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How to keep your dog entertained and happy during a heatwave The bank holiday weekend is approaching and we were looking forward to a day at the beach with friends but the weather has other ideas and within 48 hours we've gone from winter coats to ''too hot to leave the house''. When temperatures soar, skipping your dog’s usual walk can feel frustrating for both of you. Dogs still need mental stimulation, physical activity, and interaction — even when the pavement is too hot for their paws or the heat index makes outdoor exercise unsafe. The good news is that indoor activities can keep your dog happy, engaged, and tired out without stepping outside. In many cases, mental enrichment indoors can be just as satisfying as a long walk. Here are practical, fun, and easy ways to keep your dog entertained indoors during hot weather. Turn Mealtime Into a Game Instead of serving food in a regular bowl, use feeding time as an opportunity for enrichment. Try: Puzzle feeders Snuffle mats Treat-dispensing toys Frozen stuffed toys Scatter feeding around the house Working for food encourages problem-solving and helps burn mental energy. Even 15–20 minutes of enrichment feeding can leave your dog pleasantly tired. Pro Tip Freeze wet food, yogurt, pumpkin puree, or dog-safe peanut butter inside a rubber toy for a cooling summer treat. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course You don’t need fancy agility equipment to create a fun challenge. Use household items like: Cushions to jump over Chairs to weave through Blankets to crawl under Cardboard boxes to explore Towels for balance exercises Guide your dog through the course using treats or toys. This activity provides physical exercise while improving coordination and confidence. Keep sessions short and positive, especially for older dogs or puppies. Play Hide-and-Seek Dogs love using their noses and instincts. Hide treats, favourite toys, or even yourself around the house and encourage your dog to search. Start easy and gradually increase the difficulty. This game: Builds confidence Encourages scent work Provides mental stimulation Strengthens your bond Scent-based activities can tire dogs out surprisingly quickly. Teach New Tricks Hot days are perfect for short training sessions indoors. Training exercises your dog’s brain and helps reinforce good behaviour. Fun tricks to teach: Spin Shake paws Roll over Fetch specific toys by name Put toys away Ring a bell Play dead Keep sessions upbeat and reward-based. Aim for 5–10 minute bursts throughout the day. Try Interactive Toys and Chews Rotating toys can help prevent boredom. Instead of leaving every toy out all the time, store some away and swap them every few days to keep things interesting. Great indoor options include: Durable chew toys Tug ropes Soft squeaky toys Lick mats Interactive electronic toys Chewing and licking are naturally calming activities for many dogs. Have an Indoor Fetch Session If you have enough space, a hallway or living room can become a mini play zone. Use lightweight soft toys or foam balls to avoid damaging furniture. You can also: Roll toys instead of throwing them Practice “fetch and drop” training Add commands between throws for extra mental work Even short bursts of movement help release pent-up energy. Introduce Nose Work Games Nose work taps into your dog’s strongest natural ability: scent detection. Simple beginner games include: Hiding treats under cups Creating scent trails with treats Letting your dog sniff out hidden toys Using scent boxes with different objects Nose work is especially useful for high-energy dogs that need more mental challenges. Schedule Calm Enrichment Activities Entertainment doesn’t always have to mean high-energy play. Some dogs benefit from calming activities during hot weather, especially brachycephalic breeds, senior dogs, or anxious pets. Relaxing enrichment ideas include: Gentle grooming sessions Doggy massage Relaxation training Listening to calming music Window watching stations Creating a cool, comfortable resting space with fans, cooling mats, and fresh water also helps your dog stay comfortable indoors. Arrange a Doggy Playdate Indoors If your dog enjoys socializing, consider inviting a familiar dog friend over for supervised indoor play. Make sure: Both dogs get along well The space is safe and uncluttered Water is always available Play is monitored and balanced Short indoor play sessions can burn a lot of energy quickly. Use Training to Reinforce Calm Behaviour Sometimes dogs become restless simply because their routine changes. Teaching calm behaviours can help your dog settle more easily on hot days. Practice: Place training Relax on a mat Impulse control games Long-duration stays Calm greetings Mental work can be just as tiring as physical exercise. Nacho loves to look out of a window Missing a walk because of extreme heat doesn’t mean your dog has to spend the day bored. Indoor enrichment activities can provide mental stimulation, encourage healthy behaviours, and strengthen your relationship with your dog. Mixing up games, training, scent work, and calming activities helps keep your dog balanced and entertained until cooler temperatures return. Sometimes the best exercise for a dog isn’t about distance walked — it’s about engagement, curiosity, and quality time together. DOG SAFETY DOG TRAINING DOG HEALTH DOG ENRICHMENT

