Heatwave Safety: Walking Dogs Safely in a Hertfordshire Summer

Hertfordshire summers are getting hotter and more humid. Every July we see dogs in genuine distress from walks that would have been fine ten years ago. Here's our hot-weather playbook.

The 5-second pavement test: place the back of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for paws. Skip the walk or stick to grass.

Above 22°C we move all walks to 6–9am and 7–9pm. Above 26°C we replace afternoon walks with shaded sniffaris, paddling pools or in-home enrichment. We never refund-and-skip — your dog still gets a visit.

Heatstroke signs: heavy panting, brick-red gums, drooling, glazed eyes, stumbling, vomiting. This is a vet emergency. Cool with tepid water (not ice), drive with windows open, call ahead.

Brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, frenchies) are at much higher risk. Senior and overweight dogs too. We adjust their schedules first, always.

Hydration matters. Carry a collapsible bowl. Add a splash of water to kibble. Frozen Kongs in the afternoon are pure joy.

If you're working long days through a heatwave and worried, our drop-in summer service across St Albans guarantees a cooled, hydrated, content dog by the time you get home.