5 End of Summer Activities You Can Do with Your Dog
Fall is fast approaching, but there’s still time to have some summer fun with your favorite pooch!
1. Make Some Fro-Yo
There’s no better way to cool off from the sweltering heat than chowing down on an ice-cold, tasty treat. Obviously, most human ice creams and frozen yogurts are going to contain ingredients that aren’t safe for dogs, but that doesn’t mean dogs can’t have their own chilly snacks!
If you’re a loving dog owner who likes to spent time in the kitchen, you can make dog-friendly fro-yo for your pooch—here’s one popular frozen-yogurt treats recipe that will let you do just that. But, if you think your kitchen skills are a bit lacking, or if you just don’t have the time, you can always buy premade doggy-friendly fro-yo instead!
2. Have a Pool Party
Most dogs love to cool off while splashing around in the water, and if you have a pool you can ensure that your dog beats the heat and have a good time doing it. Of course, before you bring him out for some pool-side fun, you need to be certain that he knows how to swim and swim well (if your dog hasn’t learned how to swim yet, check out this article for teaching tips).
Bring some of your dog’s favorite water toys and get ready to have a blast! Just remember to always keep your dog under the supervision of yourself or another responsible adult for as long as you plan to have the dog near the pool. Also, be sure to apply sunscreen to sensitive areas of your dog’s skin, including the ear rims, nose bridge, eyelids, mouth, stomach (especially for short dogs who carry their bellies close to the ground), and any exposed skin or patches of thinning fur.
3. Fire Up the Barbecue
It’s hard to beat the taste of perfectly cooked meat fresh off the grill, and there’s no doubt that your dog feels the same. Dogs love the flavor, and the protein can be good for them as well. Just remember, if you plan to feed your dog anything off the grill, you’re going to need to make sure it’s safe for his or her consumption.
The meat is the star of the show for the dog, so don’t give your pet food that contains spices, rubs, or sauces, since these usually consist of ingredients that are bad for canines in general. Also, make sure that the meat you give to your dog is free of bones, since bones can splinter into fragments that will choke or otherwise injure a dog.
4. Hit the Beach
If your dog knows how to swim in a pool already, you can take that fun to the next level with a trip to the beach! Of course, before you go off chasing waves, you need to make sure that the beach is a dog-friendly one.
Also, remember to follow the same guidelines about supervision and sunscreen from the pool party section of this article, and always keep your dog on a (preferably non-retractable) leash, especially if that is the beach’s policy. Also, cleanup is a must, so don’t forget to bring poop bags, scoopers, etc.
5. Camping Trip
There’s nothing better than spending time in the great outdoors . . . especially if you plan to spend that time with your best canine buddy!
Of course, in addition to your own gear and supplies, there are plenty of items you’ll need to bring along for your dog. He’ll also need plenty of food and water, so that you won’t have to worry about him getting hungry or thirsty on the trip.
You’ll need to bring dishes for your dog to eat and drink out of. Luckily, there are a number of foldable bowls available that will make meals easy without taking up too much space in your backpack. In fact, you can even buy a vest with storage pouches for your dog and let him carry along some of his own items for the trip.
But as beautiful and calming as nature can be, your dog is going to need some stimulation and playtime during the campout. It’s a good idea to bring along a few toys to entertain your dog and help burn off some of his excess energy.
