Activities For Dogs In Tennessee On Hot Days

Before you sink a bunch of money into a tubing trip, it would be best advised if you tested their comfort with the water first. River Rat suggests only trying it with dogs under 60 lbs, as those over that weight have a higher tendency to pop the tube, which will be no fun for anyone. We recommend this activity only for dogs who are comfortable with the water and can swim (although many parts of the tubing areas are trim and shallow enough to walk in). If you're unsure, test them out at home with a hose or a kiddie pool to see if they even like the water first. Then move onto further tests if possible if they do well, such as trying them out in a tube of your own (or a helpful friend) in a foot or so of water. If they don't panic and jump out, chances are good they'll be brave enough to adjust to their surroundings.

Once you're sure they're a good fit for this new activity, call ahead and book a trip. Reservations aren't required but they're a good idea, especially if you're going to guarantee a tube and tether for your dog as well. Before you head to the launch spot, consider whether you think your dog will need a doggy life preserver. If so, call around and find a pet shop that keeps them in stock and pick one up. Otherwise, head over and get yourself checked in and procure all the necessary wristbands and tubes for you and your dog (and any friends should you choose to bring some along). Listen to the staff's instructions, then get your dog settled into their tube before climbing into your own. Once you're both comfortable, you're ready to launch, so go have some fun! And don't forget, there are multiple drop locations so you can either go on the same section of river again or trying something new. Just be aware that not all spots are of equal intensity, so you may want to stick with easier routes for your dog's comfort.

There are several different tours you can take within the caverns, but really, only one of them is suitable for your pooch (the Regular Tour) as the others entail crawling through tight spaces and other feats that your dog may not have the ability to complete. Our best suggestion is to call ahead and book your tour so you're not stuck sitting around and waiting if tour groups get too large. Let them know you plan to bring a dog and ask for any advice they may have to offer on making it a smooth process of touring and exploration. Then, book your tickets if possible.

Once you've got everything in order, grab your dog their leash and some dog bags, then hit the road. You'll need to check in at the front at which point they should let you know where and when your tour departs. Once the time arrives, head in! There are tons of awe-inspiring formations, colors, and sounds, so take it all in yourself while respectfully letting your pooch explore the safe and acceptable bounds of the tour (chances are they won't have many opportunities to do many, if any, other places).

This space is so open-ended, there's not a ton we can say about how to go about it all. Our best suggestion is to get a basic plan together by seeing who would all like to join you (other dogs included) and what activities they'd like to participate in. You can keep it simple by just going for a swim, or make a day of it by planning on renting a boat, enjoying a picnic, kayaking, swimming or fishing. The park's website is easily the best all-in-one stop for information, so you can see if the group site is available, check the park rules, amenities, and even the weather if need be.

You can even book the group site and pay through the website ($40 a day, which is pretty cheap given the size and time allowed). There is a barbecue available as well as electric hookups, so feel free to plan around what is available. Then, when you have everyone contacted and everything planned, you can go enjoy your day out. Bring along your best furry pal and always practice proper etiquette, allowing for an enjoyable time for all visitors to the venue, doggy lovers or not.