Fun, unusual, free things to do with your dog!

[MysticRealm]

I would like some fun, unusual, prefferably free things to do with my dog. I am taking a dog trainers course in april (learning to be a dog trainer) and he sent us a package and suggested making sure the dogs were well socialized and conditioned (it's a fairly strenuos course).
Stryder (my yr and 7 month old mini poodle) is a very friendly dog to both people and dogs and isn't a big chicken about most things. I used to dog groom and once he had all his shots he came with me everyday so he got some socialization there with other dogs at the shop and the groomers and stuff so he deffinately isn't unsocialized and scared I just really want to make sure he won't react too badly to things once we get to the trainers course.
So what are your most fun, creative things to do with your dog to socialize them and condition them? I am planning to bring Stryder to the barn with me to meet the horses and the people there, he gets walks and stuff but what else would be totally unusual and cool to do?
Thanks for reading and replying!

 

[MysticRealm]

anyone?

 

[tempura tantrum]

Any time you can get your dog around kids it's a GREAT opportunity for socialization. Big groups of kids are unpredictable, loud, move quickly, and most aren't "dog smart."

Provided that you watch all interactions like a hawk (to make sure no negative experiences occur for either the dog OR the kids), it's a great way to teach a dog how to remain calm in "bizarre" situations, AND a fabulous opportunity to teach children how to appropriately approach and pet a dog. (So few kids REALLY know how- and the simple act of teaching them may save them from a nasty bite in the future).

If you've got a neighborhood with lots of kids in it, or a park that you know a lot of kids go to, that's perfect. I would generally stay away from going to schools these days (because of the worries of intruders and lockdowns, and such...sigh...).

 

[MysticRealm]

Thanks for the reply. One of my younger cousins (I think she was 2-3 yrs old) came over and Stryder just loved her, and she like Stryder too. It was so cute.

 

[kidsanddogs]

I have a page on my website that I use at
http://www.loveyourdog.com/fieldtrips.html. It lists different situations in which you can participate with your dog. I print it out and use it as a checklist. I make sure I check everything off, and then I know for sure that my dog's socialized. You can also write in a few places for your local area. I also have more items on my page at http://therapydogs.net.