Dog Care

How to Make Your Dog Happy: 10 Signs They Are Happy

Have you ever looked at your dog and wondered if they were happy? I mean like really happy.

So happy that they think you are the greatest dog parent of all time?

Well, to answer this question we need to first determine what makes a dog happy.

Goldendoodle vs Labradoodle: Which is Better?

The Basics For Making Your Dog Happy

Just like people, dogs have basic needs that need to be met before they can begin to feel happy. These include:

A safe place to live
Enough good food and water to keep them from worrying
A comfortable place to sleep
Their health care needs taken care of

And just like people dogs need to be social. They generally want to be part of a group, even the scared and shy ones. Dogs by nature are social animals and they thrive on interaction, whether it’s with people they trust or other dogs.

So, one of the easiest ways to make your dog happy is by spending time with them.

There are many ways you can spend time with your dog. You can spend time training them. You can have relaxation time by petting and cuddling with them. Or you can play with them.

While I think all of these ways of spending time with your dog is appreciated by your dog, when was the last time your dog became excited to cuddle?

However, bring out their favorite toy for some playtime and they will show you their happy dance. For my pup that means strong tail wags that make her entire body wiggle and we might even get a smile out of her.

Play time

The next question is what is the best way to play with them. Not all dogs are alike therefore they don’t all like to play the same games or like the same toys. So how do you decide what is your dog’s play style?

Global Pet Expo

Let me take a step back for a moment. The idea for this post came from my conversation with a couple of Tall Tail marketing representatives I met at the Global Pet Expo. I was at the Expo looking for all natural toys and other products that I could feel good about giving to my dog. I wanted something that was free of chemicals and only contained natural materials. Although there were lots of natural dog foods and treats, natural toys were harder to find. But I did manage to find the Tall Tails natural leather toys and also their natural rubber toys.

Since the Global Pet Expo was virtual this year all you really could do was look at the products online and add them to your favorites. I figured I would add the Tall Tails natural toys to my favorites list and then look into them some more after I was done with the Expo. Well, I didn’t know it at the time, but by flagging them as my favorites it informed the company that I was interested in their products. With that the company reached out to me to talk about their natural toys and also about their new way of thinking about dog toys.

Dog Play Styles

During our conversation the marketing representatives for Tall Tails explained that they believe dogs have different play styles and I couldn’t agree more. All my dogs had their favorite games that seemed to match their breeds and personalities. They also went on to say that Tall Tails designs their toys based on these different play styles. Tall Tails define dog play styles as Tug, Fetch and Sensory.

The representatives offered to send me a few free toys from their natural collection so I could try them out. I plan to do a thorough review of the toys after I have had them for a while. Here are the toys that they gave to me.

First is their Natural Leather Antler shown below. This fetch toy is made with vegetable tanned leather, cotton-jute stitching and has a coconut husk filling.

Tall Tails Natural leather Antler – Fetch Toy

They also make a few tug type toys in natural leather. Here is their Natural Leather and Wool Tug Toy and their Natural Leather Tug Toy that they also sent me.

Tall Tails Natural Leather and Wool Tug Toy

Natural Leather Happy Camper Tug Toy

Finally Tall Tails makes a few natural rubber toys that mimic shapes found in nature like the acorn, pinecone and stick. Here is the Acorn that they sent me.

All this talk about play styles peaked my interest and I started to do my own research about how dogs play.

Here’s what I learned about Dog Play

1. All dogs are different

Just like people, every dog is a little different. These differences can come from their breeding, socialization, and a dog’s innate personality.

For example our English Springer Spaniel wanted to play fetch 24/7. Since she was a retriever, she enjoyed running after something and bringing it back to us. Just like her ancestors did back in the day. She also liked to run around and play chase with the neighbor kids but her favorite activity was always fetch.

On the other hand our Rat Terrier Poodle mix loves a good game of catching prey. She will play fetch for a little while but eventually gets bored and stops. Bring out something that is moving fast and needs to be caught and she could play forever.

2. Dogs prefer to play with people

Dogs prefer to play with people more than on their own, even if there is a toy around for them to play with. Play between a dog and their human can either be via direct play or indirect play. Direct play is when a person and a dog play interactively with the same toy, like a game of tug of war. Indirect play is when a person moves a toy for the dog, like a prey chasing game, but doesn’t actually engage with the dog.

The one exception to the belief that dogs prefer to play with people are treat related toys, then it depends on the dog. Our spaniel preferred to play fetch but our Golden was all about food.

3. Dogs play to learn

There are a few theories as to why dogs like to play, but they all point to one thing. Dogs are learning every time they play. For puppies it’s believed that they play to practice their motor skills and learn social skills. Wrestling with their litter mates and other dogs teach them how they can move and how to protect themselves. Mouthing and biting teaches them bit inhibition. Play can also teach dogs how to deal with the unexpected and to cope with stress. As they mature dogs will continue to play to practice these skills.

4. Play helps provide exercise and mental stimulation

Imagine spending your day lying around with nothing to do. Unless your dog has a job this is what most pet dogs do. So to help with the boredom and provide them with daily exercise, playing is a great addition to their daily routine.

5. Playing helps to satisfy innate desires in dogs

If you look at my spaniel example above, you can see that our dog loved to retrieve. It could be a ball, a Frisbee or even a stick. It didn’t matter. What was important to her was to satisfy her need to retrieve, which was inbred in her after generations of breeding. Herding dogs may like to play hide and seek to satisfy their desire to round up everything and keep them in their place. Small terriers like to hunt and therefore may prefer bait and chase type games just like my rat terrier mix does. Scent dogs like hounds might like a treasure hunt. I think you get the picture.

6. Playing with your dog re-enforces the bond you have with your dog

Let’s face it, if you are having a good time with someone you naturally want to spend more time with them.

Playing with your dog

As you can see there is more to playing with your dog then just throwing a ball. Understanding the WHY helps you decide on the WHAT. As in WHAT type of games your dog might like. Here we have 5 games that we matched to the type of dog that we think will like to play it the most.

5 Games That Will Make Your Dog Happy

1. Fetch

For retriever type breeds fetch mimics retrieving the hunters catch. But even non-hunting dogs love the game. It may also mimic the feeling of chasing and catching prey. Fetch can easily be played outside or inside if you have space. Most people play fetch with a Frisbee or a ball but you can play it with any object that can safely be thrown and retrieved by your dog. Here is Bella with the Tall Tails Natural Leather Antler Toy.

Bella with the Tall Tails Natural Leather Antler

Tips for playing fetch:

If your dog is not interested in chasing the object, play with it by yourself for a little while by throwing it up in the air. Most dogs will see you playing and want to join in.
If they chase the ball but don’t want to give it back have another toy or treat to lure them back to you.
Also you should have a strong “drop it” command in place before trying to teach a dog to fetch.
Our dogs are also taught the “bring it” command.

2. Tug of War

Tug of War is another almost universal game for dogs. Most dogs love to compete for an object much like they would have competed for food in the wild. Nowadays domestic dogs no longer need to hunt and fight for food, but they still enjoy the competition. There are many toys on the market made for tug-of-war to pick from. Choose one that is long enough for you to safely keep your hand away from your dog’s mouth.

A word of caution – Before engaging in a game of ‘Tug of War’ make sure your dog knows and follows the “drop it” or “leave it” command. Practice these commands before and during the game. If at any point your dog starts to become aggressive or too excited, stop the game! Do some training exercises (example: making them sit, stay and lay down) before and during the game to ensure you are in control of your dog. If you believe your dog has a tendency towards aggression do not play this game. Some dogs may get carried away with the competition. Even my sweet, gentle spaniel managed to catch me with her teeth once in a game of tug.

