Mid-Summer Is Here: Keep Your Dog Safe, Happy, and Moving

We've officially reached the halfway point of July, and if you've lived in Central Oregon for any length of time, you know what comes next: hot afternoons, dry trails, and cheatgrass everywhere.

Many dog parents find themselves squeezing walks into the early morning or late evening just to avoid the heat. While that's a great start, summer brings another challenge that's easy to overlook: cheatgrass and foxtails.

Those innocent-looking grass seeds can work their way into paws, ears, noses, eyes, and even under the skin, leading to painful infections and expensive emergency vet visits. After every walk or hike, take a few extra minutes to check your pup's paws, ears, between their toes, and around their coat; especially if they've been running through dry fields or along trail edges.

Heat is another concern. Even when the air temperature feels manageable, pavement can become hot enough to burn sensitive paw pads. A quick rule of thumb: if you can't comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog.

So how do you keep your dog active without risking the heat?

That's where we come in.

At Bend Barks & Rec, every run takes place inside our climate-controlled mobile dog gym. Our air-conditioned van is equipped with HEPA filtration, and each dog enjoys a private session on our non-motorized slatmills, getting both physical exercise and mental enrichment without scorching sidewalks, smoky air, or dangerous foxtails.

Summer doesn't have to mean less exercise. It just means exercising smarter.

Whether your dog is working on weight loss, burning extra energy, or simply needs a safe outlet during these hot Central Oregon afternoons, we're here to help keep them Run Ready!

Until next week,

Bend Barks & Rec

Stay Run Ready!

Serving the Bend, Sunriver & Redmond areas (including Tumalo and Three Rivers).