How to Have a Fun Weekend With Your Dog

Getting Outside with Your Dog

Take a walk through the park. Walking your dog regularly improves its overall health by keeping its weight under control, promoting good digestion, reducing stress and bad behavior, and helping your pet sleep better. It also strengthens your bond with your dog and its trust in you. Make the most of your weekend with your pet by taking a leisurely and scenic walk through a local park. Don't let your dog off leash unless you're in a designated off-leash dog park.

Play fetch or frisbee. Playing fetch and frisbee with your dog are great ways to bond with it. These games will allow your dog to burn off extra energy. If your dog does not take to this simple game easily, take the time to teach it how to fetch by guiding it through the process step by step (e.g. teaching it the "Drop it" command using correction and reward). Some breeds are instinctively more inclined to chase and retrieve things than others (e.g. retrievers and spaniels), but all breeds can be shown how to fetch with the right prompting and encouragement.

Visit a dog park. Socialization with other dogs is very important for your pet to acclimatize it to interactions with other animals, and to prevent aggression due to fear or lack of experience. Take advantage of free time on weekends to visit a dog park and let your dog play freely with other pets, whose owners you can socialize with in the meantime. Monitor your dog while it is in the dog park. If you notice it exhibiting signs of distress or aggression, remove it immediately.

Take your dog shopping. On a rainy day, visit a dog friendly pet store like PetSmart to keep your dog active and entertained. Your dog can interact with other dogs and customers while shopping, and it will get some exercise by walking around indoors. You can also pamper your pet by buying it things like: A new collar or leash A new hair brush Treats, bones, rawhide, or jerky Dog clothes A new bed or blanket Toys

Try agility training. Agility trials are events where trainers guide dogs (off leash) through elaborate obstacle courses that may include tunnels, hurdles, balance beams, and climbing structures. Dogs can burn off extra energy and gain confidence from agility training. This activity may be pursued for fun or competitively. For more information, visit the American Kennel Club website at https://webapps.akc.org/club-search/#/agility to search for an agility club near you, where your dog can get agility training and practice.

Go backpacking or camping with your dog. If you have a breed of dog that is well suited for vigorous exercise (e.g. a Husky or Rhodesian Ridgeback), consider bringing them for a backpacking or camping trip. Check with local authorities to make sure that dogs are allowed in the area you're visiting, and inquire about whether permits are necessary. Prepare your dog for the exercise prior to this adventure by talking it on long walks or short hikes, and read up on basic first aid to treat your dog in the event of illness or injury. Be sure to bring water for both you and your dog, as well as a first aid kit.

Go to the beach with your dog. Dogs love swimming, so going to a lake or the ocean is a great way to let your dog have fun while also getting exercise. Don't forget to bring dog toys with you. You can toss them into the water and let your dog jump in a retrieve them.

Get your dog certified to do community service with you. Sign them up for a program so you can visit local hospitals and nursing homes together. Doing community service with your dog is a great way to give back to your community and expose your dog to other people.

Having Fun with Your Dog at Home

Cuddle up at home. Petting your dog regularly can minimize stress for the both of you by reducing your heart rate and cortisol levels. Take advantage of a rainy day by relaxing with your pet at home. Put on the television and tell your dog to come sit or lay down next to you. Should it lots of affection (i.e. praise, petting) for obeying.

Brush your dog. Grooming should be an enjoyable experience for you and your pet that promotes bonding and signals trust. Have your dog lie on its side (on a sheet or easy-to-clean surface if you have a breed that sheds) and brush it gently, being careful to remove any mats. Take the opportunity to check for any skin irritations or abnormalities while brushing.

Give it a bath. Before giving your dog a bath, place a towel or non-slip mat on the shower floor for your dog to stand on. Carefully wet it from its rear to its front, then lather it with dog shampoo (available at pet stores). Rinse out the shampoo thoroughly from your dog’s hair, towel dry to remove excess water, and use a blow dryer on a low setting to dry off your pet completely.

Play indoor games. Play indoor games with your dog to help it burn off excess energy if the weather disrupts outdoor plans. Be sure to secure any breakable or dangerous items that your dog could get into while playing. Some idea for indoor fun are: An obstacle course in your living room or basement, made up of rolled up blankets, soft toys, and other safe obstacles for your dog to run over or through A game of hide and seek, where your dog can follow your voice or scent to find you Tug-of-war, a simple game that can be enjoyed indoors as well as outdoors Playing Simon Says, a fun way to brush up on your dog's understanding of basic commands

Have a pet play date. For a fun activity, host a play date for your dog to be able to play with a fellow canine. If you have friends, co-workers, or neighbors who are dog owners, this will offer a good opportunity for you to spend quality time with them while your dogs play. If not, look for prospective puppy play dates at dog parks, dog groomers, or the veterinarian's office, where you might meet other owners looking to socialize their dogs. Apps like Meet My Dog, a location-based social tool that matches up dog owners looking for play dates for their pets, are another option.