sleeping in the shade, while another may need only a short toilet trip.
That doesn't make one owner right and another owner wrong.
It means responsible dog ownership involves making decisions based on the individual dogs in front of you.
For me, hot weather is about common sense rather than trying to impose one rule on everybody.
Early morning and later evening are generally better times for walks. Carry water where appropriate, look for shade, avoid hot pavements and don't be afraid to shorten or change the walk if your dog is struggling.
And remember, a dog's exercise doesn't always have to mean walking miles.
A few minutes of scent work, obedience training, retrieving games in a safe cool environment or enrichment at home can provide valuable mental stimulation without putting the dog through unnecessary physical stress. The RSPCA specifically recommends alternatives such as puzzle toys, training games and scent work when the weather makes normal exercise unsafe.
Most importantly, don't judge another dog owner simply because they have made a different decision from you.
You don't necessarily know their dog's age, breed, health, routine, living environment or why they are outside.
There is plenty of good advice available about keeping dogs safe in hot weather. But good advice should help owners make sensible decisions for their individual dog, not turn into a competition about who is the better dog owner.
There isn't one rule for every dog.
Know your dog.
Watch your dog.
Keep them hydrated.
Avoid the hottest part of the day.
Protect their paws from hot surfaces.
And above all, use common sense.
What do you think? Should all dogs have exactly the same rules in hot weather, or should owners be able to make sensible decisions based on their individual dog, breed, age and circumstances?
