In case you like to take fall-themed photos of your dog, you might be searching for a dog friendly pumpkin patch or corn maze to go to.
Photos of dogs with pumpkins and fall decorations are popular on social media, expecially Instagram, but they’re also great memories to cherish for any dog owner.
There are some things you will need to know before looking up your local pumpkin patch, leading up your dog, and heading out though.
In this text, I’ll share my suggestions for visiting a pumplin patch together with your dog and offer my insight into capturing the perfect photos.
Photo Credit: Depositphotos/masarik@inbox.ru
Are Dogs Allowed to Visit the Pumpkin Patch?
The foundations about dogs will vary by farm and pumpkin patch.
Some never allow dogs on their premisis, some allow dogs only on select days, and a few are dog friendly all fall.
As well as, some farms only allow dogs in certain portions of the property.
For instance, a farm may allow dogs of their pumpkin patch but not on hayrides or within the corn maze.
For instance, there are 12 dog friendly pumpkin patches near Seattle but only 3 allow dogs within the corn maze.
There are just a few other pumpkin patches near Seattle that don’t allow dogs to attend in any respect.
So you should definitely check the foundations thoroughly before you go so that you should not disenchanted.
When is the Best Time to Visit a Pumpkin Patch?
Time of 12 months
Pumpkins are pretty hardy winter squash so, although their growth and size is influenced by the weather, they’re at all times able to be harvested in fall.
So, in regard to when the pumpkins, “will probably be out”, you possibly can count on them being around every fall from roughly mid September through early November.
In my experience, most pumpkin patches open in the center or end of September and run through Halloween, or the tip of October.
What day of the week is the perfect for visiting a pumpkin patch?
The day of the week you visit a pumpkin doesn’t matter in regard to viewing pumpkins.
Unlike with tulip blooms, rain or heat won’t change the look of the pumpkins.
Nevertheless, not all pumpkin patches are open 7 days every week so that will influence the perfect day to go to.
Also consider that weekends are at all times going to be way busier than week days so, in case you can, I highly suggest visiting tulip fields on weekdays together with your dog.
It is going to be easier to get a photograph without other visters in it.
There will even be less distractions to your dog, which implies your dog is more prone to “stay” for a photograph and be the camera (you).
On the flip-side though, you might miss special events that present unique photo opportunities in case you don’t go on a weekend.
Ultimately, the “best time” is as much as you.
What time of day is the perfect for capturing the perfect photos of your dog with pumpkins?
Unlike flowers that sometimes close at night and open through the day, pumpkins look the identical irrespective of what time of day you might be viewing them.
Nevertheless, in regard to photography, there are more and fewer ideal times to capture memories.
Most photographers will agree that sunrise and sunset, when the sunshine is warmer and softer, are the perfect times of day to capture stunning photos.
Within the afternoon, when the sun is directly overhead, the daylight is harsh and might solid extreme shadows.
In case you are “lucky”, the weather will probably be overcast, but not rainy, all day.
I wish to call today nature’s “softbox” in regard to lighting.
All day, the sunshine is diffuse, soft, and minimizes harsh shadows, making every moment prime lighting time for photography.
So, on a cloudy, or mostly cloudy day, you might have loads of options to go to and take photographs.
On a sunny day, stick with morning between sunrise and about 10 am or a pair hours before sunset.
Note: check the pumpkin patch hours because not all will open early enough, or stay open late enough, to make each of those an option for you.
Are Pumpkins Toxic to Dogs?
Althugh I’m sure that no pumpkin patch wants your dog to bite into, or chew on, the pumpkins of their field, it is probably going that your dog will encounter stems and pieces of pumpkins on the bottom during your visit.
In case you are anxious that pumpkin is toxic to dogs, don’t.
Dogs can safely eat pumpkin pulp, rind, seeds, and stems.
Nevertheless, do beware that simply because pumpkin pieces should not toxic to your dog, it is feasible to your dog to choke on a chunk (especially the stems since they’re harder to chew).
Also, pieces of pumpkin laying on the bottom at a farm, could also be contaminated with mold or manure.
While a healthy dog’s digestive juices can often break these “contaminants” all the way down to the extent that they won’t harm your dog, dogs with sensitive stomachs, or compromised immune systems, may get sick.
General Suggestions for Visiting a Pumpkin Patch with Your Dog
Regardless of which pumpkin patch you might be visiting, there are some general etiquette rules and best practices.
Scope things out before hand
In case you plan to go to a pumpkin patch at sunrise or sunset to photograh your dog, it’s best to go to the sector on a previous occasion to ascertain it out.
That way you possibly can deterime where the perfect pumpkins are and where sunrise or sunset light will hit the pumpkins best.
On the very least, arrive as early as you might be allowed for sunrise, or arrive a pair hours before sunset, so you possibly can scope out the perfect place to take a photograph before the perfect lighting occurs.
Mind your dog’s manners
All pumpkin patches require that your dog be kept on leash, should not aggressive or disruptive, and that you simply pick up after them.
But in addition, don’t let your dog damage the pumpkins or pumpkin fields.
This implies, don’t let your dog dig anywhere in the sector or chew on the pumpkins or other fall displays.
Voice control could also be okay for brief periods
Wile official rules state that every one dogs have to be on leash when visiting a dog friendly pumpkin patch, the reality is that a number of dog owners don’t just like the look of their dog’s leash in photos.
A straightforward method to keep a leash out of photos is to remove it for the photo.
Definitely do that at your individual risk but, in my expeirence, it might probably be done safely and without getting you in trouble.
Just ensure your dog can reliabily follow the command stay/wait and has an impeccable recall (at all times comes back everytime you call).
All the time put your dog’s leash back on after the photo and before you progress to a brand new location.
Watch out for distractions
There are prone to be a number of dogs at dog friendly pumpkin patches.
What’s more, these are sometimes working farms so livestock including goats, cows, horses, chickens, and rabbits could also be free-roaming the grounds or present in enclosures.
There may be guests visiting with cats or other animals.
You’ll want to stay aware of your surroundings and keep your dog in leash (or under strict voice control for a transient moment while the leash is off for photos).
Prepare for mud
Even on “dry” days, pumpkin fields and corn mazes may be muddy.
Even when it didn’t rain, irrigation water can create mud puddles and morning dew could make the advantageous, clay-like soil stick with all the things.
Bring a towel to wipe off your dog’s feet, and follow these other muddy-dog suggestions, to assist keep your automotive clean.
In case you’re going somewhere afterward, bring a change of garments. Unless it’s a garden partier mud fight.
Bring the fitting gear
Did I mention that pumpkin fields may be muddy?
In your dog, use a biothane leash if you might have one so you possibly can easily clean it off after your visit.
In case you are bringing a bag to hold stuff and is perhaps setting in on the bottom, a cotton canvas bag or purse may not be the perfect selection.
I might suggest using a plastic bag or bag of other material that may wipe or wash off easily.
You might also want to think about wearing rubber boots.
Final Thoughts
Fall is an amazing time to capture photos of your dog among the many pumpkins.
The cooler fall days signifies that it’s unlikely that your dog will overheat while visitng a pumpkin patch so you might have the option to spend just a few hours there looking for the perfect photo opportunity and waiting for the perfect lighting.
While some farms charge a fee to enter, most seem to permit you in for a limiteless time period for that fee.
I hope my suggestions for visiting a pumpkin patch with dogs will assist you have an enjoyable time, and capture great ph0tos of your dog, in your next visit.
