How to Hang Out with Your Dog

Co-authored by Jennifer Damon

Last Updated: September 24, 2021

Hanging out with your dog is a way to share time together, build your bond and simply enjoy each other's company.

1

Play games together.

There are lots of fun games you can play with your dog, such as:
- Tug of war
- Throwing the ball and having your dog fetch it
- Seeing who can run faster
- Blowing bubbles and letting your dog catch them.

2

Teach your dog tricks.

There are many things you can train your dog to do, from begging and catching, to fetching you a beer.

3

Spend time in your dog's world.

Hang out together in the back yard where the dog usually lives. Set up a deck chair or a rug on the grass and simply "hang out", reading, snoozing, sunbathing while chatting with your dog or just lying together.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Jennifer Damon
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.} Commune with nature together.
- Do some stargazing together. Your dog will love having you outdoors with her at night.

4

Groom your dog.

This isn't about a perfect grooming session; just a caring brush of the fur that your dog enjoys while the two of you sit together.^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Jennifer Damon
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.}

5

Rub your dog's belly.

Many dogs love a good belly rub and having attention lavished upon them.

6

Take pictures or make a movie of your dog.

Have your dog perform tricks or do fun things like running around crazily and film it. If it's good enough, edit it and upload it on YouTube. Show Fido how famous he is becoming!
- You might even consider making movies about the ways that the two of you spend time together. This can inspire other dog owners to do similar things, as they keep up with your video channel.

7

Talk to your dog.

Wherever you are, on the couch, on the bed, outside on the grass, just have a chat together.

8

Watch a movie or TV show together.

Have your dog sit with you in the lounge room and watch some shows together.

9

Go on a vacation together.

Find hotels or resorts that will let you take your dog with you. Spend a few days being pampered together and discovering new sights and sounds.

10

Bake some dog biscuits.

Let your dog hang out in the kitchen while making him some doggy treats. Let him lick the bowl and then give him some treats when they've cooled down enough, fresh from baking.
- Bake some cookies for you too, so you can both enjoy a treat together.

11

Go for a walk together.

You can walk around the block, to the park, along a riverfront or down at the beach. Go wherever you're allowed to walk a dog and a place where both of you enjoy spending time together.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Jennifer Damon
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.} Daily walks are a form of "hanging out" together, so exchange your thoughts with the dog.
- On weekends, try to go further afield and find interesting new places to discover together with your dog. If there are great hiking trails in your area, take your dog and enjoy the walks together.

12

Go to the park with your friends and your dog.

If they have dogs and your dogs get alone well together, have them bring along their dogs too.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Jennifer Damon
Professional Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 18 August 2021.} In the park, you can:
- Throw a Frisbee with the dog and your friends.
- Play ball games with the dog and your friends.
- Hold races together.

13

Go camping together.

Find campgrounds that allow dogs and set up a camping trip with your friends and your dogs. Take the dogs for walks and hikes, down to the beach, etc. and play plenty of games with them too.

14

Throw a doggy day spa at your home.

Invite your friends and their dogs over to share the day spa together, each of you pitching in and helping to wash and groom the dogs. Have treats for both humans and dogs and make a whole fun day out of it. You'll have happy, clean dogs at the end of it and everyone will have had a lot of fun together.

Community Q&A

Question

How many hours a day should you spend with your dog?

Jennifer Damon
Professional Dog Trainer
Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.

Jennifer Damon

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

You should be spending at least a couple of hours a day with them. Dogs would hang out with us all the time if they could.
Question

How do you spend your day with your dog?

Jennifer Damon
Professional Dog Trainer
Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.

Jennifer Damon

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Interact with your dog throughout the day, really giving him your attention, as face-to-face time is priceless. In the evening, invite them on to the couch for snuggle time or give their coat or teeth a nice brushing while you watch your favorite show.
Question

Can you have a social life with a dog?

Jennifer Damon
Professional Dog Trainer
Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.

Jennifer Damon

Professional Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Yes, you can! If your dog is friendly with other dogs and people, take them with you when you run errands to places that allow pets such as dog-friendly restaurants or hardware stores.

Warnings

Be cautious when taking your dog anywhere that is known for ticks. You will need to check your dog daily and remove any ticks that attach to your dog.

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