Don’t know about you, but I love spending time and doing things with my dog and other people and their dogs. As such, I’m always looking for activities that I can share with my dog. Why does this matter? Why should we look for ways to spend time with our dogs?

There’s a number of reasons. First, it improves communication with your dog. It also helps your dog learn (or reinforces) their manners, increases the bond, provides potential exercise for both of you, and as a result, reduces boredom and behavior problems. Research shows that a dog who spends more time with their “human” is easier to live with and is less likely to be given up for adoption. A great side effect is that it can help you too!

If you are always looking for fun ways to spend time with you dog, here are some ideas.

• Learn to play with your dog! Games like fetch, keep away, hide and seek, tug of war, hide and seek, and chase are just a few examples of fun games you can enjoy with your dog. Find a game your dog loves, and play it! The extra benefit is that it’s great exercise for your dog.
• Take a walk around Lake Eola. It’s a great walk, lot’s of great sniffing opportunities for your dog, and there are dog friendly restaurants within close proximity. On Sunday, they even have a farmer’s market.
• Hang out on Park Ave. in Winter Park or visit the Winter Park Farmer’s Market. Again, very dog friendly, and you can enjoy window shopping walks with your dog.
• Have an athlete? How about an agility club, a lure course, or dock diving? There are several of these types of activities around town.
• Does your dog like to play in the water? How about taking them to the dog beach in the New Smyrna area or at Ft. DeSoto Park in Tampa? Either way, just make sure you interact – after all that’s why you took your dog there, right?
• Take a hike. There are some very nice trails around the area.

The secret is variety. Your dog will get bored if you do the same activities all the time.

Bottom line, plan to spend some time with your dog! Just like you plan spend time with family, go to the gym, or other activities, you need to add your dog into your daily plans. Do s0, and you’ll be richly rewarded!

We are the only Orlando dog boarding and Orlando doggie day care center that has an indoor heated pool for dogs. See it for yourself by scheduling a tour!

Rocky's Retreat | 2826 Shader Rd. Orlando FL 32808 | info@rockysretreat.com | (407) 295-3888