Now that sunny weather is finally here, please do remember to avoid exercising your dog in the midday heat.

Dogs love to exercise and will not say no to a walk when they are excited so you must be the one that decides when it is just too hot for a walk, this is particularly important for dogs that have thick coats as they can overheat even more easily.

If you must walk your dog on a hot day, then make sure they have regular access to water and take regular breaks in the shade.

I was on call for the Bank Holiday weekend last weekend and was convinced I would have lots of dogs in with heat stroke – so I was pleased to get through the long weekend without a single case – thank you for being sensible dog owners (the same cannot be said for the number of colleagues that came in with sunburn on Tuesday morning! – at least working the weekend saved me from that…).

We are seeing quite a few dogs with upset stomachs at the moment, most likely caused by eating rotten things out and about on walks.

Most of these diarrhoeas will clear up with some simple treatment but I am always surprised when owners come in with a dog with diarrhoea and then proceed to tell me that after their long walk today their dog seemed a bit “off”.

Remember these dogs are poorly – if you had an upset stomach, you would not go out for a run so a dog should not either. A dog will not think “I have an upset tummy I shouldn’t chase that ball” they will do the activity and then feel rotten afterwards; you must be the grown up and make sure a poorly dog is rested.

Alice Moore is a vet at Castle Veterinary Clinic, Dorchester and Weymouth. Tel 01305 267083.