Field of Freedom Chertsey 2024 - enclosed dog walking field

23/06/2026

What to do instead of going for a walk 🐾

Do you want a contented dog during a heatwave?

Most heatwave advice focuses on keeping dogs physically cool, which of course is extremely important, but what if we focus on keeping them emotionally content? Stress can increase a dog's body temperature, which is why emotional welfare is just as important as physical welfare during a heatwave.

When it's too hot for walking some owners believe their dog will become bored, but what if we look at what dogs need rather than what we believe they may need?

Of course, dogs need exercise, but they also need opportunities to sniff, lick, chew, forage, observe the world and rest. How many humans do you know who just take a moment to sit and observe the world? As humans we’re conditioned by society to do more, be more, get more but dogs aren’t made that way and occasionally we forget less is more for us and our dogs. Naturally a dog will spend most of its day loafing, scavenging and sleeping – up to 16 hours per day in fact! I learned this information 10 years ago, soon after I became a dog walker, at a reactive dog training course. A group of feral dogs living in Sri Lanka had been studied over 6 weeks, I think it was, and these were the behaviours they exhibited.

So if we use that information to help our dogs what would it look like? I've listed activities below which can help fulfil natural canine behaviours whilst generating very little body heat and reducing stress levels.

Sniffing – It’s one of the most natural and fulfilling things your dog can do.
Blitz a handful of your dog's favourite biscuits into crumbs and scatter them through shaded and breezy areas of your garden.
Hide treats around your home and garden.
Create a treasure hunt using part of their normal daily food allowance.

Licking – It’s naturally calming and can help many dogs settle.
Freeze some of your dog's normal food into a lick mat.
Make ice lollies using wet food.
Freeze banana slices or carrots if your dog enjoys them.

Chewing – It's a naturally calming behaviour which can help dogs relax and self soothe.
Choose a chew which suits your dog, for some dogs that's a pig's ear, for others it might be rabbit ears, beef skin or another safe long lasting chew (Check out Murphy’s Doggy Deli for some amazing options).
The goal isn't the chew itself, the goal is fulfilling a natural behaviour.

Foraging – Because dogs are natural scavengers and it’s another way to use their incredible nose.
Put treats inside a cardboard box filled with scrunched paper, it’ll make a mess but I guarantee your dog will have a wonderful time!
Hide food inside toilet or kitchen roll tubes.
Scatter some food around the garden instead of feeding from a bowl.

Give choices – Choice matters because having control over their environment can reduce stress and improve welfare.
Offer cool water and room temperature water.
Freeze bottles of water, wrapped in a towel and leave them around the house or in front of a fan, so your dog can lay against them if they choose to, some dogs will.

Create new scents – Because dogs experience the world primarily through their nose.
Try introducing safe new smells into the garden such as safe fresh herbs including chamomile, lavender, mint, rosemary or basil can provide novel scent experiences without requiring lots of physical activity.

Watch the world go by - Because observing is good for both you and your dog!
Sit together in the shade.
Watch people, birds, insects and life happening around you both, you’ll be amazed at what you see and how you coregulate together. Not all enrichment needs to involve food and observation is a perfectly normal canine behaviour.

Let them rest – Because rest allows digestion, recovery and activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for "rest and digest" functions.
This might be the most important activity you can encourage your dog to do. Many dogs naturally spend large portions of the day resting and sleeping and its even more important during a heatwave.

Think in terms of "What natural behaviour is my dog missing?"
Sniffing?
Chewing?
Licking?
Foraging?
Observation?
Rest?

A contented dog isn't an exhausted dog; it’s a dog who’s whose fundamental needs are met and are able to practice normal behaviours.

I've included links to the research behind enrichment, sniffing and canine welfare in the comments for anyone who would like to learn more.

What helps your dog stay content during hot weather?

22/06/2026

☀️ This isn’t just another heatstroke post… but it is an important one. ☀️

With the ridiculous weather we’re expecting, it’s really important to stay aware of how quickly dogs can overheat and how serious heatstroke can be.

Something many dog owners don’t realise:

⚠️ Dogs can deteriorate after the heat exposure has ended!

Even if your dog seems fine after being out in the heat, heatstroke isn’t always “over” when they cool down.

Heat-related illness can cause internal damage that doesn’t show immediately. Dogs may appear to recover, then become unwell 24–72 hours later due to complications affecting the brain, kidneys, liver, or blood clotting.

🐾 After any heat exposure:

If your dog has overheated at all — even mildly — don’t assume they’re in the clear.
Keep your dog cool and rested for several days
Avoid exercise, training, or excitement
Monitor closely for changes in behaviour, appetite, or energy
Contact your vet if anything feels “off”

🚨 Signs of heatstroke to watch for:

Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
Drooling more than usual
Bright red or very pale gums and tongue
Lethargy, weakness, or wobbliness
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Confusion, agitation, or collapse

If you see any of these signs, treat it as an emergency:
Move your dog to a cool area, offer small amounts of water, do anything you can to cool them down and contact a vet immediately.

