Swimming is my absolute favorite summertime exercise activity, and …Summertime provides a ton of activity options that we don't always enjoy during cold weather. Many of those can be turned into great exercise opportunities for both us and our dogs. The blazing sun and high heat index, however, can quickly turn a fun outing into a heat-related emergency. Being prepared and observant of your dog's behavior can help keep him safe in the summer heat. Check out these hot weather exercise tips that we can safely share with our canine companions.
Going for walks - I know, we take our dogs walking during the winter months as well, but summertime makes it more enjoyable. I like to walk along dirt or mulched trails to protect my dog's paws from the scorching pavement.
Biking - My dog loves to tag along when I go for a bike ride. In the summer I take him on shaded trails to protect him from the sun and reduce the risk of heat-related emergencies.
Hiking - I've never seen a dog that didn't enjoy exploring new territory along a hiking trail. They never run out of things to sniff or critters to chase. I make sure to take plenty of water for us all, though, to keep us cool and prevent dehydration.
Toss around a flying disc - My dog really enjoys playing catch with a flying disc, and I get my exercise by retrieving it from him. (He's not always anxious to give it up.) We take frequent breaks, though, to let our bodies cool down from the heat.
Swimming - Swimming is my absolute favorite summertime exercise activity, and my dog gets in on the fun as well. He loves chasing splashes and will follow me, running from end to end when I'm swimming laps. He's getting older and not much of a swimmer anymore, so we are always sure he wears his life jacket around the pool.
Jogging on the beach - Many beaches are canine-friendly and most dogs enjoy running in the waves. My dog loves chasing the wading birds and gets as much exercise doing that as I do jogging! The water keeps him cool so that heat-related emergencies are less likely.
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