Although we loved living in Phoenix, we soon missed the blazing beauty of the Autumn leaves. Even driving on the highways you can't help but be struck by Fall's gorgeous hues. The bright yellows, fiery reds, and deep rust tones create a stunning landscape against cool, crisp, sunny skies. Dogs love Fall too, so I've compiled this Guide to Dog Friendly Fall Adventures!
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| Enjoying the beauty of Fall with my dogs |
I love outdoor activities with my dogs in every season. Each season is special, with it's own brand of fun things to do with your dog unique to that season.
Fall is one of the best times to embark on outdoor fun activities and adventures with dogs! The weather is cooler and the Summer crowds have thinned out.
As October approaches we start thinking about Pumpkins, Hiking & Biking in cool weather, Fall Festivals & Costume Parades, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Fall Foliage, and Hay Rides! So much FUN and bonding to be had with our dogs during the Fall season!
Fall is one of the best times to embark on outdoor fun activities and adventures with dogs! The weather is cooler and the Summer crowds have thinned out.
As October approaches we start thinking about Pumpkins, Hiking & Biking in cool weather, Fall Festivals & Costume Parades, Apple Picking, Corn Mazes, Fall Foliage, and Hay Rides! So much FUN and bonding to be had with our dogs during the Fall season!
Great Fall activities to do with dogs
Plan Fall adventures now before the beauty of Autumn is gone!
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| My dogs love outdoor Fall activities and Halloween treats! |
FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR DOG
Be ready for outdoor Fall activities with dogs by having the right gear! For all that outdoor fun with the dog, you want to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe!
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| Fall hike with my dog |
The two activities I look forward to the most with our dogs are hiking and bike riding. We hike and bike in Summer, but heat and humidity often makes hiking and biking trips with the dogs short. Not so in the Fall, here's when we go all out!
BIKE RIDING WITH DOGS
Bicycle riding with your dog is a great activity, but you should do it safely. Dogs have a habit of getting too close to the wheels of the bicycle or crossing out in front of the bike. To avoid an accident I bought a Bicycle Leash for my Husky, Icy. A bike leash for dogs keeps your dog next to the bike and away from the wheels! I use the Walky Dog Plus bike leash, but there are others on the market. I couldn't find dog bike leashes in bicycle stores (weird, right?!), but a Google search pulled up several. Walmart, Chewy and Amazon have a couple of them online.
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| My dog Icy gets so excited when she see's my bicycle come out! |
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| My Walky Dog Plus dog bike leash helps me bike ride safely with Icy |
You can usually bike ride from early Fall until December in the Northern U.S. In this video you can see how the bike leash keeps her at a safe distance from the bicycle.
Bike riding with your dog is not only a total blast, it has health benefits for both of you! Need more reasons to bike ride with dogs? Here are 6 Reasons To Bike Ride With Your Dog!
My dogs are very different in size, strength and endurance. I can't bike ride with both of them together on bike leashes, but I could attach a Pet Basket for Bicycles to my bike for a smaller dog. That way both dogs could join in for bike rides and not feel left out. PetSmart, Chewy, and Amazon sell bicycle baskets for small dogs (or other small pets) online.  |
| A bicycle basket made specifically for small dogs or other small pets! |
HIKING WITH DOGS
We've done so much fantastic hiking with our dogs, from Sedona, Arizona to Montauk, Long Island with tons of places in between! I have to say, hiking is probably my favorite activity to do with dogs. I love to get out and explore nature with my dogs. It's a great activity for the 4 of us to do together. Although my dogs are active at different levels, hiking is something they can easily do together. If Icy and my husband forge ahead, it's no big deal to stop and wait for me to catch up with my smaller dog.
DOG CLOTHING AND OUTERWEAR
When I think about my dogs being safe and comfortable during outdoor Fall activities, the first thing I think about is clothing and outerwear. Being a Siberian Husky, Icy pretty much never needs dog apparel of any kind! As soon as Fall weather arrives however, some small dogs get chilly. I always had to break out a sweater or jacket for my dog Phoebe when the weather turned cool. They have the cutest clothing for dogs, especially for smaller dogs.
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| My dog Phoebe in her Cheeta print sweater - I love the pink bow! |
For cold Fall mornings, or if there's a chance of rain, your pooch might need a waterproof dog coat like this one. I love the adorable wool hood on this jacket!
Fall is actually prime season for Fleas and Ticks! Be sure to protect your dog with Flea & Tick control like Bravecto which provides up to 12 weeks protection from ticks and fleas in a tasty chew. Note: Always Consult your Vet before you begin using any flea/tick product.
