While summer is almost over, there are still plenty of warm days to enjoy outdoor adventures with your pub – which there are also fun things to do in the winter months.
Regardless of how long you’ve had your pet, it’s never too late to try out new activities and reinvent playtime.
Pet food experts Bella & Duke’s Natural Canine Behaviourist, Caroline Spencer, has shared her top ten hobbies you and your dog can take up together.
Caroline explained: “When life gets busy, it is often easy for time with your pet to become about the essentials, reducing your relationship to a check box chore. The main reason most people get a dog is to have a companion, and like any friendship, quality time together is needed to deepen your bond and maintain your relationship.
“There are so many creative ways you can incorporate your dog into your life and there’s no better time than summer to take up a new hobby or adventure you can enjoy together”.
Here are her ideas for dog-friendly activities to try.
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Pet food experts Bella & Duke’s Natural Canine Behaviourist, Caroline Spencer, has shared her top ten hobbies you and your dog can take up together.
![Unlike humans, dogs don’t talk during the good parts. It’s been proven that sleeping next to your furry companion is beneficial for you both, it can lower depression and anxiety, increases oxytocin (the love chemical), and can help you to relax. Looking for a new series to binge? Set aside an evening where you and your pup get tucked up in bed and watch a show.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmI1YTJlNDQzLTY0NGUtNGRiNy1hN2JmLWIwODU0YTRlZGUzNDo3MjM5MzM2OS1kNzRmLTQ1M2QtOTQ5NC01ZWJmOTZhNTY2YTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Take regular Netflix naps
Unlike humans, dogs don’t talk during the good parts. It’s been proven that sleeping next to your furry companion is beneficial for you both, it can lower depression and anxiety, increases oxytocin (the love chemical), and can help you to relax. Looking for a new series to binge? Set aside an evening where you and your pup get tucked up in bed and watch a show. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![This can be a bit challenging, but letting your dog join you adds a fun twist to the out-of-town holiday you’ve been planning. Just make sure you prepare everything you need for travelling. Always check with your vet to ensure your dog is fit to join the trip.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjk4MmViODIxLTIyYWYtNDNiMy05Mzg2LTc3ODNhODY0YzFiOTphOTFiYzE2Zi03ZGQ2LTRiMDgtYTllMi0wYzZjZmRjMTBlOTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Travel together
This can be a bit challenging, but letting your dog join you adds a fun twist to the out-of-town holiday you’ve been planning. Just make sure you prepare everything you need for travelling. Always check with your vet to ensure your dog is fit to join the trip. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Dogs are naturally social animals, so why not invite your friends or relatives with dogs over to your house or go on a trip to the park. Doggie dates are great opportunities for your dog to dust off their social skills and mingle with other dogs. It is important to make sure that your dog feels comfortable with other dogs first and when finding the perfect playdate for your pup, it is often better if they are roughly the same age and size so they can play gently and fair. As an added bonus, you get to have a cup of tea and a natter too, of course while keeping an eye on your pups to ensure play does not get out of hand.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmFkZTU2NDM5LTI1YjgtNDZlZi04NjkzLTY1ZmZkYWVlZmNjYjphZWU5Y2JkMi1hZjVlLTQ5NWQtODg5OS00YjI3YWJlYmI3N2U=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Set up a play date
Dogs are naturally social animals, so why not invite your friends or relatives with dogs over to your house or go on a trip to the park. Doggie dates are great opportunities for your dog to dust off their social skills and mingle with other dogs. It is important to make sure that your dog feels comfortable with other dogs first and when finding the perfect playdate for your pup, it is often better if they are roughly the same age and size so they can play gently and fair. As an added bonus, you get to have a cup of tea and a natter too, of course while keeping an eye on your pups to ensure play does not get out of hand. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Dog friendly pubs, cafes and coffee shops are sweeping the nation and can be a great way to unwind. Start by going at quieter times to ease your dog into the new environment and give them time to adjust. There’s even an app called ‘Doggie Pubs’ for people wanting to bring their pooch to drinks with friends. So why not spend a chill afternoon in a café journaling or doing life admin with your favourite furry companion. Know that not all dogs will enjoy being in busy places and may feel more comfortable with a coffee to go and a walk along the beach.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjQzM2ZjMWRmLTc2OWItNGNmZC1hZjg5LTNmMWRiOTI5NDgwYjoyNDE0ZGFjZC0wOTBiLTQzOTUtODdiYS1jODgyZmU3ZWQ0YTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Venture to dog friendly venues
Dog friendly pubs, cafes and coffee shops are sweeping the nation and can be a great way to unwind. Start by going at quieter times to ease your dog into the new environment and give them time to adjust. There’s even an app called ‘Doggie Pubs’ for people wanting to bring their pooch to drinks with friends. So why not spend a chill afternoon in a café journaling or doing life admin with your favourite furry companion. Know that not all dogs will enjoy being in busy places and may feel more comfortable with a coffee to go and a walk along the beach. Photo: Canva/Getty Images