[UPDATED JULY 2024]
Hands up if you’re opting for a staycation this summer! If your usual holiday plans have been put on hold, don’t worry—your garden can become a perfect retreat for you and your furry friend. Here are six fun activities to keep your dog entertained and happy during your summer staycation.
1. Splash-tastic fun in the pool
Paddling pools aren’t just for kids; they’re perfect for your four-pawed friends too. In a pool, they can exercise, keep cool, and be happily distracted for ages. Try filling the pool with plastic balls for double the fun or using a floating fetch toy.
Make safety a top priority by always supervising your dog in the pool and making sure they’re not out of their depth and can get out easily. Tepid water is best to avoid any surprises on a hot day.
2. Fling a Frisbee
Time flies when you play Frisbee with your dog. Meanwhile, your pup gets the chance to develop their aerial acrobatic skills. If you get good enough, you could even enter a Disc Dog competition where the two of you compete in events such as distance catching and freestyle catching.
When choosing a frisbee, avoid cheap plastic ones that might harm your dog’s teeth. We recommend Kong’s rubber flyers, which make for a more 'forgiving catch'.
One last thing. Don’t throw your frisbee too high or make your pup jump at awkward angles to avoid any mishaps.
3. Blow bubbles
If you’d like an activity where you can sit comfortably in a sun lounger and relax while your dog burns off some energy, bubbles are your friend.
Simply choose some dog-safe bubbles and start dipping and blowing. These bubbles can even come with fun, dog-friendly scents like peanut butter.
This activity is perfect for Instagram, although you might need to recruit a passerby to snap some pictures for you while you’re busy blowing bubbles.
4. Teach your dog some tricks
If your dog’s current favourite garden tricks involve digging up your newly planted bulbs or chasing next door’s cat, why not take this time to teach them some new tricks that will make both of you happy?
Check out our article on teaching your dog new tricks, which covers tricks including:
- High fiving
- Jumping through a hoop
- Fetching their lead
- Rolling over
- Covering up with a blanket
5. Set up an agility course
An agility course is an excellent way to entertain your pup over the summer. What’s more, by training together, you’ll make your bond even closer. Have a look at our guide on how to make a dog agility course in the garden for some great ideas.
Using bits and pieces you already have around the house and garden, including cardboard boxes and laundry baskets, you can make:
- An obstacle course
- A doggy ramp
- A tunnel
- Weaving obstacles
6. Score high with doggy football
Dogs love balls, so football should come naturally to our furry friends. However, the challenge here lies in encouraging your pup to move the ball along with their nose, rather than kicking it with a paw or biting it with their teeth.
The trick is to train your dog in the rules of the beautiful canine game using a clicker and a pocketful of treats. First, get your dog interested in the ball by rolling it along the ground yourself. Then, reward them with a click and a treat whenever they move it with their nose. Once they get the hang of it, you could even set up some miniature goals.
Rubber footballs are most likely to stand up to the rough and tumble of the game.
No garden? No problem!
If you don’t have a garden, most of these activities would work equally well in your local park. (Apart from the paddling pool, of course. You’ll probably already have your hands full without dragging several gallons of water along to the park, too.)
Dog-friendly garden activities are a brilliant way of bonding with your canine friend, getting them moving, and enjoying some fresh air… and maybe even a bit of sunshine! For extra joint support during those outdoor activities, we recommend YuMOVE Joint Care for Adult Dogs – our triple-action formula for soothing stiffness, supporting joint structure and aiding mobility.