Celebrate the great British pub with your pooch Take Your Dog to the Pub Day is back for it's fourth year on Monday May 25th. A day we created to celebrate the great British Boozer with your pooch by your side and it coincided with our gorgeous Archie's gotcha day and no dog loved pub more than him. As Archie is no longer with us, the date now commemorates his life and fortunately our Nacho loves a pub as much as he did. What better way to spend the Bank Holiday Monday than with a pint and your pooch? We do hope you will celebrate the day with us and we'd love to see your photos on Instagram so please tag @woofabout and use #takeyourdogtothepubday Here's a list of our favourite pubs across the UK who will be taking part this year and will have extra special teats for any visiting dogs on May 25th. London Adam & Eve - 77a Wells Street, London W1T 3QQ The Coach & Horses - 29 Greek Street, London W1D 5DH Duke of Clarence - 147 High St, Hampton Hill, TW12 1NJ The Leather Bottle - 538 Garratt Lane, London SW17 0NY The Roebuck - 15 Pond Street, London NW3 2PN Greenwich Tavern - 1 King William Walk, London SE10 9J The Windmill - Clapham Common South Side, London SW4 9DE The Coach and Horses - 27 Barnes High Street, London SW13 9LW The Green Man - Wildcroft Road, London SW15 3NG The Devonshire - 39 Balham High Road, London SW12 9AN The Royal Oak - 73 Columbia Road, London E2 7RG Richard 1st - 52-54 Royal Hill, London SE10 8RT The Eagle - 215 Askew Road, London W12 9AZ Leman Street Tavern - 31 Leman Street, London E1 8PT The Guardhouse - No1 Street, London SE18 6GH Sail Loft - 11 Victoria Parade, London SE10 9FR The Windmill - 86 The Cut, London SE1 8LW Surrey The Fox & Pelican - Headley Road, Grayshott, Hindhead GU26 6LG Devon The Boathouse - Marine Parade, Instow, Devon EX39 4JJ Hampshire The Hunstman Hotel - Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7RH Dorset The Bear of Burton - 15-17 Salisbury Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 7JG White Buck - Bisterne Close, Burley, Ringwood BH24 4AZ Oxfordshire The Old Bell - 20 Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2BG The Royal Blenheim - 13 St Ebbs Street, Oxford, OX1 1PT Bath The Huntsman - 1 Terrace Walk, North Parade, Bath BA1 1LJ Staffordshire The Bulls Head - 14 St Johns Square, Burslem, Stoke On Trent, ST6 3AJ The Greyhound - 67 George Street, Newcastle under Lyme, ST5 1JT The Roebuck - 18 Derby Street, Leek, ST13 5AB The Royal Exchange - Radford Street, Stone, ST15 8DA The Sun Inn - 7 Lichfield Road, Stafford, ST17 4JX The Beacon - 20 Tamworth Street, Lichfield, WS13 6JJ Derbyshire The Cheshire Cheese - 37-39 High Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6HA The Old Poets' Corner - 1 Butts Road, Ashover, Chesterfield, S45 0EW Find your local dog friendly McMullen pub here DOG FRIENDLY PUBS DOG FRIENDLY LONDON DOG FRIEND Find your local dog friendly Butcombe pub here LY BATH DOG FRIENDLY OXFORDSHIRE DOG FRIENDLY SURREY DOG FRIENDLY HAMPSHIRE DOG FRIENDLY DEVON DOG FRIENDLY DERBYSHIRE DOG FRIENDLY STAFFORDSHIRE DOG FRIENDLY DORSET

A week of tasty treats for all pooches Puppuccino Week returns for its 2nd year on May 18th. We've teamed up with Waita Pets and some of our favourite dog friendly places to make this week a gourmet treat for dogs! Check out participating venues where your pooch can enjoy a puppuccino topped with your choice of delicious treats from Waita Pets.

