30 Days of Riding Certified

Did you read the list of Fall activities to do with your dog? Did you think that was it? There's a WHOLE lot more, for any time of the year. Let's really embody the SEATBELT philosophy! Get ready to: Explore new places, Live fully, and Travel lots!

If you haven't already, think creatively beyond the regular trips to the vet or dog park.

When you take your dog out for adventures, you're enriching your pup's life. He/she is getting mental stimulation, sensory input, fun, and bonding time with you.

So here's 30 ideas, one for every day this month! What's even better, is that most of them are free! Challenge yourself to do one thing from this list each day, or spread it out among the weekends.

One look at the joy in your dog's eyes and you'll both be hooked on the need to buckle up and hit the road. Is your highway playlist ready?

Let's go!

There are 410 parks in Montgomery County, MD. That's 410 potential adventures right there! How many are in the county where you live? Have you been to them ALL?

Grab some doggie friends and go for a pack walk, or maybe park-hop at several small parks in the neighborhood. There's always something new to see and smell.

Don't forget to have your dog help carry the keys and your phone in the Terrain Pack for a hands-free experience!

Walking the same neighborhood route is predictable and gets boring. Mix it up by heading over to a nearby school (outside of school hours), and explore the surrounding neighborhood! New scents, new dogs, new people.

P.S. If you're into dog parkour, the poles of the parking signs make great weave poles, and benches work nicely for a "paws up!"

Same as the school parking lot, but you can go anytime. If your community recreation center is in a shopping area, that's a great opportunity for dog training practice - calm behavior in crowds and loose leash walking. Or, see if there's a dog friendly store (just ask, you might be surprised at the answer!) and do some browsing around.

The doggie gym, that is. Zoom Room has locations based throughout the US. Frolick Dogs is based in Virginia. There's agility equipment, fitness platforms, toys and more. Anything to keep your dog active and have fun doing it! A perfect indoor outing.

If your dog loves the water, you've got to go to the pool. Doggie swim centers are popping up all over the place now. Most places put a life jacket on your pup and give swim lessons first. Not only will this be a splashing hit, but an excellent workout as well. A tired dog is a good dog!

If you've got a puppy, you'll need a basic manners class for sure. But after those skills, there's more fun stuff to do! Maybe try Canine Good Citizen, or a Fun & Games class. Be sure to look for training centers that embody positive, rewards-based methods.

Treiball, nose work, agility, sheep herding, dock diving, to name a few. Find a class near you and get your dog started in an "extracurricular activity. "

Yoga with your dog? Om yes.

Lease running out soon? Take your dog with you to look at apartments. If the place is truly dog-friendly, you'll know by how your dog is greeted. There's a huge difference between "dogs allowed" and "dog-friendly!"

Pick a city, and head into the heart of town! Walk around, taking in the sights and window shopping. Don't bother with a plan. Just wander! But bring a charged phone in case you need a GPS on the way back.

While you're getting lost in that new town, why not stop for a bite to eat? Roll out your dog's mat and order something for you both to share!

If you're feeling like a fast, informal meal, take your dog with you to the drive thru! What will it be - chicken nuggets, fries, or a burger?

Did you know that some malls allow dogs? If not in the stores, then in the common areas. It's not be widely advertised, so just ask. Indoor walks are great for rainy days!

Home Depot and Michaels are a couple big stores that welcome dogs. Local, independent shops tend to as well. No need to feel guilty about running to the store and leaving your dog home alone. Your pup's Riding Certified with you!

You can't go wrong with this. Dogs are always welcome! And what dog wouldn't want to pick out a new toy?

Get lost in the woods and don't forget the bug spray! Even better, check out the 52 Hike Challenge.

Take that hike but don't leave the woods, stay a while! Pitch a tent and camp out. Then you can wake up ready to go hiking again the next day.

Grab a doggie life jacket and head to the water! A nice alternative if your pup is afraid of the beach waves.

Not a vacation cruise, but a day trip, on the bay sort of ride! Watermark Journey in Annapolis is dog-friendly, as are many. You can also rent a boat and take it out on the lake/river. Just watch a little driving lesson, and then off you go. Hop on board and enjoy a day out on the water!

Stand Up Paddleboarding - a great workout for you and and your 4-legged pal. Did you know dogs benefit from having strong core muscles too?

In a virtual marathon, your dog is always allowed. Buckle up, head out to the track and train together. Or, try the 2K-9 Ruff Run. It's a fitness specialty title from Do More With Your Dog. How many titles will your dog collect?

Can you see it now, your dog's head tilt figuring out what's happening, then chasing the golf ball down the putting course? Even better, why not have your pup carry the ball to the hole, for the ultimate hole in one! (Know your dog. Don't do this if he/she might swallow it.) If mini-golfing is too easy, try a real golf course! Dog-friendly ones are harder to find, but do exist.

Want to see a new movie but don't want to leave your dog behind? No worries. Experience the movie outdoors! Sprawl out in the backseat with a tub of popcorn at the drive in, or set up a lawn chair and a dog bed at your local outdoor movie site. But have a couple chew toys on hand too in case your dog thinks the movie deserves rotten tomatoes and you disagree.

Meet in your friend's backyard, find a good place through SniffSpot, or meet at the dog park at low-peak hours. Dog bars are gaining popularity, if you want a busier vibe. If your dog likes to play, have at it! And if not, then just relaxing next to another dog while you and your friend catch up works too. Don't forget to always supervise dog play and take frequent breaks!

Baseball, football and soccer fields, when not in use, are a great spot for some 1-1 time with your pup. Use a long lead, and practice skills such as come, wait, stay, etc. Never let your dog off leash unless your pup will reliably come to you, and especially not with other dogs around. You never know how the other dog will react with your pup running up! For safety, always have your dog's tags on and a GPS collar if you'll be letting your dog loose.

Dog events are everywhere. The season usually runs from Spring to late Fall when the weather is at its best, but some Winter ones do exist! Dog events are such a fun place to meet other dogs, connect with vendors, and support a good cause. Of course, set your calendar for THE dog event to attend, Piper's Walk! The next date is June 25, 2022.

www.dogsridecertified.com/piperswalk

You'll want to build up your dog's endurance before doing this, but what better company to have enjoying a mountaintop view than with your furry BFF?

Stay a while on the mountaintop. Spread out a blanket, snacks, and plenty of water. It's the perfect way to rest up before heading back down. But really, you can picnic anywhere beach, park, backyard. Use it as a training opportunity as well - calm behavior and settling down among a world full of distractions is no easy task for a dog!

Face it. Grandparents are supposed to spoil their grand-furbabies, and you know that's where the begging skills are perfected. Go ahead, head over and let Grandma shower your dog with love, attention, and treats. Your dog deserves it.

You can buckle your dog up in a certified seatbelt and go on all sorts of adventures, but at the end of the day, it's all about coming home safely. Making it home safely. A certified seatbelt gives your dog the very best chance to make it out on adventures with you and back home again. That's what Riding Certified is all about.