Activities For Dogs On Fourth Of July

Almost all communities have Fourth of July parades during the week of Independence Day.  These are perfect events to bring your dog to, and it will give them loads of new experiences.  Socialization and stimulation are crucial for a happy and healthy dog, and parades are a perfect Fourth of July activity.  Parades are usually a go in all types of weather, but if the forecast looks like rain, you might want to stay home or be prepared with a doggy raincoat.  Warm sunny days are the ideal conditions for bringing your dog to the parade.  Make sure you have your dog's leash and find out in advance if dogs should be in designated areas or not.  Most of the time, a well-behaved dog co-mingles just fine with the crowds.  Fresh water and a bowl are necessary as well for the duration of the parade.  Some dog owners can get festive and dress their dog up in a red, white, and blue bandanna.  This is purely optional, but it does lend to your dog's patriotic appeal.  Finally, grab a handful of treats to reward your dog during the parade.

Since July is one of the hottest months of the year and you will no doubt be enjoying outside activities during the daytime, make your dog a frozen treat to help them keep cool.  Unlike popsicles that are fruit and sugar flavored, pupsicles are usually meat flavored.  Many recipes include chicken stock and carrots as well as finely chopped bits of chicken.  Frozen overnight, these treats become a challenging and tasty treat for a pup trying to keep cool during your afternoon grilling.  These are great treats for sunny days outside, and the size of the pupsicle will depend on the size of your dog.  Smaller dogs will do fine with frozen treats made from ice cube trays, but larger dogs might enjoy these frozen treats from larger pupsicle molds or single serve yogurt cups.

Hot summer days mean you get to cool off in the water but what about pooch?  You can include your dog in water fun by running the sprinkler on the lawn.  This is a cheap and easy activity that only requires a sprinkler and a water supply, of course.  Sunny days are the best for this type of activity.  Sprinkler time with the dog will help keep them cool and prevent some of the nasty heat-related illnesses that might occur during the summertime.  This cooling and fun activity will also help tucker your pooch out for the evening when the big booms of fireworks might otherwise frighten them.