Dogs can get pretty stir-crazy during the summer months in Arizona. Luckily, there are lots of activities you can still do with your dog to keep him mentally and physically stimulated throughout the hotter months!
First, a general PSA about having dogs in Arizona because I can’t help myself. You can find all sorts of statistics about how the pavement will be 150 degrees if the outside temperature is 100 degrees, but the moral of the story is that the pavement/asphalt/gravel/rocks/entire surface of Arizona gets HOT. If you don’t want to walk on it barefoot, your dog doesn’t either. Invest in dog booties, know the signs of heat exhaustion, and opt for indoor activities instead!
Hide & Seek – You can play this game with treats or humans. Have one person restrain your dog while you hide treats (or yourself). Have that person give your dog a “find it!” command and set your dog free to run around the house on the hunt for you or for food. (If your dog starts to lose interest in finding you, try calling for him to make it a little easier!)
Car Rides – Always be cautious walking your dog to the car (carry him or have him wear booties!) but if he loves going on rides this is a great way to give him some mental stimulation when it’s hot out. Many Arizona coffee spots (Starbucks, Dutch Bros, etc) have “Pup Cup” options too, so you can even swing through a drive-thru and get your dog a sweet treat!
Puzzle Toys – There are tons of puzzle toys that will keep your dog entertained for hours. Kongs are a personal favorite of mine because you can stuff them with anything. Treats, yogurt, peanut butter, cheese whiz, etc etc. If your dog is an ice cube fan you can even try filling one with broth and freezing it overnight for a cool treat. You can also try “snuffle mats,” which are great for food-motivated dogs who love to sniff. There are also tons of food puzzle toys online that you can test on your dog to see which ones he likes the most!
Training Games – Is there such a thing as a dog who knows too many commands? I don’t think so! If your dog loves to learn, search YouTube for some fun tricks to teach him. Or you can reinforce the basics to make sure his training foundation stays strong for years to come! There is a YouTube channel called Dog Training with Kikopup which is a great place to start.
Visit a Home Improvement Store – If you’ve been neglecting any home improvement projects (who hasn’t?) then summer is a great time to hit a Home Depot or Lowe’s and bring your dog along for the ride! Most home improvement stores are dog-friendly, but always call before you go to double-check.
RunBuddy Mobile – If you have an athletic dog who really needs some physical activity throughout the summer months, you should try out RunBuddy. They are a mobile, air-conditioned, dog gym that comes to you. They offer trial sessions so call them at (480) 433-8835 or visit the RunBuddy site if you’re curious!
Play dates – Call up your dog’s favorite friend and invite them over for an indoor (or poolside!) play date! This is the perfect way for both dogs to burn off some energy and get some socialization too.
Chew chew chew – Chewing is great for your dog’s dental health and is super helpful to keep them busy and out of trouble. I always opt for chews that are easily-digestible (no rawhides, please!) like bully sticks, antlers, and marrow bones. If you have a little dog try the smaller size bully sticks, fish skins, or chicken feet. Ruff Life Dog Bones is an incredible local company that provides All Natural Smoked Treats like bones, chicken feet, and fish treats. They also deliver (for free!!) all over the valley on Sundays.
Swimming – This is another great option for athletic dogs that need physical activity. Just make sure that you are closely monitoring any pool activities. Many dogs can get over-stimulated while playing in the pool, so just make sure they get breaks! You also want to be sure that your dog knows where the steps to the pool are so they know exactly how to get out when they need to.
How does your dog keep cool during the summer?
