20 Things To Do With Your Dog This Summer
As the festive season approaches, you are no doubt starting to plan all the parties, braais and getaways you’ll be enjoying during summer. And while your dog/s no doubt enjoy some of the activities with you, why not see if you can involve them in even more? Here is a list of 20 things you can do with your dog to make this a summer to remember – for the whole family.
1. Throw a doggy pool party
Many dogs love to swim and play fetch in and around the swimming pool. If you have a pool and your dog has social doggy friends, why not invite them over for a doggy pool party, while the humans braai and enjoy the sunshine? Tennis balls, pool noodles, floating toys, dog-drying towels and your camera all are all you need to create an unforgettable day for the dogs and the kids. Bonus – they will all be dog tired at the end of the day!
2. Stuff and freeze kongs
Fill a Kong with your dog’s favourite treat, like peanut butter, wet food or biltong, and then pop it in the freezer and save it for a very hot day. Your pooch will love the “work” involved in getting the treat out, the deliciousness and the coolness.
3. Make pupsicles
To make a larger supply of delicious frozen treats, use a popsicle maker or ice tray, and mix up mashed banana with whatever else your dog enjoys and freeze it. You can also freeze large cubes of watermelon for a fresh fruity treat. Always thaw pupsicles for a few minutes before giving them to your pets.
4. Construct an agility course at home
If you have a very active dog, why not create a fun and challenging agility course in your garden? Construct obstacles using random items around the house, like crates, broomsticks, tables, planks and hula hoops and then use treats to encourage your dog to run the course. Of course, it’s important that you make sure the course is completely safe and that your pet is unlikely to get hurt should he/she fall or not clear an obstacle.
5. Make a pawprint keepsake
Use a concrete or plaster of paris base, and let your dog put his or her paws onto it to create a perfect paw print. Remember to wash your dog’s paws thoroughly afterwards.
6. Take a road trip
If your dog is the kind that loves to go on adventures, you could plan a little road trip up a coast near you or amongst rivers and mountains, stopping at pet friendly accommodation along the way. This is particularly special if it’s just you and your pooch(es).
7. Go camping
If you’re a camper and you normally find a pet sitter during your family camping trips, why not find a pet friendly camping spot and take the dogs along? (Of course, this applies only if your dogs are friendly and well behaved.) Google “pet friendly camping in South Africa” to find the many camping spots where Wagter will be welcome.
8. Beach walks
If your furry friends love the beach, why not take them to a few different beaches this summer? Pack a picnic basket, including dog treats and water and enjoy a beach outing or two together. Check online for a list of all the dog friendly beaches in your area.
9. Do a trail run or hike
There are a number of trails that are dog friendly – normally requiring your dog to be on a leash. If Fido is a good running or hiking companion, get in shape together and counter the festive season feasts with a good hike or trail run.
10. Take your dog to a retirement village
If you have a puppy or a very friendly and gentle people-loving pooch, consider taking him or her to a retirement village that welcomes the idea. The residents will be delighted to be able to spend an hour with a gorgeous doggy. Spending time with animals is proven to ease the loneliness of retired folk, so not only will your dog get a lovely outing, you will also be doing a very good deed.
11. Arrange a training session
If your hound is not yet properly trained in the basics, such as “come”, “stay”, “sit”, and “stop”, perhaps this holiday season is a good time to get some training done. A properly trained dog is much more fun to hang out with and contrary to what you may think, dogs truly enjoy following commands.
12. Do a charity walk
There are often fun walks for pets and their owners, in aid of animal shelters and charities. Check your local media for one happening near you and let your pets do something for charity too.
13. Make a treasure hunt
Another fun activity to keep your dog busy is to create a special treasure hunt. Hide a few favourite treats in the garden, and then let him or her loose on a fun and tasty scavenger hunt.
14. Arrange a photo shoot
If you like the idea of a beautiful canvas portrait of you and your pet, you could arrange a professional photo shoot, or get a friend who’s handy with a camera to take some snapshots of you on the beach, in the park or doing something fun together.
15. Take your dog for dinner
There are numerous restaurants that allow well behaved, leashed dogs – some even have special menus for hounds.
16. Keep the bugs at bay
A very important thing you must do this is summer is ensure your pets are all treated for fleas and ticks – especially if you’re going to be taking them out and about with you.
17. Make a splash pool
If you don’t have a swimming pool and your dogs tend to overheat in summer, get a little plastic kiddies “pool” or sandpit and fill it with water. Your pooches can cool down and lounge any time they like. Another way to keep them cool is to wet a bandana and put it in the freezer for a while before putting it around the doggy’s neck.
18. Pamper and groom
There’s nothing like a nice summer cut and groom to make your pet feel like a million bucks. Having their nails clipped and their fur washed, detangled, brushed and trimmed will add to their levels of comfort this summer, so book an appointment with your local groomer during the holidays and add to your Instagram feed while you’re at it.
19. Start a walking group
If you’re tired of walking alone or you and your hound could do with socialising, why not start a walking group in your area? You can either set it up on meetup, or on your area’s local Facebook group.
20. Throw a “Brak Braai”
Next time you and your friends or family have a braai, why not let your friends bring their dogs along too, and braai something special for the pooches? They will love eating what they can smell cooking on the fire! Chicken necks work well because they are soft and cook quickly. Just watch that they don’t fall through the grid.
With so many activities to do this summer, your dogs are unlikely to be bored and – if you are doing all this with them – neither are you! Your dogs are only around for a short time, so do whatever you can to ensure their time with you is as fun, tasty and adventurous as possible!
