The warm scent of apple pie fresh from the oven wafts out the open window as you admire your finest display of Halloween decorations yet. The big game is happening later in the day, and you’ve got both human and canine friends coming over. The prizes are all set for the Best Howl-o-ween Costume Contest, and the goody bags are packed with homemade fall-themed dog treats you and your puppy made last night. You look down expecting to see your puppy by your feet, but she’s launched herself into the pile of leaves you just raked. Oh, well! You can just do it again. How can you be mad when she’s having so much fun? Fall with your puppy by your side is the best, isn’t it?
Keeping your puppy healthy and active in autumn is important to their growth and development. Fall is the perfect time to help socialize your puppy to unfamiliar sights, sounds, and experiences, especially with Halloween costumes and exploring nature. This autumn, show your puppy you care and strengthen your bond with fall activities to do with your puppy.
Fun Things To Do With Your Puppy This Fall
We could write a book about our favorite fall activities for puppies, but we’ll highlight our favorites. What would you add to our list?
Throw a fall-themed dog party
Halloween is the perfect opportunity to throw a dog party for puppies with a fun fall theme. Dress up puppies in Halloween costumes and award a prize to the best-dressed. Play games like bobbing for apples to keep things fun and stimulating for puppy guests. Everyone loves to show off tricks for treats! Send home participants with doggy bags of homemade fall dog treats.
Backyard fun
If you have access to a backyard or similar outdoor space, make the most of it this fall. Puppies love romping around, so channel that energy into making your backyard an autumn oasis for your puppy.
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Create a dog-friendly backyard for your puppy by planting pet-safe plants, removing debris, cleaning up the shed from toxic chemicals, and overall making it a pet-friendly space to hang out.
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Puppies love having a great time outside! Create fun fall backyard activities for puppies like jumping in a giant pile of raked leaves, making a DIY puppy obstacle course, or working on puppy training commands through games.
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Host a tailgating party for puppies to cheer on your favorite team. Make dog-friendly party foods, dress them in team attire, and protect them from unnecessary ruff-ness.
Pup-kin’ Spice Peanut Butter and Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats by Kari of Southern Bytes
Kitchen creations
Puppies sure do love food, don’t they? Even better if it’s what you’re eating. Who wants boring kibble, anyway? If you have a food-motivated dog, you should don your apron and make homemade fall treats for dogs with pet-safe ingredients. Simple, natural ingredients such as carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, greek yogurt, pumpkin, or oats taste good and are packed full of essential nutrients like Vitamins A, C, D, and K.
Try out these treats with a fall dog treat recipe round-up:
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Pup-kin’ Spice Peanut Butter and Homemade Pumpkin Dog Treats by Kari of Southern Bytes
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Turkey & Cranberry Dog Treats by Daniel of Dan’s Pet Care
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No-Bake Pumpkin Dog Treats by Amy Desrosiers of Sizzling Eats
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Carrot Cake For Dogs (Pupcakes) by Kathleen Hansen of Kathleen’s Cravings
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Sweet Potato Dog Chews by Pam of For the Love of Cooking
Get outside and explore your community
Fall is the perfect time of year to go on adventures with your puppy by getting outside and exploring nature! From dog-friendly fall festivals to hiking with your puppy along beautiful trails, you can take in the changing leaf colors and crisp blue autumn skies with your puppy. Check on “dog events near me” to see what pops up. You can find dog-friendly outdoor markets, Halloween parties, group hikes, dog trivia, dog portrait painting parties, pooch parades, pumpkin patch activities, and more.
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Essential fall gear for puppies
You never need an excuse to buy cute fall accessories for puppies, but they can also be functional and serve a purpose. Many short-haired dogs get cold in the winter, so protect their thin skin with dog sweaters and coats. Double-coated dogs blow their coats in fall, so make sure you have a de-shedding tool, lint rollers stashed everywhere, and a powerful vacuum! If you like to hike, choose the right dog harness and leash as well as paw booties for dogs for maximum comfort over rough terrain on crowded trails. And of course, no fall is complete without the best Halloween costumes for puppies!
Keep your puppy healthy and safe in the Fall
Fall brings about cooler weather and unfortunately presents some potential puppy health issues. Keep your puppy well with these autumn seasonal pet care wellness tips to be proactive.
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Check with your veterinarian to see if your puppy is due for a well visit. Discuss if your puppy needs specific boosters or vaccines due to your geographic location or if you plan on being outside. Stay current on flea, tick, and heartworm medications.
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Is your puppy’s identity safe? Check to see if your puppy’s collar, tags, and microchip data have up-to-date information.
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Fall allergies in puppies can cause uncomfortable symptoms like itching, sneezing, eye and skin irritation, nasal discharge, and more. Call the vet if you suspect your puppy is suffering from allergies.
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Keep puppies away from holiday decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving. You want them to wear the costume, not eat it! Small pieces, strings of lights, or burning candles can become a choking, strangulation, or fire hazard.
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Some fall scents are toxic to puppies, so follow fragrance safety for dogs by only using pet-friendly scents.
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October is Fire Safety Month. Practice fire safety for puppies by never leaving candles unattended, watching your puppy around a bonfire, and displaying pet information in windows.
Fall in Love With a Pawrade Puppy
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