Adventure Dogs

We went hiking this weekend.

It was a lot of fun to break out of our standard routine and go explore a new world, but it is important that we were prepared and alert during the whole outing. Your dogs, no matter their breed or size, will enjoy adventures as long as you take the time to do it right. Follow some simple adventure rules to ensure success!

Rule 1: Know your destination. No matter if you are planning to go on a walk through a new park or a hike that will challenge you and your dog, do a little research before you go. Be sure to check that parks and trails are dog friendly, but also know the terrain. If your dog is not used to activity, they might not be up to a four mile hike up a steep mountain; you must make the judgment call for what your dog can handle.

Within the confines of knowing your destination, I want to include knowing the weather. This weekend, temperatures were supposed to break the 100 mark- an afternoon adventure was absolutely out of the question. When we were leaving our trail, we saw people trying to take dogs and small children onto it. Many returned before we had even left the park because it was too hot by 9AM. Take the two minutes to check the weather the day before to be prepared. Heat is dangerous (as is freezing cold). Rain isn’t going to hurt, but if you don’t want a muddy wet dog, don’t go out. A simple check avoids any mishaps.

Rule 2: Always be prepared. My mama said this is the Boy Scout motto, but I think I everyone should adopt it! For us, preparedness includes ample amounts of water, cookies for a snack, map, cell phone, and camera. Luckily I have a backpack that holds most of this and mom or dad carries the water.

Rule 3: Pay attention. Every day is different. You can plan and prep, but you must be paying attention to be sure that your adventure is a success. I’ve stepped on burrs, and thankfully, my mama always notices if I limp or hold my foot up for even a short moment. Shami is smaller than I am so dad will lift her over a large rock to be sure that she doesn’t hurt herself trying to jump. Their vigilance ensures that we don’t suffer a serious injury. This holds true for even walks in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Being alert and paying attention means that you are never surprised by an off-leash dog, plants with thorns, or a car whipping around a turn.

Follow these basic rules and you will be able to enjoy your adventures and build up to being a weekend warrior!

Enjoy some pictures from our hike!

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Safety First

There are a lot of holidays that require Mom and Dad to go away out instead of being home with us. We don’t mind though because they always take care of our needs before they leave.

First, Mom believes that tired pups will most likely sleep and relax while alone in the house. On days like today (New Year’s Eve) we go on a big adventure. This involves more than just walking around the neighborhood like we do every day. Today we went to a hiking trail and spent an hour and a half climbing 412′ in elevation. This doesn’t just tire us out, we are wiped. Feed us our dinner and we will sleep through anything. This strategy of Mom’s works for them too because when they come home, we are ready to go to bed and not ramped up wanting another walk. You know your pooch’s activity level; so you are the best judge of how much extra activity to push for.

Second, Dad leaves music on. I know it sounds silly and cliche, but on a holiday like New Year’s Eve in a state where fireworks are legal, there is bound to be some ruckus in the street. If there is some music on, it creates a bit of a white noise effect and we aren’t so startled when the fireworks go off. We don’t have a dog door in our home, but if you do, consider closing it for the night. When you hear of dogs running away on holidays like this, the problem is that the dog could get out not that the dog was skiddish. If your dog tends to be more nervous to sounds like firecrackers, they are more apt to look for safety when things start popping.

Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve and we will see you all in 2012!

Your Input!

Temperatures are dropping. Fall is in the air! Please take a second and vote on your favorite fall pastimes. It’ll help determine an upcoming post!

Travelin’ Dog

In Arizona, it’s just too hot to do anything in August. Apparently even blogging is too hard when it is that hot. Think of it as summer hibernation. However, it is now September! There is the promise of Fall on the horizon and I am ready to get back into it.

This weekend was Labor Day weekend. A great time for relaxing and vacationing. Because my parents wanted to get away, but decided to do so at the last minute, it also became a vacation for pups! Traveling with your pets does take a little extra planning though.

The best place to start is DogFriendly.com. This website lists by state and by city businesses that are dog friendly- from hotels to attractions to restaurants. It isn’t 100% complete, but you can get a good starting point for your trip. If there is nothing listed, my guess is that the town isn’t too dog friendly. From there, always call first. Never just show up and expect that there will be a room waiting for you and your pups. Also, be prepared to put a pet deposit down. The amount can vary, but most businesses require the deposit (and use it as a gauge to see who believes their dog is well behaved).

The first step to traveling with your dog is much like human traveling, make sure you have all proper forms of identification. For a dog, this means having all proper tags and vaccinations on hand. Some establishments might ask for a rabies certificate, so make a copy to bring with you. Make sure the tags on your dog’s collar are up to date, and having your dog microchipped is a great idea.

Next up, it’s time to hit the road. I happen to be an excellent traveling dog. I sit in the back seat and don’t move around or whine or fuss at all. I love the car and will happily sit and look out the window. Some dogs cannot handle this, however. The movement can cause them some stress or the unfamiliarity of the situation can increase their anxiety. If you don’t take your dog in the car often, don’t expect it will be perfect. There are some great tips available on the American Kennel Club’s website for car travel with your dog. If your dog does fuss in the car, you might consider bringing them in their crate (assuming your car is large enough to fit one) or using a dog seat belt. Also, bringing familiar smells (toys, a blanket, their normal food) will help dogs adapt.

One big question is about sedating your dog for travel. This is a decision you should make based on the fact that you know your dog and you have talked to your vet. If your dog has extreme anxiety in a car, your vet can prescribe a sedative for them and they will review all of the side effects or possible complications. If you haven’t talked to your vet, don’t just assume. Flat faced breeds and some giant breeds can suffer serious side effects from being sedated. Giving your dog a Benadryl just to make her sleep is not the best choice.

Once you arrive at your destination, take a walk. Do not dump your dog into a hotel room and leave. Walk for at least 30 minutes around the area to let your dog stretch, smell and do his business. If possible, let your dog meet the owner of the establishment so that, if needed, the owners can get into the room with your dog inside. Help your dog settle into the new room by hanging out with them for a little while. Your pets pick up on your ques really quickly, the more relaxed you are, the faster they will adapt.

Finally, on your trip, always ask about your dog on the patio of a restaurant or on a walking tour, never assume. Also keep in mind that not everyone is a dog lover. Don’t let your pups rush up to other people or pull at their leashes. A well trained dog will sit under your table or at your feet on a patio while you eat and stay by your side while walking through town. Be mindful of the terrain and weather for your dog as well and let them rest if they need it.

Being an attentive and rational pet owner will make family vacations all the more fun!