Heat planning for working dogs

Change the work plan

RSPCA recommends avoiding exercise in extreme heat and providing cool, shaded, ventilated surroundings. Assess the actual site and schedule, including waiting time at trials and time inside vehicles.

Assign responsibility

Before starting, decide who checks dogs, where they can rest and who can stop the activity. Keep the nearest veterinary contact and route accessible to everyone involved.

Respond early

If you suspect heatstroke, contact a veterinarian immediately and follow their instructions. Do not wait for the next scheduled break or use a breed’s reputation for toughness as reassurance.

Brief replacement staff and visitors on the same stop-work and contact arrangements. Check that the resting area remains suitable as sun and shade move during the day, including while the handler is occupied.

Make the plan cover loading, queuing and the journey home. A cool morning start does not establish that conditions will remain suitable through the whole day.

Recognise the change from normal

RSPCA lists signs of possible heatstroke including persistent panting, weakness, altered coordination, vomiting and collapse. These signs are not a home diagnostic checklist or a reason to wait until every sign appears. A dog becoming unwilling to move or behaving abnormally during heat needs the activity stopped and urgent veterinary guidance. Explain to relief handlers what is normal for the individual and which changes should prompt immediate action. Include dogs waiting in transport equipment in the same monitoring plan, because active work is only part of the day’s heat exposure.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• RSPCA: Protecting dogs from heatstroke (opens in a new tab)

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