Ben loves to be outside and play in the water. He usually can scout out a good fishing location before I do. It’s the perfect activity to do with your dog.
Activities For Dogs In Colorado On Hot Days
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3 Comments
10 Votes
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Colorado is one of the most pet-friendly states around, and with so much open space to explore, it's not hard to see why. From lakes and canyons, to mountain ranges and national forests, Colorado is ready to awe everyone who comes to visit. And this includes pets! Even though there are a ton of amazing things to do in this beautiful state, there are times of the year when some outdoor activities are more appealing than others; summer for example. In the hotter months, Colorado can boast temperatures that range from 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit (21-34 degrees Celsius). While these numbers aren't record breaking, they can still do quite a bit of damage to the body if exposed for too long. This goes for dogs just as much as it does for humans, if not more so. However, just because summer comes to play doesn't mean that we have to stop! Check out this list to see all the fun things you and your pup can do in Colorado during hot weather.
River Runs
Most Popular
4 Votes
Hot Day
Moderate
Hard
3 - 4 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Dog Water Vest
Harness
Sunscreen
Water
Activity description
If you've never heard of a river run before, basically it is just another name for white water rafting. In this activity, you and your dog can embark down the roaring rapids of the Eagle River or the Colorado River. The guides do a marvelous job of navigating your raft through calm and beautiful waters, to the heart-stopping waves of the white water rapids. This is definitely a hot, summer day activity as the cold waters of the river will get you feeling cool in no time. While this will be a great event for you and your dog to check off the list, it is very important to remember that it can be dangerous, so untrained animals and younger pups may not be the best candidates for river runs.
Step
1
Book online
Just like the jeep tour, you will need to sign up for your river run adventure. You can find the information by researching a river run company; there are two options, either for the Eagle River or the Colorado River and both are bound to be amazing!
Step
2
Know your dog
First and foremost, before going on a river run, it is important to know your dog as an individual. Do they listen well? Are they calm or rather rambunctious in high-stress situations? What tendency does the breed tend to have? Of course, these questions will all vary from dog to dog, but the rule of thumb would be a calmer and well trained dog will be better fit for this activity. Safety is everything!
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Fishing
Popular
3 Votes
Hot Day
Cheap
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Bags for Waste Disposal
Bait
Fishing Pole
Sunscreen
Snacks (Optional)
Activity description
There's nothing more relaxing than a classic day out fishing. This is a great activity to do with your dog as they can either help you fish (if they are a hunting or retrieving breed) or they can simply enjoy being out in nature. Since it will most likely be a hot day in Colorado, fishing is also a safe activity for your dog as it does not involve a lot of physical work on their part, and if they get too overheated, they can dip their paws in the water; or all of them if they wish!
Step
1
Select a location
Many places that allow fishing will allow other animals as well; however, it may be in everyone's best interest to go to a less popular fishing location. This way, your dog won't get snagged by another fisherman's line while he is casting, and you won't have to worry about your dog getting in anyone else's way. Additionally, finding a less popular spot somewhere along a river will allow a more peaceful experience for you and your pup to bond in. But, if you prefer somewhere well-known, one option in Colorado is the Chatfield Reservoir which is a popular lake near Denver that offers swimming, fishing, camping, and more.
Step
2
Prepare your gear
Whether you are a seasoned fisherman or a newbie, you'll want to have the right gear before you head out to catch some fish. The basics are rather simple, just a good fishing pole and some quality bait. However, those are only necessary if you are serious. There is the option of going more old school, with just some twine and worms! Either way, you can be sure it will feel great to get outside and breathe that fresh air.
Step
3
Settle down
Once you reach your location and you have your gear and your dog out of the car (or backpack if it's within walking distance) it's time to find that perfect spot and settle down into it. Perhaps you choose to walk around a bit and let your dog explore before heading to the water. That's totally fine! Even if your pup gets hot from running around, the whole purpose of the trip is to be near the water, so they'll be able to cool off in no time. All that's left to do is sit back, relax, and wait for the fish to bite.
