25/05/2026
Hot Weather & Dog Walks – A Quick Guide ☀️🐾
I won’t be walking my dog today. She’s 10 years old and doesn’t cope well with the heat anymore. She’s happy pottering in the garden, but walks are too much for her right now.
I know there’s a lot of judgement online about walking dogs in hot weather, so here’s some friendly, practical advice to help you decide what’s safe for your dog:
If you do walk, keep it safe:
Go before 9am, or when it’s below 26°C
Stick to shade, take water, and keep it short
Check the pavement with the back of your hand – if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them
Today and tomorrow, I’d advise skipping walks if your dog is:
Elderly (9+ years old)
A young puppy – keep walks to 10-15 mins max
A brachycephalic ( squashed face) breed – pugs, boxers, bulldogs, etc.
A giant breed
Any dog with a heart condition ( including murmurs) @
A double-coated breed – huskies, mountain dogs, etc.
But most importantly, know your dog. You know them best and what they can cope with. If they’re sluggish, panting heavily, or seeking shade constantly, it’s time to head home.
Not sure what’s safe? Message me anytime – I’m happy to give free advice.
Feeling guilty about skipping the walk? Try some indoor enrichment games early morning or late evening to keep their brain and body busy.
10 Indoor Enrichment Games to Try:
Scatter Feeding – Sprinkle kibble in the garden or on a towel for sniffing fun
Muffin Tin Game – Hide treats in a muffin tin, cover with tennis balls
Towel Roll – Roll food inside a towel and let them unroll it
Hide & Seek – Hide treats around the house and let them sniff them out
Cardboard Box Puzzle – Put treats in a box with scrunched paper for digging
Frozen Kong – Fill a Kong with wet food/yogurt and freeze it
Snuffle Mat – Hide treats in the fabric strips for nose work
Cup Game – Hide a treat under one of 3 cups and let them find it
Tug & Tug Stop – Play tug with a toy and practise “drop” and “take it”
Obstacle Course – Use chairs, cushions, and boxes to create a mini course
Stay cool and look after your pups. If you need help adjusting walks or want training ideas for hot days, just drop me a message.
