Activities For Hockey Players With Dogs
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
You love hockey. You love dogs. How can you possibly split your time between the two? Well, you really don't have to! There are plenty of fun, hockey-related activities you can do with your dog. So don't think you have to leave your dog behind to go play a game of hockey or that your hockey skills are suffering when you opt to spend time with your dog, you really can have the best of both worlds! This guide will show you how!
Shoot, Score
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Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Small Goal
Tennis Ball
Hockey Stick
Activity description
Practicing your stickhandling skills is essential to being a good hockey player. You need to be able to move the ball with easy around the ice and, of course, shoot accurate goals. This is a skill you can practice off the ice on a field, on a basketball court or just in any fenced in area. You can also bring your dog along on these practices and make your pup your goalie. There is no better way to stop a ball from going in a goal than to put an eager pup in front of it! This activity is free (as long as you have a stick, ball and goal on hand!) and can be done anytime of year but avoiding the rain is a good idea!
Step
1
Set up the fun
Head to a flat space where you will be able to run around, practicing your stickhandling with a simple tennis ball. Set up a small goal at one end of the space and position your dog right in front of the goal. Show your dog the tennis ball and get them excited to play. Have your dog sit and stay inside the goal, getting ready to block whatever shots you have coming their way!
Step
2
Stick, score!
Start far away from the goal and your dog. Place the tennis ball down and begin passing it back and forth from side to side as you move toward the goal. Keep the ball in your control just as you would with a hockey puck. When you get closer, shoot the ball toward the goal and see if your pup is quick enough to stop it! If you get a goal, that's one point for you. If your dog catches the ball, one point for team pooch!
Step
3
Retrieve and start again
If the ball did go in the goal, have your dog retrieve it and bring it back to you. Send your dog back into the goal and start again! Play for as long as you'd like, practicing your ball handling and working on your aim. The next time you play hockey, you will notice an improvement in your shooting skills. Thank your dog for being a great assistant hockey player!
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Track Race
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Sunny Day
Free
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Measured Track
Collar
Activity description
When playing hockey a great deal of time is spent on the ice, sprinting back and forth. You need to be able to quickly burst from one side of the rink to the other, getting very few breaks. Being able to go from a complete standstill to a fast sprint is a skill all great hockey players need to have. Luckily, your dog will be able to help you work on this skill as well! Practice your sprints with your dog in any weather as it is a fun, free activity you can do together while still working on those hockey skills.
Step
1
Find a track
Head out on your adventure with your dog in tow. Look for a fenced-in track in your area. Tracks are ideal for this activity as they already have measured distance markers on them so you know how long your sprints will be. A fenced-in spot is ideal so you do not need to worry about your dog wandering off when not on a leash. Once you find the perfect spot, get ready to run!
Step
2
Go!
Start at the starting line with your dog by your side. Look toward the fifty-yard marker on the track and make that the goal of your first sprinting set. On the count of three, sprint forward, and your dog will immediately follow you! Run as fast as you can to the fifty-yard line and see who makes it there first, you or your dog! Touch the fifty-yard line, take a five second break and then sprint back to the starting line.
Step
3
More practice
Continue your sprint drills with your dog's assistance for as long as you'd like. The more you practice, the faster you will get and the better you will become at moving from a standstill into a fast sprint, a necessary hockey skill. Your dog will love to stay a while too, running back and forth by your side. This is a great way to get your dog some exercise and fresh air while you practice your hockey skills.
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Ice Time
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Cold Day
Cheap
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Dog Treats
Ball
Collar
Activity description
If you are looking to become a great hockey player, you need to spend as much time on the ice as possible. The easier you can skate around the rink, the easier playing hockey will become. Your dog is the perfect companion for when you need to spend time in the hockey rink - you don't want to be alone! While most hockey rinks are seasonal, being only available in the colder months, you can really do this activity in any weather as it is indoors. Purchase a rink membership and make sure they allow pups inside. Once you are a member, anytime you spend out on the rink is already paid for!
Step
1
Prepare the pup
Hockey rinks are cold and the floor you will be practicing on is ice. While this may seem like something that is obvious, you need to keep this in mind when bringing your dog along with you to practice hockey. Your dog may benefit from a nice pair of non-slip dog socks or any kind of paw covering. While the pads on their feet do act as insulation, they will get cold after a few minutes on the ice rink.
Step
2
Run and play
Put on your skates and head out on the ice with your dog. It may take your pup a little bit of time to get used to skating around the ice - it is slippery! Once they have their ice legs on and can easily move around, play a few games in the rink. Toss a tennis ball for your dog to run (or slide) and catch. Play a game of chase together. All that matters is that you are both out there on the ice, getting more and more comfortable moving around on a slippery surface.
Step
3
Play all day
If your dog loved being out on the rink with you, make it a weekly or daily habit. You can take your dog out to practice moving on the ice anytime you'd like and the more you get out there, the better your hockey game will become. Next time you have a game, you will notice how you are more at home on the ice thanks to the time you spent just playing around with your dog!
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More Fun Ideas...
Puck Play
Instead of tossing your dog a tennis ball to chase, why not hit a puck for them? While a regular hockey puck may be a little weighty, using a softer hockey puck will work great for your dog to fetch.
Squats
Doing squat exercises will help you gain leg strength, perfect for quick hockey sprints. When you squat down, have your pup lay down. When you stand up, your pup jumps up too! Everyone will get a great work out this way!
Conclusion
Who knew that dogs could be so helpful in practicing hockey! It is clear now that your dog may be your best hockey partner as they are able to join you on so many adventures to improve your hockey game. You realy never need to choose between your love of hockey and your desire to spend time with your dog again - you really can have it all! Your dog will likely become a big hockey enthusiast as well.