Fall Dog Adventure Guide: 10 Must Try Activities
The cool air is starting to roll in again and the Autumn colors are starting appear! That must mean that it is fall again, and we think fall is the perfect opportunity to have adventures with your dog. Regardless of what your favorite activity there is plenty to do in the fall. We think options like; Scenic hikes, festive fall activities, or a relaxing drive to take in the changing colors, are some excellent ways to enjoy the season and get your dog involved too!
In our comprehensive fall guide, we'll cover the 10 must-try fall dog related activities, including new updates for 2025. These 10 fall activities are designed for fun and will help ensure that your dog stays engaged and happy. These activities should be just as fun for you dog owners too! Soak in the joy of the fall season and pick just one activity or try and hit them all.
1. Go For a Hike: Embrace Color Change
Our top choice for 2025 hasn't changed! Get out and go for a long hike with your dog taking in the vibrant red, orange, and yellow colors as the leaves change. The cooler fall temperatures help ensure that your dog won't overheat . This means your pup can run with you for hours! We have found a great app for hikers is AllTrails. It provides trail maps and gives you a great idea of new places to check out. They even have a filter for hikes that are dog friendly.
Hiking is a great opportunity to work on your dog's obedience training. Most importantly make sure that they can walk nicely on leash. If you are looking for help with getting your pup walking well before your hike, try reading our obedience training tips. These dog obedience tips will help ensure that your hiking experience will be far more enjoyable.
Just like any walk, make sure to your dog the opportunity to explore new scents and other things in their surroundings. This will make the hike a wonderful enrichment activity for your dog.
2. Book a Trip with Your Pup (New for 2025)
My wife and I enjoy taking a trip early every fall, right around mid-September! The kids are back in school which means that a lot of the busiest tourist locations have thinned out. There are also tons of fall destinations where people come from miles around to take in the beautiful colors. My personal favorite is Helen, Georgia. There are many wonderful hikes through the mountains and around waterfalls. They also have a massive Octoberfest that draws people from all over the world. These type of fall trips are perfect for you and your dog!
You could find a quick weekend getaway or a full week full of adventures that are geared toward you and your pup! To find the best dog friendly hotels we like to use the AI travel/hotel guide Outfit! You can enter all your travel preferences, including "Dog Friendly" and Outfit will act as your virtual travel agent.
3. Pumpkin Patches: Dog Friendly Seasonal Fun!
Did you know that many pumpkin patches and farms that have fall festivals welcome dogs? Picking out the perfect pumpkin for carving is an ideal dog related fall activity. This activity is perfect for getting your dog involved in your families fun adventures! I mean what better place to take a dog than to a farm! Always keep your dog leashed to avoid any issues and make sure to check for the pumpkin patches specific dog policies.
When you are at the farm make sure to look for a corn mazes. Inside the corm maze is such an interesting and different experience for your dog. It will provide them with a ton of mental stimulation for all the new smells. Who knows, your pup might even be able to use their sniffer to help you get out quicker! Or maybe they will just smell the kid with a candy apple, that has no idea where he is going.
Don't forget to get some pictures of your dog and family hanging out with all the pumpkins! It is the perfect Instagramable moment!
When you are ready pick out the perfect pumpkin and don' forget that you can carve it to look like your pup!
Check out these awesome fall Pumpkin Carving Dog Templates on Amazon and pick the one that closest resembles your dog. These templates are sure to be a hit with trick or treaters, maybe they'll even like them enough not to smash them!
4. Attend a Dog Friendly Fall Festival
Fall festivals are literally everywhere this time of year! You could go to an Octoberfest or to an Apple Festival. Most of these events offer live music, local vendors, and festive fall related games. Most of the festivals that I have been to are dog friendly, so this makes it the perfect opportunity to get your pup out and around people.
Learn how to prepare your dog for such busy environments by checking out our puppy socialization article. While you are working on socialization skills you can still use the fall festival to your advantage. Take you pup, but stay off in the distance, away from the crowds. Use the advice from your article and work on heeling and calming down your pup while the excitement of the festival goes on in the distance.
5. Play in a Leaf Pile: Simple Fun for Your Dog
Sometimes the best activities are the simplest. While you are doing your yard work, make a game out of it for your pup. Rake up the leaves into a pile and let your dog dive in! Lots of dogs love to jump throughout the leaves. It’s a great way to wear our your dog while accomplishing one of the boringest fall chore.
