The dog days of summer are just ahead of us! As we look to get out and about and enjoy the warm weather, don’t forget about your four-legged family member! Whether you’re headed to the beach, the lake, or just planning to enjoy the great backyard, there are plenty of activities you can include your pupper in. This gives the whole pack, whether they’re on two or four legs, the chance to enjoy everything this time of year has to offer. 

Here are three fur-family-approved activities that you can be sure to enjoy with your pup this summer: 

Classic fetch. Not only are you getting in a pawsome arm workout, your dog is getting good exercise too. Playing fetch with your doggo strengthens your bond and is a great way to establish yourself as the Alpha of the pack by using commands to have them retrieve an object for you; it also helps to strengthen their concentration skills. You can do this with their favorite toy, a tennis ball, stick or even a frisbee! We should forewarn that tennis balls should only be used with smaller dogs as they are a choking hazard for the bigger guys. 

Hide and Seek. Your pup will have to use their sense of smell in this activity to find objects you’ve hidden around the yard, at the dog park, or anywhere they can safely roam outdoors. While they search, you can encourage them by using positive affirmations like “good” or “yes” when they get close to finding the object. Each time they successfully find one of the objects you’ve hidden, give them a treat as a reward. Doing this will keep them motivated and engaged. 

Water play. Get your pup acquainted with water outside of the bathtub, which is a great outdoor relief for them on those extreme-heat days. You can set up a wading pool for them, which allows for just the right amount of water for them to enjoy, but still be safe from drowning. Throw in some of their favorite toys for extra enjoyment. If your doggo is not akin to water, our best advice is to get in and show them what they’re missing! If the pool doesn’t work, you can always try a hose or sprinkler and work your way up.