Fun at the Park for You and Your Dog

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Fun at the Park for You and Your Dog

By: Alex Lieber

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Sun, fresh air, mild temperatures and your dog – doesn't this sound like a recipe for a good day at the doggie park? Here are a few activities that will benefit the body and spirit (yours and his). The links will take you to stories that explain these fun activities in detail.

Don't forget to bring along water and maybe some food. Your dog will most likely be doing most of the running and jumping, so make sure he doesn't dehydrate. With that coat of his, you should also be careful of heat stroke.

Bicycling With Your Dog. Running is the essence of a dog's life. With you on a bicycle and him running alongside on a springy trail, your dog will be in puppy heaven. But before the both of you hit the trail, you'll want to bone up on some safety tips first.

Taking Your Dog Camping. If you're stressed or overworked, heed the call of the wild and head to the hills.

Canine campers are about as enthusiastic a breed as you'll find: athletic enough for a fast morning run and loyal enough to sit quietly while you wait all afternoon for a fish to bite. You need to plan and pack accordingly, however, for the two of you to enjoy your outing. This story will give you a guideline and a checklist to make your time away more enjoyable.

Dancing in the Park. Tripping the light fantastic with your dog in an open park requires a little courage, to be sure. But more dog owners are training their pets to compete in a sport called "canine freestyle," in which the dog and his owner move in tandem through a set of choreographed steps to music of their choice. Like agility, canine freestyle is a sport that is best practiced with some room – your routine has to work within a ring that is 40 feet by 50 feet.

You may want to pick a relatively secluded spot, though, for the sake of others; not everyone is a fan of the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack like you.

Rollerblading With Your Dog. Some in-line skate enthusiasts live for the mornings when they can leash up their pooch and go for a nice sprint together along a shaded park path. Not only is it great exercise, but the dog is often delighted that his human buddy can keep up with him. However, there are pros and cons to taking your dog with you. You should first learn what these are, and be aware of a few tips to make the experience safer for everyone.

Running/Jogging With Your Dog. If your local park allows it, take your dog with you when you run. Just make sure you look out for his well-being. Click on this story to see what you should be aware of.

Spring Training. As warmer weather chases away the vestiges of winter, you'll be spending more time outside with your dog at the park. But after a long winter indoors, is he fit? He may need some training to get ready for an active spring and summer. This is especially true if you have an older dog.

Teach Your Dog to Love Frisbee. Teaching your dog to catch a Frisbee may not be as hard as it sounds. With some patience and the tips we've provided in this step-by-step story, your dog's eyes will light up whenever you grab the Frisbee to toss around your local dog-friendly park. For the more advanced, you can learn what it takes to be a Frisbee champ, as explained by some of the best in canine Frisbee competitions.

Agility: An Exciting Dog Sport. Agility is a timed obstacle course through which each dog races under the guidance of a handler. You can begin training your dog when he's still a puppy, and a park can offer the space you need, especially if you have little or no backyard of your own.

Five Games to Play With Your Dog. There are a myriad of activities for you and your dog, either in your yard or at a dog-friendly park, from the traditional game of fetch to a modified version of basketball. This article includes tips on fetch, hoops, swimming, tug-of-war and ring-jumping.

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1Five Games That Will Delight Your Dog
You can make your dog’s heart leap even higher by taking along a ball, a Frisbee, or even a hula hoop. Here are a few activities you can play that will benefit the body and spirit (yours and his).
Read More
2Hiking with Your Dog
Hiking with your dog can be one of the most joyful experiences of pet ownership. Besides being great exercise, it’s a good way to spend quality time with your canine chum. You can maximize your enjoyment...
Read More
3How Dogs Play
Unhealthy and unhappy dogs do not play, so play serves as a barometer of well being, indicating that a dog is well fed, in good health, and content. Learn about how dogs play, why they play and the types...
Read More
4Playing with Your Pet
Playing with your pet isn’t only fun for him. It’ll also mean lots of love and laughter for you, too. No matter what the game, play is fun for both pet and owner and helps strengthen the human-animal bond....
Read More
5Running and Jogging with Your Dog
If you’re planning to hit the road in search of fitness, you may want to share the experience with your dog. But before you grab your running shoes and his leash, there are a few things you’ll want to...
Read More
6Spring Training for Your Dog
Exercise is as important for your dog as it is for you. Young dogs and healthy adults alike need lots of it, and even senior pets need a regular daily workout to maintain their health.
Read More

Fun at the Park for You and Your Dog

Fun at the Park for You and Your Dog

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