5 ways to make your dog walk even better
By Carl Scott
Dog walks are automatically better when you stay at Woodfarm Barns – but here are five more tips to help you and your pup get the most out of your dog walks!
Take them somewhere new and exciting
As we said, dog walks are better when you stay at our Luxury, Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages at Woodfarm Barns! This is because your dog can be treated to a variety of different environments, from our fantastic Suffolk beaches to our tranquil countryside.
However, if you can’t make it over to our cosy cottages yet due to the fact that you’re self-isolating, you can still take your dog somewhere new that’s local to you! Turn a corner that you wouldn’t usually turn; head down a road that you’ve never walked before. You’ve probably got more options than you think!
Bring along a picnic for you and your pup
Picnics are great fun wherever you are! When you’re on your next dog walk, sling a lightweight picnic in a bag over your shoulder and enjoy some treats at your destination. A picnic is a great way to break up the walk and a good chance for you and your dog to get some rest.
You can even bring along some treats for your furry friend! Just make sure not to feed them too much if you’re planning to walk much further or engage in rigorous activity right after you’ve finished your picnic, as this puts your dog at risk of developing a distended stomach.
If you’re staying with us, there are plenty of local farm shops that offer delicious picnic foods. Take a look at our favourites here.
Exercise minds as well as bodies
Although we usually think of walks as exercising our dogs’ bodies, it’s also a great chance for them to exercise their minds! Walks present dogs with sights, scents and sounds that they may not have experienced before, and they love trying to figure out what they are!
If you usually take a familiar route and your dog has become used to it, you could always bring along a toy to keep their mind busy while they’re out. If you haven’t got a toy to bring with you, you could always try doing your regular walk backwards! This might be confusing for your dog at first, but you’ll soon see the excitement when they ‘rediscover’ their usual walk in a different way.
Practice agility
Almost anything can be used to practice agility with your dog, from tree stumps to low fences! If your dog already knows basic obedience, you should be able to work out how to train them to sit on top of or jump over objects. Bring treats to reward them when they get it right!
Bring your camera
We sometimes treat dog walks as a bit of a chore. But it doesn’t have to be like that! Treat your dog walk like a photo shoot so that you have physical memories to cherish. Keep your camera handy in case you spot a beautiful backdrop for your dog to pose in front of!
Walkies at Woodfarm
Your dog will absolutely adore being on holiday at our Luxury, Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages! We don’t just tolerate dogs, we welcome them, which means that we have plenty of perks to help your dog feel at home.
There are many excellent dog walks right outside our front door, so we invite you to enjoy them while you join us for a stay! We also have two Historic Dutch Barges that are Dog-Friendly!
