Keep Your Pup Happy, Healthy, and Engaged All Season Long
Summer is the perfect time for outdoor adventures and bonding with your furry friend. But hot temperatures can limit high-energy activities, making it important to get creative with how you keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated.
Here are some great ideas to keep your pup entertained!
1. Frozen Treats & DIY Puzzles
Hot days = cool snacks! Making your own frozen dog treats is a fun and easy way to offer enrichment.
Try this:
- Freeze low-sodium chicken broth with chopped veggies or kibble in an ice cube tray.
- Fill a Kong toy with peanut butter and freeze it overnight.
- Make “pupsicles” with banana, natural yogurt, and blueberries.
For added stimulation, hide treats in a muffin tin and cover each hole with a tennis ball—your dog will have to work to uncover the goodies!
2. Water Play for Cool Fun
Not every dog is a swimmer, but most enjoy some level of water play. Try one of these:
- Set up a splash pad or kiddie pool in your backyard.
- Play with a sprinkler or hose (many dogs love chasing the spray).
- Take your pup to a dog-friendly beach or shallow stream for a safe splash.
Tip: Always supervise water play and ensure your dog doesn't overheat or drink too much pool/lake water.
3. Nature Walks with a Purpose
Switch up your daily walks by turning them into sniffer adventures. Let your dog lead the way and sniff to their heart’s content—this engages their brain and satisfies their natural curiosity.
Want more of a challenge? Bring along a treat pouch and practice obedience commands or scent games along the way.
4. Training Games Indoors or in the Shade
The summer heat can be draining, so take advantage of cool mornings or shaded spaces to teach your dog a new trick. Training sessions offer great mental enrichment and deepen your bond.
Some fun tricks to try:
- Shake
- Spin
- Bow
- Roll over
- “Find it” with hidden toys
Keep sessions short and upbeat, always ending on a positive note.
5. Interactive Toys & Food Dispensers
When it’s too hot to run around, bring the challenge indoors. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing balls, and interactive toys can keep your dog occupied for hours.
Bonus: These toys slow down fast eaters and can help reduce boredom-related behaviours like chewing or barking.
6. Scent Work & Nose Games
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell—use it to your advantage with games like:
- Find the Treat: Hide treats under cups and shuffle them.
- Scent Trails: Drag a treat along the ground and let your dog track it.
- Hide & Seek: Hide a favourite toy or yourself, and let them search.
These games are mentally taxing and perfect for indoor downtime.
7. Create a Doggy Obstacle Course
Set up a mini agility course in your backyard using cones, hula hoops, tunnels, or even cushions. Encourage your dog to go over, under, and through—use treats and praise to guide them.
It’s a great way to build confidence, practice coordination, and beat summer boredom.
Keeping your dog enriched during the summer doesn’t require big investments—just a little creativity, consistency, and care. Monitor your dog for signs of overheating (excessive panting, drooling, lethargy) and always provide fresh water and shade.
Above all, use the season to build stronger bonds and make joyful memories together. Your dog will thank you with tail wags and happy barks!