Summer heat getting in the way of your enrichment goals? You’re not alone. In this episode of Enrichment for the Real World, Allie and Emily break down their favorite summer enrichment activities into three easy categories: indoor alternatives, water-based outdoor options, and frozen fun. Whether you have a wrestling bulldozer or a scentwork-loving rule follower, there’s something here to help your pet stay safe, stimulated, and cool as a cucumber.
From ice trifles to hallway hide-and-seek, wrestling matches to misty romps through the sprinkler, this episode is packed with realistic, creative, and customizable ideas that embrace how enrichment really works when the weather is less-than-cooperative. Plus, a few pro tips on how not to end up in the ER this summer.
TLDL (too long, didn’t listen): 3 Key Takeaways
1️⃣ Indoor Swaps for Outdoor Fun – Activities like flirt pole, tug, scent work, and food puzzles can all be brought indoors with a little creativity and adaptation for your space and your dog.
2️⃣ Water is Your Summer Superpower – Whether it’s lakes, misters, sprinklers, or DIY cooling strategies, water can turn hot weather into a safe and satisfying enrichment experience.
3️⃣ Frozen Isn’t Just for Disney – Frozen enrichment, from simple broth cubes to elaborate “ice trifles,” gives pets long-lasting activities and serious cooling power.
Links & Resources from the Episode
🧾 For full episode transcripts: Arial | OpenDyslexic
🎧 Episode #111 – Scent Work for Dogs: Enrichment That Supports the Whole Household
📚 Trash to Treasure: How We Use Recycled Enrichment to Support Natural Pet Behaviors
🎧 #86 – Q&A: Indoor Enrichment Activities Ideas
For the full episode show notes, including the resources mentioned in this episode, go here.
More from Pet Harmony
Pet Parents: enrichment ideas and practical behavior tips
📸 Instagram & Facebook: @petharmonytraining
Pet Pros: relatable moments and support for your work with pets and their people
📸 Instagram & TikTok: @petharmonypro
📬 Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://petharmonytraining.com/join/
Subscribe & Review
If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe and review. It helps more pet parents and pros find us—and makes our tails wag every time. Thanks for being here! 💛
Get your Imposter Syndrome Toolkit for Trainers here: https://petharmonytraining.com/impostertoolkit/
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.