If you plan to take your dog near beaches, lakes, ponds, pools, or out on a boat you should consider a Life Jacket for Dogs. A life jacket is a great safety option for dogs around water, especially if your dog is unfamiliar with the area, isn't a strong swimmer, or if she'll be out on a boat.
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| Phoebe was always cozy warm in her hot pink Winter dog jacket |
When we go on longer hikes, I often use a dog backpack for Icy. It helps with carrying gear like water bottles, snacks, bowls, and waste bags. It also helps reduce her pulling on leash! Many dogs pull on their leash. Using a backpack is one way some trainers recommend to reduce the pulling. Be sure to check with a trainer or pet store staff on how much weight is appropriate for your dog to carry in the pack, if any. The rule I've heard is to never put more than 10% of a dogs weight in a dog's backpack.
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| We often used a backpack for Icy on hikes. It helped keep her from pulling like the sled dog that she is! She can carry her water bowl, water, and snacks! |
Some dogs may require less weight or none at all in a backpack. Check with your Veterinarian before using a weighted backpack on your dog for the first time. Here are more tips to get your dog to Stop Pulling On Leash.
This stylish Dog DayPak by Outward Hound is neon green with reflective accents so Icy is visible among the trees. You may not consider reflective safety strips when hiking, but more than once we've found ourselves still hiking after the sun has set. Sunset is often when wildlife start hunting - yikes!!
This stylish Dog DayPak by Outward Hound is neon green with reflective accents so Icy is visible among the trees. You may not consider reflective safety strips when hiking, but more than once we've found ourselves still hiking after the sun has set. Sunset is often when wildlife start hunting - yikes!!
Make sure you bring plenty of water on any outing with your dogs! Remember to bring along portable bowls and a water bottle.
SAFETY FIRST!
Fall is actually prime season for Fleas and Ticks! Be sure to protect your dog with Flea & Tick control like Bravecto which provides up to 12 weeks protection from ticks and fleas in a tasty chew. Note: Always Consult your Vet before you begin using any flea/tick product.
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| Fall is prime Tick and Flea season! Make sure your dog is protected |
If you plan to take your dog near beaches, lakes, ponds, pools, or out on a boat you should consider a Life Jacket for Dogs. A life jacket is a great safety option for dogs around water, especially if your dog is unfamiliar with the area, isn't a strong swimmer, or if she'll be out on a boat.
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| Icy wears this Outward Hound life jacket when we're near water |
I also like the Kurgo Surf 'n Turf life vest which doubles as a life vest or rain coat. It has 2 handles to help get your dog in and out of the water, and reflective trim. The flotation layer can be removed so the waterproof shell can be used as a raincoat!
If your Fall adventure with your dog involves a car ride or a weekend getaway, consider a Dog Carrier or Pet Crate and a Dog Safety Harness for the car.
There are SO many beautiful and versatile pet carriers to choose from these days. Pet carriers come in lots of shapes and sizes, some models even have wheels. A carrier or crate is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure while riding in the car or at the airport. If your Fall adventure involves taking your dog or cat on an airplane, here is some information you should know; Tips For Air Travel With Pets.
PET CARRIERS AND CRATES
There are SO many beautiful and versatile pet carriers to choose from these days. Pet carriers come in lots of shapes and sizes, some models even have wheels. A carrier or crate is a great way to keep your pet safe and secure while riding in the car or at the airport. If your Fall adventure involves taking your dog or cat on an airplane, here is some information you should know; Tips For Air Travel With Pets.
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| Phoebe loved her Sherpa pet carrier! I often left it open for her on the floor of my office so she could nap right next to me. |
Outdoor Fall adventures with the dogs usually come with mud, sand, or dirt! For all those great outdoor Fall adventures with your pup, make sure you protect your car seats with a Car Seat Cover like this one from 4Knines! They come in all sizes to fit pretty much any vehicle you've got. 4Knines makes great car seats, I love our 4Knines back seat cover for our Honda CRV! Investing in a quality seat cover like the one we got from 4Knines is a great idea.
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| Outdoor adventures with dogs almost always involve mud, sand and dirt! |
Even if you have a car seat cover don't forget to bring along Pet Wipes and a Towel or Paper Toweling. You'll probably want to get the dirt off their paws before going back into the house after a day of outdoor fun & adventure! I always have pet wipes in the car and in my backpack, you just never know what your dog will roll in, step in, or swim in! If there's anything massively stinky to roll in, my dogs are sure to find it!
