Puppy's Life
Adventures among friends
Explore activities both you and your puppy will enjoy
You’ve got your new best friend and the two of you have become completely comfortable at home with each other. But now it’s time to get out of the house and find some things that the two of you can do together!
Keep in mind that it’s important for you to discover what activities you and your new little buddy enjoy together. Your four-legged companion is eager to please and will happily do just about anything you want him to, but it is also important for you to keep his happiness in mind as you seek out new activities that you can enjoy together. In other words, just because you want to spend a day on the boat, that doesn’t mean your furry little friend wants to do the same!
Like humans, different dogs have different personalities and interests. As you open the door to a whole new world for him, take the time to explore different possibilities and see how he reacts. By staying in tune with his response to each new situation, you’ll discover what you enjoy doing together. And that means you’re letting him write the list of new activities that the two of you can enjoy for a very long time.
As you begin looking at what the two of you can do together, keep in mind that not all pups are created equal. The activities that your neighbor enjoys with his Golden Retriever are going to be different from what you and your Pug will do.
“You have to take some time to educate yourself on what activity level your breed of puppy needs,” says Kim Fowler, owner of The Pawliday Inn in Hastings, Nebraska.
“A Weimaraner puppy is going to have much greater stamina than a Basset Hound puppy. So you have to be aware of not only what they enjoy, but also how much stamina they have. Start slowly and build up, regardless of the activity, until you know what your puppy likes and what he or she can handle.”
Fowler said that one terrific way to discover Fluffy’s interests is for the two of you to take a class together. Not only will your pup enjoy the socialization of being with other puppies his own age and size, but you’ll have the added bonus of meeting other new friends who might want to arrange play dates for your two little ones.
“As long as you are excited and are an active participant in activities, your puppy will love them,” Fowler says. “He wants to do things with you, so make sure that whatever you choose to do, you’re doing it together. It’s not just you watching your puppy play or learning to do something.”
Most puppy classes are designed to teach you, the owner, better ways to communicate and work with your new best friend. Taking classes together can be a lot of fun for both of you, as it helps you become a team—and it might clue you in to what activities your puppy prefers. From guided group hikes to conquering obstacle courses together, there are plenty of options to suit every activity level. Then all you have to do is watch and see which activities he responds to best.
Like people, puppies are naturally going to be better at some things and will enjoy some activities over others. “By paying attention to what he excels at, and what he is most eager to learn, you’ll have a better idea of what he might enjoy doing when the two of you aren’t in class,” Fowler notes.
As you are discovering a new world together, watch for signs of fatigue and thirst. It will take a while before your puppy is able to tell you what he or she needs, so watch his or her body language. Make sure you’ve always got plenty of fresh water available, and stop to rest when it becomes too much.
“Some dogs are going to enjoy going on long hikes, while others might prefer just to have a little playtime at a dog park,” Fowler says. “It’s just a matter of trying out a number of different activities and seeing which ones he responds to best.”
