6 Summer activities for your dog

It’s surprising how well some dogs can pick up the skill of surfing. It’s important to make sure your dog knows how to swim and that he’s wearing a life jacket before you take him out with a surfboard, but once he gets the hang of it, it’s so much fun. This sport has been rising in popularity, and competitions are held all over to find the best surfing dog. One of the largest dog-surfing competitions, Surf Dog, is held each year in Huntington Beach, California.

Swimming is one of the best activities in the summer. It provides a great workout, and when you’ve got the summer sun beaming down on you, swimming is just so refreshing. It’s an activity you and your dog can do together, getting fit while having fun. It’s important to note that not all dogs innately know how to swim, but you can teach them how to be safe in the water. If your dog is a little nervous, you can always get him a doggy life jacket.

Fetch is a common game to play with your dog, and it’s one of the first things many pet owners teach their dogs. If you want to step the fetch game up a bit in the summer, playing Frisbee with your dog can be hours of fun for the both of you. All you need is a Frisbee, a few friends, and you’re set.

Another summer sport for dogs that’s on the rise is dock diving for dogs. It’s a competition sport that has dogs competing by jumping off a dock and into the water. They’re judged on distance, speed or height. Ontario Dock Dogs was the first in Canada to host competitions throughout the province.

If you’re a yoga person, maybe you’ve heard of “doga” or dog-yoga. It’s kind of like baby yoga, where you and your dog take a class together, but the poses are adapted for dogs to do as well. It promotes calmness and can deepen the bond between you and your dog. More and more classes are being offered, as dog owners continue to search for local classes.

Water polo was made for the summer, and it’s a sport your dog can get involved in too. It’s similar to tossing around a Frisbee, but it’s played in the water, which is perfect for the dog who loves to fetch and swim. There are many types of balls you can use to play, from the typical water polo balls to Frisbees and boomerangs.