Looking for cozy dog-friendly hobbies you can do with your fur baby? Look no further.
Living a cozy life is already great, but getting to involve your furry bestie is icing on the cake!
Having dogs can add so much fulfillment and happiness to your life and can really increase the cozy and hygge factor. But what can you do with them besides laying around the house?
Surprisingly, quite a bit. Let’s get into it.
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1. Camping is a super cozy dog-friendly hobby
Camping (especially in spring or autumn) is already such a cozy hobby. You get to disconnect from the world, focus on something besides screens, and just enjoy time in nature which is major self-care.
But bringing your pet along can make it all the cozier. Getting to snuggle in the tent with your dog or seeing them just sitting around the fire enjoying nature with you- it’s peak hygge.
Depending on your pet’s personality and behavior, camping can seem daunting. There are several ways to make it easier.
Beginner’s tips for camping with dogs:
- Do a test run
- If you have a local place to camp, do a one-night trial run to see how your dogs do and to get them used to the whole camping situation. If you don’t have anywhere local, even setting up a tent in your backyard can be helpful. This will get them used to sleeping in the tent, being around different noises, and can also be helpful for you to make sure you have the products and tools needed before committing to a bigger camping trip.
- Make sure you have the right products
- Camping with only humans requires some planning, but camping with dogs requires even more. Before you go camping, make sure you have the products you needed. Try and think about all the situations you might be in while camping to make sure you have what you need. For example, how will you keep them secure at the camp site? What will they do if you have to run to the restroom? What first aid essentials will you need for your area (example: are snakes common in your area? Will you be around water?). I’ve added a bunch of our favorite camping with dogs must-haves to my LTK which you can find by clicking on the below image! There are also plenty of check lists you can find online!
2. Hiking
Just like camping, hiking is a great cozy hobby because it allows you to spend time in nature and slow down for a bit. Bringing your dogs along with you on your hike is a great way to involve them in your self care and also give them some exercise!
If you decide to hike with your dogs, make sure to be mindful of proper hiking etiquette with pets:
- Take bags with you for their poo so that you can pack it out and throw it away.
- Keep your dogs on leash unless you’re on a trail that specifically states dogs are allowed off-leash AND your dog is very well-behaved/non-reactive.
- Bring plenty of water for your pet and be sure to non overdo it for their energy levels. Some high-energy dogs can hike for long periods, but some, like my Saint Bernard, have pretty short limits to what they can handle with physical activity.
- If you pack it in, pack it out. Just like with their poo, make sure to bring any trash, food, etc, out with you. Let’s keep nature how it’s supposed to be and not trash it up.
3. Find dog-friendly restaurants & cafes
If you have a well-behaved dog, why not take them out with you for a slow day out of the house? Find a restaurant or cafe with outdoor seating, and sit down with a book while they enjoy some time outside!
This can be such a simple cozy thing to do with your dog, and can give you some time to focus on a cozy hobby you enjoy doing!
This can have a bonus effect for your pet because it can get them around new people and situations, and can also help beat any boredom they might have from being in the house.
4. Include your dogs in movie night
I wrote a whole blog post about cozy hobbies you can do from the couch, and any of those hobbies can be done with pets. But another cozy hobby I especially love to do with my dogs lately is watch movies.
Sounds simple, but here’s how to make it even cozier:
- Make yourself and your pup a cozy little space on the couch, bed, or even the floor. We cover our couch in blankets and pillows so that it basically feels like we’re being swallowed with them, just how we like it.
- Grab a variety of snacks- some for the humans, some for the dogs. Our dogs LOVE to steal a couple of pieces of popcorn when we make it, but also having some specific dog treats they love can be a fun way to involve them in the movie night.
- Turn down all the lights and snuggle up with your pup.
It’s gotten to the point that our dogs get so excited when they see my husband and I start to get all set up on the couch because they know it might be time for a cozy night snuggling and hanging out in the living room.
5. A dog-friendly picnic at the park is so cozy.
If you’re looking for a great hobby idea for when the weather is nice, this is it.
Pack a picnic basket with something good to eat for you, and also some treats for your fur baby. Grab a blanket, a big jug of water, and a water bowl for them and pick a nice spot in a park or somewhere nature-y where dogs are allowed.
It can be so cozy to enjoy some peaceful and slow time with your dog, sitting on a hill, eating yummy snacks, and enjoying nature.
If you have friends with dogs, this can also be a great way to have a cozy friend date while also giving the pups a little playdate!
If you want to have a super cozy picnic I recently wrote a guide here: How to have for the coziest picnic ever
6. Gardening
If you’re a lover of gardening, try involving your pet! Whether they’re wandering the yard or just sitting by your side while you garden, it can be so nice to add them into the hobby.
My Great Pyrenees loves to go out to the garden with me and do a sniff test to investigate all of the plants.
Of course make sure your dog doesn’t consume anything they shouldn’t be eating, but sniffing new things can actually be good for their brains, and it lets you add in your furry friend to your hobby time.
7. Enjoy cozy beach days with your dog
If you live near a beach (lucky you), having a beach day with your dog can be super fun for both of you!
A lot of beach towns have at least one dog-friendly beach nearby, and it can be so fun to watch your dog run around, play in the water, and burn some energy.
Plus, once they get tired, you can lay out with a good book or just enjoy some peaceful time outside.
Beach days can be so cozy and there are so many things you can do to make them an enjoyable dog-friendly activity!
My must-have products for doing cozy hobbies with my dog
A leash that allows me to have use of both hands
Collapsible dog bowls that we can take with us easily
Some pet towels to keep them clean
Getting to do cozy hobbies with your dog is such an amazing way to add a little more joy to your life. I know my dogs have brought me so much peace and happiness over the years, and getting to bring them along for different activities is so comforting.
This list is by no means exhaustive, and I would absolutely LOVE to hear what hobbies you do with your pup! Let me know down in the comments!
If you are interested in seeing more of what my doggies and I get up to, you can follow along @doghair.everywhere on Instagram!
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