One of the things I can't do without on any of our adventures with the dogs is a First Aid Kit. I can't tell you how many times we've traveled with our dogs or gone on long day trips and needed the First Aid Kit! It's essential to get a pet first aid kit, or assemble one yourself. I'll never forget the time my dog Icy cut her paw open on broken glass on her last potty break of the day. It was at a hotel in Albuquerque, around 11pm. No Veterinarian's were available and our first aid kit literally saved us! Paw pads bleed a lot more than I expected!
You can find Pet First Aid Kits online, there are tons of them. You can also assemble one yourself. Make sure you have a bag or case fits well into a backpack or your overnight bag. We never leave home without a first aid kit for dogs!
One of the things I can't do without on any of our adventures with the dogs is a First Aid Kit. I can't tell you how many times we've traveled with our dogs or gone on long day trips and needed the First Aid Kit! It's essential to get a pet first aid kit, or assemble one yourself. I'll never forget the time my dog Icy cut her paw open on broken glass on her last potty break of the day. It was at a hotel in Albuquerque, around 11pm. No Veterinarian's were available and our first aid kit literally saved us! Paw pads bleed a lot more than I expected!
In our Dog First Aid Kit we have antibiotic ointment, essential to prevent infection if our dogs cut themselves. I use Zymox Topical Cream with .5% Hydrocortisone. This cream is made specifically for pets and is used for wound care, hot spots, and skin infections.
Anther fun Fall activity is to head for your favorite dog friendly cafe for a mug of steaming pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider or hot chocolate. While you relax and enjoy a delicious Fall beverage, your dog can enjoy a special chew stick or her favorite toy, right beside you.
Pumpkin picking is a perennial Fall favorite, so look for a dog friendly farm and take your dog pumpkin picking! I love taking pictures of my dogs out in the field among the bright orange pumpkins, the photos come out so pretty with all that Fall color. Rich Fall color brings so much warmth to a photo.
One thing we look forward to all year in our area are the Fall Festivals and Pet Costume Parades. It's so much fun to see all the dogs out and about, trotting alongside their family enjoying Fall festivities. A Pet Costume parade is always fun. Some people are really clever in the costumes they create for their pets! It's so inspiring.
Anther fun Fall activity is to head for your favorite dog friendly cafe for a mug of steaming pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider or hot chocolate. While you relax and enjoy a delicious Fall beverage, your dog can enjoy a special chew stick or her favorite toy, right beside you.
Pumpkin picking is a perennial Fall favorite, so look for a dog friendly farm and take your dog pumpkin picking! I love taking pictures of my dogs out in the field among the bright orange pumpkins, the photos come out so pretty with all that Fall color. Rich Fall color brings so much warmth to a photo.
One thing we look forward to all year in our area are the Fall Festivals and Pet Costume Parades. It's so much fun to see all the dogs out and about, trotting alongside their family enjoying Fall festivities. A Pet Costume parade is always fun. Some people are really clever in the costumes they create for their pets! It's so inspiring.
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| Icy marched in our town's Pet Halloween Costume parade looking BOO-tiful in her Headless Horseman costume! |
I'm sure this year's hottest Dog Halloween Costumes will be super heroes again, like Wonder Woman for the girls and Spider Man or Super Man for the boys. Do you dress your dog up for Halloween? What will your dog, cat, lizard, or other pet be for Halloween this year? Tell us in the comments!
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| I love the little skirt on this Wonder Woman costume, it's so cute! |
You don't even have to leave your own yard to enjoy the beauty of Fall with your pet. Rake up the leaves in your yard and let your dog or cat play in them! Throw his favorite ball or toy into the pile and watch him have fun digging and jumping through the leaves to retrieve the prize. So what if you have to rake the leaves up again, it's worth it!
Once again, I'll be searching for a dog friendly Hay Ride and Corn Maze! I was unsuccessful last year.
I'm always excited to see Fall themed dog treats, like Greenies Pumpkin Spice flavored Dental Chews for Dogs! No reason why our pets shouldn't enjoy the flavors of the season, right? While you enjoy a mug of hot apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte at an outdoor cafe, give your dog a pumpkin spice flavored treat to enjoy and celebrate Fall together!
Once again, I'll be searching for a dog friendly Hay Ride and Corn Maze! I was unsuccessful last year.
