It’s Pet Appreciation Week! This week, pencil in a little
extra time to spend with your cat or dog. To help you figure out what you can
do with this time, we have compiled a list of goodies.
Choose one, two, three, or maybe even all the activities! Your
dog will be thrilled to be spending time with you.
Goodie #1: New
Sights, Smells, and Places
After a while, we become accustomed to a routine. We take
the same route on each walk. We go to the same places and see the same people. This
week let’s stir it up a bit.
Dogs love to see, and smell, new places. Take a different route
on your walk a few times this week. Take a longer walk. Or, take your dog
hiking for the first time (if your dog feels up to it).
If your dog is a senior or has health problems, you can take
him swimming instead. Swimming is easier on the joints.
Goodie #2: Make a
Date
If your dog adores other dogs, a play date is an easy way to
reduce his stress and increase his happiness. Play dates also provide an
excellent way to release energy.
How could it get any better? Your dog gets to be social, exercise,
and feel better mentally! Who knows, maybe you’ll make this part of your routine
after Pet Appreciation Week!
If your dog hasn’t had a play date before, don’t become
discouraged if it doesn’t go as planned. Just like we have preferences in our
friends, they have preferences with theirs.
Goodie #3: Homemade
Doggy Treats
Homemade dog treats are a tasty way to let your dog know how
much you love him. Take a look at the recipes below and pick your favorite.
Cesar
Millan’s Recipe List
Puppy Leaks Recipe
List (All made with 5 ingredients or less)
Easy Baby
Food Doggy Treats
If you conduct a search, you’ll certainly find more doggy
treat recipes. But, the ones included here will give you a head start.
Goodie #4: Paint a
Portrait
You can honor your dog, and have a forever memory, by having
a portrait painted of your dog. Find your favorite photo and send it in to an
artist. If you look around, they aren’t usually overly expensive.
Etsy
is an excellent place to find an artist if you don’t already have one in
mind.
Goodie #5: Teach a
New Trick
Training your dog might not sound like something she would
enjoy. But, the truth is, dogs love having a purpose. They love showing off their
skills. And, they love making you happy.
Training your dog to do a new trick is a great way to spend
some time this week.
If you’re feeling energetic, you can also build an agility
course and train your dog to run through it. Agility courses can be unbelievably
fun for you and your dog.
Goodie #6: Lets Go
Boating
If your dog is one who enjoys boating, why not go for a boat
ride? After all, it is June. It’s muggy. It’s hot. Going for a boat ride, and
maybe even going swimming, is a great way to spend your time together.
Don’t forget about the doggy life jacket! Even dogs who swim
well will struggle to stay above water if they were to fall overboard.
There’s So Much More
There are so many activities you can do with your dog. Many
don’t need any explanation at all. Here are some more ideas:
7.
Visit the beach with your dog
8.
Go on a mini-vacation
9.
Go for a run or a jog… instead of a walk
10.
Play frisbee
11.
Go camping
12.
Take a road trip
13.
Visit the pool
14.
Give your dog a little extra grooming time
15.
Take a nap together
16.
Bring your dog fishing with you
17.
Bring your dog to work (if permitted)
18.
Have a photo shoot
19.
Make your dog his favorite food
20.
Play hide-and-seek
21.
Visit the dog park
22.
Relax on the couch
23.
Visit an indoor dog park
24.
Schedule a grooming session
25.
Play in the sprinklers and cool down
26.
Bring your dog ‘out to dinner’
27.
Make homemade ice pops
28.
Put some finger paint on your dog’s paw and make
an everlasting painting
29.
Get your dog a Kong toy
30.
Play tug-of-war
31.
Play fetch
32.
Teach your dog how to find her toys
33.
Get your dog some puzzle toys
34.
Learn how to give doggie massages
The Bottom Line: It All
Boils Down to Time
What all these activities boil down to is… time. Your dog doesn’t
truly care if the time is spent hiking or lounging on the couch. Spend some
extra time with your dog this week. Love on your dog a little more than your
normal (if that’s possible!).