5 unusual leisure activities for dogs
Dogs share more leisure activities with their owners than one would think. Going for walks and fetching sticks is so old-school. Nowadays, surfing the internet or dancing are all the rage.
Magic tricks for dogs
Finnish magician Jose Ahonen can boast over 34 million clicks on his YouTube channel for magic tricks for dogs. Ahonen thinks it's the dogs' honest, upfront reactions that make the videos so popular among viewers and get them laughing. And, Ahonen couldn't have better participants: Who wouldn't want dogs as magic show side-kicks?
Dog surfing
Whether dogs actually like gripping onto a surfboard as they fly across the waves is debatable, but some of their owners seem to be pretty into it. The dog-shared activity is particularly popular in California, but you'll also find canines and their best friends out together on European waters.
Spa treatments for dogs
According to trained dog therapists, canines can sometimes suffer under stress as much as humans. Special dog guesthouses, such as "Platzhirsch" (Top Dog) near Düsseldorf, offer the perfect solution to alleviate stress. For a mere 120 euros ($141), dogs can enjoy a relaxing weekend of spa treatments, including a massage.
Dog dancing
Dancing dogs? Yes, they can! And, there are even human and canine teams who dance away to their own choreographies, such as leg slalom, stepping to the side or backwards, turning, offering a paw or jumping through the arms of the owners. The owners guide the canines with the slightest of body signals. Originating in the United States, this very particular dog sport is now popular across Europe.
Art events for dogs
During these particular art event tours, dogs do not have to stay outside. Instead, they can sniff and snoop around pictures that have been installed at a dog's-eye level. Dog-friendly art events can be found in Berlin, but also in New York, such as Manhattan's "Dogumenta."