With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start gathering up the list of fun water activities for dogs – so you don’t have to leave your fur baby out of any summer memories! And even though Milo refuses to swim, he still loves splashing around and getting his feet wet. There are so many water activities to account for – and the possibilities are endless…starting right in your backyard, in your swimming pool, at the beach, or even the nearest lake or river! All you need is your four-legged companion and some amazing summer weather to have an exciting summer with your pup!
Exciting water activities for dogs include:
- Playing in the sprinklers
- Give them an outdoor bath
- Playing water tag
- Swimming pool
- Paddleboarding
- Boating, kayaking, & canoeing
- Dock jumping
- Towing
- Doggie beach & cookout
- Wave diving
- Water hoops
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1 – Play in the Sprinklers
During the summer months we run the sprinklers at least a few times per week.
The temperature here in Central Florida reaches above 100 degrees in summer, and the plants need their water!
So why not take advantage and let your dog play in the sprinklers?
Even I remember playing in the sprinklers as a kid!
We had this one contraption called a Crazy Daisy – my sister and I would spend hours outside with that thing – essential just a large flower shaped sprinkler!
If your fur baby is a water lover then he’ll love this one!
And if you don’t have sprinklers, attaching a portable sprinkler to a hose is a very efficient and affordable way to allow your fur baby to play in the water and have a fantastic time!
Ps. Don’t be surprised if he attacks the sprinklers! He is just playing around!
2 – Give them an outdoor Bath
Milo hates taking a bath.
*Queue dramatic music and me chasing Milo around to get him in the shower*
But somehow he thinks were playing a game if I give him a bath outside.
I simply lather him up – and then grab the water hose!
It is a great way to beat that unbearable summer heat and cool down.
He loves playing with the garden hose anyway so I figured – why not bathe him while he’s at it?
Plus, you can also make use of a big water tub or a kiddie pool while bathing him so that he can splash around in the pool and have a lovely time cooling off.
Just don’t get too mad when he wants to run around the yard!
3 – play water tag
I still remember all the times when my sister and I would spend hours outside with our water guns playing water tag.
It was so much fun!
So who’s to say that your fur baby can’t relive those memories with you?
Whenever it’s hot outside and I’m working in the garden, I grab the hose and spray Milo on his tail until he inevitably starts chasing me back.
It’s funny to see how human dogs can be!
Plus if you have kids you can definitely outsource this activity to them in a game of kids versus dogs!
Plus, you can totally use a water hose to replace a ball or frisbee – Milo tries to jump in mid-air to “catch” the water and of course he keeps going when he can’t!
4 – take a dip in the pool
If you have a pool in your backyard that’s perfect!
But if not, you can invest in a small kiddie pool and fill it up with water.
Then let your dog off the leash and splash his heart out until he is cooled off and content.
Since Milo doesn’t actually swim, he loves the kiddie pool since it’s just deep enough to get his paws wet!
He loves laying in the pool for hours and stays there until I make him come inside!
This one is great since you can just let your pup have his fun and you can stay inside in the cool air conditioner!
And if you have a real swimming pool in your backyard then letting your pup swim some laps is a great way to get some exercise in!
Plus, you could always get a doggie float and have them join you while you’re lounging around!
5 – standup paddle boarding
One of my all-time favorite summer activities is paddle boating on the lake.
And if you have a lake or a dog beach nearby you should try taking your dog paddle boarding with you!
It would definitely be a learning experience for both of you, but so much fun once you get the balancing right!
Since paddle boards are so wide, making them very easy to stand on – or sit on!
Just make sure to keep a few safety tips in mind:
- Always put a life jacket on your pup if he’s not a great swimmer – or if the currant is particularly strong!
- And always make sure your pooch is well trained and follows your commands. It’s super important for your pup to sit still on the board when it is in the water!
6 – Boating, Kayaking, & Canoeing
Taking Milo for a boat ride is always on my summer bucket list – and it should be on yours too!
Just like riding in the car, dogs usually like feeling the wind in their face and stick their head off the side of the boat – so cute!
The same applies to kayaking or canoeing – there’s nothing cuter than your fur-baby sitting on the front side of your kayak enjoying the view!
Milo loves laying on the edge of the kayak while a paddle him around the lake.
Just make sure to go slow at first if they’re not used to it – the last thing you want to do is scare your pup!
You should also make sure that they are comfortable with the water, because if they start getting nervous there’s a chance they could topple over the kayak, sending you both for a swim – safety first!
7 – dock jumping
Dock jumping is a fun doggie sport in which you throw a toy or frisbee into the air over the water, and your pup jumps off the dock to catch it!
Once your dog fetches the toy they swim back and you throw it again.
Last summer I saw a few dogs at the lake doing this and I tried to get Milo on board, but of course the only thing he would do was get his feet wet on the sand and splash around in the water!
If your pup loves swimming, though this would be a great activity and you could even go for a swim with them!
Pro-tip – make sure that whatever toy you’re playing with floats! It wouldn’t be any fun for your dog to see their favorite toy sinking to the bottom of the lake!
8 – towing
Towing is a great rescue skill for any water-loving dog!
When you are swimming with your pooch, tie a leash or a rope to your float and let him tow you around.
You could even do this without a float and just hold on to the rope while your dog pulls you.
Not only is this a fun game of tug-o-war for them, but it’s great exercise, also!
And if you’re spending a lot of time in the water with your pup, it doesn’t hurt for them to learn this skill.
9 – Doggie Beach & Cookout
Beach days are the very essence of summer!
