6 Fun Things to Do with Your Dog this Fall

The cool fall weather is an ideal time to get outdoors for a bit of fun in the sun with your pooch. What fun activities might your four-legged friend enjoy over the autumn season?

6 Fun Outdoor Activities to Do with Your Dog in the Fall

1.    Visit your local apple orchard.
Many orchards welcome dogs, but a call before you go is wise. Pick some apples with your canine on a cool day, enjoying a few slices with your pup. Just be sure to keep them free of seeds and core components to guard against choking and gastrointestinal obstructions.

2.    Go trick-or-treating.
Fall is a fun time to dress up your pup and take part in local Halloween events, from pooch parades to trick-or-treating. Don’t forget to pack some extra dog treats to share with other costume-clad canines.

3.    Pick a pumpkin with your pooch.
Like apple orchards, some pumpkin patches will welcome you and your dog to pumpkin picking festivities. (Call before you go to be sure.) Pick out a pumpkin to carve or to cook and share with your pet for later treats. Just be sure to keep your pup’s pumpkin puree to safe levels. (LINK-TO-BLOG-ON-PUMPKIN-EATING)

4.    Go tailgating.
Fall means football season. Join eager fans at nearby tailgating parties, taking in a game with your canine companion and enjoying grilled treats. Bring your dog’s favorite ball, and he will be eager to join the athletic activities.

5.    Take a hike.
Take in the beautiful fall foliage by venturing out onto local hiking trails. If you live in a city with no trails nearby, visit an area dog park or keep an eye out for pet-friendly fall festivals that raise money for shelters and rescue organizations in your area. Your local humane society or animal shelter will often have details on upcoming events.

6.    Go on a fall mini-break.
Because of the holiday rush, few go on vacation in the fall, leaving lots of opportunity for vacationing on the cheap. If you haven’t gotten away in a while, now may be the ideal time for you and your pooch to escape and enjoy dog-friendly digs and activities.

Don’t let your doggie suffer from fall boredom. While you’re in party-planning mode, send him off for some. Register for Doggie Daycare at DoGone Fun today.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/6-fun-things-to-do-with-your-dog-this-fall/ 

7 Tips for Pet Costume Safety

Dressing up your canine companion in a costume can be a lot of fun. However, it can lead to some unexpected dangers. These common costume complications are easily avoided, however, with a little forethought and consideration for your pet.

Keep Your Pet Safe on Halloween with these Costume Safety Tips

1.    Costumes Should Allow Freedom of Movement
Remember those jeans you outgrew? And those cute shoes that gave you horrible blisters? You hate stuffing yourself into uncomfortable clothes. So does your pet. Choose costumes that do not limit movement, and allow your pooch to see, hear, walk, and bark as normal.

2.    Limit the Time Your Dog Spends in Hats or Shoes
We think we covered this in number one, but we know how the ‘cuteness factor’ can impair judgement.

3.    Choose Costumes Made of Non-Toxic Materials
After eating and sleeping, dogs love to chew things. Especially things that are crinkly and annoying and wrapped around their head and body. If you plan to put your pooch in a getup, make sure it won’t cause any complications if they chew any part of it.

4.    Avoid Costumes with Small, Dangling Accessories
These can be easily swallowed and lead to intestinal obstruction.

5.    Leave the Costume Out
Allow your dog to sniff the costume and become familiar with it before wearing it.

6.    Have a Few ‘Practice Sessions’
These will help your dog get used to their costume before the main event. Give your pooch tons of treats during these sessions, helping them associate the costume with positive experiences. (You should also practice wearing your costume, so it will not overwhelm or stress your pet.)

7.    Costume Paralysis? Tempt with Treats
If your pet locks up when in-costume, try to tempt it with a few treats or a toy, helping them uncover their ability to move while wearing the outfit.

Remember, If Your Pet’s Not Having Fun, Neither Will You

If your dog is miserable, you may have to pull the plug on a full-costume Halloween. Luckily, your four-legged friend may be fine with other alternatives, such as a festive Halloween themed bandana, bowtie, or collar. For smaller dogs, you may even be able to pull off a costume surround: decorating their stroller or carrier for a safe and stylish ride.

Ready to get your pooch spotlight-ready for the main event? Schedule pre-Halloween bathing and grooming services at DoGone Fun today.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/7-tips-for-pet-costume-safety/

Ideas for Matching Dog and Owner Costumes

Bored of the same old doggie Halloween costumes and looking to step things up? Dress up with your pet! We’ve got a few adorable ideas for making a fun and memorable holiday.

10 Ideas for Matching Halloween Costumes

·         Big Bad Wolf
Your friends will eat up this little ensemble. If your dog looks like a wolf (or your happy hound will wear a costume), this is an easy costume to assemble. All it takes for Little Red Riding Hood is a red hooded cape, dress, and a basket.

·         Wizard of Oz
This costume is fantastic for families who want to join in on the fun. Hint: Find your pet’s costume first, working in Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Man. Need a few extras? Don’t forget the Wicked Witch of the West, the munchkins, and flying monkeys.

·         Reindeer & Santa
Give yourself the gift that keeps on giving (Halloween and Christmas). Dress your dog up as a reindeer and pick up a festive Santa suit.

·         Harry Potter
A plethora of costume opportunities awaits here. Dress up your dog as a delivery owl, or choose your favorite Hogwarts' character.

·         Pokémon
Dress your dog as Pikachu (available online), and yourself as Ash. All it takes is a denim vest, white shirt, and red hat.

·         Little Mermaid
Don your pooch in a crab or lobster costume, and unleash your inner Ariel. This costume is easily made with a purple tank or swim top, glittery green skirt, and red wig.

·         Aladdin
Sure to be a popular choice this year, wrap your ferocious dog in a tiger costume, pairing it with a matching Jasmine and/or Aladdin costume.

·         Minions
They’re small, cute, hyper, and about as well behaved as you and your dog, so why not dress up as Minions this Halloween? Affordable and fun, this ensemble is easy to buy on the fly.

·         Hot Dog/Vendor
Put your wiener dog to work in a hot dog costume, posing as a vendor with an apron and server hat.

·         Beer & Pizza
Junk foodie? Take your pooch on a gastronomic Halloween adventure, pairing a pepperoni dog costume with your choice of adult beer getup. Other fun food options include wine and cheese or waffles and eggs. You’ll go nuts over the variety.

Halloween costume caper left your dog with scary hair? Shampoo, cut and style your way back to normalcy with the help of DoGone Fun grooming services.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/ideas-for-matching-dog-and-owner-costumes/