Top Activities For Dogs In Maine On Rainy Days

Introduction

Are you a dog owner who takes seriously the need for exercise for your pet? Does your precious pup truly enjoy the time you spend together when you’re exercising or playing with them? Surely, the answer to these questions is a resounding ‘yes!’ but, how about those days when you can’t get outside with your furry family member? What about those days when it’s raining and you can’t walk or run with your pet on your normal route or participate in your normal exercise routine due to inclement weather? What if you live in Maine where the weather can not only be rainy but also pretty chilly? Wag! wants to help you with this dilemma because we know that your dog needs physical and mental stimulation even when the weather outside is wet and frightful -- we want to give you some ideas for activities for dogs in Maine on rainy days.

Indoor Dog Park

Popular

0 Votes

Rainy Day

Moderate

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Collar or halter

leash

ball, Frisbee or other toy

Activity description

A visit to your local indoor dog park is a great way to exercise your cuddly canine when you can't get outdoors. This allows your pet to get the physical exercise and the mental stimulation that is needed to keep them happy and healthy and it allows these activities to be done in a safe and protected atmosphere for both of you. It can also allow you to spend that oh, so important quality time with your precious pooch that you both desire. While this is not a free option, it can be well worth the moderate cost incurred for the peace of mind that your beloved pet doesn't have to suffer boredom that results from Mother Nature's "moods". And, what could be easier - take your best pal to the dog park and let them play and romp (and do what comes naturally) in a safe and controlled environment!

Step

1

Secure your pup

Be sure to put your pet's collar on securely or put them into the halter and securely fasten it. If your pup is one of the breeds subject to wheezing or coughing, a halter is a great substitute for the collar which can exacerbate the coughing or wheezing, especially as either of these conditions can increase with exertion and exercise. Attaching the leash is an important step. It enables you to be able to keep your pal under control and safely away from danger as you make your way to the designated indoor dog park. For many dogs, attaching the leash is a step which sends a pleasant signal ... a signal which usually communicates that one of their favorite activities is likely to follow. Does that wagging tail and increased hyperactivity tell you that your pet is "ready to go"? Or, does it say, "what, we haven't left yet?"

Step

2

Gather their toys

Gathering the toys with which you plan to entertain your pet is also very important. Your pet will notice that you're handling their favorites and you'll get their attention even more quickly than attaching the leash! Be sure that the intended dog park allows you to bring toys and any other items which will make the experience more enjoyable for both of you.

Step

3

Go, go, go to the dog park!

Now you're ready to go, go, go! And your doggy will be wiggling with excitement while they wait, perhaps not so patiently, for you to lead them out the door, into the car and drive down the road to your desired destination. The ride to the dog park will be quite exciting for your precious pooch as they anticipate the fun that is sure to follow. Your may only spend 20 to 30 minutes actually playing with your pooch at the dog park, but the time spent in building and strengthening those vital bonds with your pet will more than make the experience so worth it!

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Doga

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

30 min

Items needed

Yoga mat

Doga DVD

Activity description

Yoga is an exercise or regimen in which many humans are involved. It is a method of relaxing, easing stress, gaining strength and endurance and increasing flexibility. Doga, also known as Yoga for dogs, has many of the same benefits for your best pal as there are for you! There are DVD's which have been compiled for purposes of doing Yoga with your dog and, after the initial purchase, your costs to utilize are minimal. There are also classes available in some areas in which you and your canine companion can become involved, with the cost of this option being in the more moderate zone due to the involvement of a third party. The Doga activity involves you sharing the mat with your pal, positioning them in the various poses which are required. Additionally, some videos and classes encourage the owners to massage or practice reflexology to add to the calming effect experienced by your canine consort.

Step

1

Purchase the DVD

If you're already a lover and doer of Yoga, then you likely will already have a mat that you have previously purchased for your own personal use. When you decide to include your best bud in your Yoga activities, then the purchase of the Doga DVD will be an added expense. Search for the Doga (or Yoga with your Dog) DVD online or make inquiries of your local pet store or Yoga supplies dealer. Once this purchase is made, your only expense will be the cost of the electricity to play it. Having this option on hand will allow you to provide physical exercise, stretching and reflexology for your pet whenever the weather doesn't cooperate (during extremely hot and humid weather, or rainy or snowy weather). The various activities involved will stimulate your pet's mental capacity as well as physical.

