Dog expert shares top tips for taking your dog on the school run

Over 100,000 people are expected to take part in ‘Walk to School Week’ from 19th May – dog expert shares top tips when taking your dog on the school run in hot weather

Walk to School Week, running from 19th to 23rd May, is expected to encourage over 100,000 pupils and parents to travel to school actively, making it the ideal time to also take your dog along on the school run.

Edward Creaser, dog expert and Director at the Natural Dog Food Company, shares the five most important things to consider when bringing your dog on the walk to school. 

1. Ensure pavements aren’t too hot for your dogs paws

A sunny May is expected to continue with temperature highs consistently over 20C, it’s the perfect time to enjoy getting outside on the school run. Before leaving the house, make sure to test how hot the pavement is – especially when picking your child up in the afternoon. Remember, if the pavement feels too hot for your bare feet, it’s also too hot for your dog’s paws!

2. Stay vigilant for heatstroke in your dog

Searches for heat stroke are at their highest ever in May, so it’s important to stay vigilant about the risks of heat-related illness. Common signs of heatstroke in dogs can include excessive panting and dark red or bright red gums and tongue. 

Certain dogs are particularly vulnerable, including flat-nosed breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs, larger dogs, heavy-coated dogs, senior dogs, and those with respiratory issues.

3. Take water on your school run

Take a stainless steel bottle of water for both you and your dog to prevent becoming overheated and dehydrated. You can also take a dog travel bowl for your dog to have cool, not ice-cold, water (as very cold water can hinder heat loss by constricting blood vessels).

4. Keep an eye on your surroundings

When walking your dog near children, it’s important to take responsibility for interactions between the dog and the younger ones. Not all children know how to greet dogs properly or interact with them safely, so supervision is key. 

5. Keep your dog on a lead at all times

It’s essential to keep your dog on a lead at all times as both roads and pavements are especially busy during the school run.

Ensuring your dog’s training is up-to-date with basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘down’ are also useful for creating space and setting boundaries when interacting with children and other dogs on the walk to school. 

It’s also advised to allow a bit of extra time for your school run with your dog so they have time for sniff stops – giving you time to enjoy a leisurely walk to school!