Dog Life

August with your dog: a summer holidays guide for UK owners

School's out, routines vanish and it might be hot. How to give your dog a good August and a calm September.

By 4 min read
August with your dog: a summer holidays guide for UK owners

August in a British household with a dog: the children are home, the routine has gone out of the window, the car is packed for a week in Cornwall, and your dog is trying to work out what on earth is going on.

You may have seen "Dogust" or National Dog Month pop up on social media. It is an American idea, but the sentiment travels well: August is a good month to give your dog a bit of extra thought. Here is how, from the first week off school to the first week back.

1. Keep a bit of routine while the house is upside down

Dogs like to know what comes next. Weeks of lie-ins, day trips and visitors can unsettle them, even when the changes are fun.

  • Keep meals and the main walk at roughly the usual times.
  • Give your dog a quiet spot away from the busiest room, and let them use it.
  • Teach children to leave the dog alone while they are eating or sleeping, and keep an eye on play that gets over-excited.

Freezbone tip

When the house gets loud, a frozen toy in your dog's quiet spot turns "go and have a rest" into something they actually want to do.

2. Plan walks around the heat

August is perfect for countryside rambles, but heatwaves still happen. On hot days, walk early or late, carry water, and keep midday for snoozing in the shade. Our guide to heatwave mistakes UK dog owners make covers hot pavements and cars in more detail.

3. Staycations and day trips: what to pack for your dog

A holiday cottage, a caravan or a beach day all go more smoothly with a small kit bag.

  • Water and a bowl, plus a towel for wet or sandy paws
  • Lead, poo bags and their usual food
  • Their bed or blanket, so a strange place smells like home
  • A frozen toy in a cool bag for the first evening somewhere new

Freezbone frozen enrichment toy for dogs

Check the rules before you go: some beaches restrict dogs in summer, and not every pub garden or holiday let welcomes them. And however short the stop, never leave your dog alone in a parked car.

4. Going away without your dog?

Summer is the busiest time for kennels and dog sitters, so book early. Many will want to see vaccination records, a good prompt to check your dog's are current. Pack something familiar for them to take along.

5. Keep their brain busy on lazy days

Rainy days and heatwaves both mean more time indoors, and a bored dog soon invents a hobby you will not like.

This is where children can help. Making frozen treats together is a good holiday job: our five summer treats your dog will love are simple enough for little helpers, and the Freezbone recipe videos have more ideas. Older children can try some of our training games with Freezbone chews too.

“Like the simplicity of style and good size for my border terrier, keeps her busy and she loves the different frozen recipes, mostly made from everyday ingredients already in the house”
Ishbel M., verified buyer

6. Spare a thought for rescue dogs

Summer can be a busy time for rescue centres. If you can, support your local rescue with a donation or some volunteering. Thinking of adopting? A calmer week after the holidays may be a kinder start for a new dog.

Some rescue owners also mark 1 August as a "universal birthday" for dogs whose real birthday is unknown: a lovely excuse for a special frozen treat.

7. Get ready for September

After weeks of company, the first school-run morning can be a shock. Ease your dog back in:

  • In the last week or two of August, practise short spells at home alone, building up gradually.
  • Give a frozen toy as you leave, so the door closing means something good.
  • Book a check-up if one is due. Vaccinations, teeth and weight are all worth a look before autumn.

To make school-day mornings easier, our guide to batch-freezing a week of enrichment gets it done in one go.

Make this August count

Your dog does not need a special month, but a British summer is a good time to give them a little more: cool evening walks, family time, and a frozen treat waiting when the day gets too hot or too busy.

Frequently asked questions

  • National Dog Month, or "Dogust", is an American idea that you will often see on social media. In the UK, August is better thought of as the summer holidays, and a good time to give your dog some extra attention.

  • Keep meals and the main walk at roughly the usual times, give your dog a quiet spot away from the busiest room, and offer a frozen toy there when the house gets loud.

  • Water and a bowl, a towel, lead, poo bags, their usual food, their bed or blanket, and a frozen toy in a cool bag for the first evening somewhere new.

  • Often yes, but some beaches restrict dogs during the summer months. Check the signs before you go, take shade and fresh water, and avoid the hottest part of the day.

  • In the last week or two of August, practise short spells at home alone and build up gradually. A frozen toy as you leave helps the door closing feel like something good.

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Written by Freezbone Team

We design freezable, refillable chew toys and test every fill and routine on our own dogs before we write about it. Freezbone LTD ships across the UK.

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