Some puppies and dogs see their water bowl as a toy – a container full of water to dig in and splash around. Of course, all this fun includes tipping over the water bowl because who wants to drink water when you can play with it?
There are many ways to stop your dog from tipping over the water bowl, such as putting a heavy stone in the bowl, getting a heavy bowl, using a raised dish, or giving your dog a water bottle instead.
These are only some of the ways to stop your dog from tipping over the water bowl, and there are many things you can try to fix this. Trying different bowls, addressing the cause of the behavior, and a few nifty little tricks could resolve this problem altogether.
Let’s look at 18 ways to stop your dog from tipping over the water bowl…
Fix the water bowl you already have:
1. Put a silicone mat under the bowl
Try putting a silicone mat under your dog’s water bowl, to keep the water bowl in place.
There are some great non-slip, water-proof floor mats for pets that are designed to keep bowls in place, make cleaning up easier, and to stop water and food from getting on your floors.
Here’s a pet silicone mat from Amazon that’s dishwasher-safe and textured, for added grip – plus it comes in many colors.
2. Weigh down the water bowl
You could try putting a rock in your dog’s water bowl, to weigh it down and make it more difficult to move the water bowl.
Remember that the rock takes up space, so you may need a bigger water bowl or to fill it more often.
Another option is a product called Dog Rocks (Amazon link), which weigh down the bowl and break down nitrates in your dog’s drinking water at the same time. If your dog has less nitrates in his/her urine, your dog’s urine won’t damage or yellow the grass.
Many dog owners have had luck with putting Velcro under their dog’s water bowl. These VELCRO strips from Amazon are affordable, can be used indoors or outdoors, and can hold up to 15lbs so they’re pretty strong.
Stick one side of the strip under the water bowl and the other side of the strip on the floor. To keep the water bowl in place, simply put the water bowl strip on the floor strip so they stick together. You will be able to pull the bowl off when you need to wash or refill it.
Putting a bowl inside another bowl makes it much harder for your dog to pick up or tip over the water bowl.
Change your dog’s bowl to stop water bowl tipping:
Sometimes it’s better to change your dog’s water bowl altogether, at least until they grow out of or break the habit of tipping over the water bowl.
Here are some water bowls that are harder or even impossible to tip over:
5. Try a heavy water bowl
If you don’t want to use a rock in your dog’s water bowl for weight, you could get a very heavy water bowl that your dog won’t easily flip over.
These are more expensive than plastic and stainless steel bowls and will be heavier for you to pick up for cleaning, but they should solve the problem of tipping.
A concrete bowl (I couldn’t find a suitable one on Amazon – don’t buy a planter because it will have holes in the bottom to let water out for plants)
Your dog, even a big guy/gal, will struggle to pick up or tip over such a heavy water bowl.
Just be sure to put a towel or silicone mat under the bowl to catch any water spills around the bowl.
6. Try a non-slip water bowl
These bowls have a rubber or silicone layer underneath or around the bottom edge that sits on the floor.
If your dog likes to move and push the water bowl around when drinking, then the rubber will stop the bowl from moving. But this bowl won’t help if your dog likes picking up the water bowl (rather try the Velcro strips in point 3).
You could always get a non-slip water bowl and put it on a silicone mat for added ‘stickiness’ (see point 1).
I have a stainless steel non-slip water bowl that works very well, similar to this one on Amazon. If your dog is a large breed or heavy pusher, something like this might work better.
7. Try a raised water bowl
A raised water bowl is a bowl that sits in a stand to make it higher off the floor.
These bowls can make it easier for your dog to drink water because of the height in relation to the dog’s head. These bowls can also stop some dogs from tipping over their water bowl because it’s more difficult and the water isn’t on the floor, so it takes some of the ‘fun’ away from the game.
If you do get a raised water bowl for dogs that tip, dog owners recommend that you get a stand that’s solid. A stand with four little legs might not be sturdy enough for a dog that plays with the water bowl.
Another option is to give your dog a water bottle and just use a water bowl at feeding times or when you’re home, so you can keep an eye on things.
Fill a large water bottle like this one (Amazon link) with water, and hang it somewhere your dog can easily reach. You could leave several bottles around the house and in the yard. Be sure to show your dog where the water bottles are and how to use them.
9. Try a no-tip bowl
You can try a no-tip water bowl. These bowls limit the amount of water your dog can access with any one lick, so there’s less reason to dig and play and flip the water in the water bowl.
I found 2 popular no-tip bowl options on Amazon, and they really aren’t that expensive (less than $20 each):
One thing to be aware of with these ‘fancy’ dog bowls is that they take more work to clean. There are several parts that need to be taken apart, cleaned, and put back together. So only get a bowl like this if you have the time and patience to do that 😊
10. Try a bowl with a wider base
A bowl with a base that’s wider than the top will be harder for your dog to flip over. This is because a wider base lets it stand ‘stronger’ on the ground.
There are many of these kinds of bowls available and most of them are very affordable.
You can get plastic or stainless steel bowls, and many of them have silicone or rubber around the base so they don’t move around on the floor.
11. Try a slow feed bowl
Slow feed bowls have a block/piece in the middle of the bowl, so your dog can’t gulp down their food. But this could help stop your dog from tipping over the water bowl.
The slow feed piece in the bowl will stop your dog from gulping down the water and getting too excited, which is one of the reasons why dogs play with their water bowls.
