Caring for your furry pooch seems like a full-time job as he/she constantly needs your care, love, and attention. Left alone, your best buddy may vent his/her frustration, boredom, and anxiety by chasing other pets, chewing sofas and shoes, raiding garbage cans, and damaging property.
Engaging your four-legged family member in a few enjoyable activities can curb the hyperactive behavior, enabling him/her to stay active and happy. Moreover, physical activities are proven to have a positive impact on your canine pal’s health and behavior.
Reinvent playtime with your canine buddy by trying out the fun activities shared in this post to strengthen the precious bond you share with him/her.
1) Engage in Canine Sports and Physical Activities
Mundane walks and predictable fetch games can get boring for you and your furry pal over time. Introduce a few exciting canine sports into his/her playtime to help your four-legged buddy feel mentally and physically satiated.
Sports like canine agility, dock diving, lure coursing, flyball, and rally obedience offer excellent mental and physical stimulation to dogs and encourage them to use their natural hunting and scavenging abilities.
Yoga for dogs (Doga) is a popular trend in cities as it allows humans to practice yoga along with their four-legged pals.
Sign up for a Doga session in your neighborhood to get fit while bonding with your furry BFF. Though your pet pal may not be able to do the majority of yoga poses, he/she will surely enjoy the stretching and relaxation exercises and the pet massages offered as a part of the session.
Choreographed and freestyle musical dance are relatively new canine sports that encourage your mutt to enjoy music and perform dance-oriented and coordinated footwork with you, thereby strengthening your mutual bond through dance and music.
2) Get Close to Nature
Dogs love backpacking and hiking as it enables them to enjoy nature and the company of their human partner.
A number of state and national parks are pet-friendly, so you can take your furry mate there to enjoy outdoor time with him/her. Camping can be highly stimulating for your four-legged pal; however, he/she should learn to respect other campers and the wildlife. Hence, make sure you start with short duration camps in order to prepare your furry friend for longer outdoor adventures.
Most parks lay down certain guidelines pertaining to keeping your pet on and off the leash, whereas others have a special off-lease area for pets. A few parks also arrange exciting dog-friendly hiking trails, allowing you to feel connected with your companion while unplugging from the digital world.
Though outdoor activities like camping and hiking are fun and bring you closer to nature, they may expose your four-legged pal to a variety of health concerns. Before planning an overnight trip, it is wise to talk to the veterinarian and read all about caring for pets.
3) Hit the Water
Dogs and water go together like peas and carrots. Most of them enjoy playing in the water as it helps them regulate their body temperature and vent their frustration and boredom.
A good number of popular water bodies in the U.S. are dog-friendly. However, you must be aware of the local rules before you head to one. Make sure you abide by the pet etiquette and cleanliness guidelines laid by most beaches and riverfronts.
Whether you take a dip in the water or play Frisbee along the shore, your four-legged family member will love going to a water body and will be ever-grateful for the fun.
If you do not live in close proximity to a beach or a lake, transform your backyard or patio into a water resort by filling up a durable kiddie pool with water, allowing your pooch to jump in and out to his/her heart’s content. Add a few rugged dog toys and a lawn sprinkler around the play area so he/she can enjoy a long refreshing soak.
4) Invest in an Expert Dog Care Facility
If your canine pal spends time alone at home awaiting your return from work, it is natural for him/her to feel over-excited on seeing you at the end of the day. Your busy lifestyle often leaves you with little time and energy to accomplish your routine chores, let alone spending time with your four-legged companion. That’s where a dog daycare comes into play!
Spending time at a well-known dog care expert will encourage him/her to interact with other dog friends, thereby improving his/her socialization skills. Moreover, most dog daycare facilities involve pets in physical activities and games, which enables him/her to expend his/her energy.
If you live in a metropolitan area, you may find numerous dog daycare facilities that offer services like dog grooming, dog care, outdoor activities, and vaccination and health programs.
For instance, if you live in and around the southern part of the city of Tampa, FL, look for a doggie daycare in South Tampa that has well-trained staff, offers a variety of fun-filled activities, and enjoys a good reputation in the neighborhood.
Left idle, your mutt may go a little bonkers. Hence, it is wise to enroll him/her with an expert dog care center to direct his/her energy towards something constructive.
You are the most important person in your furry pal’s life. Therefore, getting to know what your buddy loves the most is critical for fighting boredom and enjoying countless fun moments together.
Use the creative ideas proposed in this post to engage your mutt in lots of running and jumping. Your canine mate is sure to love these fun bonding activities!
