Summer might be fading into your rear-view mirror, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a great time with your pup. Whether the two of you relish those crisp outdoor days or prefer enjoying some cozy indoor activities, this time of year boasts an abundance of opportunities that both of you will love.
Savor the Great Outdoors
Now that the leaves are displaying their glorious colors and there is a crisp bite to the air, there is no better time to sample the outside world. Whether your pup is a five-pound toy or a massive mastiff, they will love accompanying you on your adventures through the woods or on the sidewalks of your favorite town or city. Just be sure you keep them and yourself hydrated, and know your best friend’s exercise limitations.
Get into the Autumn Spirit
If the weather isn’t cooperating or you just feel like sticking closer to home, there are plenty of things you can do to keep both you and your furry friend occupied. See if any of the following ideas appeal to the two of you:
- Take your inner crafter out to play by spending the day making a fall-themed collar or bandana for your pup. Sure, he might not always love it when you go all out with an undignified tutu, but we promise he won’t object too strenuously to a distinguished scarf or collar decoration.
- Bang some spoons and pans together to make some yummy pumpkin treats for Fido. Did you know that pumpkin is actually good for your pup? It helps the digestive tract, even assisting in enhancing regularity. (Every pet parent knows how important that little item can be.) A quick Google search for “pumpkin dog treat recipes” will yield an amazing variety of options that you can discuss with your buddy. She will probably follow you everywhere you go as you cook, and there’s no doubt that she’ll gobble up the results and beg for more.
- Host a booh-tiful movie night for just you and your best furry friend. Make some popcorn, gather a few special doggie treats, curl up together in a nest of cozy blankets and pass even the coldest and rainiest of November nights in the most spine-tinglingly satisfying way possible.
- Take a trip to the pet store or your local shop, and buy a crazy costume for your four-legged companion. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, why not get a matching one for yourself? Then get all dressed up, and take some snazzy photos of you two glamor twins.
- Go pumpkin-hunting with your pup. Of course, this requires that you call the owners of the pumpkin patch ahead of time to make sure that pets are allowed. If they are, it’s a sure bet that both of you will have a great time exploring the grounds as you pick the perfect gourd to carve and decorate. Your pup just might also find his own favorite pumpkin to take home.
- Include your dog in the pumpkin carving, too. Instead of the traditional jack-o-lantern, why not carve your dog’s face into your pumpkin? As an alternative, you can first paint your entire pumpkin white. Then dip your dog’s paws into pet-friendly colorful paint, and press them into the pumpkin for a whimsical and unique take on the season.
- Party it up. Although Halloween is traditionally a time for kids’ trick-or-treat and adult costume parties, there is no reason why you can’t make your dog and your friends’ pups the center of attention. Organize a fun day of pooch-perfect Halloween fun by inviting all of your human friends and their furry companions to a harvest get-together. Feature pumpkin-flavored treats, lots of running around and even a costume contest to complete the fun. The only question is who will enjoy the festivities more: the pooches or their parents.
- Jazz up your pup’s diet. The fall season probably makes you think of delicious foods like turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, carrots, squash and pumpkin. Believe it or not, all of these are also great for dogs. Find recipes online that feature ways to add each of these into your pet’s diet to keep them interested in their meals and to enhance their health. After all, you don’t like eating the same thing every day, so why would your dog?
- Put all those leaves to good use. You already have no choice but to clean up the yard once all those leaves start to plummet from the trees. Turn the task from drudgery into delirious fun by raking them into a huge pile. entice your dog to jump in; you might show him it’s safe by dropping his favorite toy into the center and encouraging him to retrieve it. Don’t hesitate to join him; it’s a great way to rediscover the child inside you that probably hasn’t had fun in decades.
Whether you’re discovering the beauty of a pristine forest or window shopping for Halloween costumes, snuggling in front of a roaring fire or rambling through an apple orchard or pumpkin patch, autumn provides you and your dog with a cornucopia of fun options. Before the snow flies and you are considering how to convince Fido to accompany you on your first cross-country skiing adventure, take advantage of this beautiful autumn season to strengthen your bond with your favorite four-legged friend.