Keeping Your Puppy Cool in Summer: Our Favorite Tips from the Farm
Summer is such a sweet season—long days, barefoot kids, and plenty of time outdoors with our animals. But here in southern Indiana, it also means heat, humidity, and the need to be extra mindful of how our furry friends are handling it all.
With Sunday still being such a young pup, I’ve been paying close attention to how she handles the rising temperatures. Whether you're raising a puppy like we are or enjoying summer adventures with your older Golden Retriever, I wanted to share a few of our favorite tried-and-true ways to keep your puppy cool and safe during these hot summer months.
These tips come straight from daily life on our small family farm—real things that work for real families (with real messes and muddy paws along the way).
1. Plan Playtime During Cooler Hours
In the summer, we shift most of our outdoor puppy playtime to early mornings or late evenings, when the sun is lower and the temps are more manageable. Golden Retrievers are enthusiastic and eager to be involved, but they won’t always stop themselves when they’re overheating—especially puppies who are still figuring it all out!
Letting them run and play during cooler times of day keeps everyone safer and happier.
2. Offer Plenty of Shade
Whether you're at home or on a road trip, make sure your pup has access to shade. On our farm, that might mean a shaded spot under the porch or a tree canopy near the garden. If you’re in the backyard or at a park, a simple pop-up shade tent or even a lightweight sheet draped over two chairs can make a huge difference.
Sunday’s favorite shady spot lately? Under Hudson’s hammock, where she watches the chickens scratch and keeps an eye on the garden hose.
3. Keep Fresh Water Available at All Times
This one seems obvious, but it’s so easy to forget when you’re on the go! We keep a few collapsible bowls in our van and always bring a jug of cool water when we leave home. At the house, I refresh our outside water bowls a couple of times a day—sometimes even adding a few ice cubes for fun.
Puppies especially can get dehydrated quickly in the heat, so keep that water flowing.
4. Frozen Treats for the Win
One of our favorite summer traditions? Making frozen dog treats! They're easy, healthy, and a fun way to cool your pup down. We mix plain yogurt, a spoonful of peanut butter, and a few blueberries or banana slices, then freeze them in silicone molds or ice cube trays.
Sunday goes wild for them—and the kids think it’s the cutest thing ever.
I’ll be sharing our exact recipe soon, so stay tuned!
5. Try Kiddie Pools or a Hose Spritz
If your Golden loves water (and let’s be honest—they usually do!), a kiddie pool can be the best $10 you spend this summer. We fill one halfway and let the kids and dogs go wild. You can also turn the garden hose on a gentle mist setting and let your pup walk through it or drink from the spray.
It’s always messy—but honestly, that’s part of the magic.
6. Watch for Signs of Overheating
Even with all the fun, it’s so important to be aware of the signs of heat stress in dogs. Here’s what to keep an eye on:
Excessive panting
Lethargy or weakness
Bright red gums or tongue
Drooling more than usual
Vomiting or diarrhea
If your dog shows any of these, bring them inside immediately, offer cool (not ice-cold) water, and call your vet. Heatstroke can set in quickly—especially in young puppies or older dogs.
7. Create Indoor Play Alternatives
On the hottest days, we keep playtime inside and lean on mental stimulation. That might look like:
Puzzle feeders
Hide-and-seek with a favorite toy
Practicing basic obedience (a few minutes here and there goes a long way!)
Training games with treats
Golden Retrievers love to work their minds, and this helps them burn energy without risking overheating.
Final Thoughts
Summer with a puppy can be so much fun—but it also takes a little extra planning and awareness to keep things safe. Here on the farm, we try to lean into the slower pace of the season: early morning walks, shady afternoon snuggles, and plenty of rest in between play.
And while I’m always learning right alongside our dogs, these rhythms have served us well over the years—and I hope they help your family too.
Whether you’re heading out on a summer trip or just enjoying sweet, simple days at home, I hope this season is full of muddy paws, golden sunsets, and wagging tails.
🐾 From our farm to your family,
Millie
Golden girl mama | Family-first dog lover | Lover of slow summer mornings
