We all know that dogs should get plenty of varied physical activity. Sadly, their limited in terms of what they can do, especially in outdoor settings. The great news is that there are plenty of outdoor activities for dogs if you get creative.
That’s why we made this guide for you. In it, we’ll be going over ten unique outdoor activities you can try with your furry friend. That way, you can both stay happy and healthy together. Let’s get started!
1. Walks
The first activity on our list is likely one of the most popular outdoor activities: walking. The best things about walking are that the health benefits don’t just extend to your dog; they also apply to you.
Walking is also a great excuse to get some exercise on days when you want to do anything but work out. It’s easy, quick, and gets you out into the world when all you want to do is stay in bed.
2. Swimming
If you have a dog that’s getting older, swimming is a great outdoor activity for them. The low-impact nature of the exercise means that it won’t put a lot of strain on the animal’s joints. The only downside is that you likely won’t be able to do it all year round once the weather turns cold.
Also, while it’s perfectly fine for dogs to swim in chlorinated pools, you might think twice about bringing them to the ocean. Rough waves can be challenging for dogs, and you don’t want them to get hurt.
3. Biking
If you love going biking, why not bring your dog along for the ride? This is a great solution for owners that find it challenging to keep up with their breed’s fast nature.
Just make sure that your dog is trained enough so they won’t bolt away in the middle of your ride. Also, running alongside a bike can quickly wear out a dog. So make sure they stay well hydrated during the exercise.
4. Hiking
In general, it’s recommended that most dogs get between thirty minutes to an hour of exercise each day.
If the same walking routine is starting to bore both of you, consider hiking. For one thing, this adds elevation to the practice. Plus, it’s a great way for you both to explore the great outdoor environments near your area.
5. Camping
Do you live too far away from most hiking trails to visit them? No problem! Just take your dog camping with you as a special treat. This is a great time to spend quality time with your dog while having easy access to camping trails, lakes, ponds, and more!
No camping trip is complete without some healthy snacks. Purchase our Park FreshBites™ for a nutritious food that will give your dog the energy they need for outdoor activities.
6. Fetch
You can’t beat the classics; for most dogs, fetch ranks highly on the fun outdoor activities list. The best part is that if you have a large backyard or front yard, then you don’t even need to leave your property to do it.
Don’t have a large yard? That’s okay. Things like Park FreshPlay give your dog plenty of space to run around and fetch their favorite objects.
7. Boating
This type of outdoor activity isn’t for everyone. If you live far away from water, or you don’t have the financial means to rent or own a boat, then it might not be for you.
But if you’re one of the 142 million people that go boating every year, then we highly recommend bringing your dog along with you.
Boat rides combine the thrill your dog gets sticking their head out the car window with their natural love of water. Just make sure that your animal is comfortable first. They should also always wear a life jacket.
8. Beach Day
Beach days are fun for dogs because they combine the fun of running around the sand with the low-impact swimming exercise. However, it’s important to remember that beaches aren’t the best environment for all dogs.
Before you go, you should ensure that your dog is well-trained off-leash. That way, they can run around and get all of their energy out.
You should also ensure your dog isn’t reactive around other pups. There’s a good chance you’ll encounter others at the beach, so make sure you take precautions if your animal doesn’t get along with others.
9. Training Classes
Is your dog not trained enough to do some of these outdoor activities? Remember that it’s never too late for them to learn. Training classes can be a great bonding activity between owner and dog. Plus, it usually gets them out of the house and running around.
10. Dog Parks
You can’t beat a good dog park. Watching your pup make friends and run around with other dogs is one of the great gifts in the world.
Still, you should make sure that you do your research on the park first. You don’t want a bad incident at one of these areas to ruin dog parks for you forever.
Want to learn how OpenPark offers all the great features of an outdoor park in a safe and controlled environment? Check out the benefits you can get as a #ParkOwner here.
The Importance of Outdoor Activities for Dogs
We hope this guide helped you learn some different outdoor activities you can do with your dog besides just walking. It’s important to remember that pups are just like us. If they do the same thing daily, they can quickly get bored.
That’s why it’s important to stimulate them by varying their daily outdoor activities. If you try some of the ideas on this list, they will surely be mentally and physically engaged.