There is nothing better in the world than spending time with your family on the weekend. In this modern world, the word ‘Family’ means different things to different people.
Dogs in particular love to experience new things and go new places. They love to sniff every tree, check their ‘wee-mails’, roll in the grass, paddle at the beach, fetch a stick! You can see how happy they are by the smile on their face and the wag of their tail.
As well as being a fun way to spend your weekend, it is important to the well-being and health of your dog to get out of the house or backyard and experience new things.
If your family includes four-legged members, here are some ideas to get you out and about.
- Have a walk along the beach – most dogs love to paddle, or swim, with a big roll in the sand afterwards. Chasing seagulls or staring out to sea is also a favourite seaside pastime.
- Go to a dog-friendly café – there is nothing better than sitting in the sun with a nice coffee, pot of tea or a crisp chilled wine with your pooch sitting beside you.
- Go for a drive in the country – many dogs love to go for a ride in the car. Whether they stick their head out the window and catch the breeze, or snuggle up and dream of a new adventure, dogs are great companions for a road trip. They don’t complain about your choice of music, and they don’t ask “Are we there yet?”!!
- Read a book – take a stroll to your local park, sit under a tree and read a good book. Your dog will love just being out of his usual environment, and will appreciate you spending time with him.
- Go for a jog – while this is not for everyone, or every dog, for the more energetic amongst us, a fit, active dog will love nothing more than joining you for a run. You’ll be high on endorphins when you get back, and your dog will sleep for the rest of the day – win, win!
- Watch a Movie on TV – if the weather isn’t suitable for an outdoor activity, you can still enjoy some special time with your dog. Put on your favourite movie, get some treats for you and your dog, snuggle up on the couch and enjoy! You might even indulge in a little snooze afterwards!
- Explore somewhere new – make a point of going somewhere new this weekend. You might be surprised at what you find. And what better companion to share in your new experience than your dog?
Of course, always observe council regulations regarding on/off-lead areas, and beach access times (usually vary depending on the season). And most importantly, pick up your dog’s poo! Ensure you have fresh water with you, and maintain effective control of your dog at all times.
Following these simple rules will ensure you, your dog and others around you, will enjoy some time in the great outdoors – after all, we live in a beautiful part of the world, so let’s enjoy it and respect it.
