Fun Spring Activities To Do With Your Dog

Fun Spring Activities To Do With Your Dog

Published by Marge Hynes on

After a long winter cooped up inside, chances are you and your dog are itching to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. If you’re a new dog owner or looking for new things to try, you may need some ideas on activities to do with your new best friend.

Are you and your dog bored and unsure of what to do this spring? We’ve got you covered. 

But first, here's a short checklist to help your pet make the most of the warmer weather:

- Keep Up With Grooming. Pups do a lot more shedding when the weather starts warming up. Their winter coats are traded in for something a little sleeker. Make sure you keep up with your pup’s shedding cycle by bathing and grooming them regularly.
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- Protect Your Pup. In the springtime, parasites like fleas and ticks are on the prowl. These pesky pests can be highly irritating, cause serious skin problems, or even carry diseases. Gear your pup up with Itch & Allergy Chews this spring.
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- Steer Clear Of The Weekend-Warrior Syndrome. You may be itching to soak up that first warm breeze ASAP. But it’s best to go slow—no need to overexert yourself or your pup. Don’t do it all at once! Instead, build up your strength and endurance gradually, and remember that your dog will take time to adjust as well (physically and mentally).

    Now that your four-legged companion is prepped and ready to go, let's take a look at some of the fun activities you two can do together this spring. 

    If You & Your Pup Are Stuck Inside:

    Springtime rain showers got you down? Even if you’re stuck inside, you and your pup can still enjoy bonding time and stimulating activities. Here are just a few:

    Cardboard Puzzle

    You’ll need:

    - Cardboard Box
    - Your Dog’s Favorite Plush Toy(s) 
    - Some Tennis Balls
    - Treat-filled KONG

      What it does:

      - Promotes mental stimulation
      - Activates and heightens their doggy senses
      - Tires them out (if you’ve got yourself a zoomy pup, we see you)
      - Helps to prevent certain behavior problems by busting boredom

        What you do:

        - Stuff the box with your dog’s favorite plush toy (or multiple), a few tennis balls (if they love 'em), and the treat-filled KONG. Sprinkle a few loose treats in for good measure.
        - Lightly close the top of the box. Give it to your dog to rip open, forage through, and play with. Always monitor during playtime so your pup doesn’t eat anything they’re not supposed to. 
        - Optional (to give your pup a better whiff of the goodies inside): Poke one or two thin holes on each side of the cardboard box. 

          Hide And Seek

          You’ll need:

          - Standard Muffin Tin
          - Your Dog’s Favorite Yummy Treats
          - One Dozen Tennis Balls

            What it does:

            - Gets those doggy gears moving (brain games are great for your pup)
            - Puts their sense of smell to use 
            - Promotes the use of their doggy motor skills
            - More boredom-busting!

              What you do:

              - Clean the muffin tin, then break up the treats into smaller pieces. Place a couple of them in the muffin tin at random.
              - Grab the tennis balls, and place them in the muffin cups to hide the treats.
              - Call your dog, and put the muffin tin in front of them. Encourage them to sniff! When they realize a yummy treat is hiding under the ball, they’ll use their pup brain to crack the code and knock the balls out of the way.

              PupGrade Pro-Tip:

              Need a new, enticing treat to give your dog? Check out our Yak Milk Dog Chews. Our chews are made to last, even against the most aggressive chewer. Yak’s Milk, our main ingredient, is turned into a safe and healthy hardened cheese that takes quite a bit of effort to chew, making this treat perfect for brain stimulation by promoting concentration and mental exhaustion. They’re also the ideal alternative to dangerous rawhides. When the chew becomes too small for your pup to safely enjoy, you can even turn the leftovers into bite-sized puffs by soaking them in water and microwaving them.

              Pup Spring Cleaning

              You’ll need:

              - Dog Brush
              - Colloidal Oatmeal
              - Old Sock

                What it does: [1]

                - Soothes and moisturizes dry, itchy skin
                - Relieves redness and irritation
                - Can help with hot spots and tick and flea problems
                - Promotes a soft, shiny coat

                  What you do:

                  - There’s no better time than spring to get to work on cleaning—and yes, your dog needs some sprucing from time to time, too. Take advantage of the seasonal change and prep your dog’s coat. That means it’s time to brush, brush, brush—especially if your dog has a heavier coat than most. 
                  - You can also try a colloidal oatmeal soak. Take an old sock and fill it with plain colloidal oatmeal that has been ground up (you can use a food processor, blender, or coffee grinder). Place the sock's opening over your tub faucet, and tie it closed with a hair tie or rubber band. Run warm water through the sock and fill the tub. Get your pup in and let them soak for 10 to 20 minutes, making sure to gently massage the water onto their coat and skin.

                    If You & Your Pup Want To Hit The Great Outdoors:

                    It’s the time you and your pup have been waiting for—time to go enjoy the fresh springtime air! Gather the necessities and head on out!

                    Take A Hike

                    It’s time to explore the great outdoors! Find a local hillside, national park, off-leash beaches, nature preserve, or trail that you and your pup can enjoy together. Strap on a comfortable dog harness and put on a long leash. The physical exercise accompanied by the sights and smells will be helpful stimulators of your dog’s instincts for sniffing, foraging, licking, and maybe even some running. If there’s a local lake that allows safe swimming, you, Fido, and some friends and family can take a day trip there. Make sure you get your dog a life jacket to help them enjoy the water safely and confidently.

                    Plan A Playdate

                    Does your dog have a bestie? Get them together for a play date! Just like humans, dogs need to socialize and make friends. Catch up with your friends and your dog’s friends by calling them up and inviting them to a local dog park or meeting up at home.

                    Try A New Walking Route

                    Your dog appreciates the extra exercise, whether it’s just a 10-minute walk up the road or an hour-long excursion around the neighborhood. Keep in mind your dog’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, older dogs or specific breeds may tire quicker and need more breaks than younger dogs or other more energetic dogs. Watch out for signs of fatigue such as heavy panting, slowing or halting speed, and limping.

                    Work on Training & Tricks 

                    Get your pup outside and put that energy to good use by teaching them some useful obedience training like heel, sit, come, and stay, or some fun new tricks like shake, play dead, spin, and so much more. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, praise, petting, or a favorite toy or game. Most dogs are highly food-motivated, so we recommend something healthy AND delicious if you choose to go with treats. It’s never too late to teach an older dog new tricks, despite popular belief. New dog owner and not sure where to start? Check out our blog for 5 Training Tips for New Dog Owners. 

                    It is important to note: Although regular exercise is important for your dog, every dog is different. Some dogs require different amounts of exercise or stimulation. If you’re in need of some exercise tips for your dog’s breed, check out our blog on Daily Exercise for Every Breed Type. 

                    To protect your best friend from exercise-related joint issues, check out our PupGrade Joint Support Chew. Our powerful blend of ingredients helps cushion joints and promote cartilage to rebuild and alleviate discomfort. Suitable for dogs of all ages and sizes.

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                    What’s your go-to activity with your pup in the springtime? Let us know!

                    Looking for even more ways to treat your best friend this spring? Look no further than right here! PupGrade products are carefully formulated with only the highest quality ingredients so your pup can thrive in a healthy and happy lifestyle.  

                    We've gone ahead and enclosed a 10% OFF Coupon below for you to use in the store - remember, your puppy DESERVES to have the healthiest life! Click here to start shopping!

                    Resources: 

                    1. Giving your dog an oatmeal bath: Helping dogs with itchy skin. Friendly Animal Clinic. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.greensboroncvet.com/site/friendly-animal-clinic-blog/2020/11/26/dog-oatmeal-bath#

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