The piece in the bowl may also make it more difficult for your dog to pick up the water bowl in his/her mouth.
Some dog owners have had success with a pail that has one flat side, like this one (Amazon link).
You’ll need to secure the pail to something, like a gate or a crate, and the sturdier you can make it the better.
The depth and height of a pail makes it harder for a dog to knock it over, and the fact that they have to stick a nose deep in to get water makes them less likely to spill water everywhere.
More tips to help stop your dog tipping over the water bowl
Most of the time, tipping over the water bowl is just a phase that your dog will grow out of (even though it can be frustrating for you and messy on your floors).
The good news is that there are some things you can do to help your dog change or minimize this behavior, or to help you cope while the bowl tipping is a thing.
Don’t ever punish your dog for tipping over the water bowl – your dog won’t know why he/she is being punished and could become scared to use the water bowl. We definitely don’t want that.
Let’s take a look at some positive things you can do to help your dog…
13. Move the bowl to a quieter area
Try moving the water bowl to a quieter part of your home.
Busy and loud areas can lead to more water bowl tipping, especially if you have a goofy or boisterous dog.
It can go something like this: Your dog is happily drinking water, your kids start playing and running around, the dog gets very excited and joins in the fun by playing with the water bowl… Water everywhere!
14. Put the bowl where you don’t mind the mess
Life may be a lot easier and calmer if you can accept that this is a phase you and your dog are going through, so you need to work together.
Some dog owners simply put their dog’s water bowl in the bath or walk-in shower. If their puppy or dog tips over the water bowl, there’s no issue about the ‘mess’.
Always make sure that your dog has access to water, even if he/she knocks over one of the water bowls.
15. Give clean water daily
Be sure to give your dog fresh water in a clean water bowl every day.
Some dogs tip the water out of their bowl if the water isn’t fresh. Your best bud is asking you in his/her way to refill the bowl with clean water.
16. Keep your dog cool enough
If your dog is getting too hot, he/she may try to use the water in the bowl to cool down.
Some dogs just wanna splash around. They’re the water babies of the doggy world.
If you’re lucky enough to have one of these water babies, and he/she tries to swim in the water bowl, then you might want to give them another water source to play.
My water baby swims in his kiddie pool every chance he gets, no matter the time of day or the weather.
Having a kiddie pool or tub to play in may stop your dog from tipping over and playing with the water bowl.
Don’t give your dog free access to a swimming pool because this can be dangerous. If your dog does use the pool, there are ramps that you can put in your pool that your dog can use to climb out of the water if needed.
Some dogs tip their water bowl and play with their drinking water because they’re bored or want attention (even if it isn’t the good kind of attention).
Make sure your dog has things to keep him/her busy. You can give your dog a Kong or a puzzle toy to play with. Try different toys to see which ones your dog likes best.
To teach your dog not to tip over the water bowl, wait until things are calm and quiet at home. Put the bowl down for your dog and let him/her drink water. If your dog starts trying to tip the bowl, quietly take the bowl away and wait for a few minutes. Then start again with putting the bowl in front of your dog.
Your dog will soon learn that tipping the bowl means the bowl is taken away.
Dogs make movies even more special, don’t they? They can be the hero, the villain, or the victim, but there’s always a good story, lessons to learn, and some entertainment when there’s a dog on the big screen.
I’ve put together a list of the best dog movies to watch and included the trailers. I hope you enjoy them!
Fun-Loving & Happy Dog Movies
1. Hotel for Dogs
This is a must-see movie for anyone who not only loves dogs but works in animal welfare or rescue as well. It’s heart-warming, inspiring, and offers insight into animals that need a home and children in foster care who do, too.
Andi and her brother, Bruce, are in foster care and no pets are allowed there. They refuse to give up their dog, Friday, who is part of the family and makes up the trio. The siblings need to make a plan to house Friday and keep him safe.
Soon, many other stray and abandoned dogs turn up who also need a safe haven. Andi and Bruce – with the help of their friends – officially open the Hotel for Dogs.
2. Air Bud
Air Bud is the one that started them all: Air Bud: Golden Retriever, Seventh Inning Fetch, Spikes Back, World Pup, and Air Buddies. These are all wonderful family movies that are well worth watching.
This one’s a classic tale about a boy and his dog. Josh is a rather shy boy who would rather practice basketball on his own than with his teammates. But then he meets Buddy, and guess what?
Buddy has a fantastic talent for shooting hoops!
Josh and Buddy quickly become a famous pair on the school’s basketball team, but all the media attention sadly attracts the attention of Buddy’s former owner, who wants to cash in on Buddy’s success.
Follow the ups and downs of Josh and Buddy as they not only outwit Buddy’s former owner but also lead their school basketball team to victory.
3. Air Buddies
Air Buddies is part of the Air Bud franchise and will entertain kids all the way. Buddy from Air Bud (see above) falls in love and starts a family with his brown-eyed sweetheart.
This movie shares the uplifting and lesson-learning adventures of the Buddies – their 5 adorable little pups named Budderball, B-Dawg, Buddha, Mud Bud, and Rosebud.
Each pup has a different talent and personality, which makes them very relatable, cute and entertaining as they explore the world around them.
4. Snow Dogs
Dr. Teddy Brooks is a fancy dentist from Miami who inherits a pack of sled dogs in Alaska. But Brooks has to learn the tricks of the trade or he’ll lose the dogs to a mountain man pro named Thunder Jack.
