Adventures with Your Dog – Enhancing Your Dog’s Life
Dogs know how to have adventures
Dogs have a natural inclination for adventure. As roaming nomads or territorial hunters, their origins tell them that excitement is a part of life. So why not celebrate your dog's heritage and treat yourself and your canine companion to a summer adventure? Get wet, tired, muddy, and happy together. Pack your backpack, lace up your boots, and grab your hiking staff. Because it's time to embark on a journey.
Let Petli ignite the spirit of adventure so that you can provide your dog with an enriching experience. Roaming long distances, pushing boundaries, and challenging oneself are enriching for a dog. Of course, everything should be done within your dog's limits. The goal is not to overload but to challenge and discover new things together.
Prepare for the adventure
Tell your dog that you're going on an adventure. Where you're going and how long you'll be gone is unclear. Let your dog be part of the preparations, it creates anticipation. Pack your backpack with:
- Snacks
- Extra phone batteries
- A blanket
- Sunscreen
- Water and bowl for your furry friend
- A chew bone
- A bag of dog food
- An extra leash
- A first aid kit
If you're in the mood for a challenge, bring a tent, camping stove, and dinner. That way, anything can happen. Now, attach your buddy to a long leash, put on your backpack, and grasp your hiking staff. If you're going camping, don't forget to read our guide to camping with dogs for more tips.
Find adventurous places
Let Google Maps help you find an area that exudes adventure. You might take a train or car to a nature reserve, seek out a hiking trail, or simply wander into the wilderness from your home. Let the journey be without a destination or goal. Your dog will sense the difference, and that's the whole point.
This isn't your usual walk; it's an adventure. So stroll aimlessly, together, and enjoy every step. If you spot a mountain peak, climb it. If it starts to rain, it doesn't matter. If you come across a brook, cross it. If you reach a cliff, carefully make your way down into the valley. Slowly, in harmony, and together.
Experience total presence together
This adventure is about presence, total presence in the moment - something dogs are extremely good at and we have to learn from them. They love it when we share that bubble with them, connected and aware. It's best if you can run your nose into the moss while the pine trees sway wildly above your heads and the birds lure you deeper into the green.
Working together on challenges
This adventure is about presence, total presence in the now—something dogs loves, and we can learn from them. They love it when we share that here-and-now bubble with them, connected and aware.
You may encounter challenges that require cooperation. You might need to help your dog get down from a steep slope, and your dog might show you a suitable path up a hill. You might need to scoop water from a stream for your companion to drink, and your furry friend might help you find your way back to the trail you veered off. Look for the opportunities. These experiences will strengthen your bond.
Take recovery breaks
It's time to set up camp. Find a beautiful spot, get comfortable, as if you were staying forever. Inspect paws, remove pine needles from fur, pluck off ticks, and stretch your legs. Unpack your food and enjoy a peaceful moment dedicated to rest.
If it's cold, snuggle closer to each other for warmth. Stay until both of you get bored and restlessness takes over. Only then is it time to move on.
Observe your dog's behavior
Take a glance at your four-legged hiking companion from time to time. What do you see? Your dog may behave differently than during your daily walks. More eager, more observant, more curious than usual, or more composed on the leash. If so, great! Your friend is getting something more out of your adventure than the old familiar route.
Exploring new terrain, challenging themselves physically, and experiencing new things are good for dogs. It enriches and develops them, stimulates their senses, and strengthens their bodies. So treat your dog and yourself to an adventure!
Considerations: Inform someone of your plans and when you expect to be back. Better safe than sorry.
If you are looking for more ways to enrich your dog's life, read about enrichment - let your dog be a dog!
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
Your personal dog trainer on your mobile
Petli is the app where you can train your dog in a fun format, get personalized coaching from dog experts, meet like-minded people in a warm community and exclusive discounts on great products.
