Summer 2024 – hot weather
As British summers can be unpredictable but sometimes VERY hot we are just putting our hot weather plan in place for this year. We will use our judgement on a day-to-day basis, and take into account the needs of individual dogs, but as a general rule the following will apply:
Group walks
When temperatures start hitting 22C (or when humidity makes it feel super hot), we’ll consider shortening the walks to less than 1 hour.
When the temperature hits 24C (or when humidity makes it feel super hot) we will walk the dogs for a shorter period, in the shade, and keep this as quiet & calm as possible e.g. no games.
If the temperature hits 29C+ (or when humidity makes it feel super hot) we will not be walking any dogs, but will offer 2 local garden breaks instead. We may offer very early morning walks instead but we will notify you about this, if that’s the case.
Note re: FLAT FACES (French bulldogs, pugs, bulldogs etc) and ELDERLY dogs – we will put them on garden breaks ONLY when we feel it’s too hot/humid for them to walk. This group will need to be allocated to 1 or 2 of our walkers for logistical purposes, so please be aware it may not be your normal walker visiting.
Please note that where these changes are put in place we will have to ask you to provide enough parking permits to cover the visits.
Adventure day
If your dog is down for an adventure day we will give them a walk in the morning and an afternoon garden break. If temperature exceeds 29 degrees we may give them two garden breaks.
Solo walks
Depending on the temperature/humidity (as above), breed and age, dogs may get a short walk and then company at home.
Daycare
Shouldn’t be affected as we will either give them a very short walk, or no walk at all as appropriate, and just get them playing in the paddling pool all day.
We will try and keep you as informed as possible, but as always our priority is keeping the dogs safe, so please bear with us if we have to change the routine due to hot/humid weather without prior notice.
What you can do
Please prepare for the hot weather at home. Here are some recommendations:
– cooling mats are a great purchase because dogs can get up and move away from them if necessary
– cool collars and cool coats are available too, BUT must ONLY be worn for 20 minutes as being too cold can have disastrous consequences by sending the body into shock
– if you have a cool coat, then lay it down as a mat rather than leaving it on your dog
– fans will help to keep your dog cool
– keep your dog in a room where it can easily move around to avoid becoming too hot
– always have cool fresh water available. Keep lots of ice so we can add it to bowls after a walk
– if you would like to give your dog a more energetic walk we recommend first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening, however, last year, it was hot throughout the day so if they want to be lazy, let them
– don’t let your dogs lie out in the sun – they love it but it’s not good for them if it’s too hot. They can get heatstroke just like we do.
– short haired dogs particularly fair haired dogs may require sunscreen
– and remember if the pavement is too hot for your hand for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for their feet.
Let’s keep cool!