Hitting the wide open spaces gives your dog a chance to
stimulate the senses, stay in shape and meet some four-legged mates along
the way.
The wind in your fur, the sand at your paws, the scent of the earth drawing
you through the forest – is it any wonder our dogs jump for joy the
moment they see the leash come out?
With Mother Nature for inspiration, getting out and about
in the great outdoors can be an invigorating adventure for both you and
your canine buddy – especially with warmer weather tempting us out
of hibernation.
Sense of adventure
Animal behaviourist Dr Joanne Righetti says pet play outside stimulates
a dog’s sight, sound and smell, allowing them to feel vital and energised.
“It’s very important for dogs to get play of any sort, and interact
with their owners. The outdoors adds another dimension to that because of the
stimulation of the senses.”
For every new park, beach or walking track you explore,
Dr Righetti says your dog is being given a chance to use his body and mind
to explore new territory and scents, often drawing on his instinct to hunt
and explore.
“Dogs are ruled by scent, they smell everything and what’s out there
in the air is huge. They love walking up and down hills and sniffing though
the leaf litter and possum pooh,” says the pet psychologist, who has a
PhD in animal behaviour and a diploma in counselling.
Making connections
Dr Righetti says public places like parks are also ideal for socialising
young puppies so they grow up to be relaxed, and not threatened, by other
dogs. Those social connections made with other animals and humans can also
be a great way to meet new people you’ve already got something in
common with – your pets.
And best of all, this is quality bonding time with your
faithful companion, where the two of you get to enjoy the stunning Australian
landscape.
“You’re going to have such a positive time together if you’re
both enjoying an outing. It’s a great bonding experience and it gets you
away from the usual routine,” says Dr Righetti.
Outdoor treasure hunt
Dogs are also part of a new breed of interactive explorers. Mark Palmer
and his fiancé Kristen Grose take their dog Lucky on their geocaching
adventures – an emerging sport that uses a GPS to track down hidden
treasures planted outdoors. Lucky has sniffed out several of the 400 hidden
caches they’ve found around Australia, which contain trinkets and
a travel logbook. His owners might have GPS technology to guide them, but
the Staffie cross has something they just can’t compete with – a
super snozz that’s 10,000 times more powerful than our own. Geocaching.com
lists more than 440,000 caches hidden around the world, so pack your water
bottle and get hunting.
A healthy workout
Frolicking in the fresh air also keeps your dog fit. With pet obesity
at unprecedented levels, Dr Righetti says outdoor play has never been more
important to maintain a healthy weight. If your backyard is small, or you’re
in an apartment, running free in wide open spaces gives dogs the workout
they need to stay in shape. The outdoor exercise also helps you keep fit,
reduce stress and stave off extra padding.
Escape to the sea
The beach is a thrill for dogs with so many activities to choose from – chasing
seagulls, exploring sand dunes or hitting the water. For dogs with arthritis
or mobility issues, the sea also provides a low-impact workout that’s
easy on the joints.
“Dog-friendly beaches are great – some love the water, some just
like to paddle. And if you’ve got a digging dog, they can dig to their
hearts’ content and the tide just puts it all back into place,” says
Dr Righetti.
Check out our top dog beach picks in our dog-friendly
hangouts story.
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