This article was previously published September 12, 2014 and was updated on August 8, 2022.
All the Best Gear for Hours of Backyard Fun With Your Dog
What’s the best part of having a canine companion? Of course it’s having fun with your dog! Your pup is a savvy self-entertainer and an innovative mastermind. He knows how to beat boredom with a fun game of “chew the sofa” and fight apathy by playing keep-away with your shoes. If work, long commutes and other life responsibilities are causing your pooch to fend for himself, it’s time to take a break from your busy schedule. Enjoying some time outdoors will work wonders for both you and your pet. You don’t have to travel far to reconnect with your best friend. With the right toys, your own backyard can be your pet’s favorite playground.
Play Ball
If your dog loves to play fetch, chances are you have an endless supply of tennis balls awaiting their doom. Dogs and tennis balls have a long-standing history of backyard fun, but one tough chomp is all it takes to make play time come to an end. Even if your pet manages to keep his ball intact, you’re left with a soggy and filthy mess.
Instead, treat your pet and yourself to hours of good clean fun. Look for a rugged ball made with ball-playing enthusiasts in mind that is made of nontoxic high-density polyethylene plastic. These toys will not only survive a rigorous game of fetch, they’re also safe for your pooch to use as a chew toy. As an added benefit, check for one that is dishwasher-safe, which means no more slobbery messes to clean up.
Doggy Paddle
For water dogs, the end of pool season means nothing. Owners of golden retrievers, Labradors and water spaniels know this all too well. If your pooch believes in endless summers, make swim time both fun and safe with a pool ramp. Swim up ramps, like the Skamper Ramp makes it easy for pets to get in and out of the pool. Games of dive and fetch can last even longer now that your pet isn’t spending his energy trying to get out of the pool.
Laid-Back Pup
While you’re out enjoying a sunny afternoon, don’t leave your pet inside longing to be by your side. The midday sun can prove too hot for some pooches, however, so make sure you provide your four-legged friend with plenty of water and a chic and shady spot. Whether poolside or laying out on the lawn, a covered chaise lounger gives your pet the comforts of a soft bed and shade from the sun, while preventing him from having to lay on a hot surface.
Speed Chasers
Having a tough time keeping up with your pet’s endless energy? Tireless pups like Jack Russell terriers and border collies need sufficient exercise to remain happy and healthy. When a few rounds of fetch just won’t do the trick, let iFetch wear out your pup for you. Created for small to medium-sized pets, the iFetch automatically launches a ball up to 30 feet across the yard, ensuring your pooch will be challenged for a run. And when the weather gets too cold for backyard fun, you can simply bring the device indoors.
Enjoyed this article? Here are 3 more popular posts that you are sure to like!
Positive Dog Training Tips – Pam Dennison on The Real Dr. Doolittle Show™
Dog Walking 101: Essential Training Tips & Gadgets
Getting Active With Your Dog Can Be Fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guest post courtesy of Virginia Nelson – With a degree in Journalism from Arizona State University, Virginia has more than 10 years of experience crafting stories for local glossys like 202 Magazine and AZ Health, as well as nationally for sites like SheKnows.com. A fun-loving Phoenician by way of Argentina, Virginia gains inspiration from life with her three loves: her husband and two unruly pugs. When she’s not writing about or smothering her animal friends, she’s busy tending to four-legged clients as the founder of Desert Dog Pet Care. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and do not necessarily represent the views of Val Heart & Heart Communication Enterprises Inc.
Leave a Reply