OK, so a trip to the vet is probably not what your dog would request. But it could save your relationship.
I’m talking about micro-chipping your dog. The vet inserts a rice-sized microchip in the area around your dog’s shoulder blades and then the number on the chip is registered to you. Karma has a “Home Again” chip but there are other brands as well. I can update my information in my online account in case I move.
Of course, no one likes to think about something bad happening – especially at the holidays! So I’m not trying to be a downer. But there are lots of ways you could become separated (I won’t list them here) and you should make sure that the odds of getting your best pal back are tipped in your favor!
You also could spring for the micro-chipping of a friend’s dog (or new puppy?) as a thoughtful gift – great stocking stuffer!
In all actuality, what your dog really wants for the holidays is more time with you doing fun things and we couldn’t agree more! Be sure that when you are choosing toys, you are choosing things that require interaction because the real goal of toys is to build a better relationship with your dog, not just have your dog keep busy in the corner! In simpler terms, you=play!
One of the best way (according to experts, of course) is to play tug with your dog and I just love the fleece tug toys at Genuine Dog Gear. Their toys are as soft as they are durable which makes tugging for you and your pup more enjoyable.
Playing tug is not only fun for the dog but reinforces what we all know: you control the universe and all the fun in it! Tug toys shouldn’t be left laying about the house, rather they should be a special toy that comes out for interactive fun time! Karma will “steal” tug toys from their hiding spot and bring them to me when he wants to play, demonstrating that he does in fact know I am our home’s “Julie, the cruise director.”
There is no doubt I have enjoyed getting into agility with Karma. While at first glance he is an unlikely breed to be hurling himself over obstacles, he is actually quite athletic and fast – proof that you can’t judge athleticism by the breed!
If you are interested in giving your dog another challenge, agility could be a fun way to go. If you have a puppy or a dog who isn’t full grown, please check with your vet before asking your dog to jump, climb or weave since stress on growing bones can be damaging.
Also, I strongly encourage enrolling in a class or two to learn the basics about introducing your dog to obstacles. Of course I am partial to Karma’s “school,” A Click Above, but there are many who are qualified to give you the basics. Who knows, you may get bitten by the agility bug as we have been and work towards trialing.
For gear, there are LOTS of choices! I have chosen to include just a few including a basics starter kit that may be just right for your backyard. As with anything, you can spend as much as you want and quality will vary so be sure to get the right gear for your purpose!
Clean Run – This is such a go-to for serious enthusiasts!
J&J Dog Supplies – Great for all types of supplies!
Doctors Fosters & Smith – Lower-end agility products, but a great all-around site!
As many of you may already know, I’m the owner of an 80 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback – but that wasn’t always the case. I also was a proud mama to an 11 pound toy poodle, Champ. Having bred small dogs and been the caretaker for Champ for 16 years, I know how important it can be to get them buttoned up in sweaters during the winter. I also know how hard it is to find something that cute and classy.
I wish I’d found the Ralph Lauren pup sweater collection back then. I recently stumbled across this site and instantly recognized it as some top notch doggy gear. If you don’t have a dog that needs to be dressed (yes need, dogs closer to the ground need more protection from the elements) then I still recommend checking out the page, if just for the cute pics.
When Cannon first became part of our family, Julie bought us a great gift that we use all the time – tote from LL Bean. These are great for day trips or for packing your dog’s gear for that trip to Grandma’s for Xmas. Just this weekend I packed Cannon’s tote with his leash, pickup bags, his bowl and food for an overnight stay at a friend’s. All his belongings were kept together, which means I got them all back.
LL Bean’s kept the same classic styling but is offering great new prints. There are argyle, polka dot and rugby striped versions that come in various colors. Don’t forget to personalize it with your monogram or your dog’s name
No one wants to think about it, but what if an emergency happened in your home but you weren’t there? We would all like to think our pooch is smart enough to dial 9-1-1, but in case they aren’t, this great window cling from Big Paw Designs will alert emergency responders.
