10 Summer Fun Pet Activities

Looking for a way to escape the heat and enjoy those beautiful sunny days with your pooch this summer?

Here are 10 great activities that you and your dog can enjoy all summer long. Tim Falk reports.

1. Hit the beach

   One of the best things about living in Australia is that we have beautiful beaches that make the rest of the world jealous. It doesn’t matter which state you live in around the country; as long as you’re on the coast there are plenty of long, sandy beaches to explore with your dog by your side. “Swimming is a great low-impact activity suitable for a range of breeds and ages,” says Dr Liisa Ahlstrom, technical services veterinarian at Bayer.

2. Ice Ice Baby
   Is there anything more refreshing on a long, hot summer afternoon than a delicious ice cream? We don’t think so, and there’s a pretty good chance your dog will agree — so why not treat him to his very own dog-friendly icy pole?

   “When it’s really hot and Coconut has to stay home, I put ice in his water and I make treats by freezing stock cubes for him,” Jane explains. “He’ll also lick ice cubes over drinking water when it’s really hot.”

3. Dock diving
   Does your dog love playing fetch? Does he love running, jumping and being active? Does he also love the water? If you answered yes to all these questions, it might be time you considered giving the sport of dock diving a try.

4. Get sporty
   If your dog likes the sporting aspect of dock diving but isn’t a water baby, there are still plenty of exciting canine sports he can try out this summer.

   

5. Scavenger hunt
   Creating a scavenger hunt for your pooch is a great way for the two of you to spend some quality time together and have some fun along the way. It also allows you to give your beloved pooch plenty of mental stimulation, which is crucial to keep him happy and healthy and to prevent boredom. Start by leading your dog into the backyard or another room, while you hide his favourite toys and a few tasty treats around the house. You can then let your dog loose and encourage him to start hunting for all of those hidden treasures.

6. Socialise
   Getting your dog out and about this summer is the perfect way to give him the physical exercise and mental stimulation that every dog needs. Whether you go to your local dog park for a play or book your pet in for a stay at doggy day care, the chance to meet, greet, sniff, lick and play with other canines is one your dog will love.

7. Road trippin’
   The sights, smells and sounds of a road trip can send even the calmest of pooches into an excited frenzy, while the cooling breeze he can enjoy in summer is the icing on the cake. Just remember that dogs and hot cars do not mix — ever.

8. Water fight
   You don’t necessarily have to go to the beach if you and your dog like getting wet, why not have a water fight right in your own backyard?

9. Fine dining
   Do you enjoy hitting up your local cafe for a tasty lunch, an afternoon snack or maybe even a chocolate milkshake on a stinking hot day? Take your dog along as well and he’ll love every second.

10. Trick training
    Dogs love learning new tricks, no matter if they’re an energetic young pup or a relaxed golden oldie. So why not take advantage of the extra daylight we get at this time of year and try your hand at training your pooch to perform some tricks. They can be as simple as ‘sit’ or ‘shake hands’, or as complicated as fetching the newspaper or playing dead.