Don’t forget to let them win from time to time. It’s generally believed that it’s ok to let them win as long as they are playing calmly and by the rules.

Another tip

Dogs are smart and they learn fast. Most dogs will realize that to get the upper hand they need to grab where your hand is. If you allow them to do this it’s likely that you will get accidently bit. If you see them trying to move towards your hand stop the game and reset. Their mouth and your hand should be at the furthest points away on the toy.

Bella playing Tug of War with the Tall Tails Natural Leather and Wool Tug Toy

Here is Bella with her new Tall Tails Natural Leather and Wool Tug Toy. Notice that the rope is long enough to keep my hand away from her mouth. I also like the fact that the leather and wool bone is between us. This keeps her from trying to inch her way up the rope. A larger dog my not be deterred by the bone though so you need to stay focused on the game.

3. Hidden Treasure

Scent and hunting type dogs might really like this type of game. In this game show your dog their favorite toy and then hide it under a box or behind something when they are not looking. Then ask your dog to go find it. It may take a few times of guiding your dog to the treasure for them to understand the concept of looking for their toys. Once they find it either let them have the toy (if that is safe to do with your dog) as a reward or give them a treat. My dog cannot be trusted with any type of toy that can be ripped apart no matter how durable it looks so we use treats as rewards.

4. Hide-and-Seek

This is a good game for a scent or herding type dog. Hide and seek can be played with just you and your dog. Simply have your dog sit in an area that they cannot see you then hide from them. Call them to come to you and see how long it takes to for them to find you. You can turn this into a family game by having more than one person hide.

5. Chase

Another game all my dogs love to play is “Chase”. My poodle mix is generally the one that initiates this game. She will come up to us with a play bow and the minute we look at her she takes off. If we don’t follow she comes back and barks at us in an attempt to engage us. It’s a simple game that can be played anywhere. We often find ourselves playing this in the house on a raining day.

It’s important that you have a strong ‘recall’ command in place before playing this game. Otherwise your pup may thing you are playing when you are not. To reinforce your ‘recall’ command, stop the game from time to time and call them to you. They should be able to tell by the tone of your voice when you are serious and need to comply.

6. Monkey in the Middle

Monkey in the Middle is a variation of the chase game. Here my dog chases the toy as we toss it around from person to person. Just remember to drop the toy from time to time so they don’t lose hope with the game or become too frustrated.

A word of caution: Much like tug of war dogs can become over stimulated with the monkey in the middle game. If at any point your dog seems to be getting frustrated or aggressive stop the game. Spend a couple of minutes going over commands to focus your dog. Do not play this game with a dog that has aggressive tendencies

7. Treat toys

I know I said that dogs like to play with us and also with other dogs. But sometimes they need to play by themselves. A sure fire way to keep your dog occupied is with a treat toy. Treat toys either have treats hidden inside them or in groves on the outside of the toy. Either way the objective is to get the treats from the toy. Throughout the years I have tried many treat dispensing toys. The best ones are the ones that the dog can easily but slowly get the treat from the toy. If it’s too hard the dog loses interest. If it’s too easy the fun is over way to soon.

I also prefer treat toys that are easy to clean. I try to look for ones that are dishwasher safe like the one below.

Bella taking the Tall Tails Natural Rubber Acorn

When using treat toys make sure whatever treat you use is safe for dogs. Some foods like peanut butter may use a sweeter called Xylitol that is poisonous to your dog. Also feeding your dog too much peanut butter can cause other issues. The American Kennel Club has a good article on dogs and peanut butter that you should read.

How do you know if your dog is happy?

Although every dog is different, there are signs that can show us a dog is happy. For my pup I know she is really happy when she is wagging her tail so hard that her entire body wiggles along with her tail. Other signs can be:

An open relaxed mouth that almost looks like they are smiling
Eyes relaxed
Relaxed posture
Relaxed but fast tail wagging sometimes to the point that their whole body wiggles.
If a dog’s tail is moving in a short, stiff tail wag, they are not happy, and may be confrontational.
Ears appear relaxed
May make some yappy or sing song sounds
They may squint their eyes. Often they also have a mouth open when they do this
They give you a play bow

So now that you know how to make your dog happy.

Go play with them.

How to Make Your Dog Happy Resources:

Can a Dog Smile? Some Say No, But Mine Does

Can a dog smile? It depends on who you ask. Many Dog Trainers and Animal Behaviorists will tell you that dogs cannot smile, at least not in the true sense of a smile. But ask dog owners if they ever saw their dog smile and you will get at least a few who respond with a great, big YES!

This is because not all dogs smile. In fact most dogs never smile on purpose. But let’s take a step back and define what a smile is. The Oxford Language Dictionary defines a smile as:

Can a Dog Smile? Some Say No, But Mine Does

[To] form one’s features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression, typically with the corners of the mouth turned up and the front teeth exposed.
Oxford Language

Can a Dog Smile? Some Say No, But Mine Does - Person smiling

Human Smiles vs a Dog Smile

People can smile in many different ways. They can pull back their lips to form a crescent shape with their mouth, but not show their teeth. They can give a great big smile with an open mouth and all their teeth showing, or something in between.

Dogs on the other hand do not have the same ability to move their mouths like we do. The structure of their mouth is different than ours. A typical dog smile looks more like the white dog shown below. We can see that he has an open mouth. The corners of their mouth are pulled back and slightly up, forming a crescent shape. In addition they often have their tongue hanging out.

Most experts agree that although this facial expression looks like a smile, it is not done intentionally. According to the ASCPA Pro article 7 Tips on Canine Body Language the dog is simply in a relaxed state.

A True Smile

The common belief is that in order for a dog to have a true smile two things must happen.

1. They must intentionally manipulate their mouth to form a smile.

2. They create the smile because they are happy.

Let’s look at the first criteria. There are plenty of videos on the web showing dogs that can purposely pull back their lips to show their front teeth even when they are not acting aggressive. So the first criteria is covered.

A word to the wise: Although some dogs will show their teeth for reasons other than aggression, most don’t. The most common reason for a dog to show their teeth is as a warning, ignoring this warning will most likely lead to further aggression. So if you come across a dog showing his teeth, it’s best to assume they are being aggressive until you are sure they are not. The ASPCA Pro has a good article called 7 Tips on Canine Body Language to help you understand what a dog is trying to tell you.

It’s the second criteria that is in question. Can a dog smile when they are happy? Based on my own observation I would answer no.

But,

Humans don’t only smile when they are happy. We are taught to smile whenever we meet new people.

Why do we smile when meeting someone new?

In a study done in 2015, researchers at the University of California, Irvine found that a smile is an important first step in forming new relationships because people are highly attuned to and draw by positive emotions.

The Psychology Today article goes on to say that

‘smiles also cause our brains to release feel-good neurotransmitters, making both grinning individuals experience a rush of happiness. ‘

So if people smile to connect with other people, is it possible for some dogs to smile at us for the same reason?

Can a Dog Smile? Some Say No, But Mine Does person smiling at dog

The Canine Human Connection

There is plenty of research that shows how dogs have evolved so they are able to communicate with humans. In fact dogs are better at communicating with us than any other animal including our closest ancestor the Chimpanzee. Let’s take a look at some of the research.

