Dog Walking · 14 June 2026 · Marcus Ellery
Six rules for walking dogs safely in a British heatwave
The five-second rule still holds: press the back of your hand to the pavement. If you can't hold it for five seconds, your dog can't walk on it.
We move all summer walks to before 8am or after 7pm once daytime temperatures pass 22°C, and we swap the rest for shaded sniffing sessions and indoor enrichment.
Carry more water than you think you need, and offer it in small amounts often rather than letting a hot dog gulp a litre at once.
Early heatstroke looks like heavy panting, thick drooling and a wobble in the back legs. Cool with tepid water, move to shade, and ring the vet immediately — don't wait to see if it passes.