Treasure time spent with your dogs and enjoy having fun together
Britain is a nation of dog lovers and therefore it is unsurprising that many of us lavish our time, energy and money on our canine best friends. It’s important to remember though that you don’t have to spend a fortune! Below we list 5 free ways to have fun with your dog. We hope they help you to spend more quality time together without breaking the bank.
- Search your home for unwanted items which will entertain your dog
- Have fun creating your dog’s very own Instagram account
- Visit local sites of historical interest
- Make a difference with your dog
- Have a four-legged friend to stay
1. Turn everyday items into dog toys
One man’s trash is his dog’s treasure! Why not have a sort out and see if you have anything that could be made into a game for you and your dog to play? For example, an old muffin tray can be made into a fun treat finding competition. All you have to do is hide treats under tennis balls placed in the cups. Check out this great article from Country Living Magazine which gives instructions on how to make some fantastic DIY dog toys. Always ensure that any materials are safe for your dog and that play is fully supervised, because their welfare is paramount. Enjoy – what could be more fun than a free game of Tug-O-War?
2. Make your pooch Instagram famous
Everybody nowadays seems to be ‘chasing the gram’, so why not your pooch? At Barking Mad Dog Care, our dog sitting service’s ‘office dogs’, regularly feature on our social media platforms. Creating your dog’s very own Instagram account is a fun way to spend time together.
Posting photos is a great way to share what you love about your dog with others. We’re sure that your best friend won’t protest too much about going on doggy adventures in beautiful locations and being snapped enjoying their favourite tasty treats. Insta-famous dogs such as Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund even have their own merchandise. Some also get paid for creating content for brands.
Enjoying the riverside site of the sealing of the Magna Carta, Runnymeade
3. Learn about local history
Why not learn about the past with your favourite pooch? A search on the English Heritage website reveals 70 free, dog-friendly places to visit. The National Trust is also keen to welcome more dog walkers and has fabulous places such as Runnymeade, the riverside site of the sealing of the Magna Carta, on offer which are free to visit, with just a car parking charge.
4. Spare 2 minutes to help
Why not make a difference with your dog and help rid your favourite beautiful places of litter and plastic pollution? Take your dog on a lovely walk and spare just a few moments of your time to do a #2minutebeachclean or #2minutelitterpick. Small acts such as this make a big difference because many people are getting involved!
5. ‘Host’ a playmate for your pooch
If your dog is sociable and loves to play but you just can’t commit to owning a second one, there is a Barking Mad solution! We arrange holidays for dogs and are currently searching for more animal lovers to act as dog sitting ‘hosts’ for friendly pooches. Host families care for dogs in their own homes at a time to suit them. We provide local 24/7 support with administration and insurance all taken care of.
Why not arrange for your dog to have a Barking Mad friend to stay, if they love the company of other dogs?
Lee Dancy, Barking Mad Founder and MD, says:
“Caring for a holidaying dog is a fantastic experience, not only for the human host, but also for their resident dog! We have many host families with a dog of their own. They just love having a new friend to play with.”
If you feel that your dog would love to have a temporary playmate, why not visit our information page about becoming a Barking Mad host? Alternatively, we’d love to chat to you on 015242 20202.
