Activities to Enjoy With Your Canine Companion: A Complete List of 32 Options
Owning a dog opens up a world of opportunities for shared experiences and new hobbies. From playing games that challenge their problem-solving skills to exploring the great outdoors, there's a wealth of activities that cater to a range of energy levels and interests.
Puzzle Toys and Food Dispensers
Puzzle toys and food dispensers, like Kongs or snuffle mats, are a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated. These toys require your dog to work for their food, making mealtime more engaging and fun.
Scent Work and Nose Games
Scent work and nose games tap into your dog's natural sniffing instincts. Hide treats or scented toys around the house or yard, and watch as your dog uses their nose to find them.
Training Sessions and New Tricks
Training sessions and teaching new tricks not only provide mental stimulation but also strengthen your bond with your dog. From basic commands to more complex tricks, there's always something new to learn.
Interactive Games
Interactive games like hide-and-seek provide a combination of mental and physical activity. Whether you're hiding and calling your dog or hiding toys for them to find, these games are sure to keep your dog entertained.
Physical Activities
Physical activities like agility courses, tug-of-war, fetch, or playing with flirt poles engage your dog’s natural instincts and burn energy. These activities are a great way to keep your dog active and happy.
Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor adventures including hiking, jogging, bike rides, or setting up picnics and new games offer a chance to explore different environments and keep things interesting for your dog.
Water Play
Water play, such as running through sprinklers or paddling pools, is a refreshing way to bond with your dog, especially during warm weather.
Canicross
For the more active dog owners, Canicross is a sport that involves running cross-country with your dog. It requires a running belt, one of the best dog harnesses, and learning about running with dogs before starting.
Gardening
Gardening can be a relaxing activity with your dog by your side. Take breaks to play with your dog and provide them with a comfortable place to rest on one of the best dog cooling mats.
A Spa Day for Your Dog
A spa day for your dog involves grooming and massage, which helps bonding and regular assessments.
Dining Out with Your Dog
Dining out with your dog is possible at dog-friendly restaurants, some of which offer a doggy menu.
Play Dress-Up
Dressing up your dog for pet costumes parties or Halloween can be a fun activity. You can browse Halloween dog costumes or create your own matching looks.
Canine Parkour
Canine parkour is a growing discipline in the US that involves training your dog to leap over, go under, step on and off, and balance on various everyday obstacles.
Flyball
Flyball is a high-octane team sport where the dog leaps over hurdles to retrieve a ball and races back.
Heelwork to Music and Freestyle Routines
Heelwork to music is a routine where the dog must always work to the heel, while freestyle routines allow some moves away from the heel.
Scent Work
Scent work is a growing dog sport that requires the dog to track scents and find their source.
Doga
Doga, or doggo-inclusive yoga, helps your dog unlock the health benefits of gentle exercise by learning some dog-friendly poses.
Kayaking or Canoeing
Kayaking or canoeing with a dog requires finding a tour or instructor that caters to canine participants.
Cycling
Cycling with a dog requires finding a bike trailer or bike with a dog carrier.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt that can be enjoyed with your dog. Use GPS to hunt for little waterproof boxes containing prizes.
Netflix and Snooze
Relaxing and bonding with your dog by watching TV or movies can be a fun way to unwind. Snacks are optional but recommended.
Camping
Camping with your dog can be a fun outdoor adventure. Make sure your dog can fit in your tent and that you have all their essentials.
Road Trips
Exploring the country by car with your dog can be a pleasurable experience, but it's essential to brush up on tips for traveling with pets before hitting the road.
Breed Meet-Ups
Breed meet-ups are gatherings of a particular dog breed and their owners.
Making Homemade Dog Treats
Making homemade dog treats is possible by learning how to make them.
Jogging with a Dog
Jogging with a dog requires leash training and adjusting to match the dog's fitness levels.
Social Dog Walking Groups
Joining a social dog walking group can be a great way to meet people locally and discover new walking routes.
Dock Diving
Dock diving is a dog sport that involves dogs racing down a long platform and leaping into water. It's a test of fitness, agility, and swimming skill.
Giving Back to Your Local Community
Participating in charitable endeavors with your dog, such as visiting senior citizens, taking part in sponsored walks or runs, or training your canine companion to be a therapy dog, can be rewarding.
