Are you aware that April is active dog month? It is an opportunity to get active with your trusted furry friend after a long cold winter. Winter can make you and your pet quite sluggish, and getting the motivation to go outside can be tricky. But it is a great idea to get your running shoes on and take your dog out.

There are many great ideas for getting active with your pet outside. Some can be quite involving while others are freewheeling. Both types of activities are a great way to get involved and have fun with your dog.

What Does Your Dog Need?

When dogs spend too much time indoors, they can get into bad shape. Being indoors means they are eating but have nowhere or nothing on which to expend their energy. You ought to come up with options to exercise your dog's body and brain. You can have some activities to improve your dog's life when you are around or not. Below are some ideas to implement that can go a long way to keeping your dog happy and engaged.

When Your Dog Is Alone

Because of your job and other activities, your dog will usually spend a good portion of the day alone. You can arrange some activities to keep your dog busy instead of raiding the trash can or other mischievous activities.

• Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are hard rubber or plastic containers that can hold treats or food inside. They are a challenge for a dog to get through. Your dog must paw, shake, roll, and nibble to get the food out. Puzzle toys engage your dog's problem-solving skills and patience. These skills are excellent for your dog, and it will enjoy alone time.
 

• Hunting for Dinner

You can hide small food puzzles and kibbles around the house. Your dog will enjoy hunting for food on its own. You can also scatter some of its kibbles around the yard in the grass. Your dog will have fun finding the food in the grass.
 

When You Are Together

On top of the activities you can plan for your dog to do alone, you should have quality time together. Below are some activities you can enjoy together with your dog.

• Walks

A good walk or run with your dog has a lot of benefits for both you and the dog. It keeps you both fit, and it presents an opportunity for the dog to explore the world. You can try different routes each time to build up the experience for your dog.
 

• Tug-of-war

You can enhance your relationship with your dog by playing some games. One of these is tug-of-war. It is an excellent opportunity for your dog to tug and pull with its mouth, a natural urge.
 

• Fetch

Fetch is another great game to play with your dog. It teaches your dog useful skills like dropping things when asked. It also requires your dog to use a lot of energy.
 

For more tips and activities for you and your dog,  Port Royal Veterinary Hospital call 843-379-7387 to reach our office in Port Royal, South Carolina.