Ruffing It In the Summer!

As the temperatures start to rise, our four-legged friends need some help keeping cool and staying active. With so many dog-friendly activities out there it’s hard to know where to start.

So we decided to ask a few of our readers: “What are some of the ways that you help your pooch to beat the heat and stay in shape?”

“Coco and I enjoy ice cream; he gets the lid all to himself!” -Monica L.

With the sudden popularity of treats made for dogs it’s a whole lot easier to indulge with your pet. There are many popular frozen snacks for dogs that are healthy and refreshing. Pup parents have been chasing down the very popular Phydough Truck located in Southern Calif., that offers fresh treats for your pooch on the go.

“I take my dog to parks or beach areas.” - Trish C.

Luckily, there are many dog-friendly parks and beaches where you can take your four-legged pal to cool off and burn off some steam. The Huntington Beach Dog Beach, located in Huntington Beach, Calif., is such a popular destination for many dog lovers, that it has its own documentary! It is three-quarters of a mile long and dogs can be off leash only in the water and wet sand. Fort DeSoto Beach, located in Pinellas County, Fla., was voted Best Beach in America by Dr. Beach in 2005 and offers the only beach in Florida where dogs are free to run on the shore. Another hot spot for your hot dog is Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach, Calif. It’s a 3-acre off-leash, non-fenced site in Belmont Shore that was started by Justin Rudd, the founder/director of Haute Dogs, and named in memory of his beloved English Bulldog, Rosie.

“We go hiking, then Locker gets a bath and the water temp varies depending if it’s a hot day or not.” – Jordana H.

Many dog lovers frequent Lake Hollywood Park, which overlooks Lake Hollywood and has a great view of the “Hollywood” sign nearby, so it’s no wonder why it’s so popular. Or you can visit the 13-acre Swamp Rabbit Trail located in Greenville, S.C., which features multiple waterfalls, ducks and is connected to Greenville’s top dog park, “Canine Corner.” After a rough day of hiking you can paw your way over to the Pussy and Pooch Bathhouse, located in Los Angeles, Calif., where you can use their self-serve or full-service bathing areas to freshen up.
“We go canoeing in the Charles River and Captain swims next to us!” – Jane C.

Rowing down the river with Rover is a great way to stay cool and get in some exercise during the summer months. Head on over to La Jolla Shores, in sunny San Diego, Calif., where for $30 (dogs are free!) you can kayak with your buddy on the third Saturday of every month. According to the site, kayaks, paddles, life jackets and doggy life jackets are provided. Or hit the waves with your pooch, like our surf-loving pal Surf Dog Richochet!

“I chase Pepe around the sprinklers and we go swimming together. Making sure his water is shaded and changed every other hour is good, too.” - Mary J.

Perhaps surfing is a wee bit too adventurous for the two of you, but you still want to stay cool, so why not try a waterpark, such as the Paradise Ranch Resort in Sun Valley, Calif., instead? It has a waterpark exclusively for dogs and offers swim lessons, dock diving lessons and big pool playtime for any of their customers. Or if you feel like breaking a sweat, you can join the Thank Dog! Bootcamp, with multiple locations, for just $50. Be sure to bring a training collar, leash, water, a dog mat for your pup, your own set of hand weights, a mat for yourself and a towel. You can also try Paws-ilates, a popular pilates program for dogs, with fitness expert Andrea Metcalf in Chicago, Ill.

Kara Ogushi

Contributing writer Kara Ogushi is a pet mom to two dogs and five rabbits. When she isn’t writing travel tips for pooches, she’s exploring new ways to share and create media.

More Posts – Website

Follow Me:

Category : Blog &Travel News