Being a dog owner means there’s never a dull moment. Whether you're in fits of laughter over their latest obsession or you’re using them as the best excuse to go out and have an amazing outdoor adventure, there’s always something to do when you have a furry little buddy.
But if you want to shake things up a bit in 2022, the New Year is the perfect time to set some goals for both you and your four-legged friend - you know, ‘New Year, New Me’ and all that! Trying out new activities will bond you even closer together and give you a little something to look forward to in the year ahead.
We’ve curated a list of canine-focused capers for you and your four-legged best friend to try out next year. Print off our handy graphic and share your adventures with us.
#BeMoreCanine
January - Try doga (aka. Dog yoga)
The start of the year is the perfect time for you to get to know your inner yogi and get your dogi involved too! For those of you who aren’t aware of this fantastic form of exercise, doga is a time to find your inner zen and strengthen the bond you have with your dog. Not only is this a wonderful way to keep fit (aside from heading out for walks) it can help with so many other aspects of your relationship too. Your pups may look a little puzzled at first, as you bend your body and lie on the floor, but after one or two tries you’ll both be eager to make this a weekly activity!
February - Enjoy a doggy play date
How often does your doggo get to go out and socialise with their friends? We all know how good it is to be able to meet like-minded hounds and let off a little steam, that’s why February is the month when you need to arrange a doggy play date. Even better, arrange this with your favourite humans (with dogs, of course) so that it’s somewhat of a double date. You’re sure to all have a ball! Alternatively, if you think that love could be in the air for your four-legged friend, why not recreate a scene from Lady and the Tramp on a romantic dinner for two?
March - Try a canine freestyle routine, set to music
If your dog loves to dance then it’s time to work out a dance routine or try a little bit of freestylin’. You might want to test out a few different tracks before finding the perfect beat, and then you can have a dance off with your dog! Head to YouTube if you’re in need of some inspiration then create a music video of your own and share them with us on social so that we can have a giggle too.
April – Run in a field of Spring flowers
Now that Spring has sprung, it’s time to head out in search of a rainbow of wildflowers to run through. This could possibly be your most picturesque walk of the year where beautiful blooms are around ever corner and it feels as if there’s a whole new world to explore. If the day is hot, seek out a running river or trickling lake to take a dunk and enjoy the refreshing coolness of the water between your paws.
May – Get creative with some paw painting
Pictures painted by our children tend to have pride of place on the kitchen fridge, or in frames dotted around the house. They add a real personality to the home and celebrate the artistic talents of those who live within. We think that paw paintings deserve to be treated in exactly the same way.
Pick out paints of your dog’s favourite colours in non-toxic paints or stamp pads, lay newspaper on a designated surface (you might want to do this one outside). Then they can unleash their inner artist on long rolls of paper or on a smaller scale where individual paw prints can be framed or sent out as personalised cards.
June - Play frisbee
For those doggos still working on that summer bod, it’s time to get active in the sunshine with a game of frisbee, AKA, the ultimate game of catch. You can get as many or as little people involved, but make sure you play in a wide-open area where there’s plenty of room for you all to roam free. Don’t forget to bring along plenty of H2O to rehydrate after an intense workout in the great outdoors, and head to the shade during breaks to lie back and enjoy the fresh air.
July - Go for a picnic
It’s time to pack yourself a picnic and make the most of the summer sun this July. Be sure to include a selection of human and dog-friendly treats, a blanket for you all to lounge on and a ball or two to throw around. We recommend taking a long walk along the coast or through the countryside, before rewarding yourself with the basket of goodies you prepared earlier. Take a look at our walkies in the North of England and the South West for some inspo.
August - Swim in the ocean
For some, this may be the first time they’ve ever swam in the sea and it is an experience not to be missed! Be sure to venture to a span of sea where dogs are allowed and where the waves and current aren’t too strong. They may need tempting in at first, so you’ll have to get your feet wet, but once they are in, they’ll absolutely love splashing about and chasing the tide.
September - Back to school! Learn a new trick
It’s time to go back to school kids! They say that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but that simply isn’t true. Whatever age your canine, there’s always something new that they can learn. For pups, we recommend checking out these 5 easy dog training tricks, or help your dog to reach World Pioneer status of the canine world, like these friendly faces who have claimed their place in history for acts of courage and their amazing adventures.
October – Bake some dog-friendly Halloween treats
If you’re ready to get into the spooky spirit of this time of year, we recommend whipping up a selection of tempting Halloween treats for your hounds: from eerie eyeballs to ghouly ghosties and pumpkin fro-yo bites, there’s something to delight every taste bud. If you want to go all-out with a little party, then carve some doggy-themed pumpkins and get your dog and their squad together for a game of apple bobbing and a doggy disco.
November - Play in the leaves
Playing in the leaves has to be one of the best things about the autumn season for humans and dogs alike. Head out and throw armfuls of orange hued leaves in the air like confetti and watch your best friend go wild with the most fun they’ve ever had (probably anyway!). This is a fantastic photo opportunity and you’ll likely lose hours in the autumnal bliss.
December – Let your dog unwrap a present
Give the gift of joy this Christmas by letting your dog unwrap their own present this year. Fill your gift-wrap with what is sure to become their new favourite toy, or a mini festive feast for them to devour at dinner time. Wrap it all up in pet-friendly paper to pop under the tree for the big day. No one should miss out on the fun of Christmas and you’re sure to melt the hearts of every family member seeing the excitement on your best-friends face as they unwrap the best Christmas gift ever.
Bonus activity
Birthday month - Throw a pup-party
Dogs deserve birthday celebrations too, and planning a pup party is an exciting experience that will make everyone jealous. Bake a dog-friendly cake and invite all their friends around to celebrate, or head to a dog-friendly holiday cottage for a relaxing retreat where wonderful walks are just on the doorstep. They deserve to celebrate growing one year older and one year wiser so make this day an extra special one. Don’t forget to capture a candid photo either, as this should be the front cover of your calendar for next year!
To keep track of all your exciting adventures in 2019, we highly recommending capturing each and every moment on camera. Then, come January 2020 you can create the best annual calendar EVER with all your candid shots of your beloved canine. Don’t forget to capture a celebratory photo at your pup-party either, as this should be the front cover of your calendar!
Once you’ve ticked off each activity, you can share it with us using #BeMoreCanine to let us know what you’ve been up to! While you’re waiting to tick the first activity off your list, browse through our collection of perfect properties that will get your tails wagging in 2022, including our best dog-friendly properties of the year.
Download our dog bucket list here and print it to out so that you can enjoy ticking off each activity!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.