The Best Summer Ever With Your Dog
We say it EVERY year. This is gonna be my year! The year flies by and then we repeat next go round… “This is gonna be my year!” How many years has it been now? Two? Five? What is it that you envisioned doing with your dog in this magical year full of laughs and adventure?
I know I have in mind some camping, kayaking, brewery hopping…. Fires in the backyard are another huge one for me. They’re simple, don’t require any money or traveling, and are one of my favorite ways to unwind. Unfortunately, I know what it’s like to have a dog that I am constantly chasing around like a toddler. They won’t just lay down and hang out. Constantly picking things up in their mouths, getting tangled up in the leash every 45 seconds, and barking at friends; practically exploding they want attention so bad. Not super relaxing. Like, at all, am I right?
But life gets in the way, the summers fly by at the speed of light. Before we know it, another season has passed us by and nothing has changed. But that’s not this year. I’m looking at you, badass dog parent. This is our year. 2022 is finally our year. I know you can do it. You just need a little help. That’s what I’m here for.
To get you off to a rock solid start towards your goals, here are 8 steps toward the Best. Summer. Ever. We are going to chat about getting ready for your adventure without all the crazy zoomies and stress, good behavior in the car, learning how to just relax and hang out (the best part, right?), building confidence and sleeping over in new locations (because sometimes they’re a little scary!), things to pack, and THE most important adventure command.
Are you ready to have the best summer ever? Let’s go.
8 Steps to The Best Summer Ever
Calmly getting out the door
You wouldn’t normally even think of this step but let’s be real, things can get pretty hectic. You get yourself packed up and that already gets your pup curious. Once you start grabbing their stuff? All bets are off. They are shaking in their skin, running around, barking, grabbing at their leash. Adventures are so exciting!!! But, it’s super important to spend some time here in this moment. Is this the kind of energy you want to spend your entire summer with? Maybe for moments here and there but as a constant, it’s exhausting.
We need to start expecting calm from our dogs. Rewarding calm behavior this early on sets the tone for the rest of the trip. Start encouraging more patience and quiet from your dog at this stage while you are getting ready for your big, or small, adventure and watch how that calm attitude starts to carry over throughout your summer!
2. Good behavior in the car.
Some dogs are naturally calm in the car and spend their time napping away until you arrive. But if you’re like most of us, that isn’t really the case. They may lay down for a few minutes midway but first getting in the car resembles something of a circus and getting them out at arrival is like trying to stop a runaway train. Using a wait command or teaching them to wait automatically before getting in and out of the car can save you a lot of headache, not to mention possible heartache! If you need to stop along the highway for an emergency, it can be very dangerous if your dog doesn’t know to wait before jumping right out!
3. Learning to relax and hang out
My favorite parts of summer include a hammock or a comfy camping chair. It’s hard to enjoy those things with a dog running in any direction at 100mph. We have the best of intentions bringing them along only to have our hopes dashed as they proceed to spend the next hours or days ripping our arms out of their sockets at mach speeds.
The problem isn’t that your dog wants to cause you trouble. It’s that their idea of a good time includes a lot of running, sniffing, and keeping busy! We need to teach them how to hang out and relax. They just don’t know it’s what we were going for! Use a sit or down command to help show them what you want.
4. Building confidence in new locations
Part of summer time adventuring includes trying new things and new places. We understand and expect that to come with new experiences but our dogs don’t and sometimes they get nervous. To us they are suddenly being much worse than normal! Pulling, running, barking, not eating their meals. We don’t have a good way to explain beforehand to expect new things and places, so we have to make the best of what we have in the moment.
Play is huge in raising a dog’s comfort level. Start practicing playing at home and places you go often. This makes it easier in new places to encourage them to feel better through a nice game of tug with you!
5. Sleeping in new locations
This can be tough on all of us. Staying at a new hotel or new campsite often leads to a night or two of insomnia. Same goes for our dogs!
Bring some of their unwashed bedding from home and play some games with them before bed. Using puzzle feeders can also help your dog feel more comfortable and relaxed, giving them a tiring activity to do shortly before bed.
6. First aid
Always prepare for the unexpected! While we hope nothing ever happens that would require first aid, chances are you have a kit for yourself. Some things may help you if your dog needs first aid but it’s best to find a kit designed specifically for our canine companions! Keep this kit handy in your car or your backpack throughout your trip.
7. Things to pack
You might have your own packing list down to a science but to make sure you and your dog are prepared for your adventure together, here are some things to remember to pack for them!
Your first aid kit
Bowls
Water
Extra meals
Tasty training treats
An extra leash and collar - you never know when you might have a gear malfunction!
Your dog’s favorite ball or tug toy
A mat for them to lay on
A long line to tie them up if you need your hands free
A towel if you plan to swim!
8. The most important command for adventuring - the recall!
One of the most important, and often elusive, commands that you can teach your dog is to come when called. You never know what you might find while out exploring and knowing that will come the first time you call no matter what distractions come about can literally save their life. If your dog sees a deer and gets away from you on leash, being able to call them back to you may be the difference between them coming home with you at the end of the weekend or not. Additionally being able to get your pup back to you around other dogs is a kind way to be mindful of other people’s dogs who may be nervous of yours approaching them.
Practice this command at home and in easy places before expecting them to be able to come back to you in very exciting places!
Using these 8 steps you will be well on your way to the best summer ever! Calmness while getting ready and on your way to your adventures, good manners and confidence out and about, packing the right things, and your super power command will gear you up for it to finally be your year. Get out there and have fun!
For more support and guidance as you get yourselves to pro-explorer status, click “Start now!” below!