Be sure to put one on or near each entrance to your home to alert rescuers of the pets in your home. Another tip: If you have an alarm service, be sure to keep your profile updated to let them know there are pets inside.
For just a few dollars, this is a great stocking stuffer that hopefully will never be needed!
The days are shorter and the nights are getting even colder. As we head into winter, don’t we all have days when we just can’t get out of bed? Maybe your dog is no different.
This year pamper your pooch with a new bed that he or she can curl up in – when not sneaking up onto the couch or your bed that is! There are lots and lots of great dog sites these days, but I find myself gravitating to just two when it comes to getting a great bed that also matches our decor.
The first is Orvis. They have a huge selection of sizes, shapes and types to match to your needs. I have found them to be incredibly durable and they hold up well in the wash. I think I have had one of their beds for something like 10 years! Plus, you can also buy new filling for them if they lose their fluff.
My other favorite is more about looks. I just love DogBedWorks and their huge selection. I will admit that finding a bed to match the decor is as important to finding a bed my dog will love – after all it’s part of the furniture! Plus, I live in a townhouse and so I have a bed on each floor (of course!).
It’s been snowing here in Virginia already this year and yet I can’t help but think forward to camping season. And as everyone knows, to do camping right means having the right gear! So that got me thinking … What are some of my favorite camping and hiking items for my dog?
Karma loves his travel bed from Canine Hardware and I love that it comes with its own stuff sack. It’s machine washable and has poly suede on one side and rip stop on the bottom. I found it at Back Country K9 which has great gear of all kings for your traveling adventures.
Though we usually car camp, I still pack Karma’s gear in his own backpack from Ruff Wear. In the off season, I also use it for an occasional work out for him by adding just a couple pounds of weight on either side, making sure to keep the weight evenly distributed.
Finally, depending on the terrain you will be crossing, boots can be another must have item. Last year Karma got frostbite from playing in the snow too long and that resulted in us purchasing some Muttluks snow boots. We also bought some all-purpose boots for the summer for when the terrain takes a toll on his feet.
What better to put in a stocking than boots? Ha!
I’m actually pretty excited about what Santa is bringing for Karma this year, so I just had to share as we countdown to Christmas.
Karma is getting a gorgeous, handmade cart from the fine folks at Wilczek Woodworks. I know you’re thinking that your dog may not be the carting variety! But if he or she is, you should check out these amazing pieces of craftsmanship. The people are friendly and helpful and will give you great advice on what’s the best set up for your dog.
It will be interesting to see how Santa wraps this gift!
Seems like come January 1, 2010 there will be more cars in the gym parking lot and fewer in the Dunkin Donuts lot as many of us vow to get in better shape. Well your dog is no different. It’s easy to slack off on the exercise in the winter when the weather isn’t cooperative, or it’s dark when you get home from work at night.
So how ‘bout a treadmill? That’s right, a little indoor exercise for your best friend while you both watch TV. PetZen’s Dog Tread is just the thing. According to the site, “Dog treadmills provide increased muscle definition, toning, improves vitality, increases life span and can help curb destructive behavior or excess energy often associated with the lack of regular exercise.”
So why not kick-start those new year’s resolutions for you and your dog!
GPS systems are all the rage for those of us who need a little help getting from place to place and now your pooch can jump on the technology bandwagon. Now your mobile phone can be a tracking device with the service from PAW Spotlight. Your dog wears a small device which attaches to his collar, and if exits one of the zones you have designated, a text message is sent to your phone. Live-updating turn-by-turn directions for finding fido will then be available on your phone. You can also call AKC CAR (American Kennel Club Canine Recovery System), a 24/7 recovery service that has teamed with PAW.
The technology and service aren’t exactly free – a $250 initial cost plus $20/month – but can you put a price on finding your beloved four-legged friend?
