Summer is a wonderful time to spend outdoors with your dog. Here's your chance to reclaim the outdoors. Get your dog and go out to your yard or the park for some fun. To help you along, we've compiled some activities and tips on how to make them more enjoyable.

Fetch

This time-honored game requires nothing but a lightweight ball of relatively soft material (if it is too hard, the ball could damage your dog's teeth) and a willing dog. Make sure the ball isn't too small, otherwise he could accidentally swallow it while leaping. (Depending on the size of the dog, even a tennis ball could be too small.)
The object is of course to have your dog bring the ball back to you. That isn't always the case; sometimes the dog trains the owner to run after the ball. Unless you don't mind running at your dog's whim, here are a few suggestions:

Don't play if your dog pushes the ball at you then snatches it away as you reach for it, or if he dances around with the ball in his mouth, teasing you. You're just reinforcing the idea that he can give you orders.

As the pack leader, YOU decide when to bring the ball out and when to throw it. Keep the ball in a special area that your dog is aware of, so when he sees you bring the ball out, he becomes excited and eager to please.

Follow the practice of performers to "leave 'em begging for more." In canine parlance, that means quit the game while he's still interested, not when he becomes bored.

Lavish praise on him immediately when he retrieves the ball and brings it to you.

You can substitute the ball with a Frisbee. To learn how to teach him the game, see the story Teaching Your Dog to Love Frisbee.

Hoops

What would you rather do, watch overpaid athletes strut around a basketball court or play hoops with your dog? Teaching him how isn't difficult, and he'll be grateful for the chance.

Take a container such as a big cooking pot, laundry basket or large plastic pail and weight it down with a heavy object (so it won't get knocked over).

Introduce your dog to the basket and the ball. As he watches, drop the ball into the bucket several times, while saying "drop."

Give him the ball, then bring him over to the bucket and say "Drop." Do this until he drops the ball in the basket, then immediately praise him (you might give him a small treat as well). You'll have to repeat this several times before he makes the connection between the reward and the action.

When the connection is made, roll or throw the ball to him and watch him doggie-dunk it!

Swimming

If there's a body of water nearby, your dog may want to go for a dip (only allow this if it's safe AND permitted). Most dogs take to the water like ducks, but if he's new to swimming, you'll want to make sure he can swim. Never just throw him into the water, and always supervise his water activities.
Stand in shallow water and call to your dog. You may want to coax him with a toy or a treat.

Your dog should use all four legs to doggie paddle. If he paddles with just his front paws, lift his rear legs to help him float. He'll quickly understand that he needs all his legs to swim.

Swimming is strenuous to any creature not used to it, so don't let your dog swim for too long. If you're at the beach, watch out for strong tides, and don't let your dog drink saltwater. (You should also be aware that your dog is a target for sea lice and jellyfish.)
Incidentally, if you take your dog to the beach, you should bring along fresh water and shade.

 

Dogs can get sunburned too.

Hula Hoop

Begin by holding a hula hoop (still available at most toy stores, believe it or not!) upright, but on the floor. Lead your dog through the hoop, then reward him with praise or a treat (or both). Repeat several times.

Raise the hoop several inches off the ground and lead him through again. Then let him go at it!

Keep raising the hoop a little more each time to make it more of a challenge, rewarding your dog each time he makes it through. Quit before he gets bored or no longer wants the treats.

Tug-of-War

Dogs like playing tug-of-war, but it is important not to let the game get out of hand. Because dogs are, by instinct, hunters, the game reminds them of catching prey. For that reason, stop playing when the game starts to appear too serious. If your dog starts to take winning seriously, it's time to play a less competitive game. And don't ever show off your dog's grip by picking him up with the rope in his teeth.

You should also be careful in choosing the material you should use. Don't use your socks or other clothing, even if your dog is still a puppy. He'll associate your clothing with the game and you may wind up with lots of holes in your socks. The material shouldn't shred easily, either, because your dog could swallow pieces. Your best bet is to pick a rope that has been specifically designed as a dog toy.

The Benefits of Playing With Your Dog

Playing with your dog not only keeps him happy and healthy; it forges a special bond between you and your pet. To learn more about the benefits of play, see the story Why it's Important for Dogs to Play.

If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.

Fun at the Park for You and Your Dog

Sun, fresh air, mild temperatures and your dog - doesn't this sound like a recipe for a good day at the doggie park? Here are a few activities that will benefit the body and spirit (yours and his).

Don't forget to bring along water and maybe some food. Your dog will most likely be doing most of the running and jumping, so make sure he doesn't dehydrate. With that coat of his, you should also be careful of heat stroke.