I'm always excited to see Fall themed dog treats, like Greenies Pumpkin Spice flavored Dental Chews for Dogs! No reason why our pets shouldn't enjoy the flavors of the season, right? While you enjoy a mug of hot apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte at an outdoor cafe, give your dog a pumpkin spice flavored treat to enjoy and celebrate Fall together!
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| Pumpkin Spice flavor treats for dogs. Our pets should enjoy the flavors of the Fall season too! |
If you have the time, you can make your own dog treats with Fall themed flavors like pumpkin, apple, or pear. Here's a simple, no bake Pumpkin Spice Dog Treat Recipe.
I take advantage of all those freshly picked pumpkins of Fall. I add some pure pumpkin to my dogs' food each morning to give them the health benefits of pumpkin all year round.
I take advantage of all those freshly picked pumpkins of Fall. I add some pure pumpkin to my dogs' food each morning to give them the health benefits of pumpkin all year round.
In the Fall I make my own pumpkin mush for them from fresh pumpkins we bring home. I add around a tablespoon of it to their food each morning. If you've never made fresh pumpkin mush yourself, you'd be surprised at how much pumpkin mush even a very small pumpkin can yield!
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| My dog Phoebe, surrounded by pumpkins at our town's Fall Festival! |
🐾 After removing the seeds inside, I cut a fresh pumpkin into large chunks and boil until the pieces are soft.
🐾 Then I peel off the outer skin (Skin comes off easily after boiling) and mash it all up in a bowl. You can puree it in a blender if you prefer.
🐾 Cooked pumpkin freezes well so it should last a couple of months in the freezer.
Always check with your Veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Never feed raw pumpkin to your pet, raw pumpkin can make them sick.
🐾 Then I peel off the outer skin (Skin comes off easily after boiling) and mash it all up in a bowl. You can puree it in a blender if you prefer.
🐾 Cooked pumpkin freezes well so it should last a couple of months in the freezer.
Always check with your Veterinarian before introducing any new food into your pet's diet. Never feed raw pumpkin to your pet, raw pumpkin can make them sick.
Whatever you do to celebrate Fall with your dog, cat or other pet be safe and Have Fun!!
Sharing is Caring! If you enjoyed this post, we would really appreciate a social media share! 😍
Please visit my ETSY store, Nature and Critters, where you'll find lots of products for Fall and all year round! Printable art prints, Pet Health Tracker, Pet Emergency Preparedness checklist, Holiday products, and more, all inspired by pets and nature.
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HAPPY FALL!!
33 comments:
We are looking forward to going walking again now that the weather is cooler.
I love this time of year but want to come up to your area one fall and marvel at the colors! The boys love the pumpkin spice Greenies.
Fall is my favorite time of year, so many fun things to do! Bike riding with your dog looks like so much fun! We used to hike a lot too and I miss that. Most of the trails around here are just too busy to take Luke since he's so fearful of strangers. So we stick closer to home and walk in our own woods which is still fun! I've been baking pumpkin treats with frozen puree from last year's pumpkins (we have a big chest freezer which doesn't get opened a lot so it lasts quite long). I'll do the same with this year's pumpkins, but I grew my own and they're kind of late this year. I also hope to make some apple treats too, using apples from our own trees!
Hope you find that hay ride!
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
Same here, Alasandra, cool weather is great for longer walks & hikes!
You should definitely take a trip up here, the Autumn color is so amazing! I've got a guest room with your name on it my friend!
I love the Fall so much, sometimes I can't take my eyes off all the beautiful colors. It's so cool that you've grown your own pumpkins and made things out of it! That must be so healthy, pumpkin is such a beneficial food.
Fall is definitely my favorite season. I learned years ago (with my dog in high school) that fleas are still an issue in fall. I think most people still think of it as a summer problem, but you are right, they are still around waiting to cause problems in fall.
Dexter loves fall and spring. Not too hot, lots of long walks and sniffs. Man, I so wish I was able to find a bike basket that would fit Dexter. We have a trailer, but it can be larger and cumbersome. Maybe goal for 2018!
I am thinking of getting a pet stroller so I can walk to our vets instead of getting a cab every time. I don't drive and the cats refuse to ride pillion on the bike!!
You miss fall? You might find it odd here, we have 'some' leaves drop but being temperate so much stays in full leaf (weird) AND we only get snow once every 30 years LOL!!
I loved Arizona and the sun and heat ;-) (OK OK that's me all over!)
Fall is the best! For a few years when I was a teenager, we lived in desert climates. I remember being bored by so many continuous days of sunshine. Now I live someplace that has more rainy days than sunny days, and I still like it! Seasons make life so much more interesting, although I would like winters to be a little shorter or warmer.