As the seasons move closer to winter Cannon is spending less and less time laying in the yard soaking up the sun and more time sprinting toward the house when he has done his business. Let’s face it, it’s getting cold! For those of us with short haired dogs, or smaller dogs whose core is closer to the ground we need to begin thinking about their needs during the upcoming winter months.
Just yesterday I received my copy of the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) magazine, familydog. I’d already resolved to sit and write this post and was happy to note that they included an article titled “How to Winterize Your Dog.” If you don’t have access to this magazine then I recommend checking out their guidelines on how to keep your dog both safe and warm. For those of you who work at a veterinary clinic, groomer, pet store or the like, you may also be interested in posting the AKC’s flyer that includes these guidelines.
In any event, some gear may be necessary to keep your dog from turning into a pupsicle. If you’re looking to purchase a coat or turnout (style of coat, originally designed for horses) then I highly recommend Foggy Mountain Dog Coats! I’ve purchased two snuggler (fleece) style coats for Cannon; one when he was a growing pup and another now that he’s full grown. They are durable, washable (bonus!) and come in many different patterns. Blackwatch plaid is my fav. Also notice that they have some breed specific coats as well. Warning: if you get a coat just be careful that you’re not getting too excited to see your dog sport his new fashions and that the weather is truly cool enough to justify wearing it. You don’t want to overheat him.
No matter how much we want to fight it, there are snowflakes in our future. Remember that while we start shivering so will many of our dogs. Get out the shovel and clear those paths for potty walks. Be careful where you sprinkle that rock salt, it can hurt their paws. And, if you have a Berner (like Julie) then let them off the leash and watch them in their element… no coat necessary here!
Do you have other favorite winter gear, such as sweaters and booties? Please share with us; we’d love to learn how you’re keeping your best friends warm this winter.
Got a question about your nearby national park? Good news, The National Park Service has created this great site to provide all kinds of guidance and answers to your questions: Oh Ranger!
The site has videos like “How can I stay safe in bear country,” links to all the national parks, featured parks and pretty much all the answers to your park questions.
I used the search tool and entered my zip code with the parameters of within 25 miles. 100 results showed up – 100! Fantastic! A Google-powered map pops up and it’s easy to see which results are close to home. From either the map or the list below you can click on a park to learn more. Keep in mind that the park service often covers the museums so in the DC area you will see some of those listed as well.
When I searched on a specific park – this time Shenandoah National Park, a favorite of OBH – a ton of information came up. I actually like this site better than the national park service’s site for the same park. The Oh Ranger! site is much more friendly and fun to navigate and has all the same information and more. The best part is, under Shenandoah Regulations link on the left, they specify where pets are and are not allowed in the park! Yay!
So not only do you need to bookmark this site, you also need to watch the bear video – it’s both educational and fun! If you do, the title of this post will make sense!
Whenever you travel with your dog, you need to have water – everyone knows that, right? But when you’re hiking, carrying enough water for both of you can be a challenge. How do you lug it around? How much do you need?
How much you need will depend on many factors – what’s the weather? Does your dog drink a lot? Get hot easily? Will there be safe drinking water available?
Cannon and Karma have very different water needs. Cannon, our Africa dog, requires probably half the water Karma does on a typical summer hike. Katina and I have separately paid attention to how much water our dogs go through and have altered how much water we carry to accommodate our boys.
Karma will easily go through a 32oz Nalgene bottle on a 3-4 hour hike in the summer. To do this I have purchased a CamelBak daypack with a reservoir that holds about 48oz of water. I can also fit a 32oz Nalgene in the pack along with a collapsible water bowl and other necessities.
If you’ve ever used a CamelBak or similar product you know that you must bite the straw-like tube and suck the water out like a straw. It’s a little hard to train a dog to do this – haha. However, if you hold the tube open by squeezing it and then squeeze the reservoir – either by wearing the pack and leaning against a tree or taking the pack off and pushing on it – water will flow out and into the dog bowl.
