Creative Ways To Keep Your Dog Active This Summer

Finding ways to keep your furry friend entertained in the summer heat keeps your dog’s mind and body working. Why not beat the heat with some fun? Whether you’re building a personalized obstacle course, hiking through the woods, or playing a game of frisbee, you and your dog are sure to have a blast.

Build an Obstacle Course

If you’re looking to get crafty this summer, build an obstacle course to give your dog a great physical and mental workout. If your furry friend still resided in the wild, they would have to navigate various terrain nimbly; an obstacle course allows them to utilize these instincts.

Objects to include in your obstacle course are:

• A hula hoop
• Chairs
• Cushions
• Cones
• Dog toys or treats

The Bonus

As you run your homemade obstacle course together, you’ll have a chance to sharpen your dog’s obedience skills. After all, your pup must listen to your command for direction; responding to recall is essential. Ensuring your dog always comes when called isn’t just crucial to training—it prevents them from running off if they get out of your yard.

Go on an Adventure

If you love going on long walks and hikes, take your canine with you! Check out your local nature paths or nature reserves and introduce your dog to new environments. You two can discover new places or go on a scavenger hunt together.

Play a Game

While you could play a classic game of fetch or frisbee, don’t limit yourself! If your dog loves to dig, get a digging box and bury toys or treats. Not only will this keep your furry friend entertained for hours, but it also engages their natural hunting instincts.

Nothing beats a day in the pool on a hot summer day. Buy your pup a doggy pool so you can soak up some sun together. If you live by a lake or other water source, let your canine go for a dip during your game of fetch. Tossing the ball or frisbee over the water will give your dog a reason to dive in.

Play on a Rainy Day

Don’t let the fun end on a rainy day—there are many creative ways to keep your dog active this summer from indoors. Play a game of hide and seek together by commanding your dog to stay, then run and hide before calling out to your pet!

Other fun games to play inside include:

• Tug of war
• Go find!
• Which hand?

Games like “go find” and “which hand” allow you to challenge your dog to find their toys or guess where you’re hiding a treat. When these games get too easy, push your dog further by training them to do chores or even turn the lights on and off!

As you explore creative ways to keep your dog active this summer, think about what your dog loves doing. Shop at Julius K9 if you’re looking for a high-quality K9 dog leash, collar, or harness to control your dog with confidence as you run an obstacle course or go on a hike.