Step

2

Roll out your yoga mat

If you're a Yoga enthusiast, then your Yoga mat is probably well worn and already conveniently located near your usual Yoga area. The major difference with Doga is that you will be sharing your mat with your best bud. You will need to position your pet on the mat in order to participate in the Yoga moves which are required.

Step

3

Push play

Now comes the fun part! Just insert your DVD into your DVD player and push play! Your best pal will thoroughly enjoy being "manipulated" as you playfully position them on the mat as required by the routine on your video. This activity will truly enable the bonding between you and your pal while it strengthens them physically and mentally. It is a great way to spend that pent up canine energy on rainy days!

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Indoor Obedience Training

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Normal

30 min

Items needed

Training class, video or book

collar and 6 ft leash

Activity description

Obedience training is such a great activity for both you and your canine companion. There are countless times when you will find this training to be beneficial, both for your pet's safety as well as your control in a variety of situations. Much of the obedience training can be done indoors or outdoors, provided you have adequate open space in which you can walk and move around with your dog. The video or book will go through the steps for each command to be taught. If you have access to an obedience class in your area which is provided by your local dog or kennel club, it is a great idea to get involved as the training is really most effective when your canine is learning to behave in the company of other canines.

Step

1

Begin the training

Enrolling in a class given locally by a kennel or dog club is really the best way to get involved in obedience training. You will get hands on training and supervision in all of the appropriate techniques for training your best friend and it will be done in an atmosphere in which your pet will have the opportunity to interact with other humans as well as other canines. These classes will give you the basics with which you can practice at home with your pet.

Step

2

Maintain control

Some obedience training modules will require a choker type of collar in addition to a 6 foot lead. The choker collar will be used to gain and maintain the proper control of your pet while you teach them a variety of obedience commands. The 6 foot lead or leash will provide enough length for those obedience commands which require your pet to behave while you're not within arm's reach of them.

Step

3

Practice in a large area

Any large room or open area will work for your practice sessions. The backyard will work if the weather permits but also an inside hallway or family room can be utilized during rainy or otherwise inclement weather. The area should be large enough for you to walk around and move with your dog without obstacles. This obedience practice will incorporate not only physical stimulation but also mental exercise as your pet learns the commands. Rehearse the routine learned in your class, your video session or in the book multiple times - repeat, repeat, repeat is the recipe for learning any new habit.

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More Fun Ideas...

Pet Spa Day at Home

This activity can be done any day you wish but it is an excellent choice for those rainy or otherwise inclement weather days. While exercising your pet is important for their physical and mental outlook, a relaxing and quiet time at home with their favorite family member is vital to their emotional outlook. For some dogs, bathing and grooming isn't always appreciated but, when it's coupled with hugs, cuddles and back scratching, it's always better.

Pet Store Visit

This is an activity which many pet owners may not even have considered in the past. Pet stores, as well as many other types of stores, will happily accommodate well-behaved precious pups. Just bring them along, appropriately collared and leashed of course, and casually browse up and down each aisle in the store, allowing them to sniff to investigate all of those unusual and interesting scents.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt

This is an activity which can be done in the comfort of your own home. It is very simple for both you and your pooch. Just choose some of your pet's favorite toys or a special type of treat that they love. Find interesting, but not terribly difficult places in which to hide them and then turn your doggy loose to sniff them out and retrieve them. This is a great mental and physical exercise to hone those hunting skills which all canines have.

Indoor Toy Toss

This activity can also be done in the comfort of your home. It can be fun and lots of exercise for your pup. Select their favorite toys, toss them across the room, watch and enjoy as they chase and retrieve. Rinse and repeat as many times as you like.

Conclusion

As you can readily see, rainy days don't have to be days in which you're stuck to the couch, bored to tears. Both you and your canine companion need physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis and, sometimes, the weather can thwart those activities. It is our hope that these few suggested activities can provide some cues which will bring still other activities to mind. It is important to keep all paws on deck even on rainy days.