Too Hot to Trot? Supporting Your Dog Through Summer Shifts
Summer is here - and with it comes a shift in rhythm. Longer days, rising temperatures, and a new kind of pace. But while we’re adapting to the season, our dogs are feeling it too.
In June's FETCH First Friday podcast, we explored a question many guardians face when the weather heats up: What do I do when it’s too hot to walk my dog - and I still want to support their wellbeing?
The answer isn’t just about doing more.
It’s about tuning in differently.
Here’s a gentle guide to rethinking enrichment in the summer months - in ways that are safe, nourishing, and deeply connected.
What Is Enrichment, Really?
We often think of enrichment as something to tire out or keep our dogs busy. But what if it wasn’t about adding more stimulation - and instead about offering meaningful engagement?
Enrichment supports the whole dog: mental, emotional, sensory, and physical wellbeing. When it’s the right kind of enrichment, it satisfies. It soothes. It supports calm.
But when enrichment is too complex or mismatched for your dog’s current energy, it can frustrate or overwhelm.
If your dog growls at the slow feeder, walks away from the puzzle toy, or gets agitated during “calm” time - it might not be a sign to stop enriching. It might just be a sign to shift how you're doing it.
When It’s Too Hot to Walk: Creative Summer Options
Walking is part of many daily dog routines. But in high heat, safety has to come first.
Hot pavement can burn paws. Dogs can overheat quickly. That doesn’t mean enrichment stops - it just needs a summer-friendly reframe.
Try some of these gentle alternatives:
🌿 Indoor scent games – Use snuffle mats, cardboard boxes, or simple hide-and-seek to engage the nose.
🍉 Fresh food enrichment in the shade – Think lick mats with watermelon puree, frozen bone broth, or chilled goat milk.
💧 Water-based play – Splash pools, hose misting, or even wet towels can be refreshing (for dogs who enjoy water).
🌾 Decompression outdoors – Let your dog lie in the grass and observe the world. No agenda, just mindful presence.
The magic here is in matching your dog’s needs - not trying to replace a walk with another kind of “doing,” but offering experiences that align with their summer energy.
Does Your Dog’s Energy Shift in Summer?
Just like us, dogs can experience seasonal energy shifts. Some slow down and seek out cool, quiet places. Others seem more restless and alert, responding to the buzz of summer with extra energy.
Neither is wrong - they’re just showing you their seasonal profile.
Try observing:
• Does my dog seem tired, wired, or balanced lately?
• When are they most relaxed? Most alert?
• What happens when I slow things down - or simplify?
These small observations can help you shape enrichment that responds to your dog’s state, rather than trying to change or manage it.
Food as Seasonal Support
Fresh food isn’t just nourishing - it can help your dog stay cool, hydrated, and balanced in the heat.
Some ideas to explore:
🍓 Water-rich ingredients like cucumber, watermelon, or courgette
🧊 Frozen cubes of goat milk or broth, with herbs like mint or chamomile
🥣 Light meals during heatwaves - easier to digest and more in tune with the body’s needs
Just like enrichment, food can shift with the seasons - offering support that feels intuitive, natural, and kind.
A Gentle Reframe
Here’s the deeper invitation:
Enrichment isn’t a checklist. It’s a conversation.
Not about doing more. Not about getting it perfect.
It’s about noticing. Responding. Adjusting.
Let this summer be a chance to move with your dog’s rhythm, rather than pushing through your routine. Because when we slow down, we see more. And when we tune in, connection deepens.
Want to go deeper?
🎧 Listen to the full episode: “Summer Enrichment Ideas for your Fresh Fed Dog”
📘 Join our FETCH First Light Facebook group - a community space for curious guardians exploring enrichment, energy, and connection
🌞 FETCH: Summer Almanac
A seasonal guide for dog guardians who want to move through summer with more connection, ease, and intention. Blending Traditional Chinese Medicine, fresh food wisdom, and practical enrichment tips, this 28-page downloadable PDF includes:
• Dog-safe cooling foods
• Gentle daily rituals
• Body-mind support for dogs & guardians
• Journal prompts and reflective practices
📄 Just £7 | Download your copy here
Let this summer be the start of something softer, slower, and more attuned.
Your dog doesn’t need more stuff.
They need more you - tuned in, noticing, and moving with the rhythm of the season.
By Dr. Alexia Mellor & Stacey Renphrey, Co-Founders of Learn FETCH