The sun is shining – go out and enjoy it with your pet! Petstock has everything you need for an activity-packed summer. From frisbee to hiking, picnics, and agility courses – here are 12 ideas to keep you and your pet busy this summer season!
Beach Activities For Dogs
The beach is a great place for dog and owner alike to get out there and enjoy the good weather! Here are some activities you can do with your dog to keep them entertained at the beach.
1. Have a Game of Frisbee!
So simple, yet so effective! Frisbee is a great way to get your dog moving. Look out for our Petstock Foundation frisbees – they feature a classic design, plus the added bonus that the proceeds go towards our charity partners.
Our other frisbee options include our plush textured frisbee, as well as Rogz’s durable foam rubber frisbee which floats on water and is perfect for tough chewers.
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2. Play Fetch in the Water
Fetch is by no means a new activity – but it’s even more fun at the beach! Play it in the water to encourage your dog to run in and out of the ocean – using up energy as they go and keeping them cool while they do it. You’ll need quality, durable toys which float.
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It’s a good idea to frequently change the toys you use for fetch keep them engaged in the activity and prevent them from growing bored.
3. Go for a Run
A run is a great way for active dogs (and owners!) to get some exercise in while enjoying the warm weather. This is an activity best avoided in the hottest parts of the day – so aim to go early morning or at dusk. If your dog doesn’t run well off leash, you’ll need a quality harness and lead. This takes the pressure off you, letting the lead do the hard work!
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Too Hot to Handle
Don’t forget that there’s a greater risk of your dog suffering from an episode of heatstroke in summer. Read up about heatstroke, and tips to prevent it.
Find Out More4. Stand up Paddle Board
Few summer activities are more wholesome than taking your pup for a SUP (stand up paddle)! Whether you’ve got a paddle board of your own or you rent one, they’re good for hours of potential entertainment provided your dog is a good swimmer and enjoys the water.
Make sure you introduce your dog to the board on solid ground prior to going out on the water. Place treats on the board, allow them to inspect it and reward them for interacting with the board to reinforce it as a positive activity.
How to paddle board with your dog
- Safety first, make sure you dog is wearing a life jacket.
- Take your board into the shallow water and encourage your dog to approach and get on the board. Direct them to take the action themselves, rather than forcing them.
- Once they’re on the board, get on behind them. Stand on your knees for better balance at first, have your dog between your legs or at the front of the board (for small and toy breeds) and get used to the paddling motion with them in place.
- Keep the first session short and sweet to avoid overwhelming your dog.
Don’t forget your dog may jump off the board at any time and this can also unbalance you, so avoid standing up unless the water underneath is deep enough for you to fall in.
Be patient with your dog when taking them paddling for the first time – not all dogs are meant for the water, so don’t force it if your dog is uncomfortable.
For dogs that do enjoy swimming, it’s a great summer activity for all involved!
Fun Things To Do With Your Dog At Home
5. Set up an Outdoor Splash Zone
You don’t need to travel to enjoy warm weather with your dog – PETstock lets you bring the fun to your backyard! Keep your dog cool AND entertained with paddle pools and sprinkler games.
These are fun, interactive toys that help cool your dog down – and offer a great alternative to exercising your dog when the weather is too warm to walk them.
6. Play Bobbing for Kibble
Bobbing for kibble is a fun summer game that encourages your dog to work for their meal! This Game requires a paddle pool – and it needs to be filled with fresh water so if there’s residual water left in the pool from a previous playtime make sure you drain it and re-fill the pool with clean water before starting.
Instead of feeding your dog their meal in a bowl (boring) gradually sprinkle it into the pool – making them splash around and collect it as they go! Outside of mealtimes you can also play this game with treats, but make sure you factor that into their calories for the day to avoid overfeeding your dog.
7. Frozen Treats
Frozen treats are a hands-off way to keep your dog occupied in summer! There are several options to create the perfect frozen sweet treat.
Frozen Cooling Toys
PETstock has a wide range of cooling chews which can be filled with water and frozen for an interactive treat. To make it even more exciting, consider filling the treat with beef or chicken stock and sprinkling in treats for them to find.
Popsicles for Dogs
We all love an ice cream – so why should your dog miss out on summer treats? We’ve got DIY all-in-one pupsicle kits which are perfect for creating the perfect icy pole for your pooch. Each one contains ice block moulds and either chicken or beef stock and treats so you’ve got everything you need to make the perfect pupsicle!
You can also do this at home if you’ve already got icy pole moulds – just fill it with stock and your dog’s favourite treats and you’re good to go!
Frozen Treat Dispensing Treats
Sure, you’ve heard about peanut butter in a Kong…but what about FROZEN peanut butter in a Kong?
Fill a treat dispenser (we like Toppler and Kong) with peanut butter, their favourite treats and keep it healthy by adding some veggies like diced carrot or apple (no seeds or cores of course!). Once you’ve got your snack prepared – freeze it! This will make for a lasting chew that keeps them entertained for longer and provides a cooling element on a hot day.
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Indoor Activities For Dogs
Too hot to venture outside? No problem! There are at-home activities to do with your dog that will keep both of you entertained.
8. Build a Home Agility Course
Introduce your dog to agility using basic household items – place chairs on their side and direct your dog to jump over them, dig out an old hula hoop and use it as a jump or a tunnel, find those old cones from the kids’ sports day and use them as a weaving course – the options are endless!
Practicing basic agility with your dog is mentally stimulating for them and rewarding for you as they learn and improve! You can even join several obstacles together to make a simple at-home course. Make sure you’ve got plenty of treats handy to encourage them as you go!
9. Take Time to Train
Use the extra time at home to teach your dog a new trick! Then you’ll both have something to show for your day indoors.
To start training your dog, read about how to cover the basics with these core obedience commands.
Outdoor Activities For Dogs
Not a beach person but keen on the great outdoors? Try these activities!
10. Take a Hike
Whether you go for an on-leash jaunt or an off-leash adventure, hiking is a great summer pastime for you and your pooch! Make sure you pack plenty of water and portable bowls or bottles to keep your dog hydrated and avoid venturing out in the hottest parts of the day.
Want tips on where to go? Check out our guide on hiking trails all over the country !
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11. Play Hide and Seek
Did you know you can train your dog to play hide and seek? It’s relatively easy and it’s a great way to engage your dogs in playtime at home, at the park or in the great outdoors. You’ll need two people the first time you try it, but once your dog is trained you can play just the two of you!
Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a place to play. Ideal locations are off-leash parks or walking trails with plenty of trees, rocks, or buildings to hide behind.
- Have one person holding the dog on lead, while the other hides. Don’t go too far at first, start off easy.
- Call your dog to you, repeatedly, using an upbeat tone.
- Have the person holding the lead let the dog go and allow the dog to find you. When they do, reward them with praise and a treat.
- While your dog is occupied finding you, your partner should hide. After you’ve finished praising and rewarding your dog, they should call the dog to come and find them.
- Repeat the process, alternating between the two of you and giving treats for each time your dog finds you. You can gradually make the hiding spots more difficult.
It’s vital your dog is well trained when it comes to off-leash walking and recall to play this game outside. Otherwise, you’re better off restricting hide and seek to an indoor-only activity.
12. Have a Picnic
Skip giving your dog their usual meal – pack it up and hit the road instead! Head to your favourite picnic spot and enjoy some time outdoors with your dog! Be sure to bring their lead, plenty of treats, portable bowls and a blanket for them to settle down in. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and find a shady spot so they don’t overheat.
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Well Watered
Don’t forget to keep your pets well hydrated in summer! To ensure they always have access to fresh water try our automatic dispensers.
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