Since most of the US is going through/coming out of a drought right now (not to mention the unbearable heat), chances are, dogs are being kept inside most of the time. Which is good! If you’re not leaving your dog out in the hot sun all day, you are a responsible pet parent. The thing is though, dogs need to be outside. They have to play and run and do….dog stuff. So, how can you channel your dog’s hyperactivity and need to play into a safe activity…one that doesn’t involve him getting heatstroke? You play with him of course! Check out this post by Jayme Heimbuch at Mother Nature Network for some great indoor doggie games to play…whether you’re having a rainy day or an incredibly hot one:
–Teaching your dog to discover prizes using only his nose is a great game for the body and mind. Hide toys or bones under boxes and have him sniff them out.
-If you have a stairwell, make it a game to run up it and burn some serious energy. To get the most exercise from this game with the least risk to your dog’s joints, start at the bottom of the stairs. Put your dog in a sit-stay and throw the toy up to the top landing.
-If you’re going to do something, go all-in, right? Setting up an obstacle course for your dog and helping teach him how to navigate the obstacles is a lot of fun.