Winter is just around the corner—can you believe it? Even if it does mean shorter days and colder nights, the chilly season still opens up a bunch of fun activities that you and your special furry friend can partake in together.
No matter where you are in the country, there will be some really great options, from snowball fights to hiking and more. Below are a few creative ways to keep your pup’s time occupied, because—let’s face it—lockdown is a bore-fest.
1. Home is where the heart is.
Nothing beats the winter blues like an escape to the sunny southwest. The best place to get away from the cold would have to be Arizona, where there are more sunny days than there are cloudy days. Check out VacayAZ, an Airbnb property management in Scottsdale. This company focuses all of its power on the guests’ experience, so you’re guaranteed to have a great time. And in addition to that, they have multiple dog-friendly options! These rentals combine all your desired creature comforts with the perfect comforts for your creatures!
2. Try camping.
Camping is one of the best ways to include your dog in your recreation. If you do a little research, you’ll find some campsites that offer amenities like doggy doors and fenced-in yards. Plus, your dog will have tons of access to nothing but wide open spaces—so they can run around. Usually, there are places to swim, although swimming may not be ideal in the winter months (unless you want to brave the Polar Bear Plunge).
Safety-wise, if you’re thinking about a long hike, it may be best to get a harness for dogs to keep them from choking. When you do, be sure to invest in the best, like Joyride Harness! And at night, you can all sit around the fire and make s’ mores.
3. Ever heard of doga?
Most of us have heard of human yoga and goat yoga, so why not try bringing your dog to a class to make it doga? Most people don’t enjoy leaving their beloved animal companions at home during weekend errands or while they go to the gym.
Luckily, if you’re planning on heading out to the West Coast, there’s a great Log Angeles-based spot called Yoga Force that now offers a downward dog…for your dog! While the class is recommended for smaller breeds, bigger pups are welcome too. After class, while you grab a green juice, your dog will be relaxed and ready for the day.
4. Just keep swimming.
A really great way to bond with your dogs is to take them to indoor swimming lessons. If you had human children, you’d want them to learn how to survive in the water—so why not your pooch? Also, due to the pandemic, you and your dog might have missed out on quality beach days this summer.
Now, there are more and more places around the country that are offering swim times for humans and dogs alike. Some of these places are super fancy and offer heated pools, animal massages, and qualified staff, just in case you have a nervous Nellie on your hands.
5. Go skiing!
If a cross-country trip is not in the cards for you, maybe you’d like to embrace the snow and go skiing. Some fun adventurers have invented skijoring, which combines cross-country skiing with dogsledding. Fun, right? The sport was founded in Norway and has gained some attention here in the States. Your dog will be set in a harness with padding, which is attached to a towline, which in turn is attached to you. If you have more than one dog, you can also make a team sport out of it so that nobody is left out. This up-and-coming sport is recommended for larger dogs who have very active lifestyles.
Regardless of the time of year, having fun with your dogs is always in season.
