Happy first official day of fall! Hopefully the weather is getting a bit cooler where you live, Halloween decorations are coming out, and all things pumpkin spice and apple cider are taking over the menu. After growing up in South Texas where Halloween could be 40 degrees or 100 degrees, I’m pretty stoked to find Sacramento appropriately chilly for the season. The dogs are also really pumped for cooler weather, which got me thinking about the best dog friendly fall activities to do with your dog.
From pumpkin patches to apple picking, there are plenty of fun fall activities for dogs. Of course, it’s important to consider what your dog will enjoy, too. So, I created a list of my favorite fall dog activities you can do and then organized them by dog love languages.
But first, what sort of things can you do with your dog in the fall anyways?
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What Do You Do With Your Dog in the Fall?
There are so many things to do with your dog in the fall! From leaf peeping on a hike to snuggling up on the couch, fall is the perfect season for planning dog friendly adventures! Here is a quick list of fun things to do with your dog this fall:
- Snuggle up for a movie marathon
- Bake your dog some Pumpkin spice dog treats
- Shop some fun fall-themed dog toys
- Visit a dog friendly pumpkin patch, apple orchard, or corn maze for a sniffari
- Carve a pumpkin and add some of the guts to a kong or on top of your dog’s food.
- Set up a fun and festive fall photo shoot.
- Buy a fall-themed bandana for your dog to rock.
- Head outside for a dog friendly hike in the fall foliage
But, what about fall activities that your dog wants to do? As a dog mom, I like to think beyond just “this activity is dog friendly” and consider if an activity is friendly for my specific dog. This is where the love languges come in. Approaching your relationship with your dog through the lens of the love languages is a fun and helpful way to ensure you are meeting your dog’s needs the way they want them met.
So, let’s look at the best dog friendly fall activies for each love language.
Physical Touch
Does your dog love physical touch above all else? Snuggle up on the couch or build a blanket fort to enjoy a spooky movie marathon! My favorite scary movies are atmospheric and spinechilling, and they rely on storytelling, music, and cinematography to get their thrills rather than gore and violence. Might I recommend:
- The Changling (1980), a Canadian supernatural psychological horror film that follows an esteemed New York City composer who relocates to Seattle, Washington, where he moves into a haunted mansion. This movie scared the shit out of me as a kid, and TBH I still get goosebumps thinking about some of the scenes.
- The Haunting (1963), based on the book, is about an evil old house. A scientist who researches the paranormal assembles a team of people who he thinks will prove whether or not the house is haunted. “Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.” FYI, there was a 90s version (don’t recommend) as well as a recent Netflix show based on the same story, but I highly recommend the OG 60s film!
- The Orphanage (El Orfanato) (2007), is a Spanish gothic supernatural horror film about a woman who brings her family back to her childhood home, which used to be an orphanage for handicapped children. The film has everything you want in a scary movie: good backstory, terrifying ambience, and plot twists. The worst thing about this movie is trying to read the English subtitles through your fingers!
Too scared to go to sleep afterwards? Let your pup snuggle up with you in bed! You know you can rely on them to protect you. And, if you don’t like spooky movies, throw on Hocus Pocus or Halloweentown or any other classic, family friendly film.
This is a great activity for dogs whose primary love language is Quality Time, too!
Words of Affirmation
Do you love decorating for the holidays? For me, it’s one of my favorite fall activities! If your dog’s love language is Words of Affirmation, you can involve them in this tradition by buying them some Halloween-themed toys that make a really fun noise. Think sqeaky toys, crinkle toys, toys with a crunchy water bottle in the middle, etc.
Not only will your dog have a blast playing with a new toy that caters to their love language, but you get to enjoy the added ambiance of a stuffed Frankenstein or Jack-O-Lantern when it inevitably ends up lying around. They also make perfect props for spooky photo shoots!
