Activities For Ice Hockey Players With Dogs
1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
All ice hockey players who have dogs have thought about combining these two major players in their lives into one, fun filled day. Dogs and ice hockey put together - what could be better? However, making this fantasy a reality may require a little creativity. Luckily, this guide will show you several ways to incorporate your dog into your life on the ice. Not only will you have your two favorite things around but your dog will also have fun too!
Puck Control
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Goal
Hockey puck
Hockey Stick
Activity description
All ice hockey players know that being able to control the puck is essential to your game. After all, you can't skate across the rink, score a goal and with the game if you can't control the puck! You can easily practice this at home with your dog by your side. All you need is your hockey stick, a goal and a puck or even a soft ball and you and your dog are ready to play. You will need to purchase some hockey equipment in order to play but, as an avid hockey player, it will be well worth the investment. Wait for sunny weather so you and your dog can play outside where you have more space.
Step
1
Walk and pass
Begin by placing the hockey puck or ball on the ground and then start hitting it back and forth as you walk around your makeshift "rink". Your dog will naturally follow you and be intrigued by the ball. Encourage your pup to walk with you while you hit the puck around, working on your overall control.
Step
2
Shoot and score
When you get closer to the goal, shoot the puck into the net and score (hopefully)! Then, encourage your dog to go grab the puck and bring it back to you. Your dog will likely be very excited at their chance to play with the puck after all that anticipation while you were hitting it back and forth. Once your dog brings the ball back, reward them and start again.
Step
3
Faster
This time, run as you pass the puck or ball around. Move faster, keeping the puck in your control. Try to move in different patterns and snake around the court with your dog at your side, trying to grab the puck away from you! Score a goal again as you did before and have your dog bring the puck back. Keep practicing, moving in various ways with the ball under your control at all times. Your ball control will naturally improve and your dog's retrieval skills will as well.
Love this activity?
Skate Together
Popular
0 Votes
Cold Day
Cheap
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Skates
Collar
Treats
Doggy Socks
Activity description
When playing ice hockey, it is imperative that you know how to skate and that you can skate well. After all, you need to be able to chase that puck and move around quickly! What better way to practice skating than with your dog by your side. While you can't put ice skates on your dog (well, you can but they probably won't like it very much), you can fit them with socks to help them glide around. This activity is quite inexpensive, just the cost of your skates and dog socks! However, you will certainly need cold weather to ensure the ice you skate on is frozen.
Step
1
Location
Find a local pond or stream that is nice and frozen solid. If there is nowhere nearby, look for a rink (indoor or outdoor) where they allow dogs to skate with you. Always be sure that the ice is safe before going out. A good rule of thumb is to have the temperatures be below freezing for several days in a row, ensuring the water is frozen solid.
Step
2
Gear up
Put on your hockey skates and put your dog's socks on as well. While this may seem silly, it is very important as a dog's paws can be quite sensitive to the cold. Giving your dog's paws a barrier between the ice will enable them to play with you longer without getting injured. The socks will take them a little while to get used to but they will quickly adjust and start running around. Socks with grippers on the bottom are best so your dog can run instead of slide around! This will lessen chance of injury, too.
Step
3
Chase
Start skating around and have your dog chase you across the ice. Dodge your pup and switch directions and when they get close again, go the other way! The quick turns and directional shifts will be fun for your dog as they will see the game as playing and it will be perfect for you and your skating abilities. Next time you play ice hockey, you'll be able to skate away from the other team quickly!
Love this activity?
Doggy Workouts
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Dog Treats
Activity description
When the weather is bad or you just don't feel like heading to the rink, you can work on building your strength right at home. Hockey uses a lot of muscles and working on these muscles at home will be very helpful to your ice hockey game. Know who can help you do this? Your dog! While your pup might not be picking up free weights with their paws, they can keep you company and help make those boring (but useful) squats more exciting. This can all be done for the cost of a few treats and a nice pat on your dog's head!
Step
1
Lunges
Call your pup over and have them sit and stay in front of you. Place a pile of dog treats on the ground between you and your dog. Begin with your legs together then take a step forward, bend your back knee to the ground, pick up a dog treat, then return to standing with your feet together and toss your dog the treat. Repeat on the opposite leg. Keep doing lunges until the pile of treats is gone.
Step
2
Sit ups
Lay down on the ground with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor, back to the ground and arms over your head. Have your dog sit by your feet and also place a pile of treats behind your head. Pick up a treat and sit all the way up to give it to your dog. Slowly go back down, pick up another treat and do another sit up. Do as many sit ups as you can, rewarding your dog each time!
Step
3
Wall sits
Stand with your back against a wall and lower yourself down into a sitting position until it seems like you are sitting in an invisible chair. Hold your arms out straight, holding a dog treat in your hand and see how long you can hold this position....or how long your dog can patiently wait before they try to grab the treat from your hand!
Love this activity?
More Fun Ideas...
Power Hit
Head to your backyard with a tennis ball, your hockey stick and your dog. Hit the ball as hard as you can with your stick and have your dog chase the ball and bring it back to you. This will help work on the force of your goals for ice hockey.
Roller Blading
Grab a pair of rollerblades and skate around the neighborhood with your dog on a leash. Rollerblading is very similar to ice skating and this practice will help you once you are back in the rink.
Conclusion
Ice hockey and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly - it's easy, great and works well! Now you never need to leave your dog behind when you want to practice ice hockey, you can easily play the game or develop your skills with your dog by your side. Start working on your game now and see which aspect of hockey your dog likes best - the chasing around the ice or the endless treats they get as you weight train!