A celebration of dogs at Goodwood On May 20th and 21st, Goodwoof will return for its second year. There is a host of activities and things to see over the weekend, all in the spectacular grounds of the Goodwood Estate. And there's still time to get 10% off your tickets with code SOCIALBARK10 Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome and there will be something for everyone. From the car park it's a 20 minute walk to the action or you can catch the shuttle bus. Start with some retail therapy from dozens of pet companies including our friends at The Sociable Pup Company. There are lots of things for humans too. The Randox Health Centre will return with sessions in Reiki, Massage, Yoga and Sound Bathing (all included in entry ticket price). A collection of architects return to showcase their amazing and inspirational creations at Goodwoof Barkitecture. This year the kennel designs that demonstrate how important dogs have become a part of our lifestyle and wellbeing, and represents the spaces we create for them within our homes, workplaces and schedules. There will be plenty to eat and drink all weekend including the Taittinger Champagne bar and Fortnum and Mason picnic hampers. If you need to cool down there will be plenty of covered areas to sit and Fido's Lido by Leaps and Bounds Wine will return. If you want to make a weekend of it, book yourself into dog friendly room at The Goodwood Hotel. We hope to see you there!

Luxury wellness destination for your dog Fido’s of Fitzrovia is a luxury pet wellness destination in the heart of Fitzrovia offering professional dog and cat grooming, premium retail, and wellness therapies including physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and Thera-Clean microbubble treatments. Designed around wellbeing, comfort, and personalised care, Fido’s combines experienced professionals, high-quality products, and a calm boutique environment, with dog daycare and overnight boarding coming soon. Dog wellness London Dog grooming London Cat grooming London Dog phsiotherapy London Canine Massage London Dog acupuncture London Dog osteopathy London Dog chiropractor London Dog Thera-clean microbubble treatments

No fluff, just good stuff! Is the philosophy of A Dog Person They have created a complementary supplement to support a healthier, happier and longer life for your dog. Their supplements are made with human-grade ingredients and no fillers, nasties, or artificial colours/flavours. Created by canine nutritionists.

Dog friendly Brazilian restaurant We are always on the lookout for different cuisines to enjoy where Nacho can join in the fun. So we were delighted when Cabana announced they are now dog friendly at their Covent Garden and Stratford restaurants. We visited the Covent Garden restaurant on a Sunday for their bottomless brunch. The human was super excited at the prospect of a never-ending supply of Caipirinhas. Thankfully it did end after 90 minutes before she started embarrassing me again. The restaurant is spacious with plenty of room for dogs of all sizes and water bowls are provided. There is also outdoor seating on the Piazza. Let's talk about the food. You can expect Latin American classics such as steak chimichurri and chipotle beef tacos, with a mixture of small plates and full main courses. The speciality is their Churrasco grill which produces mouth-watering chicken, served with the tastiest fries and a sauce of your choice. And of course don't forget the cocktails.... Dog friendly Covent Garden Dog friendly Brazilian restaurant London

Join us on Thursday May 14th for a celebration of city dogs in Covent Garden. Does your dog have a talent they'd like to show off? At the Dog's Got Talent presented by Luke's Dog School you can enter one of the talent classes or learn a new trick at one of the training demos. Here's the show schedule - no need to book, just turn up! You will also be able to pick up some goodies for your pooches at our market. Including: Baked goodies for dogs from Woof & Whisk Clothing and accessories from 2&4 Pets Supplements from A Dog Person Treats that are delicious and nutritious from Talula Eats Grooming products and accessories galore from Fido's of Fitzrovia Be sure to visit Fido's of Fitrovia's stand to get a FREE muscle health check and a 5 point health check for your pooch with canine massage therapist Hayley Miller. Pups in the Piazza Thursday May 14th 12pm - 6pm 1 St.Giles High Street WC2H 8AG

