At a Glance

Dogs need exercise, even when temperatures soar above average.Owners should watch for signs of heat stroke.Swimming in safe water and pre-dawn or late evening walks are great for outdoor exercise.Indoor exercise options include day care, treat puzzles, and hide-and-seek.

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As summer heats up, dog owners are getting creative to exercise their four-legged family members. From to late-night walks to canine puzzles, it's possible to entertain your dog and keep them safe from .

Kim Bertino’s 2-year-old golden retriever, Harley, has a lot of energy to burn. But the triple digit heat this summer has left Bertino scrambling to exercise her.

“Right now, we take her for walks early morning or after the sun goes down,” said Bertino, who lives in Roanoke, Texas, outside Fort Worth. “Games of fetch and hide-and-seek have been popular. We also do tricks, sit, spin, shake, sit and wait — for 10-15 minutes at a time.”

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Bertino has been battling temperatures well over 100 degrees. It’s so unrelenting, she finally ordered paw-protecting booties for Harley’s feet because the . So far this summer, the temperatures have gone as high as 108, recorded at the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Dog owners across the country are readjusting their routines and ordering extra toys, treats and hot weather gear to keep their pups cool, exercised and safe from heat stroke.

Dr. Kara Eilts is a veterinarian in the New Orleans metro area, which is having its hottest summer in 73 years. She’s been advising her patients to exercise their dogs only in the very early morning or late at night. And she’s following a strict schedule with her own two dogs, 6-year-old golden labs, Nitrox and Scooter.

“We do ball fetches in the early morning and late evening under trees for only 5- to 10-minute intervals,” she said. ”They also love swimming and sprinklers.”

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Eilts cautions dog owners to be aware of the weather when their pets are outside. Pavement can quickly burn the pads of the dog’s feet and heat stroke can set in quickly.

“I have them watch for heavy panting,” Eilts said, “Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds are way more susceptible to heat stroke.”

Help Your Dogs Cool Down

There are many products to help keep your dog from overheating, including cooling vests, cooling mats and foldable water bowls for frequent drinks.

“Dogs cool by panting and not sweating,” Eilts said. “You can also wipe the ears with a cool, wet towel for cooling.”

Go Swimming With Your Best Friend

Mary DiGangi’s 2-year-old mixed pup, Rooger, has been stymied by above average temperatures in their Holden, Massachusetts, backyard. Their highest temperature so far this summer was 89 degrees, recorded in nearby Worcester, Massachusetts. So far, it's been one of the 10 hottest Julys on record.

While early and late walks get some of his energy out, Rooger loves trips to the lake.

“My in-laws have more land and live on a lake so on super-hot weeks, my husband takes the kids and the dog to the lake so he can run around and get wet,” she said. “He runs so much at the lake, that will buy us a day or two of short walks if there is a heat wave.”

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Swimming is a great way for dogs to get their exercise and stay cool, Eilts said, but take precautions in natural water and don’t let the dogs drink from lakes or oceans.

“Lakes like our swamps have a lot of parasites and fungal organisms such as giardia, blastomycosis and pythium,” she said. “The salt water of a beach can actually dehydrate them when they drink it. It will also give them diarrhea.”

Get Creative About Indoor Playtime

Lacy McCutchen’s two golden retrievers have been happy enough with short bursts of playtime in their Tulsa, Oklahoma, yard in the mornings and evenings. But with temperatures peaking at 102 degrees so far this summer, McCutchen’s high-energy, 2-year-old goldendoodle, Honey Ann, needs much more of a workout.

“She goes to day care where the indoor facility has AC,” she said. “She needs more stimulation than the goldens.”

Exercise isn’t the only way to burn puppy energy.

“Indoor play such as tug, ball catching and puzzle toys are great for mental stimulation,” Eilts said. “Also toys like a Kong — put a treat inside so they have to work to get it out.”

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