Activities For Dogs In Oklahoma On Hot Days

While there are certainly some dogs breeds that don't take any considerable grooming, there are many others that do to make up for it. If your dog never needs an actual trim, consider taking them outside and giving them a thorough brushing. They may have to endure the heat for a while, but in the end, it will help them stay cooler and you'll end up with less of their hair in the house. If they do have a coat that needs to be maintained, set up an appointment for a trim. Getting rid of all that extra hair will help keep them cooler more regularly and will also expedite the cooling process, as it's much easier to take advantage of a cool spot to lay when you don't have to wait for an extra few pounds of fur to cool down too! If you live in Oklahoma and it's summer, rest assured this kind of routine maintenance will go a long way in keeping them cool season-long.

However you look at it, water is one of the fastest and easiest ways to take your pooch from hot dog to cool as drool, and there are a variety of ways to go about it right in your own home or yard. If they need a cleaning anyway, giving them a lukewarm or slightly cool bath will help their body temperature lower somewhat quickly and you'll have the advantage of getting them clean in the process (although we can't say it's fun for dogs who aren't a fan). If you need another alternative, like wanting to get outside, either make them a cool spot with a garden hose, a small depression or hole in the yard and a tarp, or buy them a kiddie pool they can splash around in. If you want to keep it cheap, just get a sprinkler and run around with them in it!

There are plenty of ways to keep your dog cool just with things you may already have or can find around the house, but when all else fails, there are plenty of people with the insight to design products to do specifically that. For instance, there are several different brands of self-cooling mats that will provide them with a nice cold spot on the floor to lay or a mesh cot-style bed to allow additional airflow. There are also dog vests that work like external sweat glands - they cool the dog's body by using the cooling effect of evaporation.

The hardest part about this activity is getting your dog comfortable with being on the raft. Some dogs will clamber on or in anything that seems fun while others are a bit more apprehensive. It's a good idea to test them before booking a trip and having it all come crashing to a halt. Gauge how they do with both swimming and full-sized boats before putting them on something smaller. If they enjoy the water, chances are you won't have much trouble even if they happen to fall in (or jump), but you should be at least relatively certain of their comfort before diving in. Once you feel comfortable with it, which could take just risking your money and testing them out with your intended craft, it's time to book your trip. You can buy regular or extended passes right online, but it's a good idea to call ahead to schedule a specific time and let them know you also have a dog.

When the day arrives, grab all your supplies and get down to the location you scheduled your activity at. Make sure to check in and get acquainted with where everything is located before strapping on your life preserver as well as your dog's and getting a map or general directions as to where most people have found the most enjoyment. Make sure to take the process at a pace that is comfortable with them. If it takes 20 minutes to get them comfortably on the board or in the kayak, so be it. Chances are they will make or break your time anyway, so you might as well make sure they're safe and comfortable and better yet, having fun. Once they are, the chances of you being the same are significantly higher. When they've finally settled, you can get on the water and have some fun.

Before you rush out to the park, you'll likely want to grab some supplies beforehand. You won't need a ton, but there are a few things you won't want to forget. First, make sure you have dog bags so you can pick up after them. Second, you'll want to make sure you have lots of towels if your dog enjoys going in the water, and you may even want an old blanket to put on the seat or in their kennel so you don't have a car's or bed's worth of extra washing to do at home. It's also a good idea to make sure you have sunblock, as hot days in Oklahoma are usually riddled with unhindered sunlight which can cause sunburn in as little as 15 minutes. Finally, grab some water to drink and their leash to get them inside. If you're not familiar with the park, check out the hours, map, and pictures online so you can bring appropriate toys to take advantage of the space. Oh, and since you're going to get hot as well, don't forget to change into your swimsuit before you go.

Once you arrive, the park is your oyster (as long as you're respectful to other patrons). We always find it most fun to get a little hot and tired first, so if you have a chase toy, feel free to heat up with some early games before you both take a dip. Once you get out, there are plenty of benches to sit on and trees to sit under while you take in the scenery and breeze. If you want to make a day of it, grab lunch at the Sonic, Cool Greens, or City Bites nearby, which all have outdoor areas where you and your dog can munch together. There are also two training facilities within a few miles in case you want to work on their behavior and catch some A/C in the process!