How hot is too hot to walk my dog in the hills?

If it's above 18 degrees with your dog working hard, you need to watch carefully for overheating. Flat-faced breeds like pugs struggle in any weather that isn't actively cold. Watch for excessive panting, drooling, or your dog suddenly losing interest and lagging behind—these are warning signs that need immediate action.

What do I do if my dog gets heatstroke on a walk?

Stop immediately, move them out of the heat, and cool them with water that's cooler than they are—don't pour it over their head. Create a breeze if possible, telephone a vet straightaway, and get them transported for treatment. Don't wait for vomiting or collapse.

Do I really need to carry out dog poo on mountain walks?

Yes, even in remote areas. Dog faeces spread parasites harmful to grazing livestock, and leaving bags hanging from fences or tucked behind stones is worse than doing nothing. If you carried the bag when empty, you can carry it when full.

Planning

Walking with Dogs

Dogs overheat on warm days, struggle on steep scrambles and can trigger livestock incidents that endanger everyone. Walking with dogs requires understanding their limitations, knowing where they're prohibited and having reliable recall in high-distraction environments.

2 September 20268 min read