Puppy Outdoor Play Ideas

Want to take your puppy outside but don’t know what to do? These puppy play tips will help pet owners safely take their pets out for fun and socialization.

Assemble the puppy’s play bag

Newly minted dog owners, like any parents, need to prepare before leaving the house. Buy a sling bag or a small backpack and always take these things with you when you go for a walk with your puppy:

• Collapsible water bowl

• Bottle of water

• Additional leash (in case the dog chews it while driving)

• Dog waste bags

• chewable toy

• Rag or old towel (to dry the dog if it gets wet or dirty)

• Treats for training

• Photo of the dog (in case it runs away)

Choose a safe place

One of the biggest concerns owners have when a puppy goes outside is that their pet might run away. While you may think it’s better to stay at home and play there, most dogs enjoy getting to know the world around them, and walking is very important for their development. PetMD suggests simply walking around the neighborhood to interact with new neighbors, people, and dogs. When deciding where to go with your pet, find out if your veterinarian runs puppy play groups. Such groups are usually well organized and include entertainment and training sessions with dogs of approximately the same size. Before joining one of these groups, make sure that your puppy has gone through all the necessary stages of vaccination and deworming.

Puppies are easily distracted, so when you start playing outdoors with him, be guided by the principle “brevity is the sister of talent.” After a few short trips to small gated areas and supervised puppy play groups, try visiting the nearest public dog-friendly park. There you and your pet can have fun, despite the fact that he will still be in a fenced area. Before starting the game, check that the puppy’s collar fits snugly on the body, but not too tight. In case your dog gets lost, take a photo of it with you and attach an identification tag with your phone number to the collar. This is why it is important to walk in fenced areas if you plan to let your dog off the leash so that he can run and play with other puppies. 

Puppy outdoor play

What games can you play with your puppy outside? When you think about classic games, you might think of throwing a stick or frisbee, but for unprepared puppies, this is not the best option. Since the dog must be off-leash in order to play these games, it increases the likelihood that he will run away and you will have to look for him. Also, since puppies are easily distracted, one squirrel or butterfly will be enough to turn stick tossing into a game where you have to catch your pet.

How to play with a puppy and how to teach him to follow commands? At this puppy age, it’s best to play games that encourage close-range interaction, which will help strengthen your bond and also keep your puppy close. Tug of war is a great game for young dogs because it helps satisfy their need to chew through energy-expending exercises. Another great game is football. Kick the small soccer ball softly as your puppy tries to grab it. This will help keep him close to you and is great exercise for both of you.

Следующий шаг

Once you’ve perfected puppy play in your local community and your dog follows basic commands, it’s time to try new, bolder outdoor adventures. For example, you can go hiking with a young pet. For both of you, this is a great way to bond, and for him personally, a great opportunity to get the exercise he needs and explore the world around him, which can do wonders for his mental growth and development.

Once you’ve tried visiting a few different parks, you’ll find it easier to figure out what your puppy loves the most, and you can keep taking him there a few times a month to keep him happy and healthy. Newly minted pet owners also need to reinforce their pet’s training skills and basic commands, both at home and outdoors. Even when puppies fail and forget what they’ve learned, don’t give up and keep looking for new outdoor adventures you can enjoy together.