App
Start claiming territory in your neighbourhood
Begin with the streets you already walk. Colour them in, close a few blocks, then expand one street at a time.
Summer dog walking and heat safety
Heatstroke is an emergency, not a "see how they go" experiment. Dogs cool poorly compared with us.
Pavement test
Back of your hand for five seconds. If it hurts, skip it. Grass helps; shade helps; midday asphalt does not.
Timing
Early morning and late evening win. See best time of day. Carry water on longer outings.
Warning signs
Heavy panting, drooling, wobbling, bright red gums, collapse. Cool them and get veterinary help. The PDSA heatstroke advice is worth bookmarking.
Patch in summer
Short cool loops still claim ground. Bragging rights are not worth a vet trip.
Try it on your next walk
Download Patch free on iOS or Android. Tap once when you leave, walk as normal, and see what ground your dog claims.