July: peak summer, peak pack
July: peak summer, peak pack
The height of summer has arrived 🐾
July is peak summer at The Wag Club. The school holidays have begun, the parks are packed, and our branches are full of dogs making the absolute most of long, warm days. There's a different energy in July: it's busier, brighter and a little more relaxed, and the team across all four branches genuinely love it.
With the school holidays now underway, this is one of our busiest months of the year for both regular daycare and additional summer cover. This month we're covering everything from heatwave safety to holiday planning, plus the latest news from across our North London branches.
"July at The Wag Club: long days, happy dogs, and not a single one of them checking the calendar for September."
Heatwave season: keeping your dog safe
July typically brings the hottest temperatures of the year to North London, and heatwaves are becoming an increasingly regular part of British summers. Dogs cannot regulate their body temperature the way we do, which makes this the single most important safety topic for owners this month.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency
If you notice any of the following, move your dog to a cool, shaded area immediately, offer small amounts of water, and contact your vet:
Heavy, uncontrolled panting that doesn't ease even at rest
Bright red or pale gums and a dark or purple tongue
Disorientation, stumbling or wobbliness
Collapse or seizure: treat as a life-threatening emergency and get to a vet without delay
The Wag Club heatwave checklist
Walk before 8am or after 7pm. During a heatwave, this isn't just preferable, it's essential. Midday and early afternoon walks should be avoided entirely on the hottest days.
Check the pavement. Tarmac and paving can reach temperatures that burn paw pads within seconds, even when the air temperature feels manageable to us.
Hydration on every outing. Carry water at all times, and top up water bowls at home more frequently than usual; dogs lose fluids faster in extreme heat.
Cars are off limits, full stop. Temperatures inside a parked car can become fatal within minutes during a heatwave, regardless of how short the errand.
Indoor enrichment on red-alert days. On the very hottest days, swap the walk for indoor games, puzzle feeders or a cool, shaded garden session instead.
Know your dog's risk factors. Older dogs, overweight dogs, flat-faced breeds and dogs with thick double coats are all significantly more vulnerable to heatstroke and need extra caution.
Cooling mats and damp towels help. A damp towel laid over your dog's back, or a gel cooling mat to lie on, can make a real difference on hot afternoons at home.
Across all four Wag Club branches, our teams track the forecast daily and adjust activity levels accordingly. On heatwave days, that means shorter outdoor sessions, more shaded rest time, paddling pools out, and plenty of fresh water always available. Your dog's safety and comfort always come before routine.
Summer holidays: keeping cover consistent
With the school holidays in full swing, July is when many families' routines shift the most, and that often means changes to dog care needs too. Whether you're travelling, have family to-and-fro at home, or simply need extra cover while normal childcare patterns are disrupted, we're here to help.
Planning summer cover
If you're going away this summer and need to pause or adjust your dog's usual days, please give your branch as much notice as possible: it helps us manage capacity for other clients who may need extra cover during the same period.
Equally, if you'd like to add extra days over the summer holidays, whether because you're working from home less or simply want your dog to have more social time, speak to your branch team now. July and August are consistently our busiest months, and spaces go quickly.
We know summer can be unsettling for dogs too: more people in and out of the house, disrupted routines, and the general high energy of the school holidays. Keeping daycare days consistent, even if you adjust the number, gives your dog a steady anchor through a busy season.
News from your branch
All four North London branches are buzzing this July. Here's what's happening:
Muswell Hill
Paddling pools and shaded outdoor space are getting plenty of use this month. A great time to enquire about a trial day.
Alexandra Palace
Right by the park, this branch is in its element in July. Summer holiday spaces are filling fast, so don't wait.
Golders Green
The team continue to go from strength to strength, with Golders Hill Park providing the perfect summer backdrop.
West Hampstead
Cool, welcoming and well connected. A good option for summer holiday cover if you're local to the area.
Wag Walks: early mornings and golden evenings
July's long daylight hours make this one of the best months for Wag Walks, our North London dog walking service. Our walkers are out early, before the heat builds, and again in the cool of the evening, covering Hampstead Heath, Alexandra Palace Park, Golders Hill Park and the surrounding green spaces.
If your usual routine is disrupted by the school holidays, Wag Walks is a simple way to make sure your dog still gets the exercise and stimulation they need, even on the busiest summer days. Existing Wag Club clients get priority booking.
Find out more at wag-club.co.uk or speak to your branch team.
North London's trusted summer dog daycare
July and August are consistently the busiest months of the year for dog daycare enquiries, and we're proud to be the first choice for owners across Muswell Hill, Alexandra Palace, Golders Green and West Hampstead, as well as the wider North London area including Crouch End, Highgate, East Finchley, Finchley, Hampstead, Brondesbury, Cricklewood, Kilburn, Kentish Town and Tufnell Park.
If you know someone searching for reliable dog daycare in North London this summer, we'd love an introduction. Every dog who joins us, whether for one trial day or years of regular care, gets the same warmth and attention from our experienced team.
From Jamie
July always reminds me why we built The Wag Club in the first place. Watching the branches full of happy, well cared for dogs during one of the busiest, hottest months of the year, and knowing every single one of them is safe, cool and having a brilliant time, is genuinely one of the best parts of this job.
Thank you, as always, for trusting us with your dogs this summer. If you need anything at all over the coming weeks, whether that's adjusting your days, asking about Wag Walks, or just a heatwave tip, our branch teams are always here to help. Enjoy the sunshine. 🐾
Jamie, The Wag Club
Make the most of July
Book a trial day, arrange summer cover or enquire about Wag Walks: we'd love to hear from you.
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