Dog Days Aren’t Over: The Pawpular Guide to Summer Indoor Play

When the summer sun gets a little too spicy, it's time to bring the fun indoors. While many dogs love soaking up the sunshine, temperatures in the 90s can quickly turn outdoor play into a health risk. But just because it’s hot out doesn’t mean your pup has to be bored!

Indoor enrichment is more than just a backup plan. It’s a great way to challenge your dog mentally, reinforce good behavior, and burn off energy without breaking a sweat. Whether you’ve got a high-energy herder or a snuggly lapdog, here are some fun and easy ways to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated when the heat is on.

Mental Stimulation: Keep that Brain Busy!

Hot weather is the perfect excuse to flex your dog’s mental muscles. Brain games can wear them out just as much as a long walk. Plus, you don’t even have to leave the living room.

1. Puzzle Feeders, Snuffle Matts, & Treat Toys

Swap the boring food bowl for an interactive puzzle toy or slow feeder to make feeding fun. Our wide variety of slow feeders and snuffle matts turn mealtime into playtime and are perfect for dogs who gobble food too fast or need extra stimulation.

2. Frozen Enrichment Treats

One of our favorite heat hacks: stuff a KONG, Pupsicle, or other treat toy with plain yogurt, peanut butter, and fruit. Then freeze it! It’s soothing, stimulating, and lasts way longer than a regular snack. Just make sure the ingredients are pup-safe (we’re always happy to help with recommendations in-store).

3. Hide and Seek (Yes, Really!)

Hide treats or toys around the house and encourage your dog to find them. This simple scent game activates their natural foraging instincts and gets their brain firing on all cylinders.

Physical Enrichment: Burn Energy (Safely) Inside

Even on the hottest days, there are still plenty of ways to get your pup moving indoors.

4. Indoor Obstacle Courses for Summer Indoor Play

Turn your living room into a puppy playground. Use cushions, tables, chairs, and boxes to create a mini obstacle course. Lure your dog through the course with treats or toys, and change up the layout every day to keep it fresh.

5. Tug, Fetch & Plush Play

Just because fetch isn’t safe on scorching pavement doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Soft, toss-safe plushies (of which we have about a million to choose from!) are ideal for indoor play. Pair them with a game of tug or light hallway fetch to keep your dog moving.

6. Cooling Mats Between Play Sessions

Play breaks are important, especially during heat waves. A cooling mat offers a safe, soothing place for your dog to chill out (literally) between indoor adventures. Stop in to check out our options.

Training Time: Build New Skills & Burn Energy

If it’s too hot for hikes, turn your attention to training! It’s one of the most effective ways to stimulate both body and mind, and it deepens the bond between you and your dog.

7. Brush Up on the Basics

Work on sit, stay, come, leave it, and leash manners. Use positive reinforcement and small training treats for short, focused sessions. We carry a wide variety of training tools and reward options to suit every pup’s taste and training style. For more training tips, check out our recent post “10 Life-Saving Dog Training Commands Owners Must Teach (And How to Train Them at Home).”

8. Teach a New Trick

Ever wanted your dog to high-five, roll over, or ring a bell to go outside? Now’s your chance. YouTube is full of free, step-by-step guides—and we’ve got the gear and goodies to help you succeed.

9. Introduce Enrichment Cues

Try shaping behaviors like “find it,” “touch,” or even scent discrimination games. These cognitive tasks are especially great for smart, easily bored breeds who need more than physical play to stay balanced.

Health Tip: When in Doubt, Check with Your Vet

If your pup seems lethargic or isn’t tolerating the heat well (even indoors) it’s always a good idea to check in with your vet. Older dogs, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, and dogs with health conditions are particularly vulnerable during hot weather.

Shop Local, Stay Cool, Keep It Fun

At Pawpular Companions, we know how important it is to keep your pets happy, healthy, and busy…even when the weather says otherwise. That’s why we stock an awesome selection of indoor-friendly toys, puzzles, training tools, frozen treat gear, and cooling mats from trusted brands like Injoya, MessyMutts, KONG, Pupsicle, and many more.

Swing by our shop and let us help you build the ultimate heatwave boredom-buster kit for happy and enriching summer indoor play. Your dog deserves more than just “getting through” the hot days. They deserve to thrive!

Looking for more summer enrichment ideas? Come chat with our team in-store, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily inspiration, product tips, and pet care advice.

Stay safe, stay cool, and keep those tails wagging.