There’s nothing like sitting in the sand with your toes in the water, the smell of BBQ nearby and your pup chasing seagulls!
And if you’re interested in bringing your fur-baby along for the fun, find the nearest doggie beach and pack your bags!
Most dog beaches have specific hours – usually when it’s less crowded – and designated spots for your pup to roam free.
But if you get lucky you can even find some beaches that are open to four-legged family members all day long!
While we are at the beach I let Milo off the leash and let him explore and splash around in the water til he finally plops down in the sand with his tongue out!
It is a great way to exhaust his batteries and get some exercise.
Plus, if your pooch is well trained and comes back immediately when you call him, you can enjoy your beach day without any worries!
Unfortunately, Milo still needs a little bit of babysitting when he’s off-leash, but it’s adorable to watch me chase him around – or so I’m told…
10 – wave diving
Dogs who love the water will love diving into the waves and going for an underwater swim!
I could never quite get Milo on board with this one since he won’t ever get his whole head wet, but I’ve seen other dogs at the beach entertain themselves for hours jumping waves!
At first, you might have to teach your pup to jump when the waves come towards them, but they seem to pick it up pretty quick!
Just remember to keep a doggie life jacket on your pooch if they’re not used to the water, or keep them on a leash and harness if you are afraid they won’t react very well to the waves!
11 – water hoops
If you have a dog that is very athletic and can jump high, then it is time to introduce the water hoops!
First, try doing this activity on the ground. The hoops should get higher and higher one after another to challenge them.
Once they have been trained on land you can shift this sport to water!
Hold the loop partially in the water and encourage your dog to pass through it and then slowly move it a notch higher and higher.
The higher your pooch jumps the greater the splash and the more fun to be had!
This is great exercise that will keep your fur baby entertained and also tire him out!
Water sports are always more exhausting than those on the ground. Those doggie muscles need to work harder when underwater than on land.
So just remember to take it easy at first and always look for signs of stress in your pup!
Tips to help your Dog Love the Water
Not all dogs enjoy swimming or are naturally good at swimming. This doesn’t mean that they are incapable of swimming, though!
I have spent hours trying to get Milo to swim, and he still won’t get in the water past his chest. I am still working on it and one day I know he’ll do it!
Loving the water is very breed specific, however, and some dogs just don’t naturally gravitate towards it.
So here are a few things you can do help your pooch get comfortable around the water:
- Introduce new toys and make bath time fun. If the only time your dog is exposed to water is bath time then it is very important to make it fun and a memorable experience. Make sure that water is at a comfortable temperature and do everything you can to convince them that water is great!
- Take it one step at a time – if that means only getting their paws wet then that’s okay too!
- Teach them how to enter and exit a water body, be it a beach, a kiddie pool or a big pool. A leash will be your best friend in this learning process.
- When you take them to the ocean make sure they have a life jacket so that they feel protected. Slowly, when they start getting comfortable remove the life jacket and let them enjoy! The last thing you want is for them to have a negative experience!
- Be supportive. Splash in the water with them! Make memories together. They will get over their fear much quicker if they see that you’re enjoying the water.
- Watch for signs of fatigue – water activities go hand in hand with hot sunny days. Make sure your pup isn’t tired out or dehydrated!
- Keep plenty of water nearby for when your pup gets thirsty – and don’t let them drink salt water or lake water!
How do I keep my dog hydrated?
If you are taking your pooch outdoors this summer then you should have plenty of water to keep them from getting dehydrated.
Always leave fresh, clean water bowls in outdoor areas when your dog is playing, and have fresh water for when your pup gets back inside.
Often they are so tired that they don’t pay attention to hydrating themselves, but rather just lay down on the floor.
It is very important for them to drink water during and after being in the sun, so if your dog doesn’t gravitate towards his water bowl immediately, take it to them and ensure they drink!
Frozen dog treats can also be a great way to keep your dog hydrated and cool in the hot sun! Plus you can make them in any shape you want and with different flavors your dog will love!
And lastly, make sure that whenever you travel with your dog, you have a collapsible dog bowl to fill with water when your dog gets thirsty.
I have this one for Milo and always have it in his travel bag so I never have to worry about forgetting it!
Water Toys for Dogs
Not all dog toys are suitable for water play.
Either they sink, the material gets destroyed in water, or your dog can’t see it in the water!
So I’ve rounded up my favorite doggie water toys to make the most of your pup’s summer!
This floating water disc is great since it’s bright yellow, easy to clean, and won’t ever sink! Plus it’s lightweight so you can throw it as far as your dog can fetch!
If your dog likes sticks as much as Milo does, then this floating stick is perfect! It’s bright so your dog won’t miss it when he’s fetching and soft on your dog’s teeth!
And for dogs who don’t like to swim, but still like to play in the water, this step on water fountain for dogs will amuse them for hours – just make sure you use this outdoors or you will have some clean up to do!
Why does my dog not like the water?
There are certain types of breeds that just do not like water.
It could be due to their genetic makeup, their physical build, mood, or even health issues.
Water might give anxiety to some dogs and you might have noticed that they don’t even enjoy bath time.
The best thing to do is to work with your dog and have some patience so that he gets used to the water little by little.
Never force your dog into the water as that will traumatize him even more!
Praise him for every little accomplishment like getting his feet wet, getting into the water deeper, etc.
The most important thing is to make it an enjoyable experience for them!
This summer Milo and I will be enjoying some of these awesome water activities and having plenty of beach BBQs! Use this list to brainstorm ways you can have some water fun with your pup and keep them cool in the dog days of summer!
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