In my opinion, fall is one of the best times of year to enjoy the great outdoors with your canine friend. For one, once the weather cools down a little, you don’t have to worry quite as much about your dog getting too hot. And, many dogs really seem to perk up quite a bit once the temperature dips.
Some of my favorite activities to do with my dogs in the fall include:
- Camping at a state park, in a pet-friendly cabin or a tent.
- Going for a hike at a state park or natural area that allows dogs.
- Taking a day trip to a nearby dog-friendly apple farm. My dog, Maddie, loves to walk around there and look for apples that have fallen to the ground. (She seems to think they’re dog toys!)
- Take long walks at nearby parks. It’s especially fun to sit and watch the geese flying overhead.
- Let the dog supervise the yard work. Many dogs love to jump and play in piles of leaves, so get raking!
- Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy dinner or coffee on an outdoor restaurant patio with your dog before the patios close down for the winter.
- If you do decide to get back to nature while enjoying the fall weather with your dog, don’t forget to brush up on outdoor safety tips — such as these great reminders from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It’s a good idea to make sure your dog is up to date on flea and tick preventative, carry a pet first aid kit with you, make sure your pet is wearing ID and always carry plenty of water for both of you — and a collapsible water bowl for your dog. And, follow these great tips for keeping your dog’s seasonal allergies in check.
Also, many people love to let their dogs off-leash while hiking or at parks — but if you do so, please make sure you’re allowed to do so in the area you’re visiting, you’ve taught your dog a good recall and that you don’t let her out of your sight. In addition to keeping your own dog safe, that’s a courtesy as well to all the other people out there who might be walking their dogs on leash. Dogs that, perhaps, don’t want to be barreled over by a dog they don’t know. Not taking these steps can lead to a less-than-pleasant experience for you and others who are out enjoying the fall weather with — or without — dogs. - enjoying the breeze, the sunshine and the crunch of the first few falling leaves underfoot and under paw. (Adopted from http://blog.k9cuisine.com)