Nana the Border Collie does her best to guide Brooks through the lessons he must learn to get Demon – a Siberian Husky and the pack’s team leader – to respect and listen to him as the new sled dog owner.
Challenges, adventure and personal growth ensue, with tons of giggle-worthy moments.
5. Cats and dogs: Catnapped
Cats and Dogs takes a humorous look at an intense rivalry between cats and dogs, who each have their own spy organization.
Mr. Tinkles, a white Persian cat, is an evil genius trying to take over the world.
In the movie, the dogs are trying to stop the cats from making all humans allergic to cats. There are cat-nappings, retired spies, important missions, and an amateur puppy spy learning the ropes – but can he beat Mr. Tinkles?.
This movie offers fun, games, and laughs all the way through.
6. Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore
In the sequel to the first Cat and Dogs movie, the rivalry continues between the species. But some adorable new characters are introduced to the story line, including a pigeon.
With Mr. Tinkles in Alcatraz, Kitty Galore becomes a rogue agent who makes plans to destroy all human and canine life. The dogs and cats have to put their ongoing conflict on hold to stop her from executing her master plot.
7. Cats and Dogs: Paws Unite
In the third Cats and Dogs movie, the stakes are even higher with a new evil mastermind at play.
This time the supervillain is a hilarious parrot named Pablo, who’s on a mission to break the long-standing truce between dogs and cats.
Our heroes are Gwen the cat and Roger the dog, whose partnership was formed from the great truce. This truce has kept the peace between cats and dogs for a decade, but Pablo has found an evil way to manipulate wireless frequencies that only dogs and cats can hear…
8. Because of Winn-Dixie
10-year-old Opal, who was abandoned by her mom years ago, moves to a small town in Florida with her father, who is a preacher. But Opal is very lonely in the new little town and misses her old friends.
One day, she’s in a store called Winn-Dixie when a dog starts running around and causing chaos. The shop owner threatens to send the dog to the pound, but Opal quickly claims the dog as her own and names the dog Winn-Dixie.
And then a wonderful friendship and journey unfolds…
With Winn-Dixie’s help, Opal begins mending her strained relationship with her dad and makes friends with others in the town.
9. The Secret Life of Pets 1
Max, a pet dog, is very happy to be an only child and the apple of his owner’s eye… but all that changes when his owner brings home another dog named Duke.
This creates some sibling rivalry, which all has to stop when the two brothers are forced to put their differences aside after learning their beloved owner is in danger and needs their help.
10. The Secret Life of Pets 2
We all love our pets, but do we really know them?
In this sequel to the original Secret Life of Pets movie, Duke and Max’s owner, Kate, creates new fears in her two canine children when she introduces a member to the household – baby Liam.
Of course, all of Max and Duke’s friends share their antics and adventures along the way with the new little guy. But Max and Duke’s fears disappear as they get used to little Liam, and they begin to love and protect him.
Max grows a lot in this movie emotionally thanks to a farm dog named Rooster, who’s full of wise words and encouragement. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
11. Marmaduke
Here comes a lot of trouble… and love!
Marmaduke is based on a newspaper comic strip about the Winslow family and their Great Dane, Marmaduke. The film shows the adventures of Marmaduke when he moves to California with his family.
Marmaduke makes new friends, learns some lessons, and even finds true love.
12. The Shaggy Dog
Placing yourself in someone else’s shoes has never quite been this literal!
Prosecutor Dave Douglas is ironically fighting a case against animal rights activists. In the meantime, a 300-year-old sacred bearded collie has escaped from a laboratory and bites Dave.
Yip, you guessed it. Dave then transforms into a bearded collie himself and so the adventures and life lessons begin.
13. Underdog
Based on the cartoon, Underdog is a household name indeed.
But this time around Underdog is digitally enhanced into the real world. The movie is about a lemon Beagle watchdog, who is exposed to a substance that gives him superpowers.
Luckily, he’s adopted by a 12-year-old boy and then uses his powers to protect the city from the bad guy: Simon Bar Sinister.
There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!
14. Beethoven
Beethoven is about the life and adventures of a huge Saint Bernard, who is given all of the love and care in the world by his adopted family. However, the family wants to catch Beethoven and use him as a subject for his deadly science experiments, along with some other local dogs.
Beethoven is the first installment of the Beethoven movie series that has many more titles well worth a watch, like Beethoven’s Big Break, Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure and Beethoven’s Treasure Tail.
15. Bolt
Bolt plays a TV character who has amazing superpowers.
One day, Bolt is accidentally shipped from his Hollywood set to the chaotic streets of New York City.
Getting confused between reality and the world of TV, Bolt believes his superpowers are real. Armed with these fake superpowers, and accompanied by a cat and a hamster, Bolt sets out on an adventure to find his co-star and owner, Penny.
16. Lady and The Tramp
Beautiful through and through, this is a legendary, classic dog tale that can’t be missed!
Lady is a spaniel and the apple of Jim Dear and Darling’s eyes, until they have a baby. All is well until Jim and Darling take a vacation and leave Aunt Sarah and her two naughty Siamese cats to look after the baby, Lady and the house.
The cats create total chaos and Lady is blamed for it all. Lady then meets Tramp on the street and their love affair begins to blossom.
Expect drama, romance, giggles and absolutely adorable dogs.
17. Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Chloe, a spoilt and pampered Beverly Hills Chihuahua, is holidaying in Mexico. She manages to get lost in a rough neighborhood and doesn’t know what to do when she gets her first taste of life on the street.
In come 2 street dogs, Papi and Delgado, who lend her a helping paw to find her way back home.
This is the first of 3 movies and all 3 are well worth a watch.
18. The Fox and the Hound
Todd, a red fox, and Cooper, a hound dog, become friends during childhood. But all that changes when they grow up, as they give in to peer pressure and their natural instincts to become enemies.
The movie goes on to show how, despite their differences, these unlikely friends can form an unbreakable bond.
19. Bingo
Bingo, a runaway circus dog, saves the life of a young boy named Chuckie, who doesn’t fit in very well with his friends.
Bingo and Chuckie soon become best buds and enjoy pinball, math, and skateboarding together. Sadly, Chuckie’s parents discover the stowaway dog and tell Chuckie that Bingo will not be joining them on their cross-country move.
The movie follows this 1000-mile adventure of loyalty and love between Bingo and Chuckie, as they encounter all sorts of outrageous people and hilarious situations on their quest to be reunited.
Kidnappers, hospitals, jail, and even dog catchers can’t keep these 2 beautiful friends apart.
20. 101 Dalmatians
This much-loved classic has not only led to a franchise of animation classics but ‘real world’ ones as well.
Roger is a bachelor who lives with his dog, Pongo.
Pongo decides that he and Roger both need to find love, so he plays matchmaker and sets Roger up with Anita and Perdita with himself.
Roger and Anita get married, while Pongo and Perdita have a litter of 15 gorgeous puppies.
Anita’s old school friend, Cruella de Vil, comes to visit and offers to buy the entire litter of pups. Roger declines the offer but Cruella hires 2 thugs – Horace and Jasper – to steal the puppies anyway.
Using the Twilight Bark that Pongo and Perdita sound out to all the other dogs, the hunt begins to try and locate the puppies and bring them back home safely.
21. Scoob!
Shaggy, Scooby Doo and the detective team are back for another adventure.
This feel-good movie rewinds back to when Shaggy and Scooby meet on the beach, and later meet the rest of the team.
After being squeezed out of Mystery Inc by their new investment partner, Simon Cowell, Shaggy and Scooby decide to go bowling. Here they are captured and chased by Rottens – little robots.
This movie promises to be the team’s solves their biggest mystery yet!
22. Dog Days
This movie is about the lives of 4 people and their doggy companions.
There’s Elizabeth, a news anchor, who likes asking her dog therapist for advice. Daisy walks dogs for a living and is in love with one of her clients. Garrett wants to find romance and keep his adopt-a-dog business afloat. Last, but not least, is Tara, a barista who dreams about life beyond her day job at a coffee shop.
Now bring on the dogs! The dogs in each person’s life soon start to influence their romantic relationships, friendships and careers in very funny and unforeseen ways.
23. Show Dogs
This is a cop movie, but with a canine catch…
Max, a police dog, joins forces with Frank, an FBI agent, to rescue an endangered baby panda from an evil gang of animal smugglers.
Max, a manly Rottweiler, goes undercover as a contestant in a dog show so the pair can rescue the panda and bring down the smugglers.
24. Top Dog
Starring action hero Chuck Norris, this movie pairs up Jake, a tough cop, and a dog named Reno.
It’s up to Reno and Jake to put an end to a very sinister criminal organization. But grumpy Jakes gets annoyed when Reno outsmarts him nearly every step of the way and gets all the praise.
This move is an action-comedy from the word ‘go’.
25. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
This popular movie is based on the TV series with Wallace, an eccentric inventor with a good nature, and his ever-faithful dog, Gromit.
Here Wallace and Gromit are pest controllers who must rescue a village being plagued by bunny rabbits before the local annual giant vegetable competition.
Whenever I go to a dog park or a dog-friendly beach, I love watching the dogs run round playing fetch with their owners. I often wonder if there are certain dog breeds that love chasing a ball more than others, and it turns out there are!
Dogs that were bred to hunt, retrieve, and herd enjoy playing fetch the most. Their instincts are to chase moving objects, catch them in mid-air or on the ground, then bring them back to their owner for another round of fetch.
Did you know that dogs of all sizes can enjoy a game of fetch? Because of their energetic nature, most of these breeds need a lot of daily exercise, a lot of attention, and space to run in order to be happy and healthy.
I’ve put together a list of 21 dog breeds that love the fun of chasing a toy and playing fetch:
1. Australian Shepherd
Size: Medium – Large
Weight: 40-65 pounds
Bred to herd sheep and cattle, the energetic Australian Shepherd needs a lot of daily exercise, and playing fetch is one of their favorite games!
Running after and catching a ball or stick kicks in their natural herding instincts, and they’ll always want more of it…
Some Australian Shepherds are more energetic than others, but all of them need enough exercise and stimulation or they can become quite destructive.
1. Belgian Malinois
Size: Large
Weight: 40-80 pounds
This short-haired version of the Belgian Shepherd is playful, agile, and needs a lot of exercise.
In fact, the Belgian Malinois is happy to spend 3 to 6 hours a day playing fetch and running around!
This breed must work and get out a lot of energy, and this type of dog is often not suitable for busy families and those with small children.
3. Belgian Sheepdog
Size: Large
Weight: 45-75 pounds
Belgian Sheepdogs are also known as ‘Groenendael’.
