Summer fun starts here! Make the most of your puppy’s first season of sunshine unforgettable this year by trying any or all of these fun activities. Whether your newest pack member has loads of energy or likes to chill in the sun, you can keep them entertained, happy, and build lasting bonds.
1. Play Hide and Seek
This classic game is great for teaching your pup name recognition. Have one family member hold the pup while another hides. Once hidden, release the puppy and start calling their name. Once your pup knows their name, modify the game to make it more challenging by expanding the playing field or teaching them new things to find. When you release them, give a command to find a person, object, or treat.
2. Play Tug-of-War
Another classic game turned into an important learning opportunity! Whether outside enjoying the warm sunshine or indoors cooling off, this game can burn off some energy and build mental smarts! Use a sturdy rope toy to teach the commands “take it” and “drop it.” Teaching your puppy the “drop it” command is especially important for their safety.
3. Backyard Water Fun
Your puppy may not be ready to dive into the lake to cool off, but all dogs do appreciate a way to cool down on a hot day, even if they shy away from bathtime. Start small with a kiddie pool or splash pad for the more adventurous temperaments.
4. Enjoy a View
Enjoy the cool of the evening with your pup by sitting on the front porch or a park bench with a view. Be sure to keep them on leash and watch the world pass by. This is a good, slow approach to socializing your puppy, especially if they are on the timid side.
5. Take a Ride
Take a small, short car ride that ends somewhere positive or maybe has a fun way for you to both cool off with a sweet treat! Just make sure theirs is dog friendly. Getting your pup used to car rides that aren’t just to the vet’s office is important in helping them combat anxiety when traveling. Puppies occasionally have car sickness, so until you determine their abilities, keep towels on hand and rides short and sweet!
6. Puppy Spa Day
After playing a game of fetch, your puppy is in a calm and relaxed state. Sit on a blanket outside or go cool down in the air conditioning with a brush, wipes, and treats. Start brushing you pups fur, touch their feet and toes, clean their ears with the wipes. Keep your mood calm, relaxed, but firm. By regularly having a little spa time, you can desensitize your pup to be more behaved when a full spa treatment is necessary, such as baths, haircuts, or nail trims.
7. Playdates
Plan playdates with vaccinated puppies or familiar older dogs. Depending on your puppy’s temperament, introductions might be best made outdoors. Fellow puppies can cause excitement, and older dogs can be intimidating. Both of these scenarios can end in your pup having an accident. The most important thing is for you to remain calm and positive, so much of how they feel is tuned into your emotions. Let them sniff, explore, and slowly do the dance of canine curiosity.
8. Make an Obstacle Course
Make an indoor obstacle course with couch cushions, blankets, and pillows. This can be a lifesaver in the summer with an energetic puppy when the hot temperatures are just too much. You can let them just run, jump, and play, or lead them through while teaching them basic commands and rewarding them with treats.
9. Enjoy a Sniffari
A sniffari is a great way to introduce your puppy to the leash. This is a relaxed walk that allows your puppy to lead the way as they stop, sniff, and explore. Some pups tend to be more resistant to leash training and may freeze up and refuse to move. This is normal and just requires patience. They’ll eventually let their curiosity build their confidence. Even after their walking skills have improved, letting their nose occasionally take the lead is a fun treat that helps them bond with you and build trust.
10. Take it Easy
One of the best things about puppies is their size, and some of them won’t stay lap size forever. Enjoy the small, more compact size by lazing the day away in a hammock together. Hold them in your lap in the shade of a tree while enjoying the cool breeze and a good book.
11. Make a Sweet Treat
Let’s be honest, the way to any dog’s heart is through their stomach. So spend some time in the kitchen together to make a sweet treat to cool off and enjoy in the warmth of the sun. This is sure to be a bond builder! A Google search will lead you to some great options, but here are some favorites we found with the added bonus of minimal ads or scrolling!
12. Try a Boredom Buster
Let’s face it, sometimes the temperatures are just too high to be enjoyable, and we’ve fought off the boredom for ourselves with some online shopping. It’s time to put those boxes and packing paper to good use! Fill a cardboard box with crumpled paper, toys, and small treats for your puppy to dig through and find. The more destructive they are to the paper and boxes, the more fun they’re having!
13. Visit a Pet-Friendly Farmers Market
Once your puppy is fully vaccinated and ready for the next step in their socialization, introduce them to the neighborhood at a local farmers’ market. Enjoy the fresh air together, find some locally grown produce, and enjoy your pup’s celebrity status!
14. Take a Beach Day
Introduce your pup to some natural water, whether it’s the ocean, a lake, or a river. The most helpful feature is that it has a shallow entry point to help them adjust and test the shore safely. Be sure to bring fresh drinking water to prevent them from contracting Giardia by drinking from the natural water source. Also, make sure to provide them with a shaded spot to rest as needed. As your pup gets more adventurous, throw sticks or aquatic dog toys into the water to help encourage swimming.
15. Host a Dog-Friendly BBQ
Expand your pup’s social circle and invite friends and family to enjoy the summer together! This is a fun and safe way for your puppy to get some playtime and be loved on. Make some of those dog-friendly treats, so they don’t get an upset stomach by eating human food. Though it’s tempting to let them indulge in some bites of hamburgers or hotdogs it’s not good for their stomachs and can encourage bad begging habits.
16. Plant a Pet-Safe Garden
Your puppy will spend a lot of time outdoors, and it’s important to make sure the backyard is a safe and relaxing place for your pup to enjoy. This may mean making some changes to the garden and planning for what’s best come winter when considering their potty training.
17. Take a Road Trip
Once your pup has hit “Road Warrior” status in their training, make the most of it by taking a day trip to visit a national park or a famous landmark. No matter where you’re headed, plan for dog-friendly stops and bring all the essentials, including towels. They may not be getting car sick anymore, but they may find a way to get dirty while out exploring in the big wide world.
18. Go Camping Together
Expand that road trip to a camping trip! Spending time in the great outdoors with your pup can be a fun way to enjoy each other’s company while the weather is so nice and warm. Don’t forget their flea and tick meds or to pack pet-friendly bug spray.
19. Beat the Heat
Take a Sunrise or Sunset walk and enjoy the beautiful views together while the temperatures are at their coolest. Then go home and enjoy a day of quick 5-minute training sessions, cuddling in the air conditioning, and popping flavored bubbles to beat out any boredom.
20. Enjoy a Movie Outdoors
What’s more summertime than watching a movie outside once the sun goes down? You can set up a projector in the backyard or find a dog-friendly drive-in that’s playing a film you’d enjoy together. Make it cozy, and of course, don’t forget to bring some snacks!
We hope these ideas make your first summer with your new bestie an unforgettable one! Including your puppy in the adventures of life only makes it that much more memorable. Our hope is for these pups to fit into your family so perfectly that you want them to be along for the ride wherever that may be. If you’re still looking for that amazing fluffy friend to make your summer that much sweeter, check out our available pups. We’d love to help you find your perfect match!