Summer is coming and with it the Texas heat. These are a few ways to keep your dog tired and happy even through those hot months where long walks might not be an option.

Having your dog run around with other dogs is great exercise. Day care, boarding or having a sleep over with other dogs will keep your dog socialized and tired. In most cases dogs will tire our other dogs much more effectively than we can as humans.

We love to play the recall game indoors. Not only does it get your pooch moving, it will also polish his response for coming when called. 

Two people are needed for this game. The first person calls the dog “Lola, come!” in a very happy and upbeat voice, as the dog runs to the person he or she gives the pup a treat. Then the second person calls her, as the dog turns to run towards the second person he rewards the pup and so on. As your dog gets better at this game, increase the distance between the people, then move to a different room. Always quit before your dog gets bored or too tired. 

Remember the game is the “call game” so if your dog just starts running back and forth between the two people without being called, that is not the game. You should wait to call her back and then she gets her treat. Your dog will speed from one location to the next and have an awesome time. 

You can also play hide and seek with your dog. begin by pointing to a family member or friend and say his/her name. When your dog looks at your friend say “yes” and you or your friend  can give your pup a treat. Repeat a few times then have your friend move a few feet away. As your dog catches on that he must find this person make it harder and harder. The reward doesn’t always have to be a treat it can also be verbal praise or a toy. In no time you’ll be able to use this game to find family and friends around your home.

If you have a dog that retrieves you might also enjoy having them retrieve objects. Start with a ball or one of his favorite toys. Then have him retrieve other stuff for you like keys or your shoes, this will make the game a little harder for the dog and because we are making him think, he’ll tire out even faster.

Instead of feeding your dog from a boring bowl in the kitchen, try separating her meal into several little tupperware around your home. We like to hide a few in a room and have your pup search for his meal. Now instead of just sitting there and wolfing down her breakfast she needs to run around from one location to the other to find her meal. This works great for dogs who eat too fast and for those who are finicky about what they eat.

Remember that treadmill that is sitting in the garage? Try to see if your pup will go on it. A lot of dogs are very comfortable walking on them. You must start with a very very slow setting at first, get them used to the noise it makes and the movement. Once your pup gets the hang of it you can make it a bit faster. Not all dogs are comfortable with the movement and the noise so be very gentle and if your pup doesn’t like it then try some of our other suggestions for exercise. Make sure you are always watching your dog while he runs.