This is a longhaired variation of the Belgian Malinois, and has a beautiful shiny black coat.
These passionate, loyal dogs give everything they’ve got when playing a game, especially a fun game of fetch. They may need less exercise than other Belgian Shepherds, but they might not be able to stop themselves from chasing things other than a ball or stick (like passing bicycles, other dogs, and joggers).
4. Border Collie
Size: Medium – Large
Weight: 30-55 pounds
This energetic dog is happiest sneaking up on sheep in a field and getting them in line. But when he can’t herd sheep, a border collie loves catching balls, toys, frisbees, water, bubbles, sticks, and whatever else is flying through the air.
This athletic breed needs many hours of exercise and a large space to run around to release all that energy before stopping for a cuddle.
5. Boykin Spaniel
Size: Medium
Weight: 25-40 pounds
These spaniels are always happy and eager to learn. They’re also furry bundles of energy – take them out hiking, running, and playing ball for a wonderful time together.
Boykin Spaniels thrive with a lot of exercise and a lot of love.
They also enjoy swimming and getting their feet muddy and wet, so don’t be scared to go somewhere wet to play that game of fetch!
6. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Size: Large
Weight: 55-80 pounds
Affectionately called the Chessie, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is famous for its waterproof coat and love of fetching things.
Bred to retrieve ducks in icy water during the hunting season, Chessies are soft souls that today work as therapy dogs, bomb detection dogs, and in search and rescue.
Chessies have the strongest personalities of all retrievers, and love playing long games of fetch to keep themselves busy and get out some of that energy.
7. Curly Coated Retriever
Size: Large
Weight: 60-95 pounds
These energetic dogs, with their curly hair and wedge-shaped head, will always join in a game of fetch with you.
Who can last the longest? You throwing or your curly coated retriever fetching?
These dogs love being outside to play and run, but they also enjoy the comforts of being at home with the family.
8. English Springer Spaniel
Size: Large
Weight: 40-50 pounds
The English Springer Spaniel needs to stretch their legs every day, and a game of fetch outside in a big yard or in the park will do the trick.
Skip the game and your dog could become quite a busy handful at home.
These spaniels enjoy hiking and long runs with their owners – the perfect opportunity to take a ball with and let your Spaniel practice its natural instinct to hunt and catch things.
9. Flat-coated Retriever
Size: 60-70 pounds
Weight: Large
The flat-coated retriever loves exercise and will choose a game of fetch over sitting on the couch any day.
Light-hearted and playful, he craves human attention and games into his old age. Take your flat-coated retriever out for a game of fetch to bond with him and bring out his retriever instincts.
10. German Shepherd
Size: Large
Weight: 50-90 pounds
German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that were bred to herd and protect sheep in Germany. This breed needs lots of exercise, mental stimulation, and love throughout their lifetime.
As puppies, German Shepherds should have exercise in a controlled environment, to avoid long-term damage to the legs and ligaments. This could mean a few quick rounds of fetch, short walks, or play with other puppies for socialization.
Once adults, exercise and play can be adapted to your dog’s level of energy. Play a game of fetch with a ball, a stick, or roll a tire – your German Shepherd will love the chase!
11. German Shorthaired Pointer
Size: Large
Weight: 45-70 pounds
These hunting dogs love hunting balls and need to live a lifestyle full of walks, games, runs, swims, and more. They need a good exercise session twice a day to get all that energy out.
Just beware when taking your Pointer to a park or open space – if someone or something else runs past him, he might just start chasing them.
12. Golden Retriever
Size: Large
Weight: 55-75 pounds
Golden Retrievers love to fetch and carry things in their mouth. They’ll happily play many games of fetch with their owners, running to catch a frisbee, ball, or anything else you throw for them.
When they aren’t playing fetch, long walks and lots of play are needed.
At home, keep a box full of toys for your Golden Retriever so he/she always has something to carry around, otherwise he/she might find things to chew on that you don’t want them to destroy.
13. Irish Water Spaniel
Size: Large
Weight: 45-68 pounds
The Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest spaniel, with a busy nature that wants to play, play, play.
You can tell this spaniel from other spaniels by its very curly coat and tail, which tapers off at the end.
Some of this spaniel’s favorite games include swimming and playing fetch. You can even combine the two to play fetch in a pool or dam.
14. Jack Russell
Size: Small
Weight: 9-15 pounds
Russell Terriers are high-energy dogs with amazing hunting skills and a keen eagerness for a game of fetch.
Running, jumping, and barking at things are all great fun for these terriers!
To look and feel his best, a Russell Terrier needs vigorous daily exercise and lots of time chasing balls.
15. Labrador Retriever
Size: Large
Weight: 55-80 pounds
White, black, brown, or yellow… what do Labradors love most? People, attention, and playing fetch!
Chasing a ball or a frisbee is a great way for Labradors to use up all that happy energy inside them, and they’ll be even happier when their owner gives them a pat and a ‘Well done!’ for their hard work.
It’s important to find ways for labs to exercise daily. Most of them enjoy being in the water, so mix things up a bit with a game of fetch in the pool.
16. Miniature Schnauzer
Size: Small
Weight: 11-20 pounds
These little dogs love feeling the wind in their bear as they run after a ball. They may be little but they need regular exercise for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Sprinkle some walks and lots of family time to see your little Schnauzer thrive as a family pet.
17. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Size: Large
Weight: 35-50 pounds
You might not have heard about the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever before, but he sure is a champion when it comes to playing fetch.
Also affectionately called a ‘Toller’, you’ll be playing fetch until the sun sets or one of you falls over – and it won’t be the Toller!
This sporty breed has boundless energy and must exercise daily to be happy. They love it when their humans join them in a game of flyball, fetch, or agility training.
18. Samoyed
Size: Large
Weight: 35-65 pounds
Also known as Sammies, Samoyeds were bred for herding and protecting reindeer in cold climates, where they used to work in temperatures that could fall down to as low as -60 degrees.
This is one of the cleverest of the sled dog breeds, and its smiling, upturned mouth prevented drooling so icicles couldn’t form along his lips.
Nowadays, Sammies enjoy spending time with their human family and hunting in a game of fetch, though they might not like giving back the ball once they’ve hunted it.
If you take your Samoyed out for a game or for a run, be sure to keep him on a leash as this breed loves roaming and will run off for many miles without thinking twice.
19. Standard Poodle
Size: Large
Weight: 40-70 pounds
Poodles have a lot going for them – their versatile haircuts, agility, intelligence, and the fact that they’re the most hypoallergenic dog with a coat out there.
Poodles need a lot of mental stimulation and physical exercise every day, which may include playing hide and seek, agility classes, swimming, jogging, or playing fetch with toys by name.
Do these things to tire out your poodle, and you’ll have a loving, sleepy dog come nightfall.
19. Weimaraner
Size: Large
Weight: 55-90 pounds
Highly energetic with extremely high exercise needs, the Weimaraner was bred to spend his days hunting and running.
This true athlete will play fetch and bring back whatever you can throw, no matter how far you can throw it, but he also needs to stretch his legs in open fields daily.
The Weimaraner ain’t no couch potato. If you have the time, energy and space for such a dog, you’ll find an obedient and loyal friend in a busy body Weimaraner.
21. Whippet
Size: Medium
Weight: 25-40 pounds
A Whippet is in the sighthound family of dogs – dogs that hunt by seeing movement and chasing down the prey.
Whippets love curling up in a warm bed to sleep for hours, then zooming around the house and yard in short bursts to use up energy.
Chasing a ball, stick, or toy in a game of fetch is the perfect way to give your whippet a little exercise fun.
I have a mixed breed dog that loves lying in the hot sun every day. She lies there panting away, before taking a dip in the kiddie pool or moving to the shade for a while. I often watch her and wonder why she wants to get so hot in the sun like that. So, I did some digging to find out why dogs love to sunbathe…
Dogs love sunbathing because it feels great and releases feel-good hormones. Sunshine also helps keep dogs healthy and sleep better. Dogs need sunshine at different times of day to get all the benefits of sunbathing. But it’s important to monitor dogs with short snouts, sparse fur and pink skin in the sun, as they are more vulnerable to sunburn and heat exhaustion.
The truth is your dog will be pretty good at getting all the sunshine he needs, if he has access to a sunny spot and a place to cool down in between. If your dog loves lying in the sun, make sure there’s plenty of cool, fresh water available and shade.
Why dogs love lying in the sun
Let’s take a look at 7 of the biggest reasons why your dog loves sunbathing:
1. Dogs get some Vitamin D from the sun
Vitamin D is important for healthy teeth, bones, nerves, and muscles in the body. We all need Vitamin D but dogs, like us, can’t make this vitamin on their own.
Dogs get most of this vitamin from the food they eat. They get the rest from sunshine in an amazing way:
Dogs release an oily cholesterol from their skin
This oil turns to Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight
Because of their fur, a dog’s skin can’t absorb this oil so the oil stays on the fur
When a dog licks and grooms itself, it is taking in the Vitamin D on its fur
2. Dogs feel happier after sunbathing
Sunlight triggers the brain to make a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is known as the ‘happiness hormone’ for good reason – it makes you feel happier, calmer and more relaxed.
A dog lying in the sun produces serotonin and feels all these wonderful things, which is one of the reasons why they enjoy sunbathing so much.
But serotonin helps the body with many other things:
Serotonin is found in the stomach and intestines, where it helps keep the bowel healthy and working well
Serotonin helps your dog sleep well
Serotonin keeps the bones strong
Serotonin helps the arteries form blood clots, which makes your dog heal faster when there is a wound
3. The sun kills microorganisms on the skin
Ultraviolet light in the sun’s rays kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
One study found that letting daylight into a room can kill about 93% of bacteria living in the dust there.
Dogs love lying in the sun because the sun’s rays are a natural disinfectant for them – killing unhealthy bacteria or microbes on their skin and keeping them healthy.
4. The sun helps dogs stay warm and save energy
Basal body temperature is how hot or cold you are when you are resting: sitting or lying down and not moving around much.
A dog’s natural basal temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celsius), which is a bit higher than humans at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius).
If they’re already hotter than us, why do dogs want to lie in the hot sun?
Because lying in the sun helps them keep their basal temperature high enough and save energy at the same time, especially in colder months.
If dogs lie in the sun they don’t have to run around to stay warm. And if they’re warm enough, they get to relax and enjoy the rest
5. The sun relieves joint pain
It is estimated that one in five dogs will get arthritis. Dogs that are old or overweight are more likely to get this disease.
Arthritis attacks the cartilage in a dog’s joints, which is there to help the bones move together smoothly. When the cartilage changes or is damaged, the bones rub together directly without the soft cartilage cushioning, which causes the dog pain.