☀️ Prevention is still the best option:

Walk early morning or late evening
Check pavements before walking
Always provide shade and fresh water
Never leave dogs in cars — even briefly

Heatstroke can escalate quickly, but with awareness and quick action, it is often preventable ❤️

21/06/2026

It’s going to be unbearably hot this week, please check your bookings and reschedule, unless you are coming very early in the mornings

23/05/2026

Hot Forecast Due 🌅

Is it true that if we use cold water on heat stroke pets they will go into shock?

One of the most common things we still hear is that we can only use tepid water on a pet with heat stroke, incase they get some complications like hypothermic overshoot, peripheral vasoconstriction hindering a cooling response, and cardiogenic shock...

We have heard not to use cold water in case it causes shock... this rarely happens!

But guess what? In a recent study over 26% of dogs presented with heat stroke died, with flat faced breeds making up nearly half of heat stroke cases seen in the study.

You should:

💧Get someone to call the local veterinary practice and tell them you're going to travel down with a heat stroke patient
💧Pour, hose or if possible immerse the pet in very cold water (this should obviously be done under constant supervision, ensuring the head is fully above water and immersion should not be attempted if the animal is too large, at risk, or you are unable to do so without hurting yourself)
💧Note: If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing initially
💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.
💧Move to a cool, shaded area
💧Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car

In studies they found that:

🌅International consensus from sports medicine organisations supports treating EHS with early rapid cooling by immersing the casualty in cold water.
🌅Ice-water immersion has been shown to be highly effective in exertional heat stroke, with a zero fatality rate in large case series of younger, fit patients.
🌅Hyperthermic individuals were cooled twice as fast by Cold Water Immersion as by passive recovery.
🌅No complications occurred during the treatment of three older patients with severe heat stroke were treated with cold‐water immersion.
🌅Cold water immersion (CWI) is the preferred cooling modality in EHS guidelines and the optimal method applicable to UK Service Personnel
🌅Studies suggest using either ice-water or cold-water immersion

The best intervention is PREVENTION, but if you find yourself with an animal with heat stroke, using cold water either by pouring, hosing or ideally (if safe) immersion then this may help reduce their temperature to safe levels while you transport to a veterinary practice.

Read more below:

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid

And listen to our podcasts on Vet Voices On Air

Too Hot to Handle: The Truth About Canine Heatstroke

Heatstroke is one of the most lethal yet most misunderstood emergencies in veterinary medicine—and it doesn’t only happen on scorching summer days.

In this in-depth episode Robyn from Vet Voices on Air is joined by two leading voices in the field: Dr Emily Hall, primary care vet, educator, and researcher whose PhD focused on the epidemiology of heatstroke in UK dogs, and Emily Cockerill, referral RVN and Lowland Rescue search dog volunteer with extensive real-world experience managing dogs working in extreme conditions.

Together, they unpack what heatstroke actually is, why it’s so dangerous, and why time and temperature matter more than almost anything else. Using clear, evidence-based explanations, they explore what happens inside the body when temperatures rise—how proteins “cook,” organs fail, and why once a critical threshold is crossed, the damage is irreversible.

The conversation tackles long-standing myths head-on, including:
The belief that cold or ice water causes “shock”

➡Why wet towels can worsen overheating
➡The dangers of lemon juice in brachycephalic dogs
➡Misconceptions around double-coated breeds and clipping
➡Why ice cubes might not meaningfully cool dogs but can be used for indoor and cool enrichment

Crucially, the episode highlights that exertional heatstroke is the most common cause, not hot cars—and that heatstroke can occur in winter, during travel, stress, anaesthesia recovery, or even inside veterinary practices. Certain breeds and health conditions increase risk, but any dog (or cat, rabbit, or other small animal) can be affected if heat production exceeds the body’s ability to lose it.

Listeners will come away with clear, practical guidance on:

➡Recognising early and late signs of heatstroke
➡What owners should do immediately at home or in the field
➡Why pre-cooling before transport dramatically improves survival
➡Current best-practice protocols for active cooling in clinic
➡When to start and stop cooling based on body temperature
➡How prevention, timing, and informed decision-making save lives

If you’ve ever wondered when it’s too hot to walk your dog, how heatstroke presents beyond “just panting,” or what the evidence really says about cooling, this episode is essential listening—for veterinary professionals and pet owners alike.
Because when it comes to heatstroke, minutes matter—and myths can kill.

Listen Here on Vet Voices On Air

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MMO1STWzFzyhYiExBp9gN?si=achtyAFISSSt8bwmykDHqg

23/05/2026

Such a sudden change in temperature too and high humidity, take care and stay cool 😎 You can reschedule your booking at any time. I have released earlier and later session times at the field, if your dog absolutely has to go out and will refund if you cancel due to the hot weather.
If your dog overheats, don’t forget it’s “get them wet 💦 then vet” asap.

With the predicted high temperatures in the coming days, please remember it's doesn't take a lot for your dogs to overheat!