In 2015, research showed that when dogs and their people stare into each other’s eyes, they have an increased level of the hormone Oxytocinsame in both parties. This is the same hormonal response we have when bonding to human infants. This may explain how we are able to closely bond with our dogs.

There is also that thing with finger pointing. Dogs seem to be the only animal, outside of humans, that understand the finger point. While there have been many studies on the matter none have come up with an answer as to why. But, dog training books will often suggest using hand motions in addition to verbal commands to train your dog. This is because dogs are able to pick up on hand motions faster than the verbal commands. At least mine does.

Yet another study in 2019 suggests that dogs have evolved to have two more facial muscles than their closest ancestors the wolf. The additional facial muscles allow dogs to have a greater range of eyebrow movements as compared to wolves.

The study, which looked at both behavioral and anatomical data, states that the eyebrow movement ‘resembles an expression humans produce when sad, so its production in dogs may trigger a nurturing response in humans’.

So why can’t dogs learn to smile?

So if dogs are able to connect with us on the same level as a baby, understand us better than any other animal and move their eyebrows in a way that resembles a sad face, is it that hard to believe that a dog can smile as a way to communicate with us?

Bella’s Smile

Still frame from a video. She decided to sit for a moment while I was recording but Bella does not normally sit and smile.

Bella’s story

It might be helpful to tell you a little bit about Bella. Bella started her life in Georgia as part of an unplanned litter. When her original family realized they could not take care of the puppies they gave them and the mom up for adoption. According to the release papers her mom was a Rat Terrier and the dad was reported as a Miniature Poodle.

Once in the shelter system, she was transported north where she would have a better chance to be adopted. She was about 3-4 weeks old at the time. Since she was too young to be removed from her mother, she and her canine family stayed with a foster family until they were old enough to be adopted.

We found Bella on Petfinder.com. She was with a Humane Society Shelter about 2 hours from where we live. Bella was 9 weeks old when she came to live with us.

So as you can see Bella has had a lot of changes and caretakers in a very short amount of time. Even with all the changes early on, Bella loves people.

What makes Bella smile?

Bella doesn’t smile all the time or on Que. Though I am trying to teach her to smile on Que. So far she only does it when she hasn’t seen us for a while or if she is meeting a new person.

We first noticed the smile a couple of weeks after we brought her home. She would smile at our kid’s friends when they came over.

Now she didn’t just smile at the kids. She would whine, wiggle, dance and jump in excitement every time someone came to the house. It wasn’t just with the kids either. Any new person would be greeted in the same manner. She wants to make friends with everyone she meets.

Bella will also smile at us upon our return if we leave her home alone for more than a few minutes. She seemed to understand the difference between when we just go outside the house and when we leave the house completely.

Bella also greets me every morning with the same smile and excitement as she does when I leave the house. Which is funny because she sleeps in the same room.

Bella’s first smile of the day – Still frame from video

Bella’s Communication Style

Bella tends to be very communicative. Whether it’s through the wide range of sounds she makes or her movements, we can often tell what she wants. She is the first dog in all my years of living with dogs that was able to communicate as well as she does. Bella will let me know when she does not like something, like brushing out knots or when she wants something, like a bone to chew on. She is not the most obedient dog. Not that she is bad, but she has that terrier independence going on.

Bella’s Smile

So back to Bella’s smile, it is different than when she shows her teeth because she does not like something. When smiling she mainly shows her front teeth. When she is showing displeasure she will show more of her side teeth and fangs.

The pictures of Bella smiling are from videos I took over a couple of mornings. She is constantly moving while she greets me in the morning so the videos do not come out well. If I can get a good video I will post it.

If you were able to watch the video you would see that Bella sneezes every time she tries to smile. She can only hold the smile for a couple of seconds before sneezing.

The interesting thing about the sneezing is that it only happens when she is smiling to greet someone. If she is showing her teeth as a warning she does not sneeze.

Nurture vs nature

So the next logical question would be; does Bella smile because she is rewarded for doing so?

I can’t say that she is not rewarded for smiling since it does make me want to pay attention to her. We do encourage the smiling, but she is not given a treat for smiling, only affection. I am sure if she received a negative response to the smiling she would stop doing it.

Bella’s smile started naturally when she was just a couple of months old. Also remember that Bella will smile for people who come into the house. Most of them never notice her smile.

More Dogs Can Smile

As it turns out Bella is not the only dog that smiles when meeting people. While doing some research on the subject I came across the article Why Doggie, What Beautiful Teeth You Have! by Patricia McConnell author of The Other End of the Leash. In it, she tries to address what dogs mean when they show their teeth in a non-aggressive way. She states that she sees it as “an expression of ambivalence, with a component of anxiety or submission, with a little something extra thrown in that we might call happiness.”

Ultimately she asks her readers if they have ever witnessed their dogs show their teeth in a friendly gesture. As it turns out there are many other dogs that smile when they are welcoming someone home. You can see the responses via the link above.

Although dogs that can smile are not limited by breed, there is one breed that seems to smile more than any other. That is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. It’s so common to see them scrunch up their nose and show their teeth in a non-aggressive way that it’s called the Chessie Smile.

The Submissive Grin

I’d be remissed if I didn’t mention submissive grins. Most experts believe that the smile I see on Bella is actually a submissive grin. An article on VetStreet describes a submissive grin as an appeasement gesture to show others that she’s not a threat.

Isn’t that the same reason we smile when meeting new people? To show other people we are friendly?

There is also the submissive grin that happens in dog shaming videos. This is when a dog is being reprimanded for doing something wrong. While the look of the smile is the same, the reasons behind the smile are definitely different.

In Bella’s case she does not smile after getting into trouble. If she senses we are unhappy with something she has done she will show her belly.

Also Bella doesn’t smile every time she sees someone. Only if it been awhile since she last saw them or they’re new people who appear friendly.

Can a Dog Smile?

So do dogs smile because they are happy? So far there is no evidence that I found supporting this. But is it possible that some dogs will smile with the intent of making friends?

I think if they can learn hand gestures, cause our hearts to melt when we look into their eyes and mimic human facial expressions, then why not learn to smile when meeting people. Maybe it’s just a matter of time before all dogs greet us with a grin.

Can a Dog Smile Resources

Dog Park Safety: Concerns and Tips

When I think of a dog park I see images of dogs running free, having fun with their canine friends. All while their owners sip coffee and talk with their fellow dog parents. In my mind the dog park is perfectly maintained with plenty of shade and all the dogs are getting along. Nice image right? This is the image we most often see in the movies or commercials but rarely are dog parks truly that perfect. The reality is there are a lot of dangers lurking in dog parks. Join us as we discuss dog park safety concerns and provide safety tips to help you protect your pup.

Dog Park Safety

I was surprised when our Puppy Kindergarten Class trainer said she would never bring her dogs to a dog park. I personally had a bad experience at a dog park the one and only time we took our adult English Springer Spaniel, but I brushed it off as a onetime event. After listening to the trainer’s dog park safety concerns, I realized that my bad experience was more common than I thought.

Are Dog Parks Safe?

Some of the dog park safety concerns you need to be aware of are:

Aggressive dogs
Inattentive owners or owners who do not have control over their dog
Physical dangers at the park
- Inadequate fencing that allows a dog to escape
- Broken or worn fencing
- Trash, glass or other debris
Disease – Sickness and disease can be passed through shared water bowls, fecal matter, ticks and fleas

To learn more about the risk of disease at dog parks, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association’s page on Dogs’ Social Lives and Disease Risks – Tips for Canine and Human Safety

Dog Park Safety Tips

Before you go:

Know your dog

Make sure you know how your dog will behave at the park. Things to think about:

Only well-socialized, friendly dogs should go to a dog park. If your dog shows signs of aggression or has issues that could make him hostile toward another dog, a dog park is not the right place to go. This includes any aggression they may have involving sharing toys or food.