Dogs can feel this pain in one or more joints in their back, shoulders, hips, legs, or feet.
Sunbathing warms up the dog’s body and increases blood flow to the tissues, which relieves some of the pain from arthritis and general joint pain.
6. The sun helps dogs sleep better
A dog’s eyes are designed to use sunlight to regulate their sleep patterns and many bodily functions.
Sunlight enters the eyes and hits the back of the eyes, where there are light-sensitive cells. These cells are connected to the dog’s brain.
The sun’s rays change over the course of a day. In the morning, the sun’s rays have blue and green in them. In late afternoon and at sunset, the sun’s rays become red.
When there’s morning and midday sunlight entering a dog’s eyes, the brain knows it’s time to be awake. This light starts a dog’s metabolism and gets systems in the body moving for the day.
In the late afternoon and at sunset, the red rays from the sun help the brain send a message for the body to make melatonin, a sleep hormone.
This cycle of sunlight helps a dog regulate their sleep patterns, knowing when to stay awake or nap, and when to sleep more deeply at night.
Not only that: This cycle of light and dark helps with many brain, hormone, and chemical activities in a dog’s body.
7. The sun dries a wet dog
This one’s fairly obvious, but if your dog has been swimming or had a bath, he/she will probably use the sun to dry off.
Dogs can’t wipe themselves down with a towel after getting wet, and the sun makes a great natural towel that dries wet fur and warms up a dog’s body temperature.
How long should a dog lie in the sun?
Dogs need sunlight at different times of day, to regulate their hormones and sleep patterns.
In summer, a dog should get about 30 minutes of sun time in the morning and late afternoon, and 15 minutes at midday.
In winter, this can be increased to 60 minutes in the morning and late afternoon, with 30 minutes at midday.
Remember to provide access to shade and lots of fresh drinking water that encourages your dog to drink enough. A dog’s natural instinct is to move out of the sun when they’ve had enough, so let your dog guide you on how much time he/she wants to spend in the sun.
If your dog has a short snout, like yorkies and pugs, thin fur, or a sensitive, pink skin, you may want to limit the amount of time they spend in the sun to avoid heat exhaustion and sunburn.
If you have dogs, then you’ve probably noticed that they like to urinate in a certain area of your yard. When one of my dogs goes the other one has to go in the same spot, to mark his territory. Over time, especially in warmer weather, this area of the yard can get a strong dog urine smell.
To remove the smell of dog urine from a yard, water down the area daily and use a neutralizer to break down what’s left of the smell. Dog urine neutralizers can be made from products around your house, such as dish soap or baking soda, or they can be bought from pet stores or online.
The truth is it all depends on where your dogs are urinating and how you want to tackle this smelly problem. It’s good to try different solutions to see what works for you and your pets, but be aware that you will probably have to treat the area more than once to remove the smell completely.
The easiest way to remove the smell of dog urine from grass
The easiest way to remove dog urine smells in grass is to use a commercial product designed to do this for you.
These products are made with enzymes that break down nitrogen in urine and remove the smell, not just cover it up until the product wears off.
You’ll need to use the product regularly as long as you have dogs, and be sure to follow the instructions carefully for the best results.
Many people have had success with a product called Simple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator.
Here’s how to remove the smell of dog urine from grass with a professional product like Simple Green:
Wait for the sun to start setting, so the day is cooler and your product won’t get evaporated
Put your pets away and clear the area of any dog mess
Shake the product bottle well, to make sure the solution is mixed properly
Connect the hose to the back of the spray bottle
Slowly turn on the water to a fairly low pressure. Make sure the bottle is pointing at the grass and away from your face (you don’t want it spraying in your eyes)
Move the safety tab on the bottle towards the hose, to turn off the safety switch
Turn the nozzle on the front of the bottle counterclockwise – it needs to be set to ‘On’ to work.
Spray down the area you need to clean. You need to spray enough water and product to soak the area and the ground under it, so it can reach all areas where the urine will be
Now the trick is to keep the area wet for as long as possible, so the enzymes in the cleaner can break up the smells in the grass. The longer it stays wet, the better. You can cover the area with a plastic sheet or mist the grass with the product if you feel it starting to dry out
Once dry, you should be able to tell if the urine smell is gone. If not, then keep repeating the process until you’re happy the with results
How to remove the smell of dog urine from grass without a professional product
If you don’t want to use a professional product to remove the smell of urine from your grass, you can try baking soda.
Baking soda is grass friendly! This means it won’t kill your grass or flowers.
You can use baking soda in powder form or as a spray to remove the smell from your grass…
Baking soda powder to remove urine smell
Sprinkle baking soda liberally on to the grass patch
Let it sit for an hour or so, to soak up any moisture around it
Rinse the area well with water, to wash away the soda and smell
Baking soda spray to remove urine smell
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 4 cups of warm water
Keep this mixture handy in a spray bottle and spray it on to the smelly grass daily or every eight hours
You’ll need more spray than there is urine, so check the table below to determine how much your dog urinates every day
Keeping the urine smell away
To prevent the urine smell from coming back, water the area down daily. Use about three times the amount of water as what your dog urinates.
But how much liquid do dogs urinate every day?
As a guide, a dog without any health issues or stressors usually urinates 1 to 1.5 ounces (20 – 40 ml) of urine for every 2.2 pounds (1 kilo) he/she weighs every day.
