A dog trainer has issued a stark warning to pet owners living in flats, urging them not to take their dogs for full walks during the current heatwave. The trainer, known as @southenddogtraining1 on TikTok, stressed that walking dogs when temperatures exceed 24°C can burn their paws, and above 28°C, dogs should only be allowed out briefly to relieve themselves in the shade.
He addressed common excuses from flat-dwellers who claim their dogs must go out because they lack a garden. 'There's a huge difference between taking your dog outside to go to the toilet when it's warm, and taking your dog out for its proper exercise,' he explained. He advised that healthy dogs can manage a quick toilet break in the heat, but proper walks should be scheduled for early morning or late evening when it's cooler.
The trainer emphasised that dogs do not need long walks in such conditions. 'Your dog doesn't need a 60-minute walk, a 30-minute walk, a 45-minute walk, a two-hour walk, when it's 25 degrees in the UK. It simply doesn't,' he said, warning that exercising in extreme heat can lead to heatstroke. He also noted that dogs with full bladder control can go through the night without needing a toilet break every 20 minutes.
To test if it's too hot for a walk, he suggested placing the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it's uncomfortable to hold, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Commenters shared their own strategies, such as walking at 6am or carrying dogs to grass. Others recommended indoor enrichment like dog soft play or barns as alternatives.