Make sure you understand your dog’s prey drive. Many dogs can have a high prey drive and look at anything that is smaller than them as something to hunt. Do not bring your dog to a dog park if there is a chance they will hurt another dog.

You should not bring a shy or nervous dog to the park. A frighten dog may strike out at another dog due to fear. Plus it would not be much fun for the dog if they were afraid to be there.

Do not bring your dog if they are in heat. Along with the risk of an unplanned litter, nothing starts a fight quicker than a group of male dogs vying for the attention of a female in heat.

Protect your dog

Make sure your dog has the proper protections in place:

Stay up to date on vaccines. Your dog can encounter viruses and parasites at the park. Check with your veterinarian to confirm he’s current on vaccines like rabies and distemper/parvo. Also ask your veterinarian what other vaccines they might need.

Protect against fleas and ticks. Ticks can lurk in the grass and bushes. Dogs and wildlife that come to the park can spread fleas and ticks. The best protection for your pet is to keep them up to date on flea and tick control. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Total recall – Make sure you have total control over your dog. Practice calling your dog to make sure he will listen to you at all times. This will be important if he gets into a scuffle.

Don’t bring your puppy to the park until they are fully vaccinated.

Check out the park before you take your dog

Look for the following:

General maintenance – Does the park appear to be maintained.

Double gate entry – A double gate entry will prevent dogs from escaping when the dogs are entering or leaving.

Dog Park Safety Dog looking through fence

Walk the perimeter of the park. Look for any faults in the fencing that would allow a dog to escape such as fencing that is too low, too high off the ground or has holes.

Separation – Look for a dog park that separates dogs by size. Small and large dogs should never be in an enclosure together. Even the friendliest large dog can hurt a smaller dog just because of the size difference. Also a large dog’s hunting instinct may kick in and look at the smaller dogs as prey.

Size of park– It is important to have enough space in a dog park for the dogs to run around and get away from one another if need be.

Rules – Are there Rules of Conduct posted on or near the gate so everyone knows how they should behave?

Shade – Is there enough shade available for both dogs and humans?

Visit the park – Visit at the time(s) you would go with your dog. Often people have set schedules that they go by, so you will get a feel for the type of people and dogs that will be there when you are. Visit more than once. Are you comfortable with what you see? A park filled with aggressive dogs and inattentive owners is not the right place to take your pet.

Cleanliness – A park with trash and dog waste lying around is a breeding ground for disease and injuries.

Keeping Your Dog Safe at the Park

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Dog Park Essentials

Bring a water bowl and plenty of fresh water – Don’t let your dog use a communal bowl. Parasites can be spread through feces and shared water bowls.

Although a water bottle with an attached bowl is popular right now, I personally prefer using a collaspable water bowl for my dog. That way I don’t have to bring two separate water bottles to the park. Teton Dog makes a collaspable water bowl in two sizes. The Made in the USA, waterproof water bowl is easily foldable. You can find it at Amazon.com

Dog Waste Bags – Although many dog parks supply waste bags and a trash can, bring your own in case there are none. Always pick up after your dog.

An animal deterrent spray or an air-horn to help break up a fight between dogs.

A breakaway collar to prevent accidental strangulation.

Regular dog collars can be dangerous for your dog, especially if they get in a scuffle with another dog. Dogs can also become injured if their collar is caught on a branch or part of the fencing. The Petsafe Break-Away Collar Available at Amazon.com will pull apart when pressure is applied to the snap. Plus it is Made in USA

Identification tags along with their rabies tags and a dog license.

Bring your cell phone to call the police or local animal control if needed.

Know where the closest veterinary hospital is, in case of an emergency.

For tips and ideas of what to bring to the Dog Park go to Dog Park Essentials Checklist

Once you get there

Don’t let your dog inside the gate if there are other dogs gathered there. Wait until they wander off before opening the gate and removing your dog’s leash.

Be vigilant – Keep an eye on your dog and the dogs around him. At the first sign of a trouble, like growling, mounting, or other aggressive behavior that could turn into a scuffle, call your dog over for a break. If the behavior continues, leave the park.

In the event of a dogfight, be careful. Do not get between dogs that are fighting. Instead use an air horn to distract them or throw water on the fighting dogs to separate them.

If it is a hot day, take plenty of water breaks and watch out for heat stroke.

Alternatives to the dog park:

Set up playdates with dogs you know in private fenced in yards

For puppies 6 months and under consider bringing them to a puppy social. Puppy socials are safe places usually run by dog trainers.

For more like this read:

The Best Dog Bed for Your Dog

Finding the best dog bed for your dog is an important step to making your dog healthy and happy. Dogs that do not get enough quality rest can become stressed. Plus poor quality pet beds can contribute to joint damage as your dog ages. Let’s not forget to mention that choosing the wrong bed will result in wasted time and money. But with so many pet beds to choose from it’s hard to pick the best dog bed for your dog.

But the “Best Dog Bed” is a relative term. What is best for one person and their dog might be different for another. There are many websites out there that will tell you what the best rated beds are. But you must decide what type of pet bed fits the needs of you and your dog. Let us help you decide which type of pet bed you should get by looking at your reason to get a bed.

How to Pick the Best Dog Bed for your Dog?

When deciding what is best bed for your dog you first need to know what you are looking for. To help you, we have created a series of questions for your to answer. Then prioritize your answers from most to least important. This will help you decide what features you should focus on.

1.What is the main reason for getting a dog bed?

Is it to give them a place of their own, where they can feel safe?
Do you need a bed that will keep them warm?
If you live in a hot climate, maybe you are looking for a bed that keeps them cool.
Do you want a bed that lies on the floor or one that raises them up?
Is your main goal to keep them from sleeping on the couch or your bed?

2. What are your dogs traits?

Are they diggers?
Do they sleep in a crate?
Are they heavy chewers?
Do they have accidents in bed?
Do they like to hide under blanket?

3. Is price important to you?

You should have a budget in mind before looking for a bed. But buying a dog bed based solely on price is not a good idea. Try to look at the purchase as an investment for the long run. A high quality bed will last much longer than a cheap one making the per year cost lower in the end.

Back when we adopted our first dog together we didn’t have a lot of money to spend on a dog bed, so we bought a L.L. Bean dog bed at a garage sale. The bed, which was ten years old at the time, looked almost new. We had that bed for another 3 years before deciding to purchase a new insert for the bed. The bed lasted that long because it was a well made bed.

4. Do you want a bed that fits in with your décor?

It is much easier these days to find a bed that fits in with your individual sense of style. Just make sure you choose a bed that is also a high quality and is safe for your dog.

5. What size bed do you want/need?

Do you have an big dog? Some extra-large beds are too small for big dogs. Make sure you look at the dimensions before buying. Also extra-large dogs will require a denser foam to support their weight.
Are you looking for a bed that fits in a certain place?
Do you want one that will fit in their crate?

6. What stage of life is your dog in?

An older dog may need an orthopedic foam bed to be comfortable
A puppy might prefer something with higher sides that they can cuddle up in and feel safe.
Do you need a water proof bed in case of accidents?

