Besides giving you a companion around the house and an extra member of your family, dogs have proven health benefits for you as well. Not only do they make you happier and lower stress, but they are also highly beneficial for your heart. Those with dogs (or cats for that matter) have a higher probability of surviving a heart attack.
So you love your furry friend and wish you could spend more time with them. There are countless fun things to do with your dog and some of them are below, check them out!
Pamper Your Dog
There have definitely been times in your life where you may “just need a spa day” or “could really use a relaxing massage”. Even though it may not look like it, dogs need those too!
You could do this a few different ways. After a long day of playing outside, give your dog a great bath, making sure to clean all their fur. After you’re finished, be sure to brush their fur and perform other housekeeping things, like cutting their nails. If you have small children, this could also be a perfect time to teach them about care and responsibility.
If maybe you don’t have sufficient space for a home dog spa, you could always take your dog to a pet groomer. That way, they’re sure to come back nice and clean, looking great with their new haircut.
Take Them on a Trip
Drive around long enough and you’re bound to see someone driving with their dog in the passenger seat, its head sticking out and the tongue flopping around in the air. It’s a funny sight to see, as the dog has never looked happier being caught in the wind.
A great activity for your dog is to take them on a trip somewhere different. If you live in the city, try to find a park or field outside the city limits to let your dog run around. Some dogs love rolling around in the mud while others relish the idea to romp around in the snow.
If you’re looking for something a bit longer term, you could take them on your next vacation. Just make sure your accommodation has pet-friendly options. Some hotels advertise themselves as pet hotels and make the experience all about the owner and the dog spending time together.
You might walk into your hotel room to find a chocolate on your pillow and a dog treat on their doggy bed!
Becoming an Internet Celebrity
You know that your dog is the best boy or best girl out there, along with being the cutest, so why not let the world know? Many people have made social media accounts for their animals, showing off their fun side by dressing them up or posting videos of their daily activities.
Maybe you have different plans, like running a travel blog about your adventures with your dog or providing pet tips. You’ll want to get started on social media, but you may also want to start a website.
Whatever you end up doing, make sure you’re pushing out content on a regular basis as that’s the best way everyone can enjoy your dog just as much as you can!
Find a Hobby Together
While your dog may not be as skilled as your with an Xbox controller or be able to offer their insights on the latest Game of Thrones episode, you can still find a fun hobby to do together on a regular basis.
The hobby doesn’t have to be anything too complicated, it can be a run every day after work or playing fetch for half an hour each day. If you’re looking for something else, you can start training your dog for certain events or simply teaching them lots of unique tricks to do. Everyone tries to teach their dog “sit”, but you can take it further with “roll-over” or “play-dead”.
If you’re looking for something really unique, some dog owners have started practicing dog yoga, or doga. It’s exactly what it sounds like, doing yoga with your dog. You might have mixed results, but it could definitely be worth giving it a try!