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Can’t go to the dog park? 6 awesome strategies to use when Fido is begging but you can’t go.
Right now it seems as though everything is on LOCK DOWN and you can’t go to the dog park. Most of us are stuck in self-isolation at home and unless you are one of the lucky few with land, you and your dogs are going stir crazy. Even in our current situation you can walk your dog, but what about when you can’t go to the dog park. This is tough for a dog mom ! It is important to remember to practice social-isolation so you need to be able to limit any human interactions when possible.
In this article, we are going to give you a few ideas to exercise your dog when you can’t go to the dog park. If the weather stinks, check out What to do with FIDO when the rain won’t go away or Biscuit’s best dog Rain gear.
Can’t go to the dog park, Take a walk
Take a walk. Grab up the leash and take Fido on a long walk. Think about what time would be best for this to limit traffic. I find that early in the morning and late in the evening there is less traffic, but you will need to monitor for your area. Go to a place that is a bit more isolated if possible. If you do see other people, no worries, just make sure to keep your distance. If you are a gal out walking your small dog, consider carrying mace. Even out in the country I keep a bottle with me just in case. You can never be too careful!
Borrow a yard
Borrow a yard. Does one of your friend have a nice dog yard for her pooch? Why not give her a call and ask to borrow the yard. This is a great alternative when you can’t go to the dog park. Almost everyone has a separate entry into a yard that is accessible without person to person contact. Grab you some gloves / wipes and go visit her yard. Coordinate a good time with your friend and take your pooch for a romp. They will never know it isn’t a dog park. To have fun – face time your friend while y’all are playing in her yard! Make sure to be responsible and clean up any messes! 🙂
Get Rural!
Get Rural! Do you know someone that lives in the country? Call them up. Gas is cheap – make a day trip out of it. Maybe they know an area that you can come and walk with little to no traffic and beautiful scenery. It is ALWAYS best to talk to someone that lives in an area FIRST. People in the country tend be less likely to have their dogs on a leash and both my husband and I have been bitten by dogs that were just over protective riding our bikes just a few miles from our home.
It is important to KNOW the area and scope it out first via car. If you don’t know anyone, try some local social media pages to see if you can get a place to try out. Again – I recommend carrying mace or pepper spray as a just in case – ESPECIALLY in the country! I always do.
At home games
At home games. Stuck inside the house or apartment? Try hide and treat. Make a game out of hiding treats and letting your dog find them. Do you have stairs you can go up and down to get a good exercise factor? Remember walking is as much about bonding with your dog as exercise so even a good ole game of tug o war with a rope toy might be a great way to relieve some boredom. Good old fashioned play is a great idea when you can’t go to the dog park.
Get a Foster
Get a foster. If your dog is missing the normal social interaction from the dog park, how about fostering a dog. Rescues and shelters are in dire need of places for shelter dogs to hang out during our self-isolation period so this is really a win win. It gives Fido someone to play with and it saves a life. You never know, you could totally end up with a foster fail and new pooch for your tribe. Petfinder is the best place to start!
Trick out your yard or your living room
Trick out your yard or your living room. Do you already have a great yard? Grab some fun agility training tools and start learning agility with your dog! Chewy.com has Weave Polls, Hurdles, and Tunnels. There are plenty of FREE resources on the internet about getting starting with agility. You probably have some items laying around the house you can use. If you are in an apartment, setup your living room as an agility course! This is a great way to keep your dog healthy and happy when you can’t go to the dog park.
Whatever you decide to do, try to keep it as normal as you can for your dogs during our self-isolation at home. Walking is such an important aspect of bonding, even if that is all you can do it will be enough. Remember you are in this together! Even when you can’t go to the dog park, as a dog mom it is important to still find a way to bond, exercise and love on your pup!
Wishing everyone a safe and happy week – Tail Wags and Nose bumps! Dog Mom and Biscuit
HUNGRY for some love? Go grab Brownie from the DFW Human Society! She is looking for her forever home! Find out more about brownie here.
