As the summer is coming to an end, why not use the August Bank Holiday as an excuse to make the most of the warm weather before the temperature drops and the nights get longer? What better way to spend the long weekend than spending some quality time with your furry friend? So, to celebrate the three-day weekend we have put together four dog-friendly options for you to enjoy.
Woof-tastic Beaches
Is there a better way to spend a summer’s day than at the beach? Miles of sand dunes, never-ending waves and the chance to share an ice cream with your best pal all make a day out with your four-legged friend so special. The UK is home to some of the best beaches in the world, but not all of them are dog-friendly.
So, we have put together a list of the top 5 dog-friendly beaches that you and your pooch will love!
- Sandymouth, Cornwall
- Cayton Bay, Yorkshire
- Ainsdale, Merseyside
- Anglesey, North Wales
- Cockle Shore Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway
Hotel Getaway
Hit the road with your furry partner in crime and explore the country! Here are 3 of Britain’s best pet-friendly hotels that your dog will enjoy as much as you will!
- George and Dragon, Penrith, England. This gastropub on the northern edge of the Lake District is known for its delicious locally-sourced food. On arrival you will receive a pet’s welcome pack including a toy, treats, bowl, blanket and a map of local walks.
- Trigony House Hotel & Garden Spa, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Named as the best dog-friendly hotel in the UK by Best Loved Hotel awards, your dog will love this hotel with its doggy perks including; outdoor canine shower, dog bed, bowl and towel, as well as a complimentary sausage at breakfast. You will even receive a welcome box of gourmet treats on arrival and dog reiki is available.
- Rosewood, London, England. On arrival Pearl, the hotel’s resident Golden Retriever will greet you and your pooch with a welcome card, treats, bed, and insider tips on dog-friendly hangouts in the local neighbourhood. You could even take advantage of the special canine package including an overnight stay in a Grand Premier Suite with treatments for humans in the Sense spa and a one-hour grooming session for dogs.
Take a Class
Take a class with your dog – training classes, socialising classes, yoga classes are great ways to bond with your dog and burn off energy.
- Dog Yoga or ‘Doga’ is a great class to burn off your dog’s energy, the stretching and massage element of the class will also make them mentally calmer. The biggest shared benefit of Doga is that it can help you deal with stress and anxiety and is a fun way for you to stay fit!
- Go to a local socialising class. Well-socialised dogs become good canine citizens with the skills to react confidently in new situations.
- A dog is never too old to learn new tricks! Obedience classes can be fun for you and your dog and they are a great way to meet other owners to trade training techniques and methods.
Furry fun does not have to be expensive
Got bags of free time to kill over the Bank Holiday, but limited resources? Here are five of our favourite free activities to enjoy with your pup.
- Make new friends and explore a new park. Take a frisbee or a ball for some extra exercise.
- Exercise with your dog instead of hitting the gym do sprint intervals with your pup or every time you do a sit up, give them a kiss. Your dog will love the attention and you may even work harder.
- Go on a hike. As you take in the scenic views, your furry companion gets to sniff the exotic smells.
- Play a game. Follow the leader, hide-and-seek or tug of war are all a fun approach to training your pooch. This can improve communication with your dog, build a strong relationship and provides exercise, both mental and physical.
- Be lazy together. After all, that exercise why not curl up on the sofa, make some popcorn and put on a good movie.
We hope these ideas give you some inspiration for the Bank Holiday Weekend and do share your dog-venture photographs with us on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, we’d love to see them!
