Activities For Dogs In Tennessee On Cold Days

The earliest event you'll likely run into will be Barktoberfest and several cities around the state have made it an annual tradition. One of our favorites is the one held in Johnson City. Hosted by the Washington County Humane Society, this fur-tastic event features loads of fun activities from a canine costume contest to a bark-or-treat village and even a 5k that gives proceeds to local animals in need. There is even a puppy bowl as well as canine demonstrations amongst others. But don't forget to check your local events calendar for others. Most are hosted by non-profits or at least donate some of the benefits to local shelters, so you can enjoy multiple events all while giving back to the community.

Octoberfest isn't the only fall holiday with a doggy theme. Howl-o-ween is another great option if you're looking for some more holiday fun to participate in and they are mutually beneficial to hosts and guests just like Barktoberfest. The event held by the University of Tennessee is easily one of the best, as it not only offers a costumed pooch parade, but even features educational booths, rescue groups and other dog-centric exhibitors who are not only looking to provide a fun time, but educate the public on the importance of the school's veterinary medicine branch, adoption, and even good doggy diets. Like Barktoberfest, similar events are scattered across the state, so look through other local listings to see what your area offers.

If you're looking to get truly spooky, you'll have to take one step further to get into the true Hallow's Eve spirit by trying to see one or two of them yourself. Chattanooga's dark history makes it the perfect place to try to catch some of the unrest, and both Chattanooga Ghost Tours and Ghost City Tours offer dog-friendly walks around some of the city's most notoriously haunted hotspots. It's said that dogs are even more attune to supernatural happenings, so make sure you've got a dog brave enough to join you. There's nothing worse than a dog who scares off people quicker than the ghosts they're supposed to be seeing!

While there are plenty of places you can do some holiday shopping with your dog like chain clothing and outdoor stores, the best places to go are those that are fully decorated with seasonal flair. One of our favorite spots to go is the Village Shops in Gatlinburg. In late November and early December, the German-looking shops decorate their storefronts, trees and plaza with tons of lights, wreaths and ornaments, giving it a truly special feel that will have you and your dog gleefully basking in the glow. The plaza and walking area are cool as is, but many of the shops are also dog-friendly, (though you should always make sure before entering), so the two of you can enjoy the decorations inside and out while securing gifts for others.

While it may seem like nearly every town has a neighborhood that goes full-bore on holiday lights, they aren't all created equal. Although the biggest cities normally have an advantage, few in Tennessee rival that of Lebanon, which features not one, but two fantastic light displays this time of year. The first is Chad's Winter Wonderland, which is one of the largest single light displays nationwide and features a thorough drive-thru light display that doesn't disappoint. It even opens Thanksgiving night and goes through New Years. You'll likely be limited to just the drive since they may not allow your dog to walk around and see Santa and the nearby shop, but it can't hurt to ask. Of course, there's also the Dancing Lights of Christmas drive-thru show as well, which will likely have the same restrictions but is well worth the performance alone if you and your dog want to stay warm while taking in a bit of holiday cheer.

The first step is just about the same as it is in summer: picking where you want to hike. However, you'll have to be mindful of a few different elements in winter. First, you'll want to pick a hike based on the weather. For instance, it's probably not a good idea to choose a steep uphill climb or a hike with narrow paths near cliffs or large drops if there's snow on the ground. If there is none, you should be good and even if there is, all other types of hikes should still be suitable, as the state rarely sees too much heavy snow. Consider what you'll be able to see as well. Extra cold temperatures can make for some gorgeous landscapes when natural water features begin to freeze so keep that in mind as well.

While you may not need some of the things you would during a hike any other time of the year, you still need a fair amount of supplies. You'll want good hiking shoes, warm, moisture-wicking socks so you don't sweat too much, a good jacket (and one for your dog as well), gloves, a hat (weather depending) and water, plus all the regular dog supplies like dog bags and a leash. You can always overpack a bit and bring a bag, but you're at the mercy of the elements as much in the height of summer as you are in winter. Make sure to prepare for the intensity and length of the trails.

Once you've picked your spot and packed your supplies, you and your pal are ready to hit the road! If you haven't already, make sure to check the weather before you leave or better yet, get a weather app for your smartphone in case it suddenly turns. (Given the picturesque nature, cameras are a good idea as well if you want to capture some natural winter magic.) Above all else, be safe and have fun!