Keeping Your Dog Active When It’s Too Hot Outside

Summers in Bakersfield can be brutally hot, and while you may enjoy some extra A/C and iced drinks, your dog still needs exercise, mental stimulation, and a healthy routine. But when the pavement is sizzling and temperatures soar past 90°F, outdoor activities can be risky, even dangerous for your four-legged friend.

So how do you keep your dog active and engaged when it’s too hot for a walk or fetch in the yard?

The answer: Indoor Enrichment.

Why Heat Can Be Dangerous for Dogs

Dogs are far more sensitive to heat than humans. They don’t sweat like we do and rely mostly on panting to cool off. When temps rise, so does the risk of heatstroke, especially for:

Brachycephalic breeds (like bulldogs and pugs)
Senior dogs
Puppies
Overweight dogs
Dogs with dark coats or heart conditions

If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s definitely too hot for your dog’s paws.

Indoor Activities That Burn Energy and Build Skills

Keeping your dog inside doesn’t mean sacrificing their physical or mental exercise. With a little creativity, you can turn your living room into a training gym and your kitchen into a puzzle playground.

Try these enrichment ideas when it’s too hot to go out:

Tug-of-war: Great for physical exercise and impulse control

Treat puzzles and slow feeders: Mentally stimulating and great for solo play

Hide-and-seek: Hide treats or yourself and encourage your dog to “find it”

Training drills: Brush up on obedience cues like sit, down, place, and heel

Scent games: Hide small treats around the house for a scavenger hunt

Obstacle course: Use cushions, tunnels, or furniture to create fun challenges

One of the easiest indoor games to implement is the “place” command. Not only does it give your dog a defined location to stay calm and focused, but it’s a great way to build patience during high-energy moments inside. Our Basic Obedience Training for High-Energy Dogs includes techniques like these to give you control and your dog a job, even indoors.

Air Conditioning Isn’t Enough: Stimulate the Mind Too

A mentally tired dog is just as happy and better behaved as a physically tired one. During hot days, focus on cognitive challenges that build patience, decision-making, and confidence.

We saw this firsthand while working with Katie the Golden Retriever, whose playful energy often surged indoors. By incorporating obedience games and scent work, her owners saw a massive shift in calmness and engagement, even on hot summer afternoons.

Indoor enrichment isn’t just a substitute for walks. It’s a powerful tool for creating a well-balanced, obedient dog year-round.

Tools to Make Indoor Enrichment Easier

Here are some helpful products to stock up on for indoor play:

Lick mats or frozen KONGs: Great for calming and soothing
Interactive toys: Like the PetSafe Busy Buddy or Outward Hound puzzles
Foldable tunnels or agility poles: For active dogs that need movement
Training treats: Use small, low-calorie rewards to avoid weight gain

Not sure where to start? Wear Wag Repeat offers creative indoor enrichment ideas tailored to dogs of all personalities and ages.

Beating the Boredom Without Breaking a Sweat

Here’s a sample daily schedule you can use during extreme heat:

Time	Activity
8:00 AM	Light walk or potty break (shaded)
10:00 AM	10-minute training session
12:00 PM	Frozen treat or stuffed toy
2:00 PM	Tug-of-war or indoor fetch
4:00 PM	Scent game or puzzle feeder
6:00 PM	Obedience refresher (place, heel)
8:00 PM	Short potty walk after sunset

Final Thoughts + Call to Action

Bakersfield heat is no joke but your dog’s health and happiness don’t have to suffer because of it. With a few creative activities and the right training, you can keep your dog balanced, active, and mentally stimulated indoors.

If your pup is bouncing off the walls, we can help channel that energy into structured focus. Contact our Bakersfield team today to get started with indoor-friendly obedience programs tailored to your dog’s needs.