Are you embarking on a solo adventure? That’s Barking Mad! Well, that’s what they all told me, but I do it anyway. Like all the time. You can too! Side note- all photos on this post were taken on solo adventures! Imagine what I might have missed…
First I have to ask, are you a part of the dogventure Facebook community?! You definitely should be! (Join in right here!) This week someone asked about taking her first solo dog adventure, and it made me think about my very first adventure that I took by myself. This was before Chloe was born and rescued, actually about 6 years ago. I was dating a nice man, who wasn’t so nice when he bailed on a date! I was frustrated, adventure hungry and quite frankly, ready to break things off with this man. However, I hadn’t learned one of the most important lessons I’ve experienced in my life yet: Loving yourself is the most important thing you can do everyday.
I know right? It’s one thing to say that in bolded letters, but quite another to actually experience it, and feel it. Now I have Chloe who encourages me to keep on caring for myself! I have to take care of my own heart so I can love her as much as she deserves.
Anyway, I was about to learn that important lesson, in a series of 5 hikes throughout South Central Minnesota. Somewhere on that first solo adventure, I realized had to love myself first, as much as I love other people. And that epiphany turned into an entire traveling career.
If you’re in this position where you WANT to go chase adventure by yourself and you CRAVE that freedom and liberty but you maybe just haven’t found it within yourself, or you have friends who always like to come with, or maybe you struggle with thoughts that pop into your head when you’re alone- no matter what edge you are standing on, I encourage you to grab that leash and that bag of treats, and go get your adventure. You never will, unless you just do it.
Step 1. Choose the right adventure
There are so many things you can do alone and so many more you can do alone with your dog! Pick something simple, that doesn’t take a lot of time. Decide if you want to see other people or if you want to be alone. And decide how your dog will handle the situation based on what they know for training so far.
On your first dogventure, you can…
- Go on a date with your dog
- Take a short hike
- Go to an airbnb for the weekend in a nearby town
- Check out farmers markets or flea markets
- Choose a scenic spot for a picnic adventure
- Roadtrip to nearby State Parks
- Take a class at REI or a local dog friendly outdoor place
- Go to a Brewery
- Explore some local live music
- Check out an art gallery
- Learn fun things at a museum! You can always call ahead to check if a place is pet friendly ♡
There are so many dogventure dates you could do! I should write a whole separate post! Whatever you choose, consider length of time, your own abilities and your dog’s abilities ♡
Step 2. Find Ways to Manage Anxiety
It’s probably going to happen. You know, that moment when you’re passing by a baby on your left and a dog on your right and you just KNOW that squirrel your pup saw a minute ago wound her up TOO tight and then it happens! She barks at the dog. Or tries to lick the baby’s face. And you feel that panic, that you failed at being a good dog mom.
Well first of all, you didn’t fail, and that is a situation you might want to avoid on your first solo adventure if possible.
Second, anxiety will happen when you’re by yourself for the first time. People tell stories about how they felt watched, or trapped, or their own thoughts became the stuff of nightmares. It’s so important to have a good understanding between your gut telling you a situation is off, compared to anxious feelings in general. Personally, I find mindfulness opportunities in nature to be so healing! It’s amazing to connect with yourself in a beautiful way. Your dog will also have great instincts! Trust them too! A more practical test of the gut is- can you hear crickets, birds or squirrels? Wellp, you’re good. If they all disappear all of a sudden, grab your bear spray and your dog- something malificent is nearby. Which, could be a mountain goat, but also possibly big foot- you never know! …But you might be about to find out.
I manage anxiety by-
- Making sure I have a distraction
- Using “headspace” the app for mindfulness
- Grounding techniques like pressing my toes into the ground, or naming all of the horticulture around me
- Going through and editing photos from the adventure so far
- Trusting myself to know a good or bad situation
Step 3. Practice before you go
There are so many ways to practice solo adventures before you do them! If you’re going on a date with your dog, try cooking at home first! If you’re camping, set up that tent! For hiking you can break out the camping shoes, bag, fanny pack and walk around the back yard. This is all so good for training your dog, as well as yourself. There is nothing quite as dreadful as arriving to a camping spot to find you’re missing a tent stake! And nothing quite as surprising as having food brought to an outdoor table, only to have your dog snatch it from your plate first.
Step 4. Bring fun things to help you stay distracted
As I mentioned, sometimes being by yourself can be anxiety provoking at first. You have to make every decision yourself, you have to know where you’re going and how you’ll get back. So I find having something to do while I’m on an adventure is great! I will read, pretend I can fish, write, or edit photos all of which keep my mind occupied! Choose your poison, bring it with you on your dogventure. It truly makes for a more fun experience too, when you can decide what leisure activity you want to try to do.
Step 5. Embrace the Unknown
There are so many perks to solo adventures with your dog. My personal favorite thing is the act of spontaneous decisions. When you are by yourself, you can do ANYTHING. Truly anything you want! There is noone to sway your decisions, to remind you what you want that day, noone to compromise with. It is 100%, your choice. So if you planned a trip to Halifax, but ended up in Lubec, Maine in a quest for puffins and the Paul Bunyan of Maine- wellp, go right ahead.
There might be moments that come up that are not planned. It’s important to be prepared for unfortunate things. Make sure you are self sufficient in knowing how to change your tires, have an extra tank of fuel in the back, and download the Red Cross pet first aid app just to be safe.
Perhaps there is a trail that pops up in your path, or a sign for a waterfall. These side trips and spontaneous decisions have led to some incredible adventures!
Embrace every moment that is unpredicted, because that is what makes it a true adventure.
A Wise Dog Once Said
Step 6. Reflect on your Experience
What was fun, and what was difficult? What did you learn? Reflection is such an integral part of growth, and can give insight into how to proceed on future adventures and what you definitely want to try again, compared to what you definitely do not.
In my case of Chloe kissing babies, I would work on having her interact with kids more often, and reward when she doesn’t kiss, and control the environment to avoid kissing. She does LOVE babies, and we’ve so far been able to learn a lot from friends with kids!
Chloe and I can’t imagine where we would be if we didn’t start savoring our moments alone. It doesn’t mean we don’t love spending time with our friends, family and boyfriends (that rarely exist) too! We now know that spending time with ourselves is one of the most important ways we can love ourselves and we hope to encourage all dog parents to do just that.
I want to hear from you! What’s holding you back from chasing down your first adventure alone? What are you planning that you’re super excited to try? I am here to say that I believe in you, and your adventure pet! Go get em pup parents. Happy trails, and happy tails to you!
Find BarkingEmbarkers on Social Media! You can find us on our
Facebook group, Instagram, or Pinterest Pages. Chloe and I are also now on tiktok!
Check out our brand new Youtube Channel with a PCT “Captains Log” journal right here.
You can also ALWAYS reach out with questions by emailing us at barkingembarkers@gmail.com.
A future dog date blog post would be a great one! I love the encouragement and postivity of this blog post. I will have to check out the headspace app and go on some short little solo adventures with my pups! Mom can’t be gone too long lol. I also love that Chloe likes kids so much! Omari would just love her!