Fun Things to do with Your Dog
Finding fun things to do with your dog can sometimes be challenging. Depending on how adventurous you and your pup are, it can be hard to come up with new and interesting things to do. Luckily there are thousands of dog owners who have the same problem! People are always coming up with new and exciting activities to try with their dogs. We all know how important it is to keep your dog entertained and stimulated. So next time your dog seems bored and you need a new activity, give one of these a try!
Agility or Nose Work
One way to entertain your dog is to stimulate their mind and body. Agility courses or nose work exercises are a great way to do this. Whether you want to set up your own agility course by buying/DIYing hurdles, tunnels, poles, and more or you go to a professional, pre-made course, we can guarantee your dog will enjoy it. They can get some exercise in and release pent up energy, while also doing something different than they normally do. If you don’t have the space to set up an agility course, working on nose exercises can be a good alternative.
Animal-Assisted Activities or Therapy
If you want to give back to your community or have your dog participate in something for good, animal assisted activities and therapy are great options. AAA includes your dog going to a hospital or nursing home to promote socialization. The residents can play with your dog and it can generally be a mood booster or entertainment. Sometimes dogs and owners need to be certified, but other times they do not. Therapy dogs on the other hand do need to be certified and are used for more specific therapy goals. You can find out more about more on how to get involved or trained here. If your dog is friendly, patient, or calm, it is a great way for you and your dog to use your skills for the good of society.
Hiking or Backpacking
If you are into going on adventures or being active with your dog, hiking and backpacking are also super exciting activities that burn calories while also being fun. There are plenty of parks that allow dogs, including local state parts or just trails around your area. If you live in a city, you can also just try explore a new neighborhood near you on the streets. Just be sure to always bring your water and poop bags, and stay safe by researching the areas beforehand and going during the day time. If you want a little bit more of a challenge, try a more intense backpacking trail. Be sure that your dog can handle it and that you are both trained for a more difficult trail.
Stay-cation
It is of course super fun to go on a fun vacation with your dog, whether it is to the beach or the mountains. But sometimes that isn’t possible. If you have a free weekend, consider doing a day trip to a new area near you. Drive 2 or 3 hours to a place you haven’t been and explore! Research some dog friendly restaurants and activities in the area. If you aren’t near a beach or other more scenic spot, you can still explore by heading to an outdoor mall or something similar.
Frisbee and Other Games
Heading out to a park with your dog is fun, but it is even more fun when you get to play with your dog. Dogs love to run around and enjoy a challenging game every once in a while. Next time you’re at the park, make sure to bring a ball or frisbee for playing. Not only will your dog get some exercise, but they’ll also get to possibly interact with other dogs and people at the park. It can become a fun, social activity that is a blast for everyone.
Hopefully you can some more ideas for fun activities with your pup! Enjoy!