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How To Enrich Your Dog When It’s Too Hot Outside
Jul
With longer nights and (sometimes) sunnier skies, summer is the perfect time to get out and enjoy some quality outdoor time with your dog. But here in the UK, our sunny skies are often accompanied by very intense warm weather, and sometimes it can actually be dangerous to take your four-legged friend out in the heat.
However, anyone with a working dog knows that our dogs can’t just chill out and forego their walk for that day. They need some kind of stimulation, and this comes in the form of mental enrichment.
With this in mind, we’ve put together some ideas to help enrich your dog when it’s too hot for them to go outside.
Stimulate their minds
When the heat is preventing you from taking your dog outside, the first thing to try is some mental stimulation.
Puzzle toys can be a great way to challenge your dog and make them use their problem-solving skills. You can fill them with their kibble or treats, and let them use their brains to figure out how to secure the tasty snack.
There are different levels of difficulty available as well, so you can work up to harder levels as your dog grows more adept.
Another way to engage your dog’s mind is through training exercises. Get your dog to focus on you and work on learning new tricks or revisiting old commands.
This can be a great way to provide mental exercise, as well as improve your bond. Frequent, short training sessions throughout the day can often be more effective than one long session. Who says learning can’t be fun?
You can also tap into your dog’s natural instincts by playing nose work games inside. Take some treats and hide them around the house, and let your dog sniff them out. Even better if you can teach them using the command “find it”.
You can expand this to a full-blown game of hide and seek, using their favourite toys to make it even more exciting and interactive.
Engage in light exercise
The outdoors might not be an option, but that doesn’t mean your dog needs to miss out on some physical activity.
Short bursts of indoor play time with your dog throughout the day can go a long way, especially in cooler areas of the house like the kitchen. Whether it’s playing fetch with a squeeky ball, engaging in a game of tug-of-war with a rope toy, or creating an obstacle course using household items, there is plenty of fun and enrichment to be had inside.
If you really wanted to let your dog out in the garden, try setting up a kid’s swimming pool with a couple of inches of cool water for them to splash around in.
This one is dependent on how your dog is with water, but most canines will love having a splash in the pool when it’s warm! Be sure to supervise your dog and ensure the water stays nice and cool.
Take a minute to relax and recharge
Keeping your dog mentally stimulated is fantastic, but it’s really important to prioritise your dog’s comfort and well-being during warm spells.
You should provide your dog with a cool, quiet space to relax, ideally in the coolest place in the house. It goes without saying that your dog needs access to plenty of fresh water, and you can always give them an ice cube on those super hot days.
Grooming your dog with regular brushing is also recommended, as it can be a calming activity (for some dogs) and will help to remove any loose fur, which can help them regulate their body temperature better and stay cooler.
If you wanted to provide a relaxing form of enrichment, lick mats can be fantastic for keeping your dog occupied on a hot day. You can smother them with yoghurt, wet food, or peanut butter, and freeze them to provide a refreshing treat with lots of enrichment value.
Summary
By following these tips, you can keep your dog entertained, mentally stimulated, and comfortable during the hot summer months.
Remember, always prioritise your dog’s safety and well-being by providing plenty of fresh water and avoiding excessive exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour in the heat, please contact your vet immediately.
