Outdoor Summer Activites for You and Your Dog

With spring weather already here and summer fast approaching, there is no better time to spend time outdoors with your pooch than now. But what is there to do outside with your dog, might you ask? The answer is plenty. Spring and summer are the best times to bond with your pooch outdoors, and these are some actives that will not only be exciting for your pooch, but you as well.

Hiking

Hiking is hands down, one of my favorite activities to do with Carter. The best park about hiking with your dog is you get to control the level of hike that you want to go on with your dog. If you want to take a hike through the woods, but you want it to be less strenuous, go to a park that has paved paths. If you are looking for a little more adventure find a park where the paths are a little more serious. Regardless of which park you choose your dog will enjoy sniffing all around, which is a great exercise for them as well. Usually I tend to hike trails where I know there will be a body of water and or waterfalls, because there is nothing Carter enjoys more than going for a swim mid hike. Plus when you bring your pooch for a hike you can track information about your hike, how far it was and how long, with the dog hiking about I talk about here.

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Going for a Stroll on the Beach

If you live near a beach there are a decent about of dog friendly beaches out there. Like I said before Carter loves playing in the water so anytime I can take him to the beach is awesome. Since you are bringing your dog, there tends to be a restriction on which beaches you can take your four legged friend to. However, I have found a great website to check out the dog friendly beaches in your area. Bring Fido, has a list of almost 300 dog beaches around the world, so if you live close to the water it’s pretty easy to find one. Plus another good feature about the website is there are reviews from dog owners about the majority of the beaches so it’s easy to pick the perfect one.

Agility Classes

Agility is a great activity that strengthens the bond between you and your dog, while boosting your dog’s confidence. Whether you dog is a beginner or already somewhat of a pro they will enjoy their time in agility. If you want to find an agility place around you can visit the United States Dog Agility Association site. But don’t fret if they don’t have a place near you listed, if you run a Google search you will see, there are new places popping up everywhere. Also once you learn the basics of agility so many dog parks are installing agility areas, which is a great way to practice when not in class.

Outdoor Restaurants

There is nothing like a leisurely meal with your dog on the patio of a nice restaurant. Places all around are now becoming dog friendly, which means not only can you enjoy your meal, but the restaurant also provides for your dog, either with a water bowl or with a menu especially for dogs. Both Bring Fido and Dog Friendly have a decent list of dog friendly places to eat. However, it’s always best to call first to confirm the dog policy.

Flea Market

Flea Markets are a great place to bring your dog, where they have the opportunity to socialize with people. While crowded situations like these aren’t good for every dog (if your dog isn’t people friendly I don’t suggest you bring them) they are typically great for puppies. It’s an easy way to expose your dog to a good amount of strangers, while doing some shopping yourself.

Baseball Game

After watching Marley and Me, I became really curious about “Bark in the Park,” what I found out was really cool. Major League Baseball teams from all around the country are hosting a night where you get to bring your dog to the ball park. How cool is that! While not every team does it, a decent amount of teams do. So, do a search for your local baseball team to see if they host a “Bark in the Park” night. Also make sure you search your local minor league teams because some of them host them as well. While the Yankees don’t host a dog night, I think I’m going to have to bring Carter to a different game just because it seems like a fun time. Oh, and don’t worry you are seated in a section that is for people and their dogs only, that way you don’t have to be concerned about the people next to you complaining that you brought your dog.

Those are some of the top activities that you can do with your dog outdoor during the summer. Always remember that it is hot outside and dogs need to stay hydrated as well. The AKC has compiled a list of tips for keeping your dog safe during your summer activities, so make sure you check it out. And finally remember to HAVE FUN, spring and summer are a great time to enjoy the outdoors while bonding with your dog.


Love and Paws,