How to keep your dog happy and stimulated during a heatwave

We all know the safety guidelines to keep our dogs cool and out of the high temperatures during a heatwave. .

• Keeping walks short and early bedore midday and later in the evenings when its cooler.
• Avoiding anything too strenuous. Putting a cold, wet towel down for them to lie on and a constant fresh supply of water.
• Being aware of the signs of heatstroke and how to prevent it.

However for many dogs this can lead to them getting bored and frustrayed. Especially highly active breeds, that need mental stimulation and keeping their minds busy while also staying cool and safe out of the high temperatures. We’ve compiled a list of our best tips and tricks to keep those tails wagging.

Keep those neurons firing and log some quality time with your dog by playing games that exercise their mind and break up their boredom!

• The best way to do this is to practice some training or even playing tug of war with your for a few minutes at a time. Let him win after a few moments to make him feel good and build his confidence a little. We all need a win sometimes! To avoid over doing it, spend five minutes playing and take a five minute break after each round.

• Nose Work: An easy way to add some change and excitement is “sniffy work” indoors or in the shade. While your dog is in a sit/stay, hide a treat or toy, then release him to go searching and find it. (Cheering hum on every time they find a new treat or smell a new place encourages the play and ups the excitement level.) Start easy by letting him watch you hide it before the release cue to go find it and then build it up to be more challenging each time. After a few rounds, ask him to sit and stay in a different room from where you’re hiding it and then recall him to the room you’ve hidden it in for him to sniff out. Use tasty morsels like hotdog and cheese pieces.

• Balancing Act: perfect for seniors and puppies or dogs who are more at risk of heat exhaustion and need more leisurely activities! You can keep your dog’s mind healthy and sharp by teaching them a new trick no matter what their age or breed. Teach your dog to balance a treat on her paw or muzzle.

• Or teach them the “place” command by teaching them to stay stationary and in place on a cooling mat or wet towel. Start simple by luring them onto the station with just their paws and then ask for sits and stays. Build it up by walking around them and lengthen their time staying in place. Release them and repeat asking for the “place” command for a few rounds until you’re confident in their understanding of the “place” command. It also teaches patience and focus while keeping them cool too.

• Puzzles: the easiest way for you to challenge them with a cooling puzzle game and treats is to place a frozen kong stuffed with yoghurt that’s been in the freezer for a few hours. Place it in the shade or on a cooling mat for them to lick and chew. Alternatively, you can use old toilet roll holders with smelly treats hidden and fold either end in to make it more of a challenge for your dog. Or a towel with treats tossed in and then rolled up and tied at the ends for them to unravel and get the tasty rewards.

Keep an eye on your dog’s body language while they’re using their brain. You’ll see a nice swishy tail level to their body (not too high or too low or tucked in which can be signs of discomfort or stress), they’re ears will be floppy or forward in concentration and their brow will be furrowed. Their body won’t be stiff or rigid but relaxed. These are all signs of a content and happy dog happy to use all their primary senses! If your dog begins to yawn, walk away or turn their body away from you, they need a break and need to unwind a little. Make sure your dog is not overexerting themselves in the heat too. If you are worried about your dog exhibiting any signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, bring them straight to a vet.