Keep Their Routine As Consistent As Possible

If there’s one thing dogs love, it’s routine.

While we enjoy sleeping in during the holidays or heading off on spontaneous adventures, our dogs find comfort in knowing when they’ll be fed, walked and settled for the evening.

A sudden change to their normal routine can sometimes lead to confusion or unwanted behaviours such as restlessness, barking or anxiety.

Try to keep the important parts of their day as consistent as possible:

• Feed meals at roughly the same time.
• Keep regular walking times where you can.
• Maintain familiar bedtime routines.
• Avoid leaving them alone for much longer than usual.

If you’re planning a full day out, think ahead. Could your dog come with you? If not, could a friend, neighbour or dog walker pop in to keep their routine as normal as possible?

It doesn’t have to be perfect—consistency is far more important than perfection.

Why this matters

Dogs thrive on predictability. Maintaining familiar routines helps reduce stress and creates a greater sense of security, even when everything else around them is changing.

Make Every Walk An Adventure

One of the best things about the school holidays is having more time to explore.

Instead of following your usual walking route, why not discover somewhere new?

Dogs experience the world through their noses, so every new woodland path, country park or dog-friendly beach provides exciting sights, smells and experiences that stimulate their minds as well as their bodies.

Remember to adjust your walking times if the weather is particularly warm. Early mornings and later evenings are usually much more comfortable for your dog during the summer months.

Don’t forget to take:

• Fresh drinking water
• A collapsible travel bowl
• Waste bags
• A few natural treats for rewarding good behaviour

Summer adventures become even more enjoyable when everyone is comfortable.

Why this matters

Exploring new environments provides valuable mental stimulation, helping to reduce boredom while strengthening the bond between you and your dog.

Keep Their Mind Busy Every Day

Physical exercise is important, but mental stimulation can be just as rewarding.

In fact, a fifteen-minute enrichment game can often leave your dog more satisfied than a much longer walk.

Try hiding treats around the garden, creating simple scent trails or introducing puzzle toys that encourage your dog to work for their rewards.

One easy way to keep enrichment interesting is by offering a variety of treats with different textures and flavours.

Our new Sniff ‘n’ Mix range is ideal for enrichment games, allowing you to create a personalised mix of natural treats that keeps every reward exciting.

Changing the treats occasionally also helps maintain your dog’s interest and makes reward-based activities feel fresh.

Why this matters

Mental enrichment reduces boredom, builds confidence and gives dogs an opportunity to use their natural instincts to sniff, search and solve problems.

Turn Family Time Into Training Time

With the children home from school, there’s never been a better opportunity to involve the whole family in your dog’s training.

Training doesn’t have to mean formal obedience sessions.

Teaching simple tricks such as “paw”, “spin”, “wait” or practising recall in the garden can become a fun family activity that strengthens the relationship between everyone involved.

Keep sessions short—five to ten minutes is often enough—and always finish while your dog is still enjoying themselves.

Small, natural training treats make excellent rewards because they’re quick to eat and help maintain your dog’s focus without interrupting the flow of training.

Remember that consistency is key. Everyone should use the same commands and reward the same behaviours to avoid confusing your dog.

Why this matters

Positive training provides mental stimulation, strengthens family bonds and helps reinforce good behaviour through reward-based learning.

Pack Treats For Every Adventure

Whether you’re heading to the coast, visiting family or spending the afternoon in the countryside, don’t forget to pack a few treats alongside your own picnic.

Natural treats are perfect for:

• Rewarding good behaviour.
• Reinforcing recall.
• Settling your dog after exciting activities.
• Providing a little enrichment during breaks.

Long-lasting natural chews, such as our Buffalo Collagen Braids, can also be a great way to help dogs relax after an active day while supporting healthy chewing habits.

Preparing a small treat pouch before you leave home means you’re always ready to reward great behaviour wherever your adventures take you.

Why this matters

Using treats during outings helps reinforce positive behaviour while making every adventure an enjoyable experience for your dog.

Keep An Eye On The Weather

Although the hottest days may have passed, British summers can still surprise us.

Always make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh drinking water and somewhere cool to rest after exercise.

Avoid walking during the hottest part of the day and remember that pavements can become much hotter than the surrounding air.

If you’re ever unsure whether it’s too warm, place the back of your hand on the pavement for a few seconds. If it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s likely too hot for your dog’s paws too.

For more detailed advice, including signs of heatstroke and practical ways to keep your dog cool, take a look at our guide:

How to Keep Your Dog Safe, Cool and Happy During Hot Weather