The Paws Lab link up with Bow Wow London to promote pet hygiene in the home. Up and coming pet hygiene and wellbeing product specialists, The Paws Lab recently linked up with top professional grooming salon, Bow Wow in Covent Garden, London to host an event for dog owners which focussed on how to care for pets in between visits to the groomers. Entitled “From Groomer to You: Healthy Dogs Start at Home” which is the first in a series of events being held with Bow Wow, leading groomer, Fumika who trained in Tokyo and has over 10 years professional experience, talked to pet parents about the importance of maintaining a regular dog hygiene routine at home. The session included practical advice and best practices on everyday pet hygiene and care and Fumika used The Paws Lab’s products to demonstrate her points. The topics covered included: How to properly brush a dog and maintain a healthy coat with The Paws Lab Dry Shampoo The importance of dental hygiene and using the right products, including The Paws Lab Dental Finger Cots The importance of face and eye-area hygiene, including the use of The Paws Lab Tear Stain Wipes Ear cleaning and the importance of regular maintenance to help prevent odours, buildup, mites, and infections using the Paws Lab Ear Cleaner. The event was an intimate and interactive workshop for a small group of around 15 guests, allowing for a more personal and educational experience. Home grooming products is one of the fasted growing sectors of the pet industry worth £420 million approximately to the UK economy a year. Consumers are looking for premium products that give them the convenience to care for their pets at home, and The Paws Lab is at the forefront of this trend offering pet parents simple, effective everyday hygiene solutions made with gentle, effective ingredients. At the heart of The Paws Lab’s products is a patented technology called SilverTi+, an advanced formulation combining nano silver and titanium dioxide. Unique to The Paws Lab, it offers advanced antimicrobial protection for pet grooming and hygiene, making it more effective, efficient, and superior compared to traditional colloidal silver. All formulas are fragrance-free, alcohol-free and free from harsh chemicals, making them suitable even for pets with sensitive skin. They are also designed to be simple and practical, turning daily care into an easy routine rather than something overly complicated and time consuming. The Paws Lab’s products focus on daily rituals for pets from ear care and skin cleansing to dental care, tear stain wipes, dry shampoo, pet wet wipes and daily protection for coat and skin. The formulations are tested and validated by leading global laboratories including FDA, Microbac Laboratories and SGS, ensuring they meet strict standards for quality, safety and product performance. Stay tuned, new events and locations announced soon. If you are a groomer interested in hosting an event, email hello@thepawslab.co

Applications are open The Big Woof will return for its 4th year on September 12th and 13th in King's Cross. London's largest dog event will be even bigger in 2026 with new activities added and music performances to enjoy. If you are a UK Pet Business and you'd like to be involved this year as an activity provider, sponsor or stallholder, applications are now open. To apply or request more information, email hello@woofabout.uk

A dog owner's guide to this city Fast becoming our second city, Manchester is a vibrant city offering lively neighbourhoods, diverse food, thriving arts, and welcoming green spaces, making it a dynamic destination for visitors and locals alike. Manchester is also becoming one of the most dog friendly cities, with lots of options of where to stay, dine and have fun with your pooch. Where to stay: Featured The Leven " It's always a good start to any visit when I see that the hotel has its priorities right when it comes to who is the most important guest. Not only were the staff super welcoming but I had a special treat waiting for me in the room." Read @the4leggedfoodies full review here. Featured Hyatt House "The room was super spacious with a kitchen, space to work and a great view of the city from our window. Also great location for visiting the city centre." Read @the4leggedfoodies full review here. More dog friendly Manchester hotels: Where to eat: Gooey "Located in the Northern Quarter, Gooey is a MUST visit. The Egg Sando is the BEST egg sandwich I have ever eaten no to mention the cookies and donuts! There are also treats for dogs." Read @rambo_french_bulldog_ review here. Gran T's Coffee House "Drinks include coffee, hot chocolate and milkshakes and their food menu has pasties, cake and sandwiches, as well as their recent introduction of a breakfast/brunch menu with granola, toast, eggs, sausages, etc. Rambos fave - puppuccino and some of those scrambled eggs too!" Read @rambo_french_bulldog_ review here. Franco Manca " They have a designated area if you have a dog, located towards the back of the restaurant, which worked perfectly for us. The staff were absolutely lovely and so welcoming to Rambo, offering him a bowl of water right away and giving him plenty of attention." Read @rambo_french_bulldog_ review here. The Motley " If you’ve got a dog and you’re in Manchester then you need to head to The Motley. Why? Well when you buy a meal your dog gets one for free." Read @rambo_french_bulldog_ review here. Dog friendly Manchester things to do: Museum of Illusion "Such a fun experience for both me and Rambo. He loves exploring somewhere new, and I enjoyed all the illusions. It’s not your typical dog-friendly day out — it’s interactive, and guaranteed to make you laugh." Read @rambo_french_bulldog_ review here. A river tour is a great way to explore any city. And four legged passengers are always welcome. Book a Manchester City River Tour here. Pooches are also welcome on the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour. Book here. If you know of more great dog friendly places in Manchester, let us know. If you are a dog friendly place in Manchester and would like to be featured, email hello@woofabout.uk to find out how to get listed. DOG FRIENDLY MANCHESTER DOG FRIENDLY RESTUARANTS MANCHESTER DOG FRIENDLY HOTELS MANCHESTER DOG FRIENDLY TOURS MANCHESTER