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Jeep Tour
Least Popular
3 Votes
Hot Day
Moderate
Easy
4 - 7 hrs
Items needed
Water
Snacks (Optional)
Activity description
Jeep tours are a great way to get the wind flowing through your hair and see some amazing scenery at the same time. And the best news is, this activity is dog friendly! Colorado has opportunities to take jeep tours through the Royal Gorge, along the gold trails of the mining district in Cripple Creek, and much more. So if you love tours with a historical nature that allow your furry friends to come along, this is definitely an activity you won't want to miss.
Step
1
Research a tour
To get started, the first thing you will want to do is choose your tour and plan the trip. Tour companies typically offer a couple of packages as well as the ability to request a customized tour. So once you decide what you would like to do, all that's left is to book it and go. Just keep in mind that this activity does require a seat fee for dogs that cannot fit on your lap; but if you have a smaller friend, they are free!
Step
2
Arrive on time
Since you will be dealing with an additional body (aka your dog) you may want to be sure to arrive early in order to get settled. Most likely there will be an orientation before you actually hop on the jeep, but if your dog tends to be a bit more on the hyper side, giving them a chance to sniff around and get their business out of the way before the activity actually begins is a great idea.
Step
3
Take pictures
After you have finally gotten settled onto the jeep and the tour begins, be sure to take pictures of the wonderful time you will have! Capturing photos of your dog on an amazing activity are treasures that will last a lifetime, so don't miss out on that opportunity. Not to mention the views in Colorado are paw-sitively awesome, and you'll want to remember that forever.
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More Fun Ideas...
Frozen Pup Pops
We love popsicles, and so do our dogs. Making frozen pup pops isn't an activity that your dog can actually help with, but they won't have a problem at all devouring the pops once they are done! You can use a number of different ingredients to make these and Pinterest has an abundance of recipes that are easy to access.
Sprinkler Party
If you can't make it to the river or a lake, the next best thing may be a sprinkler or just the water hose. Dogs aren't super picky and there's no doubt that if you turn on one of these water carrying items, they are going to love romping and playing in the streams of water! Another great option would be to pull out the kiddie pool (if you have one), fill it up with water and a couple of ice cubes, then watch the fun begin. These are cool and cheap activities that can help your dog beat the heat.
Nap
When all else fails on a really hot day (and if your dog is one to stay still long enough for a nap) turn on a fan and settle down for a quick snooze. Sometimes all one really needs to beat the heat, is to nap through it! This is a great activity for you if you've had a long week, and may be really great for your dog if they are old, young, or in-between. Just be sure to have a fun activity planned afterwards, like tug-of-war, to burn off all the energy they will have stored up from the nap.
Conclusion
Avoiding heat exhaustion is so important, but that doesn't mean that you have to give up fun to do so! Thanks to all of the various outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer, there is no shortage of exciting things that you and your dog can do together. In fact, you may go barking mad just trying to narrow down the options. Some dogs may be more sensitive to the heat than others, so just keep that in mind as you decide what fun summertime activities you want to embark on. But there is no doubt that whatever you decide to do, your dog is going to love it, and most likely be exhausted by the time it's done; so that means some well-deserved relaxation time for you!
Dog Owner Experiences
Ben
Golden Retriever
Denver, CO
High Energy
Playful
Kind
Funny
Ben's Activity
Miso
Goldendoodle
Denver, CO
High Energy
Energetic
Friendly
Miso's Activity
We rented Kayaks that we booked online and went around the perimeter of the lake. Miso would occasionally jump out of the kayak and swim toward some ducks she was trying to make friends with. I'm glad we brought her lifejacket along that had a handle so I could easily pull her back up into the kayak. It was a great time!
Duck
Labrador Retriever
Denver, CO
Moderate Energy
Adventurous
Clever
Loyal
Duck's Activity
Duck loves going canoeing with us! We normally try to go in the morning to beat the heat on nice days, and he is always so excited as we’re loading up the car! His favorite thing is going for a swim at the end of the trip. It’s an awesome time for the whole family.