If you’re looking for something that is easy and really embraces the fall season with your dog, this is it. Don't forget, it’s the perfect chance to capture some awesome photos of your puppers! Nothing like a little play time and it is another great opportunity for some Instagram content!
6. Go Apple Picking With Your Dog
Did you know that Fall is apple-picking season? We already mentioned Apple Festivals, but if you are looking for a little bit of a more laid back activity, take your dog along with to the nearest apple orchard. Did you know that many orchards are actually pet-friendly? Make sure to check before you go!
After a day of picking apples, you can't go wrong baking up a special fall treat. We recommend a dog-friendly apple pie! Apples are safe for dogs in moderation and this recipe is sure to be a hit with your pup!
Check out this delicious dog-friendly apple pie recipe to treat your dog to a homemade snack.
7. Make Fall Memories: Outdoor Photo Shoot
Photographers will tell you that vibrant autumn colors make a wonderful backdrop for a private photo session. Setup a photo session with a professional or you could just get some candid shots of your dog playing with the kiddos. Either way, make sure that you capture all the wonderful memories you are making during fall.
Basic obedience commands like “sit” and “stay” will help a ton for a photo shoot. If they don't know these commands it will be hard to get them to pose for your pictures. Additionally having some obedience training will help your dog stay calmer and be more relaxed during the photo shoot.
8. Play Dress Up for Halloween with Fun Dog Costumes
Halloween isn't just be for humans! A lot of Halloween events are dog friendly! Think of events like; Trunk-or-Treat, costume contests, and Halloween parades. Don't forget Trick-or-Treating itself! Dress your dog up in the most awesome costume ever and head out to enjoy the fun!
Before you go out Trick-or-Treating make sure that your dog is comfortable inside of their costume. The costume should never restrict their movement in any way. They also shouldn't be trying to take it off. If they struggle with trying to take off the costume practicing obedience commands is a great option. This should include things they are already good at, like heel or sit. Getting them to listen to these commands will take their mind off the costume and get them acclimated to wearing it.
- Super Cute USPS Mail Carrier Costume for your pup
- 6 Sizes to choose from
- Hook and loop closure down the back
- Stuffed arms for a realistic look
- COMFORTABLE & SOFT stitch dog Hoodie.
- Can be used as a costume or cute pajamas for your dog on a cool fall evening.
- Perfect for dog breeds: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Australian Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, Pug, Maltese, Jack Russell Terrier, French Bulldog, and Boston Terrier.
- Green dinosaur designed costume
- Soft and comfy fabric
- Size M: Back length 12"; Chest girth: 20"; Neck girth: 16";recommended weight 10-15Ib.
- Best for small & medium sized dogs.
9. Have a Fall Camping Trip with Your Dog
Camping in the fall you will find cooler temperatures and fewer bugs! This makes it an ideal time for camping. Whether you’re camping in a tent or glamping in an RV, your dog will love being along for your camping expedition. Let your dog explore the outdoors each day, maybe getting in some wonderful hikes, or even just playing some shuffleboard. Night time is perfect for snuggling up around the campfire. Break out the smores, but be careful not to let your pup get into the chocolate.
For inexperienced campers you might want to consider starting out with a short trip. Campgrounds that are close to home are perfect for this! Being close to home can help you and your dog feel less overwhelmed. You could even just setup your tent in the backyard to ease yourself and your dog into the camping experience.
10. Take a Scenic Drive with Your Dog to See Colors
We think that one of the best ways to enjoy fall is on a scenic drive. Pack your puppers and the rest of your family in the car. Grab some toys or chews to keep them entertained if they are the type to get restless. Then have a nice quiet drive through the countryside.
Make the Most of Fall Fun with Your Dog
As you can see from all these amazing activities Fall is full of adventure and family fun! It doesn't matter if you are hiking through a forest, dressing up for Halloween, or simply playing in the leaves, all of these things are perfect for getting your pup involved in the family fun. Try just one of these fall activities or try to have a truly fulfilling fall adventure and complete the whole list. If you are looking for help training your dog to be better for any of these fall festivities, explore the range of training programs we offer at Suburban K9. Our expert trainers can help make sure your dog is ready to enjoy all the fall fun.
Happy adventuring this fall!