It's not just for Christmas https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ One of London's hottest spots for tourists at Christmas is also full of fabulous options for pooch friendly dining. Covent Garden always comes up trumps every year when it comes to super Instagrammable festive set ups but all that posing really works up an appetite, so here's 10 spots where you can dine with your dog. https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ Fans of churros (yes that includes us) you will love Aguamiel Staff here are super friendly and adore four-legged guests - they even get a pup cup to enjoy while you fill your face. Aguamiel 24 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DD https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ Right in the heart of Covent Garden Market, you will find Nana . This Meditarranean cafe has outside space only, so here all guests, no matter how many legs, are treated equally. Don't worry if you have no fur, there are plenty of blankets and heaters. Nana Cafe 27B, MARKET BUILDING, London WC2E 8RB https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ Also in the market building, you will find Hawaiin street food courtesy of El Ta'koy. If you are looking for an unusual cuisine to try, this is for you. Fresh, colourful, delicious! And don't get us started on the Tiki cocktails. Dogs are welcome inside but the terrace is lovely too. El-Takoy 3 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8LU https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ Also at 3 Henrietta Street, you will find Doughnation Pizza . WARNING the pizzas and drinks here are mighty so if you're not a hungry Norfolk Terrier, you might want to share. They are insanely good though. Doughnation Pizza 3 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8LU https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ Floozie Cookies are situated within the market and it's another place that always has treats for pooches too. When it comes to treats for humans, they are spoilt for choice here. We do highly recommend the Christmas Cookie Box though. 15, The Market Building, Lower Ground, London WC2E 8RE https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ We have a saying in our house, it's never too cold for ice cream. So even in December, you should try the best gelato in London at Badiani. You will find Badiani all over London but the one in Covent Garden is our favourite as it's in a super pretty location. Dogs are welcome inside and they have special dog ice cream at regular intervals throughout the year. Badiani 2 Mercer Walk, London WC2H 9QP https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ If your humans prefer something more warming, then THE BEST hot chocolate is also in Covent Garden at Knoops . We know chocolate and dogs don't go together but a warm cup of deliciousness with your pooch by your side is a match made in heaven on a wintry day. Knoops 2 New Row, London WC2N 4LH https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ The Yards area of Covent Garden is one of our favourite destinations to get in the festive mood and here you will find the fabulous Brother Marcus. At this and 6 other London locations, you will find Mediterranean feasting at its very finest and dogs are treated like part of the family. Brother Marcus 23 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ As you can see from Nacho's face, our friends at Bill's always have something tasty for their four-legged customers. You will find Bill's all over London but the best one at this time of year is in The Yards. Bill's St Martin's Courtyard, Slingsby Pl, London WC2H 9EF https://www.instagram.com/the4leggedfoodies/ A recent Covent Garden discovery is Xi Home Dumplings Bay who make the absolute best dumplings (including ones for dogs). You can read our full feature here. Xi Home Dumplings Bay 43 Chandos Pl, London WC2N 4HS Where to stay - dog friendly hotels near Covent Garden Middle Eight St Martins Lane The Lincoln Suites Hotel AMANO DOG FRIENDLY COVENT GARDEN DOG FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS LONDON DOG FRIENDLY HOTELS COVENT GARDEN