Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Healthy Outdoor Playtime; Tips and Advice

Outdoor Playtime - Happy Breath

While a game of fetch or Frisbee, or simply a romp in the backyard can be a lot of fun for your four-legged companion, your pup’s playtime is about a lot more than simply entertainment! Since dogs are physical beings and have plenty of built-up energy, they need to move around and release all that excess energy.

Wild dogs utilize their energy to hunt prey, deal with their dangerous surroundings, and most importantly, survive! Domesticated canines, on the other hand, don’t have such challenges but they do have that pent-up energy that they need to put to use. According to research, pet dogs that indulge in exercise and play are generally more emotionally stable, calmer, and happier than those who don’t.

It is important to provide your precious pooch with some healthy outdoor playtime that allows an outlet for energy that would probably go to waste otherwise. No matter what kind of outdoor activities your dog likes to participate in, promoting playtime can have a positive impact on the overall well-being and health of your canine friend. Remember, dogs of all ages greatly benefit from regular play sessions.

If the entire process seems overwhelming for you, you need not worry. We have got you covered! Here are some excellent tips and advice to encourage healthy outdoor playtime for your pet doggy:

Hit the Waters

Summers and water sports go hand in hand! Hitting the waters is an ideal way to cool off your pooch on a hot day as well as give it the opportunity to get some healthy exercise. While many dog breeds can swim naturally, it is important to get a pet life preserver to ensure the safety of your favorite pal. Whether you are in a nearby stream or lake or in your own swimming pool, protecting your dog should be your topmost priority.

With a wide range of waterproof and sturdy options available on the market, you can easily get one that fits your and your pup’s needs. You can also get some toys to enhance the fun factor.  If you decide to take your pet dog to the beach for it to enjoy some health benefits of outdoor playtime, make sure that your furry friend is extremely comfortable in calm waters as well as waves.

Plan a Play Date

If you would like to maintain the health of your pup while keeping its socialization skills sharp, organizing a play date might be the ideal way to do so. You can either invite some family members or friends who own pets or visit a park near your house to provide your pet dog with an afternoon full of fun and excitement. Remember to carry sufficient water with you to keep your dog hydrated at all times along with poop bags to clean after your fur baby.

Get Active with a Traditional Game of Fetch or Frisbee

Whether you are at a local dog park or in your own backyard, you can up your healthy-outdoor-playtime game with an exciting game of fetch or Frisbee. Almost all dogs love to hunt and retrieve objects. Such games can also be used for training purposes. You can also buy an automatic ball launcher, which can enable your dog to have fun even when you are not around!

Go Hiking

In order to provide your pet dog with a refreshing challenge, hit the hiking trail right away! While regular walks in the neighborhood are also quite beneficial for dogs, a hiking trip helps increase the intensity of the workout they get. Before you head out for this outdoor adventure, make sure that your fur friend is adequately protected from fleas and ticks. Also, remember to pack sufficient water and food supplies for both of you to make the most of this healthy outdoor playtime idea!

Jogging

A pet dog can be the ultimate workout partner for its owners. Not only are pups eager to spend a lot of time with their human parents but they also have an excess amount of energy to burn. Before you indulge in jogging, make sure that your pup considers it as playtime and has fun while getting the healthy exercise it needs. Start by training your pooch to walk and then eventually run with you. Remember that jogging on trails comes with the risk of your pup picking up fleas and ticks along the way. Protect yourself and your best friend by wearing a suitable product that keeps ticks, fleas, and other harmful pests away.

Take Your Pup to a Café

Today, there are a lot of pet-friendly cafes that offer outdoor seating for pet owners to enjoy some quality time with their animal pals. If your pooch is well-behaved, you can easily visit such cafes and use it as an opportunity to bond and relax with your pup. This can help improve the mental health and emotional well-being of dogs. While there are a lot of restaurants that cater to pet animals, always call ahead and double-check. Remember to carry your dog’s favorite treats with you so that it can equally enjoy the experience!

Bottom Line

A breath of fresh air and some healthy outdoor playtime can do wonders for both your pet friend and you! Outdoor exercises are not only great for curbing bad behavior but they also provide mental stimulation, sufficient exercise, and a chance to release built-up energy to your four-legged companion. Therefore, keep your smartphone aside and step outside the house with your fur partner to have some fun and provide it with some healthy playtime it needs!

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