7. Are you looking for a bed that is healthy for your dog?

This is a very important but often over looked feature in dog beds. Many dog beds on the market contain harmful chemicals that give off toxic fumes. These beds are not safe for your dog to sleep on. Also if your dog licks or chews on these beds the toxins can get into their blood stream

As a general rule if the bed smells bad, it probably not healthy for your dog to lay on. Also if your dog is having allergy issues, it could be caused by their bed.

To learn more about toxins in pet products read: 8 Toxic Materials Found in Common Pet Products (and How to Avoid Them)

How to check if your dog bed is safe to use?

You can check for toxic chemicals at the Healthy Stuff Product Search. There they test everyday household items for toxic chemicals and reports on the findings. Not every product has been tested, but it is still a good resource.

8. Do you want a bed that is ecofriendly?

Ecofriendly isn’t necessarily healthy. When looking for an ecofriendly dog bed make sure it is also safe for you and your dog.

9. Do you want a bed that is made in the USA with USA made materials?

I wish it was easier to find made in the USA dog beds. As you look for a bed you will find that most dog beds are either imported or made from imported materials. Especially the less expensive ones. But there are still some USA companies that offer USA made pet supplies. But even beds made in USA beds can be made with imported materials. These beds are not much better than beds that are made overseas. In the second part of this post we will showcase the ones we have found.

Remember that by buying products that are made in USA with USA materials you are helping the US economy.

What to Look For in a Dog Bed

Cushion

For most people the main goal of getting a dog bed is to provide your dog with a soft, comfortable place to rest. This becomes increasingly important as dogs age.

Many dog beds will look cushiony but when you add weight to the cushion they compress to a hard surface. Also some imported low quality foams will lose their shape after a short amount of use. Look for a cushion that uses high density foam that will not compact all the way to the floor. You can do this by pressing down on the bed in a store. Also make sure you read the reviews on-line.

Younger dogs may be fine with any type of cushy bed but older dogs will benefit from a foam bed. Just remember to look for a bed that does not use toxic foams.

Fabric

When choosing your dog’s bed, look for quality fabrics that guarantee the fabric is chew or dig resistant. Even dogs that don’t dig outside will paw at their bed before lying down.

Imported fabrics may contain toxins that can be harmful to your dog. Be wary of strong odors. Your dog bed should not smell before your dog even starts to use it.

If you have an older dog or puppies select a fabric that is either has a waterproof cover or insert. A bed with a non-skid bottom is also useful to ensure your dog’s safety.

Don’t forget to check the zipper to make sure they are strong and break resistant. Often zippers are the weakest spot on a dog bed.

Ease of cleaning

All dog beds should be washable, but many are not.

Make sure you find a bed that is both washable and will fit in your washer. Having a washable bed that can’t be washed is useless.

If your dog is too big to fit in a bed that can be washed at home choose a bed with a cover that zips on and off easily for washing. Make sure the bed can be washed in hot water over 60°C. This will kill flea eggs and dust mites.

What to Avoid in a Dog Bed

Mattresses that can’t be washed
Beds with straps, buttons, exposed zippers or piping should be avoided. These items can be particularly dangerous for dogs who like to chew. If swallowed these items can cause an intestinal blockage or have lead that can kill your dog.
Cooling or heated beds that have batteries or an electric connection if you have a chewer on your hands
Wooden framed beds can have a finish that can be toxic when ingested by your dog.

A Word About Toxins in Dog Beds

You should try to select a bed made of non-toxic materials.

Synthetic products, including stain-proofing and flame retardant chemicals, may harm your dog and you. This is particularly important if you or your dog has sensitive skin or allergies.

It is also important for dogs who may chew their bed! When you first bring your bed home give it a good wash to remove any residues from processing.

This warning also applies to orthopedic beds for senior dogs. The foam used in egg crate foam and memory foam can release gases from harmful chemicals

How to determine the right size bed

When choosing a bed for your pooch remember to measure your dog from nose to tail and floor to top of head, then add about 5 inches to the width and length to determine the correct size of the bed needed. This will ensure that they have enough room to stretch out when they want.

The Best Dog Beds

EcoFriendly Dog Beds

If social and environment safety is the most important feature to you then these Certified B Corporation Pet supply companies are what you are looking for.

What’s a B Corp? Per their website “It is a certification for companies that aim for a more balanced “triple bottom line”—measuring success not just by profit, but how they treat people and our planet. Certified by the non-profit B Lab, B Corps hold an above-and-beyond commitment to healthier employees, sustainable practices, transparency, and accountability.” Below are 4 pet supply companies that are certified B corp and produce eco friendly beds.

West Paw

Only Natural Pet

P.L.A.Y Pet Lifestyle and You

Found My Animal

Best Dog Beds for Large Dogs – Made in USA

Note: As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Big Barker 7″ Orthopedic Dog Bed with Pillow-Top (Headrest Edition)

Likes

Beds are made with dense foam suited for larger/heavier dogs
7” foam bed compare to 4” used by the other foam bed companies
Beds are sized bigger than other large sized beds
Removable/Washable Microfiber Cover
Waterproof liner (extra cost)
Guarantees that the foam will retain 90% of original shape & loft for 10 years or your money back
Made in the USA: Handmade by in their small California workshop
Certified Certi-PUR-US^®

Dis-likes

Although not the most expensive bed on the market these beds are pricey
Comes in basic solid colors
Not chew proof – If you have a heavy chewer these beds may not be right for you
Made for the weight of large dogs only. Too hard for smaller dogs or large lighter weight dogs
Waterproof liner is an extra cost

Buy a Big Barker 7″ Orthopedic Dog Bed with Pillow-Top (Headrest Edition) at Amazon

Best Dog Beds For small/medium sized dogs – Made in the USA

There are many more options for medium and small sized dogs then large dogs. Here are two of our favorites:

Big Barker Jr
The West Paw Heyday

Big Barker Mini

Likes

Provides the same great quality and foam technology as the Big Barker Beds for larger dogs, but specially calibrated for small & medium size dogs.
Beds are made with dense foam suited for small and medium sized dogs
Removable/Washable Microfiber Cover
Waterproof liner (extra cost)
Guarantees that the foam will retain 90% of original shape & loft for 10 years or your money back
Made in the USA: Handmade by in their small California workshop
Certified Certi-PUR-US^®

Dis-likes

Comes in basic solid colors
Not chew proof – If you have a heavy chewer these beds may not be right for you
Waterproof liner is an extra cost

Buy a Big Barker Mini Orthopedic Dog Bed at Amazon

West Paw Design Heyday

Likes

Made with durable micro suede that resists stains and scratching
Easy to wipe clean or wash in a washer and dryer for a deep cleaning
Has an antimicrobial protection that repels odor
Eco-friendly – Beds are filled with a thick 100% recycled IntelliLoft polyfill made from recycled plastic bottles
Proudly handcrafted in the USA
Replacement parts are available
Certified B Corporation – Certified B Corps are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

Dis-likes

Middle cushion is not a plumb as other beds
Not waterproof
Cost more than average dog beds

Buy a West Paw Design Heyday Dog Bed at Amazon

Majestic Pet Faux Suede Nesting Bagel bed for all sized dogs

Likes

Designed for comfort, the bolster and waterproof middle cushion will keep your pup warm and cozy.
Machine washable: small and medium beds can be washed in oversized washer; larger beds come with a washable slipcover
Base of bed is made of waterproof 300/600 denier for unwanted accidents or spills
Eco-friendly – Filled with recycled Polyester Fiber-fill
Stuffing is hypoallergenic for dogs with allergies
Assembled in USA

Dis-likes

Slipcovers are only available on 40-inch & 52-inch bagel beds
Uses imported materials

Buy a Majestic Faux Suede Nesting Bagel bed at Amazon

Conclusion

We like the beds listed and would purchase them for our dogs. However in the end, only you can decide that is best for your dog. Make sure to carefully evaluate your options and then go for it. They will love you no matter which bed you pick.