This is a great summery of all the products you can buy to make fall fun more... fun! I like the cool coats - it's starting to get chilly here in NC! ~ Dear Mishu
Those dog sweaters are adorable. I want one for Mr. N! We're taking Mr. N to a harvest festival this weekend.
This is the best time of the year to do some adventures with Layla which I am doing more and more, she loves riding on the busses LOL and would hop on every one with a door open if she could so each weekend am planning to go to another dog park away from the normal ones for fun. Your points as to what to take are great thanks
I love the fall, too. It's my favorite season. It must be so much fun to share it with Phoebe and Icy. They're the perfect companions.
This is the first time in a long time I've been able to enjoy Fall, since my retirement. Now, I need to get more active!
We love fall! It's the perfect weather for hiking and camping. I actually just got a bikejoring harness for Boomer too! Can't wait to start biking with her now that it's not so crazy hot outside. Oh,and she had the same Halloween costume as Icy 2 years ago too!
I love the fall too, we had such a hot September, and warm October I don't think we'll get much fall color. I know if we move to Myrtle Beach I'll really miss it. And taking Dolly to the forest preserves to enjoy it. Thanks for the great tips!
I love Fall, it's such great weather for outdoor activities! Fleas & ticks are absolutely still an issue in the Fall, in fact ticks are extremely active in Fall.
We love the Fall and Spring too, but more so the Fall since it's really cool and doesn't rain as much. I love the idea of a bike basket that a small dog can fit in. I've seen the trailers with dogs in them, they are so cute but you have to be so careful if you take them into the street. A park with a nice wide path is the best.
I think a pet stroller is a great idea for the kitties. I'm sure they would not appreciate riding on the bike! I didn't realize that NZ had such temperate weather and that it rarely ever snows. I love AZ as well, but I did miss all this Fall beauty. I appreciate it so much more now.
I think seasons make things more interesting, and beautiful too! I can't stop staring at the blazing yellow tree outside our bathroom window, it's spectacular. I got sick of the sunshine too after about 2 years in Phoenix - it's too much!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, thanks! These are all the products it took me a long time to get, or products that I still want very much. They make things more comfortable, easier, and safer too.
Aren't they the cutest!? I go nuts w/ doggie fashion, especially for Phoebe. She actually needs sweaters & coats so I can fully justify any purchase, LOL!
That must be so cute seeing Layla love riding the buses, LOL! You are lucky she enjoys it and doesn't fight you about getting on the bus, that is so great, you can take her anywhere. Enjoy your Fall adventures! I look forward to seeing photos of your adventures on the blog.
Isn't it just beautiful here in NY with all the Fall foliage? We will be taking some trips up North to see more foliage, that will be just beautiful. Icy & Phoebe love taking road trips and finding new places, especially in woods of any kind - my little nature girls!
I'm so glad you are enjoying Fall, take full advantage of the Autumn beauty! I can't stay indoors w/ this great weather and beautiful Fall foliage, I just want to get out and GO!
Fall is definitely the best time for hiking & camping, the weather is perfect and the foliage is gorgeous. I love my bike leash for Icy, it's the best exercise and so much fun for both of us. That's so funny that you had the same costume, LOL! I love that one because it's so easy and simple and it doesn't make Icy hot to wear it. It's perfect for her.
I know right!? September was ridiculously hot & HUMID all over the central & Eastern US. Ugh, I couldn't wait for the beautiful cool, crisp Fall weather. It's finally here! Are you moving to Myrtle Beach?? I didn't know that! It's beautiful there, especially the beach areas.
I love the fall! We have such a short one here in Utah, so we try to take advantage of the cool weather and beautiful colors before they are gone! I use backpacks all year though!
I love it too! The cool, crisp air and all the beautiful foliage is wonderful, it's too bad it doesn't last long enough!
What a terrific post! We are waiting for cooler weather to get out and explore more of our new surroundings. We have found some pawsome dog-friendly trails but it is waaaay too hot for Bentley (and us). You have convinced me to get a pumpkin this year for the boys. Thank you hopping on the Pet Parade!
Ticks really can be a dangerous thing can't they? I am glad you have them (and lots of treats, in the spotlight!)
Thank you for being part of the Thankful Thursdays with us, its much appreciated.
Aww love these flashback photos with Phoebe and Icy! Yes, fall is also my favorite time of year. Pumpkin spice and everything nice! Plenty to do with our furry friends and family members. Thanks for sharing!
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