Summer is a great time to be a dog! The days are long and warm and that means FUN is to be had! There are lots of walks and hikes with your favorite human friends, trips to the dog park and maybe even the lake. It’s a time when you get new toys to play with and chase after. And even if it’s too hot to be outside some days, there’s always the long, balmy evenings to roam around in.
All of this FUN, comes with some things to think about, though… What about making sure there’s always water available in the blistering heat? What are the dangers of walking and playing in the evenings when it’s finally cooled down? What are some good hiking essentials to make sure your pup has a comfortable adventure?
Here are some ideas for you and your dog while you’re out enjoying your summer:
Spill-proof water bowls help make sure your pup doesn’t get thirsty while you’re away at work!
It is not good to get dehydrated, and it’s especially bad if you’re out in the hot weather. That doesn’t just go for humans — dogs and cats can get dehydrated too! We carry no-spill water containers for your dog that will help keep them hydrated when you’re away from them during the heat of the day.
Portable water bowls are an important take-along for any outdoor adventure
It’s easy to pack up the old canteen or bottle of water, but sometimes we forget that it’s easiest for a dog to drink out of a cup shaped container, and a lot of the water that you pack can just drain away as your pup laps up the stream. Portable water bowls are very lightweight, often collapsible, and very easy to carry. We offer a variety of these handy devices, including on option that collapses down flat and can be attached to your pet’s collar.
Choose glowing toys for night time play
Many dogs agree: night time fetch is perhaps even more fun than daytime fetch! However, if your pooch gets tired of playing ball or frisbee at night, it’s up to you to finish the game of fetch by finding the toy you spend your hard earned money on. And your sense of smell and vision isn’t anywhere near the level of your canine friend! To help with this, consider one of our glow-in-the-dark or light-up toys (by DogDiscuit and Chuckit) for nighttime fetch sessions.
Light up collar tags help you locate your dog at night
An evening walk can easily lead to a problem if your pet breaks away from you. How do you find them in the dark? A light up collar tag can help you and others locate and identify your pet in the dark if the dreaded happens. We offer an LED version by Nite Ize Innovation that is lightweight and inexpensive. Just attach it to your existing collar, and viola!
Choose a sturdy, reliable leash or harness
Before you go on a walk or hike, be sure to inspect your dog’s collar and leash or harness to make sure it’s in good shape. Sometimes wear and tear (or boredom-chewing) can happen without you noticing. Damaged or worn collars, leashes and harnesses can cause irritation or even lead to a pet getting lost if a break happens. We offer a wide range of restraint options for your pet in the feed store, so come check it out.
Consider a whistle, clicker or other training device
Summer is also a great season for acclimatizing your dog to socialization with other dogs and unfamiliar humans. Everyone is out enjoying life, so there’s a lot of opportunity to have different kinds of interactions. Every dog is different, though, in how they will respond. We offer a lot of different options to help with your training process, and we can also make some recommendations for things you to try to get your pet more socialized.
