Fall is a great time to get outdoors and have some fun with your dog. The weather is cooling off from the summer but isn’t too cold to enjoy some outdoor fun. From the brisk breeze to the leaves, dogs love to get outside during this time of the year. These are some fun activities to do with your dog this fall.
Dress Up
With fall comes one of the most important days of the year: Halloween. But, just because Halloween is only one day doesn’t mean you can’t get into the costume spirit for the rest of the fall. Many places will hold costume contests throughout the fall. If you’ve got a dog that enjoys dressing up, this is the perfect opportunity to let them in on the fun. You’d be surprised how many options there are for dog costumes out there. They don’t have to be limited to dog-specific topics, either. People love seeing dogs dressed up as humans. Get creative with your dog’s costume!
Hiking
Fall weather is often the best for going on a hike. If you go during the summer, it will often be too hot and you risk harming your dog’s paws or heat-related illness for either of you. If you were to wait until the winter, though, it could be too frosty to be comfortable outdoors. The Fall has the perfect blend of being cool but not too cool, perfect for getting on a hike in. Plus, if you’re going somewhere with a lot of trees, they’re going to look much more beautiful as the leaves change colors. Just make sure you’re prepared to clean up after your dog on the way.
Camping
If you love being outdoors, why not extend the duration of your trip for an entire weekend? With camping, you get to spend as much time outdoors as possible. With that comes many more opportunities for fun, like having a campfire. However, if you want to go camping, it will take much more planning than a hike on its own. For one thing, you need a lot of water for both you and your dog. You’ll also want to pack plenty of food, suitable bedding, a tent, and a first aid kit. It won’t hurt to pack some treats for your dog while you’re at it.
Jump Into Leaves
It wouldn’t be Fall without gathering a pile of leaves and jumping into them. It’s something that’s enjoyable regardless of age and simple enough that even dogs can figure out how it works. If you have a yard available, all you have to do is rake together the leaves into a pile on the grass. If you don’t have many leaves directly available you can potentially try to gather some from around the neighborhood. You’ll want to make sure that there aren’t any sharp objects that could harm you or your dog when you jump in. Ensuring your dog is protected from fleas and ticks is also advisable, check with your vet for a good prevention routine.
Get Cozy
As it begins to get cold and the weather gets worse, you may not want to spend as much time outside. Luckily, there are still ways to enjoy the season while protecting yourself from the cold. The simplest way is to curl up on the couch with your dog. You can perfect the day by adding in some warm cocoa with marshmallows, lighting some scented candles, wrapping yourself in a blanket, and relaxing to a good book or tv show. Or, you can break out a toy and play with your dog from the comfort of the indoors.
Go to a Pumpkin Patch
One of the most Fall-centric things you can do is visit your local pumpkin patch. While not all of them do, many will also let you bring your dog along. Check beforehand, and then take your dog for a tour. Maybe your dog will pick out the perfect pumpkin for you to take home. If you find one that you want to carve, you can even give some of the innards to your dog as a little treat. It’s completely safe for dogs in small amounts. And it can help boost their immune system with plenty of vitamins, potassium, and fiber.
Apple Picking
While not as popular as pumpkins, another great Fall activity is picking apples. Like with pumpkins, many places will let your dog come with you while you pick them out. Also like pumpkins, dogs can eat apples in small amounts. Once you’re done picking out the perfect apples, you can let your dog have a little taste. The best way to do that is to cut it into small, bite-sized slices or bake them into some dog treats. Apple picking is a great way to spend a crisp Fall afternoon before it gets too cold to be outside.
Enjoy the Outdoors
If all else fails, you can take your dog outside and enjoy the lovely Fall weather before it gets too cold. It’s easy, simple, and your dog will have a great time. As long as you get into the Fall spirit and have a good time with your dog, your Fall is going to be great.
