Fun Ways to Exercise Your Dog in the Spring

With the spring season upon us and the weather getting nicer all across the country, it's the perfect time of year to get exercise with your pup! If you're tired of just a walk around the neighborhood, we have some ideas for you. Here are some fun ways you can get exercise with your furry best friend.

Hiking

If you live near some hiking trails, this is the perfect opportunity to get some exercise with your dog. Hiking is the ideal springtime activity because the flowers are blooming and the trees are full of leaves. Forest paths are more beautiful than ever in the spring! Just be sure to always keep your dog on a leash so that you can keep them safe and enjoy your experience to the fullest.

Obstacle Courses

A beautiful, sunny spring day is the perfect time to get out to your local dog park (or to your backyard, if you have the gear!) and teach your dog some new tricks! Many dog parks have a separate obstacle course section or an obstacle course within the park that you can take your pup to. You can also buy your own gear and set up a course if you have a backyard. Working together with your dog to teach them to conquer the course is a great bonding activity and much more stimulating than walk. 

Doggy Play Date

Have friends with dogs? Have a play date! This isn't only fun for the pups, it's fun for you! If you have a backyard, you can hang out on a nice spring day and hang out with friends while your pups play. Socialization is always important for your pup and important for you! If your dog has never met your friend's dog before, just be sure to introduce them outside of the house to limit any territorial behavior that your dog might express. 

Walk to a Dog-Friendly Patio

Is there a restaurant with a dog-friendly patio near you? If it's within a mile or so, walk there instead of drive! This is a great way to get exercise with a delicious reward at the end of it. Plus, after eating, the walk back home will make you feel satisfied after eating a yummy meal! 

No matter what kind of exercise you get with your pup, you (and they) will have fun simply because you're with them! So get out there, enjoy that spring weather, and get some exercise with your dog!