Any creative ideas on how to exercise your dog in the summer heat?

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

I live in Florida and its VERY hot and humid. We are seeing 95 degree days and 85

degree nights, it's sooooooo uncomfortable. Any ideas for taking energy off of dog indoors?

I walk him early morning and late night but that is not enough for my doodle. I play

fetch for awhile, anything I am missing?

[Frannie & Callie]

I'm in Atlanta and have similar issues. We have indoor doggie play dates most evenings (it's not unusual for me to have up to 6 dogs in my 1400 square foot townhouse!). That helps a lot. We also play "stair ball", where I sit at the top of the stairs and throw a ball, over and over.

 

It's also a great time time mentally exercise your dood...maybe add on some training or trick learning.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We do morning walks too.  But every night when I get home, we have "play time" in the living room. There is a huge rug and a few couches and the dogs like to jump back and forth.  I sit on the floor and egg them on while they play and throw a ball or two and get them riled up (you probably think I am nuts).  Peri usually has a zoomie and by the end of about 10 minutes of that, they are tired.  But Peri is 27 months old now and my chihuahua is 7 1/2 years, so they may have less energy than your doodle.

BTW we have 95+ degree days too. It's awful.

 

Oh and I agree with Frannie about mentally exercising.  Do some training throughout the house. Down-stay.  Walk around the whole house and do training the entire time.  That really used to help Peri, especially when she was younger.  But it still works. I had her in a down-stay while i cooked last night and gave her carrots every few minutes to keep her occupied and wanting that treat.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Our Doodle is a real keen sniffer. This seems to tire him out more than physical excercise. My husband takes him to work on his long drives on the road and Neely is exhausted at the end of the day even though he hasn't been out much. All the new smells gets his brain on high alert and he's done by the end of the day. You may want to try scent training. It can be done indoors too.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am with you, it is 102 degrees here in Chapin, SC today. I can't breathe outside and Jack hates the heat. He is getting cabin fever though because this morning he woke both my mom and I up very early and started his play bow stuff..

 

I usually bring him to Petsmart and let him walk around there, I also try to walk him very early in the morning before it reaches the 90's. and then again around 10 pm when the pavement will not burn his feet.

 

I would love to do play groups but I can't have shedding dogs in my house because I am allergic. I am thinking I need to do something though he is getting antsy. We go to Petsmart once a week but he is used to three one mile walks a day...

 

 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Lots of good ideas here.  You could also get a childs wading pool to cool off in outdoors.  Freeze his favorite rubber toy in a bowl of ice water and then take it outside for her to lick and play with to get to the toy.  Also I've found car rides are tiring for my girls as well.  If we just need to run some errands we can take them with us and one of us stays in the car.  Also trips to Lowes or Home Depot they can go inside.  That is a good place for some walking, training and socialization.  If you can afford it you could try daycare once a week.

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

Thank you for your time, these are all excellent ideas. ..my doodle thanks you too!

[1xar0x2rcx0li]

Anywhere you can swim? We do a lot of fetch in the water in the heat.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

ANy Dog Beaches near you? That would be lots of fun and exercise for both.

[Jennifer Tramell]

I know what you mean - my dogs don't want to go outside during the day.  This means that they are full of energy and ready to play in the evening (of course when I am ready to relax).  I do find that car rides to Lowes and Home Depot help relieve the "cabin fever". 

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Swimming is the best exercise you can do if you have a place to do it.  How about walking in indoor malls?  This is why I will never live in Florida!!!!  lol

[Cathy w/Shiloh~Cody]

thanks for the suggestion. My sister has a pool and lives nearby-we spoke today

and she said bring him over anytime. What a great idea you gave me.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Lucy, did you say that you can bring your dogs INSIDE of Home Depot and Lowes?!?!