For example, if your dog weighs 60 lbs (27 kg), he/she will release 27 – 41 ounces (650 – 1080 ml) of urine daily.
Here’s a quick reference guide on the amount a dog urinates daily based on size:
You can also do a maintenance spray with a professional product once a month or so, before the smell returns or gets too strong.
Will dog pee ruin the grass?
The nitrogen in dog urine could kill the grass if there isn’t enough water to dilute it. This isn’t permanent though – with sun, water and a break from pee, the grass will grow back.
Nitrogen is good for soil and grass, but too much concentrated in one spot can make the grass burn yellow in the sun’s heat and make it difficult for grass to grow there.
For a natural solution to fixing yellow areas in your lawn from dog pee:
Don’t fertilize the area – there’s enough nitrogen there
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water
Make sure the solution is mixed well and the water is cool
Pour it over the urine spots in your lawn
Water the area daily for at least a week
How to remove dog urine smell from turf / artificial grass
If you have turf or artificial grass in your yard, you can use a professional product or a home remedy to remove any smell from dog urine.
How to use a professional product to remove the smell of dog urine from turf
To remove the smell of dog urine from artificial grass, a professional brand like Urine Zero can do the trick.
Here’s how to remove the dog urine smell from turf with such a professional product:
Wait for sunset, so the day is cooler and your product won’t get evaporated
Put your pets away and clear the area of any mess
Mix the product with water in a spray bottle – be sure to follow the directions carefully as the wrong dilution means the product won’t work
Shake the bottle well, to mix the solution properly
Point the spray bottle at the area you want to spray and start spraying. Soak the area completely, making sure you cover the entire smelly area and use enough product to soak into the turf where the urine goes too
Keep the area wet for as long as possible, so the cleaner can do its job. The longer it stays wet and works, the better your results will be. You can cover the area with a plastic sheet or wet towel to keep the area moist
Once dry, rinse off the turf
Repeat this process until the smell of dog urine is gone
How to remove the smell of dog urine from turf without a professional cleaning product
If you don’t want or don’t have a professional cleaning product to remove the urine smell from your turf, you can try using dish soap or biological washing powder/soap. Here’s how to do that:
Wait for the sun to start setting so your cleaning solution doesn’t evaporate quickly
Put your pets away and clear the area of any mess
Add a scoop of soap powder, or 3 ounces (75 ml) of liquid, to a bucket full of warm water
Mix the solution well
Pour the soapy water evenly over the turf, making sure the area is soaked well
Keep the turf wet for as long as possible by covering it with a plastic sheet or wet towel, if possible
Leave the solution to work its magic overnight
The next day, rinse the area with fresh water
Will dog pee ruin turf?
Unlike grass, turf won’t die from the nitrogen in dog urine. The urine will be washed away when it rains or when you water the artificial grass.
How to remove dog urine smell from gravel or a pathway
Here’s the best way to remove the smell of dog urine from gravel in your yard:
Water is your friend: Put a hose on the gravel and let water run over the gravel, especially any areas that smell. Let the water run for a few minutes.
Use a metal rake to neaten up the gravel if the water moved any gravel out of place.
Wash the area with water daily to ‘flush’ it and keep it smelling clean.
About once a week, use a gentle disinfectant, such as Safe4 or Uri-cide, to rinse the gravel.
How to tell where the dog urine smell is coming from
If you’ve treated your yard and you still smell urine, your dog or other stray cats may be spraying in places you don’t know about.
The only way to find these places and make sure you’re treating the right area is to use a black light or UV light.
Once it’s dark outside, take the black light and scan the area where you smell urine. If there is urine there, it should glow yellow under the UV light.
Be sure to check any walls, floors, or any other objects where dogs and cats could mark their territories.
What not to do when trying to remove dog urine smell from your yard
Here are some tips on what NOT to do if you’re trying to remove the smell of dog urine from your yard:
Don’t just cover the smell
If you’re trying to remove the smell of urine, you want to break down the nitrogen in the dog urine to remove the smell completely. Once the smell is gone, wash the area daily with clean water and treat it once a month or so, to stop the smell from coming back.
Some cleaning products work as deodorizers: they cover the smell of urine with an even stronger smell. This may work for a while, but once the deodorizer wears off, the smell of urine will just come back.
It’s best not to use a deodorizer. Choose an enzymatic cleaner that eliminates the problem.
2. Don’t use ammonia or bleach
You may have read that ammonia will break down the nitrogen in dog urine but using ammonia could just make the urine smell worse, and it can kill any plants, grass, or herbs growing nearby when it seeps into the soil.
Bleach disinfects but won’t remove the smell of urine either. Using bleach will also kill anything growing in the area and is bad for you and your pets.
Also, don’t ever mix bleach and ammonia together as this is a deadly combination.
3. Don’t let your dog get near any products
Whether you use a professional product or homemade DIY cleaner, don’t let your dog swallow or get into contact with the product.
Always put your dog away while you apply the product and don’t let the dog near the area again until the product is completely dry or washed away.
I'm Monique. I love animals and everything about them. "Ayo" means happy, and this is where I share all I know about having happy, healthy pets so you can have happy pets too.
Ayo Pets participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, the ShareASale affiliate program, and other affiliate programs. This means that if you buy a product or service through one of our links, we may receive a small commission from the sale for referring you. Thank you for your support!
