16 Ways to Make Your Dog Happy This Summer

There are so many things to love about summer - - longer days, warmer temperatures, frozen drinks, beach trips, ice cream, and pool parties. And if you’re like most dog momsand dads, your idea of the perfect summer includes lots of fun-filled activities with your goodest boy or girl. So, how can you help your dog live his best life all season long? Whether your pup likes to soak up the sun or prefers the comforts of air conditioning, here are 16 ways to make your dog happy this summer.

1. Early Morning Walks and Park Dates

Want to help your dog beat the heat, without turning him into a couch potato? Schedule time each morning for a longer walk or go to a local dog park to play fetch or Frisbee. Better yet, make it a social event by organizing a walking or play group. You can reach out to neighbors or post on a site like Meetup to find humans and pups who want to get active with friends.

2. Get in the Summer Spirit with Some New Toys

3. Add Some Flavor to Their Water to Keep Them Hydrated

During the dog days of summer, proper hydration is a must. To encourage your pup to visit her water bowl more often, add some beef/lamb/chicken broth to her H2O.

4. Treat Your Dog to a Summer-Inspired Bandana

There’s no better way to start your pup’s summer than with a nautical, beachy, or fruity bandana. We love all the colorful and whimsical designs from Stella’s Styles, and you can even personalize each piece with your pup’s name. In addition to being fashionable, summer bandanas are also functional. A cooling bandana can help regulate your pup’s body temperature and probably feels great against their skin.

5. Whip Up a Batch of Pupsicles

Nothing says summer quite like frozen treats! Share this tasty tradition with your dog by making him some Pupsicles. Another option: Have an ice cream social with some puppy pals and give each dog his own cup of frozen yogurt. The Bear and the Rat offers some amazing flavors like peanut butter and banana, and each serving includes probiotics that help with digestion.

6. Create a Water Park in Your Backyard

Running through a sprinkler is just as fun for dogs as it is for kids! Set one up in your yard, along with a baby pool and some floatie toys, and you’ve got yourself a mini waterpark that pups will love.

7. Hit Some Dog-Friendly Beaches

Dog friendly beaches are the perfect place to take your pup for a daytrip or weekend getaway. Dogs can frolic in the sand, dip their paws in the water, play Frisbee, or take a swim in the ocean. Make sure that you apply a pet-friendly sunscreen and take necessary water-safety precautions. It’s also important to follow beach rules and obey leash laws.

8. Dine Outdoors with Puppy Pals

Now that summer’s here, you can bring your dog to a restaurant or café that allows well- behaved pooches on their patios. Or, make a reservation for an outdoor brunch and spend the day dining al fresco with puppy pals and their humans.

9. Root for the Home Team at a Baseball Game

Pups can cheer-on their favorite MLB team at Bark in the Park. Many baseball franchises welcome dogs on designated game days, and they are a huge hit with four-legged fans.

10. Make a Treasure Hunt for Your Dog

A summer scavenger hunt is a great take on a classic Easter egg hunt. To make it puppy- approved, fill Kongs of different shapes and sizes with crunchy or chewy treats and hide them throughout your backyard or home. Then, watch as dogs put their sniffers to work to uncover all the hidden treasures.

11. Have a Coffee Date

The next time you head to Starbuck’s for a caffeine-fix, bring along your pup. You can cool off with your favorite iced coffee, and your dog can lap up his very own puppuccino. If your pup has yet to experience this whipped-cream treat, it’s sure to become an instant favorite.

12. Chill Out with a Cooling Mat

For those days that AC and hardwood floors aren’t enough, a cooling matprovides pups with some much-needed heat relief. It can be placed inside crates, on a dog bed, on the floor, or on any other furniture for an instant cooling effect.

13. Enjoy a Drive-In Movie

Pass the pupcorn! A drive-in theatre or an outdoor movie screening make for a fun and entertaining evening with your pup. Find out if there’s one in your area by visiting: http://www.driveintheater.com/

14. Put on Some YouTube Videos

If your dog likes watching TV while you’re at work, then he’ll love looking at animal or pup-filled YouTube videos, while basking in the AC.

15. Surprise Your Pup with a Spa Day

Pamper your dog with a spa day, including a soothing bath, grooming, blow-out, and nail trim. Afterwards, he’ll feel fresh and clean and receive tons of compliments on his stylish summer floof.

16. Plan a BBQ and Invite Neighbors and Friends

This summer, bring all the dogs to your yard with a BBQ. Pups can enjoy a game of chase with their buddies and, if they’re lucky, a special dog-approved feast. 

What are some of your favorite summertime activities with your dog? Let us know in the comments below!

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