4 Fun Indoor Activities for Your Dog on Hot Summer Days

While we embrace the sunnier days of summertime, higher temperatures can sometimes make it challenging to get our furry friends outside for their usual playtime. Keeping an active pup or even an older dog entertained indoors can feel like an ongoing battle against boredom. But don't worry, we've got you covered! If you're looking for ways to keep your pup busy, here are some fun and easy indoor activities that will keep them mentally and physically stimulated at home, helping them beat the heat.

Benefits of Keeping Your Dog Busy

Fun and play play important roles in reducing stress for both you and your pets. Dogs thrive when they're engaged in various activities. Incorporating different forms of exercise into your pet's routine not only helps develop a strong bond but also promotes their overall health and happiness.

Dogs are intelligent animals that flourish in stimulating environments. Here’s why movement and mental engagement are essential:

• Improved physical health – Active play helps keep your dog’s joints lubricated, heart healthy, and improves overall coordination and balance.
• Improve mental health – Activities with rules will force your dog to use their brain and not the body. This helps keep their mind focused and sharp.
• Better social skills – Playing with other people and other dogs helps improve your dog’s social skills.
• Bonding – A few minutes of play daily help strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
• Improved health – The best way to ease the stress of staying indoors or a busy workday is to come home and play with your dog. It is a win-win for both of you.
• Reduce problem behaviors – Bored dogs are troublemakers. You are their major source of entertainment, so if you do not give them things to do, they will come up with their own activities. This explains the chewed-up curtains and shoes.

Indoor Activities to Do with Your Dog This Summer

Summer is often synonymous with fun in the sun. While spending time outdoors is healthy for both you and your dog, it can also pose risks.

Humans and pets are susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke with prolonged sun exposure. Sunburns and skin cancer are concerns, especially for hairless breeds, dogs with thin or short coats, and those with light-colored or white fur.

That's why it's important to plan some fun indoor activities for those scorching summer days. It's all about staying cool and happy, even when the sun is blazing!

Master New Tricks Indoors

Indoor days are perfect for teaching your dog new tricks. Start with some tricks your dog already knows and progress from there. For example, if they understand “shake,” you can quickly transition to a “high five.”

Keep training sessions short so your dog can learn new commands easily without becoming mentally fatigued. CBD Chews are great training aids for keeping your pup calm while teaching them new tricks.

Play Nose Work Games: Find the Treats

Nose work games are excellent for tiring out your dog. Games like “find the treats” mentally stimulate dogs and help enhance their natural skills.

Grab some dog treats and let your dog watch as you place them around a room. Give your dog the cue to “find the treats.” Encourage them to pick up each treat and praise them every time they find one. Once your dog understands the game, make it more challenging by hiding treats in another room and having them use their sense of smell to locate them.

Keep Your Dog Engaged with Stuffed Kongs

Stuffed Kongs are great for relieving dog boredom because they are so easy to prepare. You can keep your dog busy for hours by stuffing a Kong with their favorite treats. If you aren't sure what to use, here is a list of four Kong recipes.

A stuffed Kong is also helpful for keeping your dog occupied if you are working from home. Prepare the stuffed Kong the night before and give it to your dog in the morning. A frozen Kong should last over 30 minutes for most pets, depending on how you fill it.

Loading Kong toys up with supplements like CBD is a great way for your dog to enjoy the benefits of hemp while staying engaged!

Teach Your Dog Useful Skills

Dogs love it when you give them tasks to do. Even something as simple as grabbing your slippers can bring them joy and a sense of purpose. Teaching them the names of items you'd like them to fetch can make them feel even more useful.

Start by associating the names of items with fetching tasks during playtime or training sessions. Use positive reinforcement to reinforce their understanding, and before you know it, your dog will be able to help you with small chores around the house!

While the weather shouldn't disrupt your dog's regular exercise routine, having indoor playtime options is essential. Keeping your dog entertained indoors helps reduce restlessness and stress, ensuring they remain mentally stimulated, healthy, and happy year-round.