Looking for some more dog inspired ideas? Check out these posts:

Boredom Buster Ideas for Your Dog

Boredom Busters for Dogs: Ways to Entertain Your Dog

Being stuck in the house all day is no fun for you or your dog. Too many days stuck inside without adequate exercise can cause your dog to become stressed. In turn that stress can cause bad behaviors; like barking or destroying your belongings. One of the best ways to provide your pup with physical and mental exercise is to go on daily walks. But sometimes we just cannot get outside. All is not lost. You can still give your dog plenty of exercise with games and activities you can do inside your home. Join us as we show you 15 boredom busters for dogs.

How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need?

The amount of exercise your pup needs dependents on their age, health and energy level. Some experts say that breed affects a dog’s energy level. To a certain extent this is true, but within the same breed you can find dogs with more or less energy. In the end no two dogs are alike and you need to decide what your dog’s energy level is. Our English Springer Spaniel had a very high energy level. She could chase a ball for an hour with few rest periods in between. Our Rat doodle, with her short legs, can become tired after just a few times of chasing the ball in the house.

So how do you determine the correct amount of exercise for your dog? Pay attention to your dog. Your dog will let your know when they have had enough. For example, let’s say you are playing a game of fetch, when your dog starts to become tired they will start taking breaks. Our Rat doodle goes to the couch with her ball when she has had enough play time. This might be harder to see if you are out on a walk. But I have noticed that our dogs will start to slow down as they get tired.

Just keep in mind that one play session or walk is probably not enough daily exercise for your pup. Most dogs will benefit from a combination of walks and play sessions with you throughout the day.

There are signs that your pup is not getting enough exercise. These include weight gain, destructive behaviors, hyperactivity, and barking or whining. For more signs of boredom in your dog, PetMD has a great article titled: 6 Signs Your Dog Isn’t Getting Enough Exercise.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Bored?

You can tell when a dog is bored by the trouble they get into. It’s not that they want to get into trouble, it’s just that the things they find entertaining are not entertaining to you. These activities include:

Barking
Destructive Chewing
Exploring off limit areas, like the garbage
Digging
Excessive licking or chewing their paws or other areas of their body
Running around the house
Jumping on you
Biting or pulling on you
Whining
Escaping
Excessive sleeping
Stealing personal items

When our Golden Retriever wanted attention he would steal something of ours. It was generally a piece of clothing. He would then taunt us with the item until we reacted. At which point he would run away. If we didn’t follow he would parade past us to make sure we knew what he had. Thankfully he never destroyed any of the things he stole. He just wanted to play a game of chase. To keep your dog from stealing your clothes check out these boredom busters for dogs.

As an Amazon affiliate I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

15 Boredom Busters for Dogs

Teach Your Dog a New Trick

The first idea on our list of boredom busters for dogs is teaching your dog a new trick. Dogs were originally domesticated to work side by side with humans. But these days most dogs are family pets, so teaching them a new trick is a great way to reinforce your relationship. To get started here are a few tips:

Break the trick into small steps
Generously reward your dog with a high value treat each time they do something right or close to right
Don’t reprimand them when they don’t do it correctly
Make sure to reward your dog right away
Be consistent with training

Before you can start teaching your dog new tricks, it is important that they know the basic commands such as sit, down, stay, come and release.

There are plenty of books and videos available on how to train your dogs to do basic commands and advanced tricks.

Boredom Busters for Dogs: 101 Dog Tricks

The one I used is the 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance and her pup Chalcy. It starts out with step by step instructions for the four basic commands; sit, down, stay and come. Then it moves on to harder tricks. The best part is this book is available at most libraries. Check out your library’s eBook select to see if you can check out it out today. You can also find 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance at Amazon.com

Create an Indoor Agility Obstacle Course

The second idea on our list of our boredom busters for dogs is agility training. Agility training can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. It not only provides physical and mental exercise for your dog, but it is another great way to for you to bond. However you need to be careful when setting up your agility course to ensure you don’t hurt your pup. Remember only you know what your pup is capable of doing. Watch what they do naturally and build a course based on that.

Note: At home agility training for young dogs and puppies should not include jumps. Jumping can cause injury to young dogs and puppies. Please speak to your veterinarian to determine when your dog will be ready to attempt the jumps.

There are a variety of obstacles in an agility course. Not everything was easy to recreate. We were able to recreate the weaving course, a low jump and a tunnel obstacle from things we had around the house.

Tunnel

Boredom Busters for Dogs: Agility Training

This is an easy obstacle to recreate using a children’s tunnel. If you have kids there is a chance you already have one lying around. If you look at the picture to the right you will see we placed two yoga mats on each side of the tunnel. We did this to stop the tunnel from rolling while our dog is trying to get inside. Many dogs will be frightened by the movement and will not attempt to enter the tunnel

If your pup is not willing to go through the tunnel you can lure them inside by placing treats in the tunnel. Leave a trail of treats inside the tunnel for them to follow. Give your dog plenty of time to warm up to the idea of entering the tunnel.

If you don’t have a tunnel handy or if it is too small for your dog, you can get an agility tunnel that is made for dogs. These tunnels are 18′ long and have a 24′ wide opening providing a larger space to crawl through. A kid’s tunnel is generally 6′ long and has a 19″ opening. The HDP 18 Ft Dog Agility Training Tunnel shown above is available at amazon.com

Jump

For the jump obstacle we used a yoga mat and two chairs. Since we didn’t want to take a chance of hurting our pup we kept the jump low. If you need a higher jump you can raise the yoga mat with some books. Remember to start the jumps low. If it is too easy you can raise it a little, but be mindful that you don’t raise it too much. Dog are prone to injury when jumping. All it takes is landing wrong to get hurt.

To teach this trick have your dog, sit on the opposite side of the yoga mat from you. With a treat in your hand call your dog to you. Hopefully they will jump over the mat to get the treat. However, some dogs may simply go around the mat to get to you. That is what our pup did the first time we tried. To teach your dog to jump over the mat instead of going around it place the mat between two objects that block any other way to get to the treat. Here we used our kid’s small soft chairs. Now your dog will have no other choice but to hop over the mat to get to you.

Weaving

The last obstacle we created in our course was the weaving poles. Here we used our yoga mats standing on their end and one roller. You can also use wrapped paper towel rolls as the poles.

This trick is a little harder to teach your pup. If you have ever watched a dog agility contest you might have noticed that some trainers use a stick to guide the dog through the obstacles. This is called a lure stick.

To teach the weaving obstacle we created our own lure stick using a chopstick and a treat stuck on the end. When Bella completed the trick we would give her a different treat so that the stick stayed together.

Use this stick to guide your puppy around the mats. Most dogs will follow the treat around the poles. Before you start guiding them through the poles give them a command like weave. That way they will associate the command with an action. Each time they complete one round of weaving give them a treat. Soon they will learn that weaving in and out of the poles on command earns them a treat.

Give Them An Interactive Toy

Next on our list of boredom busters for dogs are interactive toys. These can be toys that you play with your dog or challenging dog toys that can keep your dog entertained on their own.

