Summer is a great time to bond with your dog, but when the temperature rises, safety becomes a major concern. Scorching sidewalks, hot sun, and rising humidity can all limit your options for keeping your pup physically and mentally engaged.
So how do you keep your dog active, stimulated, and happy when it’s just too hot to be outside?
In this post, we’re diving into summer-safe activities, indoor exercise ideas, and training tips that will help your dog stay cool and confident even when the sun is blazing.
Understand the Risk: Heat Can Be Dangerous
Before we explore alternatives, it’s important to recognize the signs of heat stress in dogs:
- Excessive panting or drooling
- Lethargy or weakness
- Red gums or glassy eyes
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Trouble breathing
According to the American Kennel Club’s guide on heatstroke in dogs, heatstroke can happen quickly, especially in brachycephalic breeds, senior dogs, or pups with thick coats.
When the heat index climbs, avoid traditional outdoor workouts and focus on safer, smarter ways to stay active.
Engage the Mind First: Mental Exercise Matters
Mental stimulation can be just as tiring as physical play. On sweltering days, keep your dog busy with:
Food puzzles or slow feeders
Scent games
Name-the-toy training
Short obedience drills
Place command with distractions (great practice for calm behavior)
If your dog struggles to stay focused indoors, try this guide on how to train around real-world distractions like kids and BBQs. These distractions are everywhere in summer and now’s the time to practice.
Indoor Physical Activities to Burn Energy
If your dog is bouncing off the walls, try these cool indoor workouts:
Stair games – toss a toy up and down
Tug-of-war – great for bonding and tiring out your pup
Find it! – hide a favorite toy and let your dog sniff it out
Obstacle courses – use furniture, cushions, or tunnels
Treadmill walks – only if your dog is trained and supervised
You don’t need to overcomplicate things, even a game of hide-and-seek can get the heart rate up and encourage healthy movement.
Frozen Treats + Cool Enrichment Ideas
Beat boredom and the heat with some cold enrichment:
Stuff a Kong with frozen banana and peanut butter
Freeze low-sodium broth into ice cube trays
Make your own dog-safe “pupsicles” using yogurt and fruit
Offer frozen marrow bones (supervised)
Freeze toys in a bowl of water and let your dog “excavate” them
These ideas provide both cooling relief and mental stimulation: A win-win for summer pups.
Use Training to Channel Excess Energy
On hot days, it’s the perfect time to reinforce obedience and impulse control.
Some things you can work on indoors:
- Leash pressure and heel position
- Long-duration down and place commands
- Calm door greetings and crate manners
- Recall games down the hallway
Training builds a stronger bond and drains energy more effectively than you might expect. If your dog is new to structured training, our Basic Obedience programs are a great place to start. We cover leash manners, impulse control, and real-life commands your dog can use every day, inside or out.
When to Walk (and When Not To)
If your dog needs an outdoor walk:
- Go early morning or after sunset
- Stick to shaded paths or grassy parks
- Bring water and avoid asphalt
- Keep walks short and purposeful
Test surfaces with your hand. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Final Tips for Hot Weather Activity
Monitor your dog’s energy and body language
Don’t assume panting means “happy”. It could mean overheating
Focus on shorter, high-quality sessions
Rotate between mental work and enrichment to avoid overexertion
Stay consistent with structure, even if routines change
Summer doesn’t have to mean skipping training, it just means adapting it.
Want Help Channeling Your Dog’s Energy Safely?
If your dog gets antsy or overstimulated in the summer months, you’re not alone. Our trainers can help design a structured, energy-balancing routine that works, even on the hottest days.
Contact us today to book a consultation. Let’s build a calmer, more focused dog, rain or shine.