Fore-legged fun | Summer pet games inspired by The Open!

With the first round of The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush teeing off today, Rosie’s Trust is encouraging you and your pet to get sporty this summer.

If you’re looking for enjoyable ways for you and your pet to get ‘in the swing’ of playing outdoors, here’s some fun games to try together in the garden:

Paw-Putt Golf

Create a mini obstacle course with tennis balls and buckets, and let your dog chase or ‘putt’ the balls with their nose into the targets – with a  treat for every hole-in-one!

Fetch on the Fairway

Play a round of ‘fetch golf’ by throwing the ball long, but only move forward when your dog brings it back. Great for exercise and training.

Doggie Driving Range

Launch soft, dog-safe balls and let your dog race to retrieve. Vary the distances and angles to keep it exciting. Place ‘markers’ like cones or towels to create different point zones for each fetch.

Tee Time for Cats

If you’re a cat owner, you will know they may not want to chase golf balls across a fairway, but they love to hunt. Hide a golf ball-sized treat in cardboard tubes, boxes or a muffin tin, and let your cat swat, sniff and explore to uncover their prize. Or let them bat at their favourite string toy to see their best swing!

Remember, it’s important to stay safe in the sun when playing outdoors in the summer – and you should never force your dog or cat to take part. It’s all about having fun together.

These games are not just great for exercise but also strengthening your bond with your pet, and joining in the excitement around The Open coming to Northern Ireland – so let’s make this a summer of play, paws and plenty of tail wags – both on and off the fairway.

If you’d like to know more about how Rosie’s Trust volunteers care for people by caring for their pets, including supporting with daily walks and play, read more here.