Pole and Bait toys

A pole and bait toy is a fun interactive dog toy that can be used in a confined space. It is basically a large version of a cat toy. The idea is you control the bait by swinging around the pole as your pup tries to catch the bait. We got the Vee Chase and Pull toy after it was suggested by our trainer.

There are a few versions of this toy. In our post Pole and Bait Toys: Why You Should Get One we review the two top selling pole and chase toys including the one we have.

Large Hard Ball

The first time I saw these extra-large balls was in a training video. The video had nothing to do with the ball, except that the trainer gave the extra-large ball to their dog at the end of the training as a reward. You could tell it was the dog’s favorite toy.

The largest one I could find is the Jolly Pets Push and Play Dog ball. It comes in two large sizes 10″ and 14 “. It is available at Amazon.com

Snuffle Mat

The Snuffle Mat has become a very popular canine enrichment tool for many people. Most snuffle mats consists of long strips of fabric tied to a rubber mat. Treats are then hidden under the strips of fabric. Dogs need to use their sense of smell to sniff out where the treats are hidden.

You can purchase a snuffle mat like the Paw5 wooly snuffle mat pictured here or create your own using a rubber dish and strips of fleece. The Honest Kitchen has easy to understand instructions. Just make sure to supervise your dog when using a snuffle mat. Heavy chewers will be able to tear the material off the mat.

Paper Egg Carton Puzzle

This is a simple and inexpensive food puzzle for your dog. Simply place pieces of dog treats in a clean paper egg carton. Make sure to close the carton then watch as they try to figure out how to get the treats out. Make sure to supervise your dog while they have the egg carton to ensure they do not ingest the paper.

Stuffed Treat Ball

Hol-ee Roller Ball is available at Amazon.com

The Hol-ee Roller Ball is a round ball with holes that allow you to stuff treats into it. You can use large treats like shown here or wrap smaller treats in cloth. By wrapping the treats in a cloth you can create a food puzzle for your dog. If you get the larger size Hol-ee Roller ball you can also stuff a ball in it.

The Hol-ee Roller ball is made out of soft flexible rubber which allows a dog to bend and stretch it to get the treats out. It is not indestructible and should not be given to your dog without supervision. Our pup liked to play tug a war with ours and ripped the thin rubber strip so we had to take it away.

Play a Game with your Dog

Another one of our boredom busters for dogs ideas is playing games with them. Playing a game with your dog not only gives you both some exercise but it can also help you bond with your dog. Here are a few games you can play inside with your dog.

Bella looking for someone to play ball with

Indoor Game of Fetch

Just because you don’t have a lot of space inside doesn’t mean you can’t play a game of fetch. Just use a soft ball and don’t throw it as hard. Also instead of throwing the ball you can roll it. When we lived in a ranch style home we had a long straight path that went from one end of the house all the way to the other end. We used that as our fetch area for our puppy Molly. Every night we would play fetch inside with her before bedtime.

Make sure to clear away anything that might get broken, like picture frames on the wall. The only downside to playing fetch in our hallway was that we ended up with round dirt marks on our walls. But that could be easily cleaned.

Monkey in the Middle

Don’t have enough space to play a game of fetch, try playing monkey in the middle with your dog as the monkey. If you have never played this game, it is a simple game where two people throw a ball back and forth. The object of the game is that the middle person needs to try to steal the ball as it is throw past him. To play the game with your dog, sit or kneel on the ground and throw the ball over your dog’s head to the other person. Your dog will run back and forth trying to catch the ball. Just make sure your dog is able to steal the ball from time to time otherwise they may lose interest in the game or get frustrated.

The Cup Game

This is the canine version of the shell game. To play you will need three large cups and a treat. Show the treat to your pup then place it under a cup. Move the cups around on the floor. When you stop give your dog the “go find” command. If they don’t know that command simply give them the command and then show them were the treat is. After a couple of rounds they will quickly understand what they are supposed to do.

Tug-a-War

I am not sure why dogs love playing tug-a-war so much but they do. Tug-a-war ropes can be made out of rope or fleece. You can also make your own out of fleece by braiding fleece material. We use the Made in the USA, Knots for Fun; Tug Toy for dogs. I prefer the soft fleece used in this toy over the rope tug toys. This is due to my dog’s gums becoming irritated with the stiffer rope toys. So far the Knots for Fun tug robe has held up well with our pup. But it is not indestructible and you should not allow your dog to chew on it unsupervised.

Send Them On A Hunt

Another one of the boredom busters for dogs are hide and seek games. Dogs love to use their noses to find an object. There are many different types of hunting games. Here are a few options:

Play Hide and Seek with Treats

This is a simple game to teach your dog. However in order to play this game you need to teach your dog to sit and stay even when they cannot see you.

To play this game you will need a small high value treat to hide in several places. We generally use a large sized treat that we break into smaller pieces. Just make sure you don’t give your dog too many treats. The treat needs to be high value so your dog will want to search for it.

Once you have your treats handy give your dog the sit and stay command. Then hide the treats in the area you want your dog to search. Do not place them in an area where your dog can potentially do harm. Then go back to your dog and show him a treat you did not hide. Now tell him to “go find”. At first your dog will not actually know what you are asking him to do. You will need to go around with him showing him where the hidden pieces are. After a few times, your pup should learn the command.

To start place the treats where they can be easily found. As your dog begins to understand the game you can hide them better.

Play Hide and Seek with Toys

Once they get the hang of the hide and seek you hide their toys instead. This version might be a little harder to teach. They must first be attached to their toys and know what they are called. Always remember to give them a treat when they find the toy.

Hope you enjoyed our Boredom Busters for Dogs post

Walking a Dog in the Rain: A Survival Guide

For dog owners and dog walkers a like, rain days can mean wet walks with their favorite pooch. That often translates into wet, smelly fur and muddy paws in the house. And if you don’t prepare before heading out, you can end up with a wet, smelly home. If you have doodle with long hair, walking a dog in the rain can also mean fur mats. But unless you want your dog to go to the bathroom inside the house, you’ll need to take them out for potty breaks. Join us as we share our Survival Guide to Walking a Dog in the Rain. Here you will find the hidden dangers of walking a dog in the rain. Plus find tips on how to stay dry and deal with the mess.

Should I Walk My Dog in the Rain?

You will find that many dogs, even ones that like the water, will not enjoy walking in the rain. Our poodle mix hates going out in the rain. If your dog is not the rain loving type, I suggest you skip the walk. Instead just take them out for quick potty breaks.

Even if your dog loves walking in the rain you should think twice before taking them on a long walk. There are hidden dangers with walking your dog in the rain that you might not have thought of. Here are five things you need to consider before you take your dog for a walk in the rain.

Lightning

Although rare there is a change that you can be struck by lightning while walking out in a storm. If you are near a body of water that risk increases. Also lightning and thunder can frighten a dog. This may cause your dog to break free and run into traffic.

Low visibility

Heavy rain can make it difficult for drivers to see you and your pup in the street. It can also impair your vision.

Weather may change for the worst

Storms tend to increase in intensity. What might have started as a light rain could turn into a heavy downpour before you are able to seek shelter.

Falling trees

There is an increased risk of being struck by a falling tree or tree limb during a storm. This is probably more common than getting struck by lightning.

