Check in quiz: How should you spend summer with your dog?

Somehow the longest day of the year has already passed us by. Don't worry, though: There’s still plenty of time for summer fun before autumn arrives! Now is the perfect chance to pause, reflect, and decide how you want to spend the rest of the season with your dog.

First things first: Let’s figure out where you’re starting from. A quick quiz (the fun kind, don’t worry) will help you make the most of the season—no matter your weather, work schedule, and more.

Ask yourself these questions

What has the weather been like where you are?

• Hot, hot, hot. We’re basically melting.
• Pretty mild and nice!
• Kind of all over the place. Hard to predict.

How does your schedule look for the rest of summer?

• Lighter than usual. I actually have some breathing room!
• Just business as usual.
• Somehow I’m busier than ever?!

When you picture a perfect day with your dog, what comes to mind?

• Adventure! Hikes and day trips and novelty.
• Low-key connection that doesn’t use up too much energy.
• Honestly, we’re just trying to get through the week.

How has your dog’s behavior been lately?

• I think they’re thriving. Full of energy but also able to relax!
• Just fine. They could probably use a bit more enrichment.
• Not so great. We’ve been out of our routine, and we’re both feeling a little off.

Do you feel like anything is missing from life with your dog right now?

• More excitement!
• Quality time together.
• Structure, predictability, and a minute or two to breathe.

Often, just mulling these questions over is often enough to spark an idea or two of what you and your pup could use most in the next couple months. Need more specific suggestions? Scroll down to find your customized enrichment plan!

If the heat is slowing you both down…

Know that summer fun doesn’t have to take place outdoors. (In fact, pushing your dog—or yourself—too far in sweltering weather can have disastrous consequences.) Let your visions of strenuous hikes and midday sunbathe sessions go. Instead:

• Embrace indoor enrichment. Puzzle feeders, snuffle games, frozen lick mats, hide-and-seek with favorite toys or treats… Your options are endless! Best of all, most of these activities require next to no supplies you don’t already have on hand. (Learn more about meal enrichment specifically in this full-length guide.)
• Adjust your schedule. If you’re dying to get outside, aim for early mornings and late evenings when the pavement is cool and air temperature more tolerable.
• Get wet! Look for a nearby dog-friendly lake, river, or beach. If that’s not an option, don’t worry—even a simple kiddie pool set up in your yard (or a sprinkler on slow speed) can help your pup enjoy the fresh air without overheating!

If you’ve got more time than usual…

This is your sign to do the things that usually get squeezed out! Think about what you’ve been meaning to try with your dog “someday.” Is there a trail deep in your Google Map bookmarks? A training goal you set back in January that fell off your radar once the year really got going? Now’s the time.

A few ideas:

• Plan one brand new outing before fall. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just novel! Maybe a new park, dog-friendly patio, or farmer’s market visit. (Heading out in public with your pup? Check off this list first.)
• Work on something you’ve been putting off. Loose-leash walking, recall practice, relaxing around other people and pets… Summer’s lengthy daylight hours make for excellent training opportunities.
• Let your walks stretch longer. If you’ve got the time? Well, your dog has one heck of a nose! Extend your daily outings by offering more chances to sniff. Unhurried exploration often satisfies our pets far more than fast, purposeful treks do.

If your schedule is packed tight…

I’m with you. The pressure to do more—see more, accomplish more, optimize more—is so real, especially when our social media feeds are full of fellow pet parents who seem to constantly be on some new adventure with their dogs. But checklists and comparisons aren’t what our pups care about most!

Here are some simple ways you can better fulfill your dog even in this busy season.

• First: Lower the bar on purpose. A five-minute walk still counts! Tossing a toy around in the living room still counts! Sitting together while you drink your coffee still counts! Don’t let your inability to do everything prevent you from still doing something with your dog each day.
• Slot enrichment into your existing schedule. Feed a few meals out of a slow feeder or DIY puzzle toy instead of just plopping them into a bowl, for example, or provide your pup with a fully edible chew while you catch up on your emails.
• Make your breaks about your dog. If you’re able, take ten minutes for a quick training or play session between activities. Small moments add up over time!
• Add a little more novelty. The same old schedule, environment, and activities can bore our dogs. A really easy way to prevent that? Change one or two tiny things up each day! This can be as simple as switching the order of your pup’s typical morning (so long as disruptions in routine don’t stress them out) or adding an unfamiliar food topper to do their regular meal.

If you’re craving adventure…

And you have the capacity for it? Lean in!

• Create a “bucket list” experience. Maybe this is a dream hike culminating in a breathtaking vista or waterfall. Or a road trip to the nearest dog-friendly beach. Are you in the mood to go tent camping? Drawn to explore a brand-new city together? Whatever it is, go ahead and put it on the calendar!
• Try something you and your dog have never done before. Top ideas include local dog sports like nosework, dock diving, and agility. Paddleboarding and kayaking are also popular summer options! Or maybe you’ve got some other hare-brained scheme. We’re here for it.
• Pretend to be a tourist in your own town. Explore somewhere local with fresh eyes. This is one of the most accessible ways to satisfy our cravings for novelty without having to go far.

One note: As you plan, keep your dog’s current fitness level and temperament in mind. Adventures are only fun if you’re both ready to actually enjoy them—not just get through them. Start small and build up slowly if you’re introducing new activities (especially if they’re physically demanding).

If you’re in a low-key mood…

If what sounds best right now is a slow morning, a wandering walk, or just an evening on the couch? Those experiences can be rich and satisfying, too. It’s all about how we approach them!

When I’m feeling the need to chill, my dog and I like to:

• Go on a decompression walk. A long leash, calm environment, and no agenda does wonders for us both.
• Find a spot to watch the world go by. Not only is this relaxing, it can also be great training practice! You might start by just sitting in your yard with your pup, then work up to hanging out at a favorite park, patio, or other hub of activity.
• Just reconnect. Spend a few minutes simply watching your pup. What are they interested in? How do they react to different sights, sounds, and smells (even within your own home)? Can you notice anything you’ve never realized before?

Embrace the season in the way that works for you!

Summer is full of opportunities, but there’s no single “right” way to spend it. As long as you’re thinking your choices through and meeting your pup’s basic needs, consider the season a success.