The Dog Days of Summer are generally the hottest and perhaps the most humid time of year, depending on where you live. It lasts from July till early September. The name is used because Sirius, the Dog Star, rises before the sun at this time of year, but an additional meaning has the connotation of dogs and people just taking things slowly in the heat.

Whether or not it’s a lazy time where you live, these training tips are about keeping your dog from getting too bored. A bored dog is more likely to get into trouble!

[1] If it’s too hot for your regular outings with your dog, try rearranging the schedule. For example, if you and your dog have a habit of going for a good walk right after you get home from work, it might be better to do this later in the evening, around dusk. Or do more walking first thing in the morning.

[2] Train a new trick or behavior, for fun and mental stimulation. For example, I don’t remember where I got the idea, but I once trained my Basenji Sunbeam to “wash your face!” by saying that phrase right after putting a tiny drop of honey or molasses on her nose. As she licked her nose, I said the phrase and soon she would lick whether or not there was anything on her nose. She learned that one fast and it was great fun to show off to others without the treat! Later, other dogs of ours learned that one very quickly too.

[3] Consider your dog toy situation. Try rotating favorites, removing some for a few days and then swapping them. You may want to get rid of the ones that your dog never plays with. One favorite of the dogs we’ve had is the Kong, and I wrote a page about its many uses, and things you can fill it with.