Puddles

Puddles pose a threat to your dog both when it is raining and when the skies have cleared. This is because standing water can harbor dangerous bacteria that can cause your dog to become ill. In the Rainy Day Dangers for Dogs post on PetMD.com, Dr. Sarah Tauber, a veterinarian at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital states “Leptospirosis and giardia are two infectious agents that can potentially result when dogs consume diseased water [found in puddles],”

Puddles can also be dangerous if toxins like motor oil, antifreeze or lawn chemicals have spread to puddles during rainfall. These toxins can be consumed by your dog, either by drinking the water directly or by licking their paws after stepping in the puddle.

Can Dogs Get Sick from Walking in the Rain?

While rain itself generally will not cause harm to your pup, standing rainwater can harm your pup. Dogs can become sick by ingesting contaminated rainwater either by drinking from a puddle or by licking it off their paws. In addition, dogs can get sick if they are exposed to wet, cold weather for too long. In same post Rainy Day Dangers for Dogs, Dr. Tauber states that “If dogs are exposed to wet, cold weather for too long, their respiratory tract can become inflamed, which may lead to pneumonia,”

To learn more about the dangers of walking your dog in the rain please read the PetMd.com post on Rainy Day Dangers for Dogs

Tips for Walking a Dog in the Rain

Here are 5 information packed tips on how to make dog walks in the rain a breeze.

1. Check the weather

Walking a Dog in the Rain: A Survival Guide

You may have noticed that rain often comes in cycles. It is common to have either light rain or no rain in between harder downpours. Therefore, you should plan your day accordingly by checking the weather forecast for your area. You can get a clearer picture of what the day will bring by using local weather radar maps. Above is the radar map from Accuweather.com. By using the future feature (see red arrow above) you can see when there will be breaks in the rain.

Waiting for your normal walk time or when your dog needs to go out may result in you having to go out in a downpour.

As an Amazon affiliate I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

2. Be Prepared for the Weather

You should prepare for the rainy season before it comes. That means having the right tools gear when you need it. The last thing you want to be doing to searching the closets looking for your rain gear when your pup needs to go out. Here are some items you might want on hand to make going outside in the rain with your dog easier.

For you

If you are just going out for a quick potty break an extra-large umbrella works well to keep you both dry. It’s the only way to get our pup will go out the door.

You can find large sized umbrellas in stores or online. The G4Free Golf Umbrella pictured to the left comes in three sizes: 54″, 62″, and 68″. You can also choose between 22 color combinations. The canopy is vented to allow wind to pass through it while still keeping you dry. You can find the G4Free Golf Umbrella on Amazon.com

However umbrellas may be less feasible if you are going on a long walk. Between holding the leash, umbrella and a poopy bag we just don’t have enough hands. Instead, use a long raincoat with a hood or a hooded poncho to keep dry. Don’t forget the rain boots.

SaphiRose Hooded Rain Poncho with pockets for Adults. Available at Amazon.com

For your dog

Before heading outside, check the temperature outside. If it’s raining and cold, you’ll need to be sure your dog is protected from the elements. Excessive exposure to the cold rain can result in hypothermia.

This is especially true for smaller dogs and dogs that have short hair and a single coat. These types of dogs usually don’t have the protection of a thick coat to keep them warm. To learn more about how to decide if your dog needs a sweater read our post Does Your Dog Need a Sweater in the Winter?

RC packable Rain Poncho is available at Amazon.com

Whether your pup has a thick coat of fur or not, getting them a rain coat and boots to help keep them dry and mud free. Just keep in mind that some dogs will be unwilling to wear them at first.

You can find doggy raincoats with and without an insulating layer to provide the right amount of coverage for your pup. Raincoats for dogs also come in varying degrees of coverage. Some will cover the entire body and legs with just enough open space for the dog to relieve themselves and others only cover the back. If your pooch doesn’t mind wearing a raincoat get one that at least covers their head, back, legs and underside.

However, if they are not the type to wear a full body raincoat, try a less restrictive rain coat that covers their head, back and part of their stomach. Here are 5 raincoat ideas for your dog.

Paw care

It’s important to properly care for your pup’s paws. Walking in the rain can expose your dog to chemicals that wash out from lawns or are left behind by cars. Dog boots are a great option to protect your pup from these dangerous chemicals. Plus they will keep your pup’s paws from getting wet and muddy. There are many dog boots available. What boot is best for you will depend on where you live. If you live in a colder climate then insulated boots might be best. If the cold is not an issue simple rubber boots will work to keep their paws clean and dry. Either way look for boots that are sturdy, well-fitting and have non slip grips on the bottom.

How to get a dog to wear boots?

Most dogs will not like the idea of wearing boots at first. So don’t whip them out the first day it rains and try to put them on. You will need to introduce the boots to your dog slowly. Begin by letting them smell the boots. You may even want to leave the boots out where your pup can smell them at their own pace. Then when you put the boots on your dog give them lots of treats. This works best with two people. As one person puts on the boots have another person give your pup small bits of a high value treat. Once they are on, distract your pup with their favorite game or toy. Do this a few times before you try going for a walk in them.

3. Before you leave prepare for your return

Having everything in place for your return will make drying your pup a breeze. Before leaving the house, make sure to spread out a super absorbent machine washable rug in your entryway. That way the rug will soak up the rain and mud you will both track inside. If one rug is not large enough to cover most of the floor, use more. Old towels will work too but you may find that you will need a lot more towels on the floor to soak up the mess.

Tip: Use two or more small rugs to cover the area instead of one large rug. Using small rugs will make it easier to wash them.

Keep old towels within close reach of the door to drape over your dog’s head as soon as you come in. The draped towel will help stop him from shaking all the rain and mud onto your walls and floors.

Keep a low bucket of water with a mild dog shampoo mixed in waiting next to the door. That way you can dunk your pup’s paws in and clean the mud off.

Tip: Depending on how long your walk lasts you can leave out warmer water then you would normally use on your dog. By the time you come back the water should be the right temperature.

4. Plan your walk

Carefully choose your route – Think about what areas on your walk may contain puddles or muddy areas and avoid them by picking another route. Also if you live in an urban environment stay away from busy streets where you may be splashed by a passing car.
Look for shelter – If possible go for a walk in areas that provide shelter from the rain.
Shorten the route – Instead of going on a long walk, take a short walk and then spend time playing inside with your dog.
Visibility – Make sure you can be seen by other people, especially drivers. Wear bright colors or clothes with reflective strips to ensure you can be seen by others. Also cloudy days are always darker, again affecting your ability to see dangers or be seen by others.
Bring water – If you are going for a longer, walk bring water for your dog so they won’t be tempted to drink form a puddle.

5. When you get back

Once you get back inside and before your dog is able to shake off the water, drape the towel you laid out earlier on their back. Dogs are less likely to shake with a towel on them. Quickly start drying off their back and legs. If they are wearing a full raincoat and boots the cleanup should be easy.

If they went out without a raincoat, use a super absorbent towel to dry them as much as you can For dogs with long fur, you should use a slicker to brush out tangles before they become full blown mats.

The Bone Dry DII Microfiber Dog Bath Towel comes highly rated. You can find it on Amazon.com

Clean their muddy paws by dipping them in the soapy water you set out before going on your walk. Just remember to check the water temperature before dunking your dog’s paws in.

You need to make sure that you completely rinse and dry your dog’s paws to prevent cracking. Wet paws can encourage the development of fungi.

If you have one, use a pet friendly hair dryer to completely dry their fur. Be careful not to hold the dryer to close to your pet or let it get too hot.

There you have it. Everything we know about the dangers of walking a dog in the rain. Plus the tips and tricks we have used over the years to deal with rainy days. Hopefully we helped make walking your dog in the rain easier for you.