Here are some of my favorites from Chewy:
- Halloween Cauldron Hide and Seek Puzzle Toy
- Jack-o-Lantern Bottle Cruncher Plush
- Glow In the Dark Squeaky Tennis Balls
- Wobble Wag Giggle Glow in the Dark Halloween Ball Toy
- Flat Plush Witch Crinkle Toy
This is also perfect for dogs whose primary love language is Receiving Gifts (try a treat dispensing toy like this pumpkin).
Receiving Gifts
Dogs whose primary love language is Receiving Gifts LOVE to sniff. A really fun spin on your typical sniffari is to visit a dog friendly pumpkin patch, corn maze, or apple orchard! These unusual environments provide a great outlet for your dog’s need to sniff and explore. It can also help with confidence building!
To make this fall activity even more fun for your dog, bring some appropriately themed treats (like these crunchy pumpkin bites or these Ghouly Bites) to hide for your dog to sniff out! If possible, use a flexi or a longline to give your dog freedom to explore at their own pace. Just remember to be respectful of other people and the environment.
Dogs whose primary love language is Acts of Service would also enjoy this dog friendly fall activity.
Acts of Service
Dogs whose primary love language is Acts of Service usually love to perform. These are the dogs who are most fulfilled when they have a job to do, so why not make that job modeling?
A fall photoshoot is a great way to capture all of your dog’s best tricks (with lots of treats, too, of course). I highly recommend bringing your partner or a friend along, or hiring a local pet photographer. Trust me when I say you will treasure photos that show you and your dog having fun together.
The first step to a great fall photoshoot with your dog is to scout out the perfect location. I recommend a pumpkin patch, harvest festival, or a beautiful spot in nature surrounded by fall leaves. Consider dressing your pup up with a cute bandana, or even a Halloween costume. Just make sure your dog doesn’t mind wearing one! You can also include props like a pumpkin, a cauldron, a handful of real or fake leaves, or a small haybale.
Have your dog perform their best tricks for the camera, and be sure to “pay” them for a job well done with lots of treats and praise. This is a great fall activity for dogs whose primary love language is Words of Affirmation, too!
Quality Time
Arguably one of the best dog friendly fall activities is hiking. It is the perfect time of year to head outside and even road trip for some leaf peeping! I asked my followers on Instagram what fall activity they were most looking forward to doing with their dog, and this was by far the most popular answer! Dogs whose primary love language is Quality Time love these one-on-one outings, so this is the perfect fall activity for them!
Seek out colorful fall foliage and enjoy the cooler, crisper weather. My favorite thing about spending time in nature with your dog is they are the best teacher for slowing down and living in the moment. Definitely snap some great pics, but don’t be afraid to put your phone away for a bit and just be with your dog. Enjoy the views, breathe the fresh air, smile at your dog’s happiness, and let everything else fall away.
Make the most of the day with a little picnic to enjoy. Pack a blanket and a few favorite treats to enjoy (human and dog, of course). Then, find the spot with the best views for lunch!
This is a great activity for dogs of all love languages, but dogs whose primary love language is physical touch will especially enjoy cuddling up on a picnic blanket with you to share some snacks!
Tips for Finding Great Fall Activities to Do With Your Dog
To wrap up, I wanted to share a few tips for picking the perfect autumn activity to enjoy with your dog. Although I think places like pumpkin patches or corn mazes or apple orchards are fantastic places to explore, not all of them are dog friendly! Try googling “dog friendly corn maze near me” or “dog friendly apple picking” to see what’s near by. When in doubt, give a place a call in advance to ensure they allow dogs. Some might even have specific dog friendly days or hours to abide by, so plan ahead.
Secondly, many of these places can be exceptionally busy on weekends. If your dog is social and comfortable in crowds, this may not be an issue. But, if busy, noisy places are overwhelming, try to visit on a weekday instead. Crowds are usually a lot thinner during the week when people are at work and kids are at school.
Lastly, be sure to follow any and all rules for dogs, like keeping them on leash and picking up after them. This ensures dogs will be welcome in these spaces in the future.
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