Activities For Goldmations

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Activities For Goldmations

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Introduction

The adorable freckle-faced Goldmation is a mashup of two of the most paw-pular breeds for family dogs: the lovable Golden Retriever and the energetic Dalmatian. This medium-to-large sized breed loves to please their owners and is very vocal about it (thanks to the bark-happy Dalmatian).

The family-oriented Goldmation has been known to suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead them to partake in naughty habits when left alone. Expending some of the excess energy can curb this desire — as the old adage goes, "A tired dog is a good dog." So without further ado, here are our top picks for activities to keep your Goldmation happy and out of the proverbial "dog house.

Check out a Local Festival

Popular

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Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Waste Bags

Collapsible water bowl

Leash

Activity description

Few things are as nostalgic as visiting a fair or festival, but these events can be pretty lame if you do them alone. We're guessing that, if you're reading this, you have a Goldmation, and we're here to tell you that this breed loves meeting new people — and what better place to do it than a fair? After you have mingled around with your fluffy social butterfly, the two of you can hit the concession stands for some hot dogs and a bottle of water. Your Goldmation will adore all the attention they will get from fellow festival goers!

Step

Assemble the doggy bag

First things first: you will need to pack a few things to make your outing with Fido go smoothly. Throw a water bowl, bottle of water, and a few doggy bags in a backpack to make sure Fido has everything they need for a furrific festival experience.

Step

Do some research before you go

Before you head out, do a quick internet search to make sure the festival allows leashed dogs. You will be surprised at how many public festivals are pet-friendly! Make sure you peep their pet policy too; this can inform you of any areas that are off-limits to Fido.

Add your dog's photo

Gardening

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Additional soil (optional)

A patch of dirt in the yard

Assorted Gardening tools

Plants or seeds

Activity description

Both parent breeds of the Goldmation are known to be furrific (and sometimes excessive) diggers. Rather than scolding Fido for digging in inappropriate places, why not put their skills to good use in the garden? Most dogs catch on to the concept of digging in a designated spot rather quickly, but if not, you may have to show them how it's done! Fido not down with the digging? Try making a game of fetch out of weeds and dirt clots you dig up! Your pup will jump at the chance to spend quality time with you, and getting to play in the dirt is just the icing on the cake!

Step

Pick a spot

Where to plant your garden depends entirely on the type of plant you want to grow. Some plants like sunflowers do well in direct sun, whereas irises will need some shade from a tree or building to thrive. Once you've picked the location, measure out the parameter for your garden to make sure you have enough space. A plot of four square feet will be ideal to start.

Step

Buy some plants and tools

The next step to creating a garden is to get some plants. Since Fido is going to help, you will need to select non-toxic plants. You should choose a species that can hold up to a little abuse from your pup. Sunflowers are a great starter plant since they are easy to grow, fairly stout, and are non-toxic to two- and four-legged kiddos.

Step

Dig, dig, dig

The last part is the simplest: grab your hoe and get to digging. Once you've loosened the dirt, throw on some gloves and show Fido how it's done! Soon they will be digging up a storm! You may need to put Fido back inside for the planting part; some dogs will dig up the freshly planted flowers too!

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Buy or Make a Wading Pool

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

30 min

Items needed

Floating dog toys

Shovel (optional)

Plastic tarp (optional)

Wading pool

Garden hose

Activity description

The Goldmation feels right at home in the water, thanks to the water-loving Golden Retriever side of this mix. When that summer sun starts beating down, set up a puppy splash zone to keep them cool as a cucumber! All you need to make your own doggy wading pool is a tarp and a shovel, but you can also snag a kiddie pool for under $20 at most big-box stores if you don't feel like doing any manual labor. Once you get the wading pool set up, your whole family is in for hours of enjoyment watching Fido and their friends get wet and wild!

Step

Acquire (or make) a kiddie pool

Dig a 5-foot by 2-foot hole in the ground. Spread a plastic tarp down over the hole. Stake down the sides and place something heavy into the hole to keep the tarp flat until it is time to fill. Alternatively, you could just buy a kiddie pool, but where's the fun in that?!

Step

Fill the pool and grab the toys

The last step is the easiest and most fun! Just grab the garden hose and fill the wading pool. Throw some of your doggo's favorite floating toys in there for some extra pizzazz! Your pup will be entertained for hours splashing around! For some interactive fun, break the hose back out and have a water fight!

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More Fun Ideas...

Water Treadmill

You've probably heard of water treadmills being used to rehabilitate dogs with muscle or bone injuries, but did you know they provide an excellent low-impact form of exercise for healthy dogs too? Unlike a standard doggy treadmill, water treadmills take some pressure off the joints while the pup gets their cardio in. Plus, the water is warmed to the dog's liking to make the experience refreshing and relaxing!

Make some doggy delights

What better way is there to spend a rainy day than inside making yummy baked goods? A quick search on the interweb will reveal tons of dog-friendly recipes, many of which require household staples (no grocery store run required!). For a quick no-bake treat, mix 1 cup of pumpkin puree with 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 1/4 cup of milk, and 3 cups of old-fashioned oats, spoon out into individual portions, and refrigerate until firm. When the weather warms up, consider freezing some of Fido's favorite treats in an ice tray — think banana, watermelon, and blueberries — for a quick treat to beat the heat.

Conclusion

Life is always a blast with a Goldmation, no matter what you decide to do! We hope this list helps you to find some paw-sitive outlets for your speckled pooch to exert some energy. Even if your plants never grow and your cookies turn out wrong, the memories of time spent together will last forever.