There are lots of great spring activities that you and your pup can do together—these are just a few of them.
Spring has sprung, and for many dog owners, that means it’s finally time to bring their pups out of hibernation and get them back into the great outdoors. There are the usual outdoor activities to enjoy, but we also included a couple of suggestions for more challenging activities that the truly adventurous might enjoy tackling with their furry companions.
The Usuals
Dog Park
The beloved dog park is a quintessential outdoor space for any dog owner. It gives your pup a safe and enclosed space to run around to their heart’s content, burn off energy, and socialize with other dogs. Dog parks are often pretty barren during the winter months, but as spring creeps in, more owners will be bringing their dogs back to the park for some much-needed playtime.
Nature Walk
Get your pup out on a hiking trail or go through a walking trail in the woods where your dog can pick up all sorts of amazing and interesting scents. These walks can be more calm and relaxed, allowing your pup to take their time and investigate everything around them. It’s a great way for both your dog and you to get back outside to enjoy some sunshine, fresh air, and time in nature.
Dog Beach
If you have a dog beach nearby, it’s getting close to time to head back for fun in the water. Dog beaches are great because they have a long area where dogs can run, sand is harder to run in (so they wear themselves out more quickly and thoroughly), and dogs that love to swim can chase various water-friendly toys and bring them back to shore. Swimming also provides excellent low-impact exercise, making it a good option for dogs with arthritis or those who are overweight and need to do some slimming down. Don’t forget that your dog needs a lifejacket and doggy sunscreen!
Something More Challenging
Learn a New Skill
In the spirit of spring, how about taking a class to learn a cool new skill with your pup? You can take it a little easier and go for a tricks class or take lessons on nose work. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can bring your pup to learn a new sport. These can include dock jumping, frisbee catching, agility, flyball, treibball, and earthdog.
Hardcore Hikes
If you’re an avid outdoors person and you want to start taking your pup on your more hardcore hikes, it’s time to start endurance training and researching how to keep them safe while you’re out in the wilderness. Some simple steps to increasing your dog’s stamina and endurance include increasing their usual walks by 15 minutes each week and doing an easy uphill hike to get used to it again.
Trust Maryland Veterinary Surgical Services With Your Companion’s Health
Your companion’s health is important, and the team at MVSS is ready to provide the best care possible for your furry family. We are dedicated to combining comprehensive exams and assessments with informative and honest discussions of your companion’s care. Once we have worked with you to decide on the best course of action for your dog, our professionals will use their surgical expertise to work towards the goal of giving your companion an active and pain-free life. We are proud to serve loyal companions in Catonsville and Baltimore. To learn more about our services, give us a call at 410-788-4088 or visit us online. For more information and tips for pet health, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.