10 Tips to Have a Perfect Summer Walk with Your Dog!

Summertime might mean pool parties for us, but the pups don’t feel the same way. Dogs are incredibly lethargic and drowsy in the summer – which is all the more reason to take your pooch out for a walk.  

At first, the dog might not enjoy the walks because of the hot weather. But we have ten super-handy tips that will turn that around!

With our tips and a little prep from your side, you can have the perfect summer walk with your dog every day!

Today, we’ve also shared first-aid solutions to treat heat strokes in dogs. So, make sure to stay with us till the end! 

Top 10 Tips to Walk Your Dog in Summer

Help your pooch beat the summer heat and stay active with our helpful pointers below!

1. Plan the Right Time for Walks

If you want your favorite pooch to be on her best behavior, plan her walks according to the weather. Our advice to you is to get online and turn on daily weather updates on your phone. This way, you’ll know what to expect every day and avoid heat waves as well.

Shortly before and during the golden hour is a perfect time to walk your pup. The sunlight is soft, the pavements have cooled down, and there’s still enough light outside for the two of you.

2. Hydration Is the Key!

Pups don’t need three-something liters of water like us. Even on a summer day, two cups of water are enough for a 10lbs. dog. The math here is pretty straightforward. It’s one ounce of liquid per lbs. of body weight.

Remember that panting is a natural process for dogs. A satiated pup will still pant to deal with the heat. It’s not asking for a trough-full of water. Over-hydration often leads to vomiting and bloating – definitely not the best combination for Fetch!

3. Take Short Walks in Summer  

Heat makes female puppers more anxious, frightened, and jittery. A surprise run-in with a hot-headed male dog can ruin your quality time. 

What you can do is take new, short walking routes than usual. If she is reluctant to leave the house, you can soothe her down with her favorite toys and treats. 

Speaking of treats, you must know about the frozen kong—the summertime favorite of all pups—young and old! Pups never get tired of frozen kong in July!

4. It’s Time for a Trim! 

Breeds like Pomeranian, Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Husky, Chow-Chow, and Burmese Mountain Dogs don’t do well in hot weather. They’re double-coated and prone to brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS), which makes these pups hate outdoor time in summer.

You can try giving your dog a haircut at home. But if you have zero experience, do visit a professional. Trimming your dog’s coat too thin might cause her skin to get a sunburn.

5. Visit Pet-Friendly Areas

Summertime is also the season when female dogs go through certain hormonal changes. If it’s 75 degrees outside, as a dog parent, you need to look out for a few things. And also avoid mistakes like leaving her in the car without the air conditioner on. 

Don’t visit places that could be potentially unsafe for your pup or run lengthy errands with her in hot weather. Pet-friendly parks, dog swimming pools are excellent locations for you and your pup to hang out!

6. Check the Temperature of the Ground

Excessive heat makes dogs jittery and parched. It not only ruins their mood but also puts them at serious health risks. You can easily avoid it with a five-second test. 

Before walking your dog, feel the asphalt with your hand for five seconds. Ouch! Too hot for your hands? Must be too hot for the paws! 

Well, Happiestdog recommends using dog paw protection when walking.

Mid-morning and late-noon are the two most suitable moments of the day for taking your pup out on a stroll. If you have a 9-to-5 job, you can walk her early in the morning and get some exercise yourself.

7. Look for Signs of a Heatstroke 

Frankly, all dog breeds can suffer a heatstroke, even the heat-lovin’ Chihuahuas, Golden Retrievers and Labradors. Uncoordinated movements, frequent drooling, drowsiness, heavy panting, and vomiting are the first signs of heatstrokes in dogs.

The earlier you spot these signs, the sooner you can care for your pup. We’ll walk you through the process below so you can start the treatment immediately. 

8. First Aid Heatstroke Treatment for Dogs 

Walking long distances in the scorching sun can trigger heat strokes in dogs. If your pup is having a heat stroke, don’t panic. Follow these simple steps below, and she should cool down in a moment! 

Move your pooch to a shaded area. Pour cool water over her. Make sure it’s not icy to avoid cold shocks. Give her a little amount of water to drink. Keep pouring cool water over her body and ruffle her coat.

This way, the water will reach her skin sooner and bring the temperature down. By this time, your pup’s breathing should settle. Wrap her up with a wet towel and visit the vet immediately.

9. Get a Travel Bowl for Your Dog   

A well-trained dog can carry its own water in a harness bag. But if she’s not comfy with it, you can carry a bit of water in a fanny pack. It goes around your waist and doesn’t weigh you down much. 

There are collapsible travel troughs that you can fill with a free park fountain. Your thirsty pooch will thank you for it! 

Also, invest in a good leash and a GPS dog collar. So, if your pup runs loose, you can always bring her back with the dog tracker.

10. Arrange a Dog Meet-and-Greet! 

Summer is hard enough for pups, and loneliness is even harder. There’s nothing much for the dog to do all day, except for the time she goes out on a stroll with you.

Want to make this a moment she looks forward to every day? Share the experience with a friend!

If you already have a pooch at home, we bet you’ll find friends in the neighborhood that do too. Walk your dogs together and catch up on all the different things! But first, make sure the other pups at the park behave nicely to your pup!

Bottom Line

Dogs are always up for walks with their favorite human, but they sure don’t like having the sun above their heads. Getting them to like walking in the summer is simple.

Plan wisely, follow a shorter route, socialize, hydrate, and keep the frozen kongs coming! And that’s the way to have a perfect summer walk with your dog!