Have a Paw-fect Spring! 11 Outdoor Activities for You and Your Dog
Nothing says springtime like spending it outdoors with your furry best friend. There’s no better way to bond than enjoying the fresh air and sunshine together. Whether you’re looking for a fun activity or something more physical, we’ve got you covered with 11 outdoor activities that are perfect for you and your pup this season. Let’s take a look!
Hiking or Jogging
Nothing beats the feeling of hiking or jogging through nature trails together. Make sure that your pup is up to date on all vaccines and is wearing an ID tag in case they wander away from you. Also be aware of any areas that may have hazards such as poison ivy, ticks, etc. Here are some of our favorite hiking trails in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk.
- Elizabeth River in Norfolk: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is working hard to establish a network of trails from old railroad lines – and the Elizabeth River Trail (Atlantic City Spur) in Norfolk is one of them! This unused corridor has been transformed into a wonderful walkway for you and Fido. To make things even more convenient, there’s a parking area close by with easy access to the trail.
- Oak Grove Lake Park: Spanning 65 acres, Oak Grove Lake is the largest part of this park. The remainder is mostly a forest composed of tall pines, maples, and tulip poplars. This beautiful environment serves as an inviting habitat to many dragonflies, butterflies and birds. There’s also a 1.5 mile multi-use trail with ADA access that circles the perimeter of this impressive lake.
- Stumpy Lake Natural Area: Stumpy Lake Natural Area spans a total of 1422 acres and its situated right on the boundary between Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. It is home to a 278-acre lake with an ADA compliant overlook, 174-acre golf course, 970+ acres of untouched wilderness, and 1.65 miles of soft shared-use trails.
Sitting at a Cafe
If your pup is well-behaved in public, why not enjoy a cup of joe (or tea) at an outdoor cafe? Many cafes even offer dog menus which provide treats for your pup while you sip on your favorite brew. Just make sure to ask ahead about any restrictions before bringing Fido along.
Here are our favorite dog friendly coffee shops.
- Astrea Coffee: Astraea Coffee is a Virginia Beach favorite, offering tempting coffee and tea beverages along with fresh smoothies and healthy eats.
- Leaping Lizard Cafe: If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the hustle and bustle, why not check out this secluded cafe on Shore drive in Virginia Beach? They serve up a selection of delicious sandwiches, wraps and salads for lunch or brunch.
- 17 Hands Coffee: Stop by this cafe near the corner of Kempsville Road and Centerville Turnpike in Virginia Beach for amazing lattes, coffee, tea, lemonade, and more! Enjoy award winning baked-from-scratch cakes, pies, quiche, sweet potato biscuits, cookies and dog treats.
Let Their Nose Take You on a Walk
Why not let Fido take the lead? Put on the leash and let your sniff around the neighborhood, follow their nose wherever it takes them! This can be an amazing bonding experience and can help build trust between you two!
Outdoor Play Dates
Taking your dog out to play with other pups is not only great exercise but also helps keep them socialized. Before heading out, make sure to do some research on the local parks and their rules regarding unleashed dogs so that everyone can have fun without getting into trouble!
Fetch or Frisbee
What’s more fun than playing fetch outside? This is one of the easiest ways to get some fresh air while also getting in some physical activity for both of you! If fetch isn’t really your thing, try playing frisbee instead – it’s just as much fun!
Outdoor Dog Training Classes
Signing up for an obedience or agility training class can be great bonding experiences; plus, it will help sharpen your pup’s skill set! Check out what classes are available near you and learn something new together this season. Check out Family Dog Club for outdoor agility classes, 4thedogstraining for Barnhunt, Scent Work and Farm Dog classes, or Freak On A Leash for group classes like Rally obedience, recall and hiking classes.
Water Fun
With lakes, rivers, or beaches nearby, having some water fun is always recommended during warmer months! Take your dog swimming if they’re comfortable around water or just let them splash around in shallow water – either way it’ll be lots of fun (and may even get them tired enough to take a nap afterwards!).
Sprinkler Time
Who doesn’t love running through sprinklers? Set up a sprinkler in your backyard and let your dog run wild – just make sure that the area is fenced so they don’t run too far!
Gardening or Yard Work
Gardening can be quite therapeutic; plus, it can help keep pesky critters out of your yard – bonus points if Fido helps too! Your dog can pick up sticks or help you dig holes for new flowers. Want to take your pup to some dog friendly garden centers to pick up supplies? Here are our favorites:
3. London Bridge Greenhouses and Nursery
Treiball, Flyball or Pushball
If you’ve got an active pooch who loves chasing balls, try playing Treiball, Flyball, or Pushball. Your dog will love being able to chase after those balls while also being rewarded with treats afterwards!
Check out the best Flyball team near you – Hairier Jump Jets Flyball Team. The Hairier Jump Jets are always looking for new members to their team!
Geocaching
Geocaching is like treasure hunting, but instead of digging through sand piles trying to find coins you’re using GPS coordinates to find hidden containers filled with trinkets! This activity requires patience and will definitely test both you and Fido’s problem-solving skills (with lots of yummy treats as rewards).
Now that we’ve given you 11 paw-some ideas for outdoor activities this spring season – go out there explore the world with your furry best friend by your side! Who knows what kind of amazing memories wait ahead? Enjoy every moment spent outdoors together this season!