{"id":181096,"date":"2016-04-28T05:57:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-27T19:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/the-top-5-fun-things-to-do-with-your-dog-in-australia\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T18:44:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T08:44:58","slug":"the-top-5-fun-things-to-do-with-your-dog-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petcloud.com.au\/d\/blog\/the-top-5-fun-things-to-do-with-your-dog-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 5 Fun Fun things to do with your Dog in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"Did you know pet exercise is just as important as it is for you? Ensuring your dog gets the right kinds of exercise will help keep them\u00a0in great\u00a0shape. \u00a0An inactive lifestyle is bad for people, and it\u2019s bad for dogs and cats too.\u00a0Exercise can keep sickness\u00a0and disease away and keep your pet looking and feeling good.\n\nIn fact, exercising your pet is so important that RSPCA Australia<\/a> has proposed laws requiring dog owners exercise their dogs on a daily basis<\/strong>. Planning a proper pet exercise program for your dog will help to ensure a long, happy and healthy life for your pet.\n

<\/p>\n\n

1. SURFING or KAYAKING\u00a0<\/strong>(pet exercise)<\/strong><\/h2>\nCertain dogs are natural swimmers; every dog is born with the instinctive ability to swim, but not all of them can. For example, pugs and french bulldogs tend to sink with their solid little bodies and short legs. Does your dog like to swim? Swimming is a great option for pet exercise. Swimming offers great aerobic conditioning, but without the impact stress of running. The low-impact exercise of swimming can be particularly beneficial for elderly dogs that may be suffering from arthritic joints.\n\nBe careful, though, of where your dog swims. Bull sharks can lurk in canals, lakes that exhibit lots of algae growth or floating dead fish on the surface may contain bacteria that could be harmful to your and your dog. And if your dog swims in a chlorinated pool, there\u2019s a chance that the chlorine will irritate its skin. A quick rinse-off with a hose after swimming will eliminate that concern.\n\nThe Vetshop <\/a>Dog Surfing Spectacular held in early March every year at Noosa Main Beach as part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing<\/a>.\n

\"Dog<\/p>\n

Dog Surfing – Photo courtesy of Chris McLennan \/ Noosa Festival of Surfing<\/p>\n

\"Dog<\/p>\n

Dog Surfing – Photo courtesy of Chris McLennan \/ Noosa Festival of Surfing<\/p>\n

The Poodles and Oodles Gold Coast Crew<\/a> get involved in regular fun events with dogs, including kayaking at places like Currumbin Creek. Water lovers can hire stand up paddle boards and kayaks and take their dogs too. The Boat Shed Bar\u00a0on shore are also dog-friendly and serve great food outdoors.<\/p>\n

\"Mocha<\/p>\n

Mini Poodle Mocha and Dior from Poodles and Oodles Gold Coast Group<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Milly<\/p>\n

An active dog is a happy dog! Milly in her XXS Ezy Dog Life Jacket \u2013 Milly is the mascot of national online Pet Sitting company PetCloud.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n\n

2. GEOCACHING\u00a0<\/strong>(pet exercise)<\/strong><\/h2>\nIf you’re looking for something different, there are also dog-friendly Geocaching events and groups such as Geocaching Gold Coast<\/a>. What is geo-caching?! It\u2019s like a treasure hunt<\/strong> people can do using their phones and by registering on the geocaching website https:\/\/www.geocaching.com\/play \u00a0Just a word of warning though, if you decide to do a geocache experience with your dog, ensure it doesnt involve food as you dont want them to get used to finding and eating strange food left in parks as it may make them more likely\u00a0to eat bated dog food.\n

\"Geocaching<\/p>\n

Pic source: youdidwhatwithyourweiner<\/p>\n\n

3.\u00a0<\/strong>HIKING\u00a0& BARXERCISE\u00a0<\/strong>(pet exercise)<\/strong>!<\/h2>\n

\"Australian<\/h2>\n

Pic sourced from Dog Adventures website<\/p>\nOn facebook there is a group called Dog Friendly Beaches and Camping Spots Australia<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0which is pretty active. BARXERCISE: OUTDOOR GROUP TRAINING AND PERSONAL TRAINING\u00a0WITH YOUR DOG<\/strong> The active dog-loving team from Barx Active<\/a> specialise in outdoor group fitness sessions, as well as personal training\u00a0for you and your dog and they have locations all over Australia including:\u00a0Ipswich QLD,\u00a0Wollongong\/Illawarra NSW,\u00a0Narre Warren South VIC,\u00a0Frankston VIC,\u00a0Rosebud VIC\n

\"An<\/p>\n

An outdoor Barxercise session. Pic from the Barxercise website<\/p>\n\n

4. DOGA \u2013 DOG YOGA AND CAT YOGA\u00a0<\/strong>(pet exercise)<\/strong><\/h2>\nShyamala Benakovic?, Yoga Australia’s<\/a> CEO, is seeing the growth of hybrid forms of yoga, including yoga dance, couples yoga and doga. “Doga \u2013 also known as dog yoga combines stretching, mediation and massage for owners and their furry friends,” she says, adding that with new styles it is even more important to ensure students are training under the guidance of a qualified teacher.\n

\"Doga<\/p>\n

Pic from @cpymoos<\/p>\n

<\/p>\nCat yoga<\/strong> can be done at the Lucky Cat Cafe in Annerley in Brisbane put on by Stretch Yoga<\/a>\n

\"Cat<\/p>\n

Pic sourced from Stretch Yoga<\/p>\nThe Cat Cuddle Cafe<\/a> in Brisbane also do Cat Yoga<\/strong>. $25 for 1.5hours.\n

\"Cat<\/p>\n

Pic: sourced from Cat Cuddle Cafe Brisbane<\/p>\nTHE RIGHT AMOUNT<\/strong> Just like people, dogs can get too much of a good thing. But too little exercise is a bad thing. How do you know if you\u2019re hitting the sweet spot with your dog\u2019s exercise program? Watch for these indicators that your dog is getting too much or too little exercise. NOT ENOUGH<\/strong>\n