Activities For Dogs In Virginia On Rainy Days

You can always hop from place to place by car, but if you're looking to spend more time outside without getting wet, the best course of action is to grab an umbrella and some high-soled shoes or boots and hit a street with multiple options. For the sake of example, we suggest Alexandria. The city itself is super dog-friendly, but many of the establishments are crammed into a few strips and blocks, making a brisk walk all that's needed between stops. The Eastern extent of King Street is perfect since it has at least 10 dog-friendly bars and restaurants just one block from the main drag.

Once you've picked a good dog-friendly area, start doing some research. Figure out which and how many stops you can reasonably make (you can only eat and drink so much!). Consider adding in a place to shop for a bit in case you need digesting time or want something else to do. Then, start making calls and find out which restaurants have covered patios versus open patios -- it defeats the purpose if you're stuck in the rain on an uncovered patio anyway! Once you've figured out which ones will best house you and your dog, let alone offer any dog-specific treats or meals, you can start to map your trip out. Moving in one direction is certainly the easiest, but it also means a long walk back to the car, so unless the rain lets up or you don't mind, you may want to consider making your path circular so you can end up closer to where you started.

Once you've got everything generally laid out, check the weather and see if you can either work out a way to patio hop until the rain subsides or avoid the worst or heaviest parts so you don't end up soaked. Then, grab your dog, leash, dog bags, cash and hit the road! If you have a smartphone and are savvy, you can always do a bit of research and find other options once you've arrived at your first destination. Plus, you can also check the weather and alter your plans to accommodate the rise and fall of the precipitation and temperature.

The biggest disadvantage is that there isn't a canine cruise every day. On average, there's about one a week with more stacking up towards the end of August and into September, which means you'll have to watch the weather to see when a rainy day aligns (not that you can't go on a sunny day, but there are usually a lot more things you can go those days). Of course, there are several other cruise lines and tours out there, but you'll have to do additional research to find out if they're equally as dog-friendly. During the rainier months, keep your eyes on the incoming weather and see if you can take advantage of a covered cruise. Once you see a potential day, make sure to secure your tickets. Times and days are subject to change, so it's always best to call ahead to make sure everything is still as originally laid out on the schedule.

Once you've got your tickets booked, all you need to do is wait for the day to come and get your supplies ready. Make sure to bring an umbrella and rain gear just in case you want to stand out by the railing past where the covering stops or in case it starts pouring in sideways. It's also a good idea to make sure your dog gets a bathroom break before you board, as even though the tour is only around 45 minutes, your dog obviously has no concept of that length. Other than that, go enjoy! The canine cruises come complete with treat and refreshment offerings on top of offering a great tour of the surrounding area between Virginia and Washington D.C. Like mentioned above, you can always go on nice days too, which is just as enjoyable, but on those rainy days, it provides a perfect chance to get out and do something different while most others are huddling inside!

Before you embark on this dog-indulgent trip, consider what kinds of places you can go. If you want to try some new food or treats, find some different pet stores and pet boutiques you've not been to before. Most boutiques are much more particular about the products they stock and are usually more knowledgeable than chains are and are just as dog-friendly. You should also see if you can find some barkeries (dog bakeries) nearby, as they are a great place to find healthy and rewarding treats to pamper your pup with. Finally, if your dog enjoys (or maybe just needs) some kind of grooming, including a trim, a washing or nails cut, find a good pet salon to check out. While they may not enjoy the process, having freshly trimmed or cleaned fur and nails can do a lot to improve their quality of life.

Once you've got some ideas, you can grab your supplies and your dog and hop in the car. Our best suggestion is to start with the pet salon so everything that comes after seems like a reward - you know, just in case they don't enjoy being washed or trimmed. Plus, less fur to get wet should you two get caught by the rain in between stops! Otherwise, the day is yours to get some tasty treats, try some new food (and toys) and get some good exercise walking around. For additional suggestions, look up what chains are dog-friendly. You'd be surprised how many are perfectly happy letting well-behaved dogs walk through their stores as long as their owners are responsible and clean up after them and keep them in order!