Summer is a great time to get up and out with your dog! Whether you enjoy the outdoors together, or your pup is more interested in relaxing in the shade, we have some great ideas to try with your four-legged bestie!

Enrichment Ideas:

• Frozen Treats– On hot days, there is nothing better than something cold to chew and work on! These long-lasting fun items are a great way to keep your pup entertained and cool on warm days and evenings.
  • Frozen Ice-Lick– Grab a dog-safe bowl and add treats, dog-safe fruits and veggies, and/or some small toys. Fill the bowl with water, or diluted broth and freeze 30 minutes-several hours. (For multiple layers/flavors, repeat this step several times!) Run hot water on the outside of the bowl to unstick contents, then give it to your pup to enjoy! Be mindful- this can make a bit of a mess!
  • Dog Popsices– Use plastic or paper cups, and fill with plain/unsweetened yogurt and dog-safe fruit. Use a chewstick (such as a Puperoni Stick, or a pretzel rod or carrot) for the handle. Freeze overnight, and then use scissors to remove the cup and give it to your pup! You could also use peanut butter instead of yogurt! Here are some other great recipes!
    
    

Backyard Activities:

• Dig Pit- Do you have a dog that likes to dig? Build them a designated digging area. Use a kiddie pool or sandbox, and fill it with play sand, dirt, pebbles or (for less of a mess) balls! Hide treats and/or toys inside and show them how to find buried treasure. This is a great outlet for your dog’s natural curiosity of digging, and it provides a safe outlet for them to do so!
  
• Pool Time– Think your dog might like water? A kiddie pool is a great way to cool them down! If your pup is unsure about water, start with just enough water to slightly cover the bottom of the kiddie pool, and teach your dog to hop in and out on their own. Water love? Fill it up and watch them splash!
  
• Sprinkler/Splash Pad– For dogs who love the water, try out a splash pad or use a sprinkler for backyard water fun! There are lots of different types of splash pads depending on your dog’s size and interest level in the amount of water being expelled.
  
  

Outdoor Activities:

• Sniff Spot– If you are looking for a safe place to take your dog off-leash, check out Sniff Spot! You can rent out private outdoor space for your and your pup to enjoy without the worry and hassle of other dogs and people. Located all over the state, you can rent local backyards for an hour, or multiple acres for longer periods of time. It’s an awesome way to get your dog sniffing and exploring without the expectation of meeting other people!
  
• Hiking/Trails– If you and your pup enjoy hiking, check out local trails and hiking paths! Be mindful of leash etiquette and follow all posted leash laws for wooded areas.
  
• Sniffaris– Decompression walks otherwise known as “Sniffari’s” are a great enrichment activity for your dog. It is a wonderful way to tap into their natural instincts of being able to sniff and forage through nature. For this exercise you will need a 15-30 foot long line as well as a wide open space such as a park, trail, or hiking area. (Ideally as much in nature as you possibly can be!)
  • Some of the benefits of offering your dog a 15-20 minute decompression walk each day are listed below:
    
  • These walks can have profound physical, emotional, and behavioral effects on your dog. Some believe that this can help your dog resort to a more neutral state which can help set your dog up for success in the human world.
    
  • Sniffing lowers your dog’s pulse and has an immediate calming effect on them.
    
  • The part of the brain devoted to processing smells is about 40 times larger in dogs than humans, so letting them sniff is actually an effective way to get them tired, and fulfilled.

Safety:

• Be mindful of hot surfaces! Blacktop and sidewalks can get extremely warm. If you cannot lie your hand on the sidewalk for 5-7 seconds, it is too hot for your dog! Watch for reddening and blistering of the paw pads, and stick to grassy or shaded areas to walk.
  
• Keep your pup hydrated! It can be easy to forget water and bowls when out walking or hiking. Make sure to take plenty of rest breaks when out exercising, and stick to cooler parts of the day. Water should not be ice cold, but pleasantly cool. Giving a dog super cold water when they are overheating can shock their system and make them unwell.
  
• If you think your dog is overheating or suffering from heat stroke, give room temperature water, move out of the sun immediately, and place cool compresses in their armpits and groin area. Call your vet immediately if you think they are overheating.
  
• Wet or freeze a towel and place it on the ground for your dog to lay on during warm days.
  
• Keep walks and exercise short during the day and give plenty of access to shade.