May: our favourite kind of busy 🐾
May is the month North London finally wakes up. The parks are full, the days stretch out, and our dogs - if they could talk - would tell you they've been waiting for this since January. Between two bank holidays, half term, and the kind of weather that makes even the most reluctant dog owner want to get outside, May is one of the most exciting months of the year at The Wag Club.
This month we're covering everything you need to know: bank holiday opening information, how to keep your dog safe as temperatures start to climb, what's new across our four North London branches, and some seasonal advice from our team.
"Long days, warm evenings, and a dog who's had the best day of their life. That's May at The Wag Club."
Bank holidays: what's open, what's not
May has two bank holidays this year, and we know that for many of our clients, those dates are the ones that matter most for planning. We've got you covered - here's everything you need to know:
📅 May Bank Holiday Opening
Mon 4th MayEarly May Bank Holiday - all branches closed
Mon 25th MaySpring Bank Holiday - all branches closed
⚠️ Bank holiday bookings fill up very quickly - we recommend contacting your branch team as early as possible.
If you need care on a bank holiday and your usual branch is closed, speak to your branch manager about options - we'll always do our best to help. And if you're heading away for the long weekend, don't forget that Wag Walks may be able to help with midday visits or solo walks while you're out: info@wag-walks.co.uk
Keeping your dog safe as temperatures rise ☀️
We love seeing the sun as much as anyone - but as dog owners and carers, we're also very aware of how quickly warm weather can become a risk for dogs. As May temperatures begin to climb toward summer levels, here's what to keep in mind.
⚠️ Hot weather warning signs every owner should know
Excessive panting or drooling: particularly if your dog seems distressed alongside it
Lethargy or stumbling: heat exhaustion can set in faster than you'd expect
Vomiting or collapse: if you see these signs, get your dog to a vet immediately
Seeking shade and refusing to move: your dog is telling you something. Listen to them.
🌿 Our team's top tips for warm-weather dog care
Walk early or late. Once temperatures rise above 20°C, midday walks on pavements can burn paws. The back-of-hand test applies: if the ground is too hot for the back of your hand for five seconds, it's too hot for paws.
Always carry water. Collapsible travel bowls are a game-changer for summer walks. Hydration matters for dogs just as much as it does for us.
Never leave dogs in cars. Even on a mild 20°C day, a parked car can reach over 40°C within minutes. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Watch brachycephalic breeds closely. Flat-faced dogs (pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs) are far more vulnerable to overheating - they need extra care and shorter activity windows in warm weather.
Paddling pools and cool mats work wonders. If your dog is home in warm weather, a shallow paddling pool or cooling mat can make a huge difference to their comfort.
Grooming can help, but clipping isn't always the answer. Some double-coated breeds are actually better insulated by their coat. Speak to your groomer before making decisions about summer clips.
At The Wag Club, we monitor temperatures carefully across all our branches and adjust outdoor activity levels accordingly. Our teams are trained in heat awareness and we'll always prioritise your dog's wellbeing - that means more indoor enrichment, paddling sessions, and shade time on the warmer days.
May half term - extra places available
May half term falls at the end of the month (week of 25th May), and if you're a parent as well as a dog owner, you'll know the juggle is real. Whether you're managing school holiday childcare, planning a trip, or simply need a reliable routine while everything else is in flux - your dog's place at The Wag Club is the one constant you can count on.
We often have a small number of additional spots available during half term as some of our regular clients are travelling. If you'd like to add extra days or book a trial for a new dog, now is a great time to get in touch with your branch before those places go.
News from your branch
Things are in full swing across all four of our North London dog daycare branches this May:
📍 Muswell Hill
Parkland Walk has come into its own this spring - the dogs are making the most of every sunny day. A few weekday spots still available.
📍 Alexandra Palace
Right next to the park - May is the best time of year to be here. Friday places are filling up, so don't wait if you've been thinking about adding a day.
📍 Golders Green
The team are on great form and so are the dogs. Golders Hill Park is on the doorstep - perfect for this time of year.
📍 West Hampstead
Great transport links and a warm, experienced team. May is a lovely time to start - enquire about a trial day.
🦮 Wag Walks - perfect for the long May evenings
With daylight stretching past 9pm this month, May is one of the best times of year to make use of Wag Walks, our professional dog walking service across North London.
Whether you need a lunchtime walk while you're at work, a solo adventure for a dog who struggles in groups, or simply want to give your dog an extra outing on top of their daycare days - our walkers are out in Hampstead Heath, Alexandra Palace Park, Golders Hill Park and across the local area every day.
Existing Wag Club clients get priority booking. Speak to your branch team or email info@wag-walks.co.uk to find out more.
Dog daycare in North London this summer
As the warmer months approach, we know many North London dog owners start thinking about routine - what happens during school holidays, long weekends, and the inevitable weeks when work gets busy and walks get shorter. That's exactly what The Wag Club is here for.
We provide professional dog daycare across Muswell Hill, Alexandra Palace, Golders Green and West Hampstead, serving dog owners across a wide area of North London - including Crouch End, Highgate, Finchley, Hampstead, East Finchley, Cricklewood, Brondesbury, Kilburn, Kentish Town and beyond.
If a friend, neighbour or colleague has been looking for dog daycare near them in North London - please do pass this along. We genuinely rely on word of mouth from our existing clients, and we appreciate every single recommendation.
From Jamie
May is the month the whole business seems to come alive. The dogs are happier, the team are energised, and there's something about the longer days that makes everything feel a bit more possible. We're heading into the summer season in really good shape across all four branches, and I'm incredibly proud of the teams we have in place.
As always, thank you for being part of The Wag Club community. Whether your dog has been with us for a week or for years - they're part of the pack, and that matters to us every single day. Enjoy the sunshine. 🌞
Jamie, The Wag Club
Make the most of May ☀️
Book a trial day, add a Friday, or enquire about Wag Walks, we'd love to hear from you.
© 2026 The Wag Club Ltd · North London Dog Daycare
Muswell Hill · Alexandra Palace · Golders Green · West Hampstead