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Summer is all about fun in the sun, but the temperatures may be a little intense for your dog, especially if he was bred for a cold climate. In the fall, the temperatures cool off, making outdoor activities more comfortable for both you and your dog. Fall is also a time to gather together with loved ones, so it is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your furry friend.
The following are examples of activities that you and your dog may be able to enjoy together. However, some take place at facilities that may not allow dogs, even if they take place outside. This is something to confirm when planning your itinerary.
Take a Hike
You probably put a leash on your dog and take her for a walk around the neighborhood on a daily basis. This is great exercise for both of you, but you could probably both benefit from a change of scenery. During the fall, the leaves on many of the trees turn different colors, so this is a great opportunity for you and your dog to go to a nature area for a hike.
During the hike, your dog can enjoy all the new and interesting smells while you admire the fall foliage. You can put a backpack on your dog so he can help carry whatever supplies you might need, probably water and maybe a first aid kit. Dogs are like young children; they like to be given a job to do and feel that they are helping.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin patches open for visitors in the fall. In addition to selling pumpkins, many host other activities as well, such as hayrides. Even if there aren't other activities going on in the pumpkin patch, this is another great opportunity to spend time outside with your dog and let her sniff out all the unfamiliar smells. You can even find a pumpkin to purchase and take home.
Carve a Jack-o'-Lantern
Now that you have a pumpkin, what will you do with it? Why, carve a jack-o'-lantern, of course! If you're artistically inclined, try to create a portrait of your dog, or else just carve a paw print. While you have to be careful with your sharp carving implement around your dog, you don't have to worry much about him getting into the scraps. Pumpkin is a healthy treat for dogs, so you can feed him some of the extra pieces with a clear conscience.
Have a Dog-Friendly Halloween Party
Do you and your dog have other canine friends in the neighborhood? Do you have loved ones who are also dog owners? Host a Halloween costume to which the dogs are invited. Dress up your dog in a funny, scary, or cute Halloween costume and encourage your guests to do the same. Have a canine costume contest with prizes for the best one. Serve dog-friendly treats and come up with Halloween-themed activities for the pooches to enjoy, such as bobbing for apples. You might want to have the costume contest before the games lest they get spoiled in the activity.
If your dog isn't the type to enjoy a party, you could submit a picture of her in her costume to a pet costume contest hosted by a newspaper or magazine and maybe win a prize. You could also host an online pet costume contest through social media.
Have a Photoshoot
Obviously, you want to take a picture of your doggie in his cute Halloween costume, but fall is also a good time to photograph your dog in his normal collar and poses as well. The slanting light that results as the earth tilts away from the sun can be very complimentary, and the fall colors can make a rich, beautiful backdrop. Plus, your dog can have fun practicing commands such as sit, down, and stay while enjoying the sunshine, fresh air, and outdoor smells.
Jump in Leaf Piles
This one can mean extra work for you, but the joy your dog gets out of it may make it worth it. When you rake your leaves, pile them up as tall as you possibly can, then bring your dog outside and let her jump and play in them. If your dog seems hesitant, throw her favorite toy into the pile and watch her burrow in to get it. If you don't want to have to rake the leaves twice, you can just bring your dog outside with you while you are raking, and she can have fun trying to catch the falling leaves.
Attend a Local Harvest Fair
Most communities have some variation on the fall festival or harvest fair. These usually take place in parks or closed-off city streets where dogs are typically free to walk, so they are usually tolerated on this occasion as well. A harvest fair gives you and your dog a chance to try some fun activities and delicious snacks. It is also an opportunity to socialize, and you may even meet some new friends of both the canine and human variety.
Watch Halloween Movies
If you and your dog don't like to deal with trick-or-treaters, turn off all the lights and watch a marathon of Halloween movies while cuddled together in the den. Your dog may be more interested in napping than actually paying attention to the movies, but you can include him by choosing movies that feature pets, such as Frankenweenie, Hocus Pocus, or Scooby-Doo.
Daylight hours wane during fall, so try to make the most of them with your dog before winter sets in.
