So, you gave in to those puppy dog eyes, and now you're the proud owner of a precious new pup. Congratulations! Puppies are a lot of responsibility, but the trade-off is that they're super- fun, and love adventures. Sure, you can take them out back to chase the ball around or go for a walk in your neighborhood, but what's the fun of having an energetic pup if you don't take him out and flaunt him, right? So why not take him farther from home, to the woods, ocean or park?
Before you set out, remember that growing puppies need lots of nourishment, so bring food and water along with you. Water is especially important if it's hot outside or you're going to be active. An active pup needs around 1 ounce (28 grams) of water per pound (453 grams) of body weight, so plan accordingly. You can just pack a large bottle of water and a bowl or spring for a fancy on-the-go doggie water bowl.
Ready to pack a bag and head into the great outdoors? Check out these great adventures for puppies!
5: Take a hike
If you dig spending time in the woods, bring your puppy with you on your next hike. Your pup will love exploring the trail and checking out the sights and the smells.
Check with your vet before taking your puppy out on a hike. You'll need to wait until he's at least 16 weeks and fully vaccinated before hitting the trail, since a curious pup is bound to be interested in things like animal droppings and other animals. Also make sure he's fully leash-trained before you head out for a hike with him.
Keep your puppy on the leash while you're on the trail, and avoid treacherous terrain on your first hikes. He might tire pretty quickly at first, so start with easier trails, and be prepared to let your pup rest or to carry him, if he gets too tired. It may take a few hikes, but once your puppy gets used to navigating the trail, you can get more adventurous.
Do you live near the water? You can take your pup on a boat ride!
4: I'm on a boat
Swimming in the open water isn't the best idea for a pup, since he may tire easily and the water might be contaminated. But, the two of you can still enjoy the open water on a boat ride. Check with local companies to find one that allows dogs on board, and pack a bag for the day. With a little preparation, a boating adventure can be as fun for your puppy as it is for you!
Just as you'd put safety first with kids on a boat, you need to take some precautions when you're boating with a puppy. It may feel a little bit silly, but get your pup a doggie floatation vest, and make sure he's wearing it at all times. Even if your dog knows how to swim, he'll tire out pretty fast, and that can spell trouble in open water if he goes overboard. You'll also want to constantly supervise your puppy while you're out on the water. Keep him from drinking the ocean, lake, or river water, by providing plenty of drinking water. And if you're heading out in the summer, stay conscious of the deck's temperature, since puppies don't wear shoes to protect them from hot surfaces like we do.
Are you less into floating and more into riding? Take that sweet pup on a bike ride!
3: Let's go ride a bike
Have you ever wondered why dogs love to stick their heads out the window? It's not necessarily because they love the breeze. Dogs experience the world through smell, and zooming past so many different smells can be like ecstasy for your puppy. A bike ride is a little bit slower than a car trip, but your puppy can experience a world of smells on the bike all the same!
Of course, you don't want to have to hold your puppy, and it would be unsafe to just stick him into your bike's front or back basket. You'll need a pet carrier or trailer, which attaches to your bike, so that you can tow your pup as you ride. A quick Google search will turn up pet trailers for puppies of all sizes. If your puppy is on the larger side, look for a medium or large dog trailer, and check the measurements to make sure he'll fit. Once you have your pet trailer, just mount it on your bike, and you and your pup are ready to ride!
Ready for a bigger adventure? Pack your bags and take your puppy camping!
2: A camping trip
As with a hiking trip with a puppy, you'll want to start out slowly with your doggy camping trips, and not involve too much walking. You'll also want to get a checkup from your vet beforehand, since your pup needs to be fully vaccinated, particularly against Lyme disease. Make sure the campground allows dogs, since not all of them do. Pack plenty of food and water, and supervise your puppy closely at all times.
Even if he sleeps in your bed every night, it's important that you bring a tent that zips completely closed on your camping adventure. There are a lot of new sounds and smells out in the woods, and you don't want your pokey little puppy to wander off in the night!
Keep your puppy on his leash or on a sturdy tether at all times when you're camping, and don't forget to clean up after him. If there's nowhere to dispose of puppy poop, bury his waste, just like you would your own.
Up next: If you want an outdoor adventure that's a little bit more low-key, take your puppy to the dog park to hang out with the other fellas!
1: Hit the dog park
Not only is the dog park a fun place for your puppy to burn off energy, it can help to socialize him. Your puppy needs all of his vaccinations before he can safely visit the dog park, so wait for your vet's OK before taking him there (usually at 4 months of age).
Remember: your puppy is probably not be used to interacting with other dogs yet, so keep a close eye while he runs around, and don't let him off the leash if he doesn't reliably come when you call him. You want to make sure your puppy listens to you while you're at the park, so that you can keep him away from any aggressive dogs or other hazardous situations.
If possible, find a dog park that's not too crowded, because it's easy for your pup to get overwhelmed with all of the potential playmates at first. As your puppy gets more comfortable at the dog park and better trained, you can give him more freedom to roam while you're there.
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