Staying at home with your dog can be lots of fun. You get to spend time together and even enjoy fun games and more. However, on occasion, your pet needs to leave the house to spend some time outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and nature just like you do, which is why today we will be looking at how to enjoy the great outdoors with a dog.
When you go outdoors with your pet at the same time, you get to increase the bond you share and also have a chance to partake in fun outdoor exercises and games.
Table of Contents
How To Enjoy The Great Outdoors With A Dog
There are so many activities you can engage your pet in when you are out in nature. It you are ready to enjoy the outdoors with your pet, check out some things to try.
This post contains affiliate links. However all the information provided on this site are my own honest opinions. See more in Disclaimer.
1. Take your Dog For A Simple Walk
Walking your dog is an effortless but great outdoor activity to engage in with your pet. To walk your dog safely, you should use a leash or harness if you’ve got one. To exercise more control, you should use a short dog leash in the case of a stubborn dog or a big dog.
If you are walking for a very long distance, you should wear your dog, dog boots or shoes. Always walk in front of your dog. It makes you appear in charge and makes your pet feel secure.
You should also have a dog whistle with you if your pet will be off-leash outdoors, so you can quickly call your pet back from a distance. It will be best to train your dog beforehand to understand your call with the whistle before the walk or hiking trip. See our post on how to train a dog with a whistle with steps to do that.
Walking your dog in the morning is best, and walks should last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Once you return, ensure you treat your dog to a nice healthy plate of dog food.
2. Take Your Dog Hiking
Do you own a Siberian husky, Australian shepherd, Bernese mountain dog, Australian cattle dog, etc.? If yes, then arrange to take your pet on a hiking trip as a means to enjoy the great outdoors. These breeds, in particular, totally love being outdoors and make great companions on your trip.
Only adult dogs should go hiking because while taking your dog on a hike with you is a good idea, it can also be very strenuous. Therefore, hiking is only recommended if your dog is in good physical health and is mature (has strong bones). It is not recommended for puppies. See more in our post on how to train a dog for hiking.
Also, be sure to only hike on dog-friendly trials. Your priority while trekking should be your pets’ safety, and dog-friendly trails are better as they help keep your dog safe. Just like walking, you’ll also need a leash and harness. Read more about hiking with your dog here to see how to train and prepare a dog for hikes.
3. Ride A Bike With Your Dog
Riding a bike with a dog is another fun activity you can share in the great outdoors. You can either carry your pet on your bicycle or let your dog run along beside you. The former is ideal if you’re riding on busy roads, while the latter is best on lonely trails and if your pet loves to run. See our post on how to train a dog to run with you.
If you plan to carry your dog on your bike, you’ll need to get secure bicycle attachments like a bike basket or a bike trailer. On the other hand, you need a leash and some dog boots if your pet is running along.
For your pets’ sake, you shouldn’t get carried away and ride too fast. Occasionally, take stops and let your dog take a break, most especially when you’re riding for long distances—more information on our post on how to take a dog on a bike ride.
4. Play Outdoor Games During Your Time Away
Dogs always like to play games. You can play several simple games that are more appropriate for the great outdoors, such as fetch, jumping hurdles, treat hunt, hide and seek, tug of war, doggie basketball, etc.
Choose a spacious area at your campsite or hiking trail and get all the toys and play equipment you need. You can play with your dog for 30 minutes to 2 hours every day. The minimum should be 15 minutes. All the dog toys you use for outdoor playing sessions should be amber safe.
To enjoy outdoor games, you can also take your pet to dog parks if your campsite is too far away. Here you can still have the right environment and more outdoor space to have fun. There’ll be other dogs around to join too.
5. Don’t Leave Anything Behind.
If you want to enjoy the great outdoors with your dog, you must make a list before leaving and crosscheck everything on the list to ensure that you don’t forget anything. Also, take a small first aid kit with you essential; else, you’ll be putting your pet at risk.
Don’t step out at all if you’re not prepared, and this applies most especially if you’ll be going very far away from your home.
For example, if you’re going on a hiking trip, you don’t want to forget dog food, water, a portable or dog crate water bottle, a first aid kit, etc.
These are the bare essentials. However, there are other helpful outdoor items you shouldn’t forget as well. You should ensure your pets’ sleep system with you, such as a dog bed or dog mat, towel, dog jacket if the weather is cold during winter, sun barriers, flashlights, etc.
Do Dogs Like The Outdoors?
Some pet owners feel their dogs should only stay indoors. The truth, however, is that most dogs prefer the outdoors to indoors. This is the reason why your dog attempts to go out of the door every chance he gets.
When it comes to the great outdoors, dogs love being there because they get to play more freely and enjoy extra time with you as they get to be around you more than usual.
As a dog owner, you should encourage your pet by ensuring they enjoy their much-needed outdoor time. It is also crucial for their health as they exercise more and enjoy fun smells and sights outdoors, and these outdoor scents can help improve their sense of smell.
While outside, you should be mindful of outdoor hazards and protect your pet from them. According to Pets WebMD, heatstroke, sunburn, and pests are common ones. Check out our post on how to keep a dog cool while traveling to see the best ways to keep a dog cool while in transit.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor time is vital in your dog’s life. It helps his physical health and mental health as he stays active. When your dog is active, he is also happy.
Spending time together in the great outdoors takes this even further and gives both of you uninterrupted playtime and fun time.
Ensure you make this outdoor time worthwhile by following the tips mentioned above on how to enjoy the great outdoors with a dog. If you enjoyed this you will also like our post with 13 amazing tips on how to show love to a dog. Before you go, don’t forget to share this post on enjoying the outdoors with a dog with others.
