Can You Bring Your Dog to the Pumpkin Patch? 5 Tips for a Fun Fall Outing
Fall is one of the best seasons to get outside, the air is crisp, you aren't dripping with sweat or shivering in the cold, and the foliage is too pretty to miss. With the fall season comes lots of farm stands, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards and if you're anything like me, you plan on including your dog in as many fun fall activities as possible.
Pumpkins patches can be great spots to take your pup for a few reasons: it is outside; it is very spread out; and you mostly have very little to fear concerning safety there. However, do bring a few pieces of info along with you if your dog is tagging along.
Does My Doggo Go There?
While this might appear to be an animal playground, not every pumpkin farm is dog friendly. Many pumpkin patches are part of working farms that have large animals and fields of crops. Before bringing your pup along on your fall adventure, make sure to either call ahead or check the website of the patch or farm you are planning to go to. Many popular fall destinations include a FAQs page on their website or social media, that will specify the rules around bringing personal pets.
Another thing to take into consideration is if your dog would even like sitting around a pumpkin patch and if they would be okay doing the activity. Many farms are packed on weekends in the fall, and the noise of activity, kids, and animals can be too overstimulating for some canine companions. And as they say, a fearful dog may be a hazard not just to themselves, but for others as well. If your dog has ever experienced stress around large crowds or other dogs, then perhaps it is best left behind for this activity.
What activities can dogs do at a pumpkin patch?
Keep up with your favorite farm's fall schedules, as so many host specific events for dogs! Some pumpkin patches actually host dog Halloween costume contests, and others may feature special areas that are downright dog-gone meant to allow your pooch an opportunity to run around freely to burn off energy with furry friends. Barton Orchards in Poughquag, N.Y., for instance, features an off-leash dog park with agility equipment to allow your pooch to burn off steam with other pooches!.
Many pumpkin patches now have side corn mazes and apple orchards for you to spend a bit of time there with your pup. Consider this an extra super special walk for your pup, with new things that she's supposed to get her nose wet on in the smells as well as sniff. And while apples as well as corn are largely safe treats, neither the apple core nor the cobbed corn is an acceptable share. These can easily become a choking hazard or block the passage in the intestines of your pet. If you still want to give the dog a piece of an apple, cut it into pieces so he can chomp on it.
Finally, but not leastly: a photo shoot! Provide fall-themed bandanas and fun dog Halloween costumes and take a picture-perfect capture amidst the foliage.
5 Dog-Friendly Pumpkin Patches You Can Visit in the Fall
- Control Your Dog with a Leash
Many farms are perfectly fine with dogs as long as they're kept on a standard-sized leash. - Prepare for the Occasion
In addition to a leash, be prepared with water and a collapsible bowl, poop bags, and possibly some treats that you can use to entice good behavior. - Practice 'Leave-It
Some pups can find apples and those adorable little gourds suspiciously resembling tennis balls. Practice your 'drop it' or 'leave it' cues prior to visiting a patch. - Get your dog to pee beforehand
You never know when your pup is going to stop and do his business. Take him for a walk around the pumpkin patch so he can do his business before hand. If Fido wants to lift his leg on that particular pumpkin, then you should consider buying it. You pee on it, you pay for it! - Keep Your Dog Away From Farm Animals
While the farm may have its own farm dog that enjoys running after goats or simply hanging out with the horses, your pup must remain leashed and away from the other animals due to everyone's safety.
