Beat the Heat: Smart Ways to Keep Your Dog Active This Summer
Summer is a blast, until it’s just too hot to play outside. If your dog’s bouncing off the walls or flopped on the floor looking bored, you’re not alone. When temps soar, it can be tricky to give your pup the exercise and mental stimulation they need without risking overheating.
Don’t worry, you’ve got options! From cool walks to indoor games, here’s how to keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe all summer long.
Know When (and When Not) to Walk
Hot pavement, soaring humidity, and poor air quality can all turn a routine walk into a health hazard. In fact, pavement can reach 135–150°F on a sunny 85°F day, hot enough to burn paw pads in seconds.
Quick Tips:
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Walk early or late. Stick to mornings and evenings when temperatures drop.
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Test the pavement. Hold the back of your hand to the ground for 7 seconds, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.
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Bring water. Hydration is key, especially on muggy days. Always carry fresh water and a collapsible bowl.
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Watch for warning signs. Heavy panting, slowing down, or glazed eyes can signal overheating.
Stay Comfy with the Balance Harness®
If you’re looking for a cooler, more comfortable way to walk your dog this summer, try the Balance Harness. It’s lightweight, breathable, and super adjustable for a snug-but-gentle fit.
Whether you’re headed to the park, strolling through the neighborhood, or just doing a quick potty loop, the Balance Harness helps your dog move freely, and helps you stay in control without pulling or yanking.
Why we love it for summer:
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No extra padding or bulk = better airflow
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Six adjustment points = perfect fit for every body
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Front clip option = easy steering if your dog pulls
🧵 Tip: Add a cooling bandana or hit a shaded trail to level up your summer strolls.
Too Hot to Go Out? Try These Fun Indoor Activities
When it’s really hot outside, your dog still needs to burn some energy. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend hours tossing a toy in your living room. A few minutes of focused fun can do the trick!
Step Up the Fun with the KLIMB®
The KLIMB is like a personal platform for your dog, a place to play, hang out, or learn cool tricks.
What your dog can do on the KLIMB:
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Practice chill time ("hop up and relax")
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Build confidence by stepping on and off
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Play simple games like sit, down, turn around, or follow a treat trail
- Teach a new trick such as "give paw" or "spin"
Bonus: Add a frozen lick mat or cooling mat on top, and the KLIMB becomes a summer hangout zone.
Keep Moving Indoors with the Propel
Some days, it’s just too hot for fetch or a long walk, and that’s where the Propel Air Platform comes in. This inflatable piece of gear gives your dog a safe, low-impact way to move their body and use their brain, all inside the comfort of your (air-conditioned) home.
Think of it like gentle balance work. Just standing on the Propel helps your pup activate their core and stabilizer muscles—kind of like how we feel when standing on a wobble board or Bosu ball.
A few easy things to try:
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Front paws on. Lure your dog to place just their front feet on the Propel.
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Side-to-side movement. While their front paws on on the Propel, move a treat slowly left to right to encourage small weight shifts.
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Step on, step off. Let your pup step up and off at their own pace, it’s a great confidence booster!
Even just 5–10 minutes of this kind of activity can help your dog burn energy, stay mentally sharp, and feel accomplished, all without leaving the house.
Easy Summer Routine for Busy Pet Parents
Here’s a low-effort, high-fun routine you can do at home:
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Quick walk in the Balance Harness® – keep it short and sweet in the cool hours
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Water & snack break – frozen treats or a puzzle feeder
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KLIMB® time – let them hop up, hang out, or show off some simple tricks
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Propel® play – engage those paws and brains!
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Cool-down snuggle – chill with the fan on or cuddle in the A/C
Summer Fun, Made Simple
Keeping your dog active in the heat doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little creativity and the right tools, you can make summer feel fun, even indoors.
Whether it’s a walk in the Balance Harness, playtime on the KLIMB, or wobbly fun on the Propel, you’ve got everything you need to beat the heat, and keep tails wagging.
Want more fun ideas and easy how-to demos?
Check out our YouTube channel. Explore all our products and tools at blue-9.com
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