Looking for something to do with your dog? Dog Activities from A to Z here!

Looking for something to do with your dog?

Dog activities from A to Z here!

If you have a dog (or two or three), you probably love to spend time with them.  But doing the same old thing all the time gets boring.  With summer upon us, it's a great time to try something different.  

Take a look at these ideas.  Lots of them can be done at home for fun or with very little training. And for more of a challenge, try looking up clubs and competitions online.  Many of them have competitions that are available for skill levels from beginner to expert.  

Agility - Teach your dog agility. Take them through an obstacle course with jumps, hoops, tunnels, A frame, and other challenges. 

Ball Throwing - Lots of dogs get a kick out of chasing and catching the ball (our Aussie, Quinn's favorite activity).

Canine Freestyle - Dancing with your dog to fun music with a specific routine and cool costumes.

Disc Dog - Formally, a competition with different types of frisbee throws.  Informally, throwing the frisbee for your dog.  Lots of fun for high activity dogs.

(Special) Events - Your area probably has special events like "Day of the Dog" or "Dog Day at ......" these are usually listed in local events or online and get lots of other dogs and their people involved.

Flyball - teams of dogs race each other over hurdles to catch balls. 

Go shopping - Lots of pet shops and sometimes other stores allow or encourage dog parents to bring their furkids.

Herding Trials - Many dogs have herding skills and enjoy the challenge, whether it be cattle, sheep, or other animals.

I.P.O. (Internationale Prufungs-Ordnung) - a sport that includes bite work and strong obedience skills.

Joring (Bike or Ski) - You ride the bike or ski while your dog pulls you with a harness set up. Add a bit of adrenaline to your bikeride or skiing. 

K9 Good Citizen - Teach your pup obedience and enjoy the challenge of getting certified.  CGC, as it's called, teaches many basic skills that help prepare for other sports or activities.

Lure Coursing - Chasing a target along a course. 

Mountain Hiking - Check out the trails and see the sights while exploring nature.

New places - Visit lakes, parks, neighborhoods near or far, that are new to you both.

Obedience Training - Teach your dog good manners.  Informally, at home in a few minutes at a time.  Or enter competitions to test your skills.

Parks for Dogs - Dog parks are springing up all over.  This can be a great place to let your dog burn off some steam and socialize.

Question Other Dog Lovers - Check with other dog people to see what they do for fun with their dogs.  Maybe you can all do whatever it is together.

Rally - A team activity that includes you and your dog going through a course side by side. Going from one sign to the next, the goal is to work together with control while timed.

Showing - If you have a registered dog, there are shows that are organized to present your dog looking their best and representing the standard of the breed.

Treibball - The word means "Push ball" in German. Your dog learns to target balls, pushing them to you with control.

Use That Nose - Nosework is a challenging activity for dogs, using their highly sensitive noses to locate items by scent. Nosework is used by search and rescue dogs or drug dogs, professionally.

Visit a Nursing Home - Take your dog to visit the residents of your local facility. The residents usually don't get to have dogs and appreciate the chance to visit. Be sure to check with the people in charge at the nursing home to find out and follow rules and expectations.

Water - Dock Diving, or swimming are great for cooling off, whether informal fun at the lake or formal competition.

eXplore teaching.  Test your ability to teach your dog new tricks.

Your Activities - Take them along with you when you go to dog friendly places. 

Zoomies - Give them room to move and play, especially in the cooler times of the day.


This list is just a fun sample of fun stuff to do with your dog.  The more you look, the more ideas you'll have.  And any fun time you spend with your dog is going to help build the relationship between the two of you.

I make cool coats, reflective vest and coats that could help you and your dog enjoy fun activities. They're made using your dog's measurements and breed information for the best fit possible. My goal is to have your dog happy and smiling.  If you are interested in one of my products, take a look at my website, www.madebyde.com.  If you SIGN UP for my email list, you get 20% off of your next order.