References:
[1] American Kennel Club. (n.d.). Fun Activities to Do with Your Dog. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/fun-activities-to-do-with-your-dog/
[2] Dogtime. (2018). 30 Fun Activities to Do with Your Dog. Retrieved from https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/best-dog-breeds-to-get-with-kids/30-fun-activities-to-do-with-your-dog
[3] PetMD. (2017). 12 Fun Activities to Do with Your Dog. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/12-fun-activities-do-your-dog
[4] The Spruce Pets. (2020). 11 Fun Activities to Do with Your Dog. Retrieved from https://www.thesprucepets.com/fun-activities-to-do-with-your-dog-3007818
[5] Wag!. (n.d.). 25 Fun Activities to Do with Your Dog. Retrieved from https://wagwalking.com/fun-activities-to-do-with-your-dog
- Puzzle toys like Kongs or snuffle mats can help keep your pet mentally stimulated by requiring them to work for their food, making mealtime more engaging and entertaining.
- Scent work and nose games, such as hiding treats or scented toys, allow pets to use their natural sniffing instincts, providing an enjoyable, interactive experience.
- Training sessions and teaching new tricks not only help your pet mentally but also strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
- Interactive games like hide-and-seek provide a mix of mental and physical stimulation, keeping your pet entertained and engaged.
- Physical activities, such as agility courses or playing with flirt poles, cater to a dog's natural instincts while also burning energy and keeping them active and happy.
- Outdoor activities like hiking, jogging, or bike rides offer opportunities to explore different environments and keep things interesting for your pet.
- Water play, such as running through sprinklers or paddling pools, provides a refreshing way to bond with your pet during warmer weather.
In addition to these activities, canicross, a sport that involves running cross-country with your dog, offers an opportunity for more active pet owners to spend quality time with their pets. Gardening can be a relaxing pastime with your pet by your side, with break times for play and rest on a comfortable dog cooling mat. A spa day for your pet, involving grooming and massage, can help strengthen your bond with your pet and provide regular health assessments.
Dining out with your pet is possible at pet-friendly restaurants that offer doggy menus, allowing both you and your pet to enjoy a meal together. Playing dress-up for pet costume parties or Halloween can be a fun activity, with options to create matching looks or browse Halloween dog costumes. Canine parkour, a growing discipline in the US, involves training your dog to navigate various everyday obstacles, providing physical and mental stimulation.
Flyball, a high-octane team sport, requires the dog to retrieve a ball and race back over hurdles. Heelwork to music, a routine where the dog must always work to the heel, and freestyle routines, where some moves away from the heel are allowed, provide opportunities for both mental and physical stimulation. Scent work, a dog sport that requires the dog to track scents and find their source, is a growing activity for pets.
Doga, or doggo-inclusive yoga, allows pets to unlock the health benefits of gentle exercise through learning dog-friendly poses. Kayaking or canoeing with a dog can be enjoyed through tours or classes that cater to canine participants. Cycling with a dog can be done using a bike trailer or bike with a dog carrier.
Geocaching, a worldwide treasure hunt, can be enjoyed with your pet using GPS to find small, waterproof boxes containing prizes. Relaxing and bonding with your pet by watching TV or movies can be a fun way to unwind. Snacks are optional but recommended.
Camping with your pet can be an enjoyable outdoor adventure, but it's essential to ensure that your pet can fit in your tent and that you have all their essential items. Road trips with your pet can be a pleasant experience when preparing your vehicle with pet-friendly accessories and adhering to tips for traveling safely with pets.
Breed meet-ups, where dog owners of a particular breed gather and socialize, are an excellent way to learn more about your pet's breed and connect with other pet owners. Making homemade dog treats can be a rewarding activity, allowing you to customize desserts for your pet's taste preferences.
Jogging with a dog requires leash training and considering your pet's fitness level. Joining a social dog walking group can offer opportunities to meet new people and discover new walking routes. Dock diving, a dog sport that involves racing down a platform and leaping into water, is a test of fitness, agility, and swimming skill.
Giving back to your local community by participating in charitable endeavors with your pet, such as visiting senior citizens, taking part in sponsored walks or runs, or training your canine companion to be a therapy dog, can be rewarding and fulfilling for both you and your pet.