☀️HEATSTROKE KILLS DOGS☀️

Every single year, Vets treat hundreds of heat stroke cases and, heartbreakingly, some end in tragedy 💔

Many are unfortunately a result of dogs getting exercised between 8am and 8pm when temperatures can be at their peak 🚫

With the temperatures heating up, it’s critical to know when it’s too hot for your dogs. Heat-related illnesses are almost always preventable.

MISSING WALKS DUE TO THE HEAT WONT HARM YOUR DOGS!

DONT TAKE THE RISK and make sure your pet isn’t overheating!

If you think your dog may be suffering from heat stroke, contact your vet immediately or, if out-of-hours, find your nearest emergency vet.

05/03/2026

19/02/2026

It might be grey, but it’s not wet 💦 There is still a lot of water about, the footpath from the car park is very soggy in places but it’s ok 👍 Walking boots or Wellies required. The river Thames is still flowing very fast and the water level is high, keep dogs well away from the water’s edge. I will continue to monitor flood alerts and keep you all updated.

24/12/2025

HOW TO MANAGE CHRISTMAS WITH ANXIOUS DOGS

Christmas can be a stressful time of year for humans and it can be even harder for anxious dogs. Changes to routine, lots of well-meaning visitors and busier walks can increase anxiety levels in sensitive dogs and can even be challenging for dogs who usually cope well.

🌲 We get lots of queries at this time of year from people asking how to help their dogs cope over Christmas. One of the most common questions is how to manage dogs sharing the house on Christmas Day. This needs careful thought even for dogs without anxiety issues and even more so for reactive dogs.

🐕 Quite honestly, if your dog is dog reactive then Christmas is NOT the time to start new dog introductions. When you want to relax and enjoy time with family and friends, added stress is the last thing anyone needs. It is often kinder to leave your dog at home with a stuffed Kong and if that is not possible then clear separation of space in the house is essential.

🐶 Introductions between new dogs should always start on neutral ground, never in the house, and should begin with parallel walking with people on the inside and dogs on the outside. If your dog is not yet able to make new friends through parallel walking and counter conditioning then do not try this on Christmas Day when time is limited and patience is often shorter. Do not risk family fall-outs or an emergency vet visit by pushing things too soon. Wait until a quieter time and involve your trainer or behaviourist if you can. We regularly help clients with first meetings between family dogs to make sure they go smoothly.

Separate space in the home is essential if dogs are not yet comfortable sharing. See my separate post about safe spaces. Tall stair gates work best and it is worth taking your own if you are visiting. Crates can work for some dogs but only if they are already happy and relaxed using them as a safe space. Some dogs also need visual barriers to fully relax so blankets over stair gates or crates can be helpful.

🧸 Even if your dog usually mixes well with others, always have a back-up plan to separate dogs if needed. Be sensible with high-value resources. Many dogs will not want to share toys, favourite beds or food. Put tempting items away to avoid unnecessary conflict. What is valuable enough to guard will vary between dogs. In our house we put antlers away when dog friends visit as they are particularly special to one of our dogs. Provide multiple water bowls and beds so dogs have choice and do not need to worry about sharing.

🥘 Be careful with dogs under the table at dinner time. We usually get at least two calls a year involving problems around the table. Dogs often lie underneath waiting for dropped food and issues can arise if another dog approaches or a child reaches under. If your dog is not used to visitors or sharing space then being in a separate room or behind a stair gate with a stuffed Kong or chew is often a much safer option while people are eating.

🪧 Make sure everyone knows the rules. Put signs on doors or stair gates so dogs are not accidentally let into areas they should not be. Dogs often cope best when they are not in busy spaces. An upstairs bedroom can be far less stressful than the kitchen for worried dogs.

🐕 Remember that not everyone reads dogs as well as you do. Visitors are unlikely to notice subtle early signs of stress such as head turning, yawning, lip licking or frowning and children often miss these completely. Active supervision means FULL attention on your dog which is very hard when you have guests. For many dogs it is kinder and safer to keep them separate until a quieter time of day when you can focus properly.

💤 Make sure your dog gets enough sleep. This sounds obvious but it is often forgotten. Just like people, dogs need good quality rest and plenty of it. Lots of visitors and changes to routine can easily lead to overtired dogs and overtired dogs often cope much less well.

😡 Remember stress is cumulative. It is often not the one thing your dog reacts to but everything else that has happened earlier that day or even in the days before. Busy walks, lots of visitors and fireworks the night before can all stack together and lower your dog’s tolerance, meaning they react to things they would normally manage.

🌳 During stressful periods walks should be quieter and easier and your rate of reward should go up. Sniffy walks are ideal to help dogs decompress. Be prepared to give more space from things they find difficult as stress levels may already be high.

🦴 Provide plenty of chewing time. Fill the freezer with frozen Kongs and consider a new activity toy for Christmas. You may want to warn visitors before they hunt for ice in your freezer if your Kongs are stuffed with chicken feet or other animal part delights!

🍷 Enjoy your break with your dogs and remember it will soon be over. When in doubt, choose a quiet walk somewhere peaceful, ideally with a bottle of gin!

Laura McAuliffe, Dog Communication 2025