Honestly, I think it’s easier to pour from a bottle but the CamelBak is a great option and it’s much easier to carry the water in this way.
A note on “safe drinking water:” Just because a trail has water – in the form of a stream or pond or other – does not mean it’s safe to drink! It is so easy for your dog (or you!) to pick up a parasite from a stream that looks perfectly fine. When in doubt, try to keep your dog from drinking water that you don’t know anything about. Also, monitor your dog’s health for a few days (especially his poop) following a slurp from an unknown stream.
Riverbend Park
Time: 1.5 hours (depending on your route)
Length: ~3 miles – I think?
Gear: daypack – water – leash – map
Difficulty Level: 2 paws
Scenery: 4 paws
Pack: You and your dog
Comments: Only saw one bike and that was on the paved path; dog owners were some of the most responsible I have come across. The handful of dogs were well behaved and completely in control – bliss!
Before the thought of winter even enters our consciousness, I decided I wanted to get to know some nearby parks that might be great options when the mercury dips into Karma’s favorite season. So we chose Riverbend Park in Fairfax County which is adjacent to the more famous Great Falls Park.
The park covers 409 acres of wooded uplands, hiking trails, flood plains and shoreline along the Potomac River on the Virginia side. In the summer, the hike was mostly shade, but in the winter I expect a much different, sunnier, story. The paths are in great shape and well traveled with a mix of mostly dirt, some pavement, gravel and a few rocky places. There is a visitor center complete with toilets, phones, water, picnic areas and, during the week, information desk.
Pretty much everywhere we stopped to enjoy the river, we were getting an eyeful of beautiful scenery. A great place for photographers and wanna-be photogs alike!
The park opens at 7a in the summer and closes around dark/8:30p. Karma and I started at 8a knowing the August day would heat up and Karma would melt! On this hike I decided to try out his RuffWear Swamp Cooler. It looks like a small lifejacket. Basically it works by using water to absorb the heat and keep the dog cooler. Without being able to get a verbal report from Karma, the vest seemed to help as he actually didn’t take any rests (or flop-downs) and didn’t overheat. Reviews on the product remind users to keep the vest “activated” which really means keeping it wet. Not a problem!
We started out at the visitors center and headed out on the loop going counter-clockwise or left if you’re standing at the visitors center looking at the river. My intention was to follow the 4.8 mile loop starting with the shortest length along the Potomac, turning upland, then finishing along the long part of the river hike.
I should have gone right.
The trail was great, but even with the map, I stayed too long on the river trail when I should have headed upland. Don’t get me wrong, the trail is fantastic and Karma loved the many opportunities to go for a dip! But there was an opportunity to turn left/inland/upland along a fire road and we should have taken it. So after realizing that’s what I should have done, we doubled back and picked up the fire road and headed through the woods.
So basically I took what should have been the short end of the loop and made it long. Nice. But contrary to what the books say, I really didn’t think it’s that well marked – obviously. Oh well.
We headed thorough the woods enjoying the scenery – I am always surprised at how many awesome trails are in this area, just minutes from malls and the hells of traffic tie-up. Virginia is awesome.
On our way back around, we walked by the nature center and then cut across the loop essentially to return to the visitors center instead of continuing towards Great Falls and Clay Pond which marks the point where the two loops meet. Since I had already hiked more than I meant to, I didn’t feel comfortable doing the rest of the loop now that it was getting hotter and Karma can only take so much heat. So we made it back to out starting point 1.5 hours after beginning.
Back at the visitors center, Karma got to swim and hang out in the water much to his delight. By the time we left, traffic was increasing and fishermen were scattered along the river, but it was not crowded like the neighboring Great Falls Park – I assume because it’s not a tourist area.
I LOVED this hike and vow to return and get it right so that I can really learn it. I think this is a great suburban option and will be a winter hike because only in a few places could rocks become slippery in wetter weather. Plus with all the water opportunities for Karma, I feel like I can keep him from getting too hot, even in the summer.
