Activities For Pickleball Players With Dogs

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Introduction

Dogs playing pickleball? That can't be possible! Well, a dog might not be able to actually play pickleball but they can definitely help you play! That's right, your dog can be part of all the pickleball fun with these activities that are perfect for avid players who want their dogs to be incorporated into their pickleball life. So get out your pickleball paddle and your ball and get ready to play some interesting games with your dog by your side!

Pickle Shuffle

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Easy
20 min
Items needed
Paddle
Activity description
When playing pickleball, you move around quite a bit in a small amount of space. You need to be able to run around in a tight space and then quickly switch directions in order to get that game wining shot. This is something you need to practice and luckily, you can practice it right at home! Guess who can help you - your dog! Practicing your shuffle is something free that you and your pup can do together in any weather. If its sunny, head outside to shuffle around. If it is rainy or cold, stay inside in a nice small space - pickleball court sized!
Step
1
Side to side
Hold your paddle in front of you, as if you are ready for any pickleballs that may come at you. Hold a dog treat in the other hand. Bend your knees slightly and have your feet shoulder width apart. Have your dog stand in front of you and show them the treat and then shuffle to your right as quickly as you can then shuffle back to the left. Your dog will likely follow your every move! Do five reps of right to left, keeping your body straight ahead facing your dog. When you're done, toss that pup a treat!
Step
2
Front to back
Stand at the ready with your paddle in one hand and your dog's treat in the other. Then, quickly move three steps forward, keeping your body front and center. Now, take three quick steps backward with your body facing forward. How quickly can you go forward and backward five times? Your dog wants you to go faster so that they can get a treat!
Step
3
Victory lap
When you win your pickleball game, you will likely want to run around in celebration. You should practice this to make sure your victory lap looks good when the time comes. Run around, waving your hands in the air in pretend celebration while your pup follows you, getting really excited for no reason other than that you are excited. Practice this victory lap daily.
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Swing and Hit

Popular
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Pickle Ball
Pickleball paddle
Water
Activity description
If you want to practice your pickleball swing in order to become a master pickleball player, you will need to do so on a daily basis. You may not always have another person around to practice with so your dog will have to help!  Don't worry though, your dog is going to absolutely love helping you practice your swing as it means they get to play fetch! The cost of this activity is very small, just the price of a pickleball paddle and ball. You can also do this activity in any weather and you will see how as you go through the steps...
Step
1
Field swing
If you want to practice your open swing, meaning the ball is coming at you and you wail it as hard as you can, then head to an open field with your paddle, your ball and your pup. Throw the ball high in the air and hit it as far as you can with your pickleball paddle. Watch as the ball flies out of sight and your pup chases after it. Practice again and again and see how far you can hit that pickleball!
Step
2
Serve swing
If you want to practice your pickleball serve, find a paved space where you can bounce your pickleball. Give the ball a few bounces and then serve it up, across the pavement, making sure you get that regulation bounce in! Have your dog retrieve the ball for you so you can practice over and over until your serve is like lightning.
Step
3
Indoor practice
If the weather is poor, go to an indoor handball court where you can practice your swing and have the ball hit a wall and bounce back to you. Bring your dog with you as they can run around the boxed in court, trying to catch the ball before you do. Bring your dog some water as those indoor courts can get pretty hot and humid.
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Total Immersion

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Easy
8 hrs
Items needed
Computer
Car
TV
Pickleball Ball
Paddle
Pickleball Clothing
Activity description
When you start playing pickleball, you are likely to want to play more and more. It is natural for this to happen as the game is so addictively fun! When you decide to take that step from casual pickleball player to professional pickleball player, you need to fully immerse yourself in the world of pickleball. Don't forget about your dog though! They will gladly be part of your complete pickleball life and join in on all the fun! DOn't worry about the weather outside, you can be a hardcore pickleball fan anytime, anywhere and all it costs it the price of passion.
Step
1
Pickleball gear
Buy all the pickleball gear that you need. This includes paddles, balls and clothing as well. While you are gearing up, make sure to get some swag for your dog too. A nice new set of pickleballs is something your pup will love and they may also enjoy a pickleball hat to keep the sun out of their eyes.
Step
2
Pickleball TV
Tune into the pickleball channel on your TV or your computer. Watching other pickleball matches will help improve yours by teaching you proper form, how scoring works and how others move about the court. While you watch pickleball TV, be sure to snuggle your pup - they may not be interested in what is on the screen but they will love getting some extra attention.
Step
3
Hit the road
Jump in the car with your dog and head to a few pickleball matches in your area. Opt to be a spectator and sit with your dog in the stands or choose to join in the fun. Set your dog up with a nice blanket bed on the sidelines and play a game or two. With your biggest fan there cheering you on (or just drooling at the sight of a ball bouncing back and forth), you are sure to win!
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More Fun Ideas...

Shirts

Design a team shirt for your fellow pickleball players featuring your dog's face on the back. Come up with a creative name for your team that also involves your pup...The Pickledogs...The Pickle Fetchers...Picklepups...

Real Court Play

Bring your dog to a real pickleball court and practice hitting the ball around while your dog runs freely in the fenced in area. Work on your serve and bounce if you're alone or bring a friend (and maybe a friend's dog too!) to play a real match.

Conclusion

Pickleball is an amazingly fun game to play that has been gaining in popularity over the years. As you are now really into pickleball, you need to make sure to have your dog by your side as you play. All of these fun activities are perfect for pickleball loving dogs and are games you can play anytime, anywhere. Improve your pickleball skills starting today and also improve your dog's overall happiness by bringing them along for the ride!