Bicycling With Your Dog.                  Running is the essence of a dog's life. With you on a bicycle and him running alongside on a springy trail, your dog will be in puppy heaven. But before the both of you hit the trail, you'll want to bone up on some safety tips first.

With a few precautions and a bit of conditioning, dogs are natural biking partners. Most dogs love to get out and run, but size and endurance are important considerations. Among the best biking partners: Akitas, Labradors, huskies and collies.

You can take your dog cycling with you at any age, except when he's a small puppy. Most well-conditioned 2- to 5-year-old dogs can maintain a speed of about 10 mph for about an hour or more - just right for trail riding. There are some dogs, however, that aren't designed to be out in the heat as much as other dogs, namely snub-nosed dogs such as the bulldog and the Pekingese.

Start your dog's conditioning program slowly, going just a few miles each day, building up distances gradually. If your dog is over 5 years old, he will have gained some weight and will begin to slow down, so ease up. Your dog can run with you for many more years, as long as you don't overdo it.

If your dog lies down during training or lags behind at a speed under 5 mph, end the session immediately. Keep in mind, too, that we're talking trail riding here. If you're going to be riding on pavement or in traffic, do the dog a favor - and leave her home.

Running is the essence of life to dogs, and often they don't know when to quit. It's up to you to recognize signs of heat exhaustion. Sled-dog runners use the 120 rule: If the combined total of temperature plus humidity equals more than 120, they don't run their dogs. Follow their example.

While out on the trail, "watch for lethargy, disorientation and sloppy foot movements" says Tracy Howard, a veterinary technician. "If you see any of these signs, stop immediately, and get your dog water. A dog's normal temperature runs higher than that of humans - around 100 to 102.5 degrees. They only sweat in their pads and panting helps keep them cool. It would be a good idea to plan your trip near water so if the dog needs to cool off, he can just jump in.

Be on the lookout for hazards: poisonous plants, dangerous wildlife or other aggressive dogs. A major hazard in trail running is the thorn or grass awn, which is a small spear-shaped seed that can lodge in your dog's eyes, ears, nose, paws or puncture the skin, particularly in the soft tissue under the leg. "We see hundreds of dogs with grass or cheat awns in them every year," Howard says. "If it's in the paw or skin, you might be able to remove it with tweezers. If your dog starts limping during a run, stop immediately and inspect his foot, and pull out the offending awn."

If the awn lodges in the nose or eyes, things get more complicated, says Howard. "If your dog starts sneezing uncontrollably or scratching at his ears and continues for several hours, take him to the vet."

Most dogs can run for years without any trouble, but a common injury, known as a torn anterior or cranial cruciate ligament, can occur in active dogs. If your dog shows signs of soreness or has trouble getting to his feet, take him to the vet. The most common running-related injuries are worn down pads. You can avoid this by using Pad Guard®, a spray that is applied directly to your dog's feet. It forms a protective barrier and works better than booties.

Nothing is more fun than a puppy! Check out these games the two of you can play...

All of the games and skills discussed below are designed to contribute to both the fun and the positive upbringing of your puppy. These energy-producing exercises act as building blocks that make advanced training easier and enhance the bond between owner and puppy.

Starting grooming procedures at an early age teaches the puppy acceptance of hands-on treatment over all parts of his body and emphasizes relaxed "stays." Grooming also assures the owner of dominance as nails are cut and teeth are cleaned, as the puppy learns to be quiet and tolerate these "house-cleaning" techniques.

Hide and seek is fun for owners and puppies alike and helps teach your puppy how to come.

1. Put your puppy on a sit-stay or have someone else hold his leash.

2. Hide behind a nearby tree or, if inside, a piece of furniture.

3. Wait five seconds, then call him excitedly.

4. When he "finds" you, praise him with lots of love and a tidbit or ball.

5. Make each hiding place a little harder and a little farther away. Sometimes return to your puppy and end the game at that point so he will not think he always has to leave to get you near him.

1. Tie your puppy to a chair or have someone hold his leash.

2. Let him watch you put several objects on the floor: a can, bottle, box, telephone. Use a glove or just barely touch these articles when placing them on the floor.

3. Go back to your puppy, take his favorite toy and hold it in your hands for several seconds, and let him watch as you throw it in with the other objects.

4. Release him and tell him "Fetch!"

5. When he does, praise him lavishly.

6. As he gets good at selecting his toy, use one of your well-scented gloves or socks and put it with similar objects that are unscented. Pretty soon scent discrimination will be an understood part of his life from your viewpoint, not just from his viewpoint.

At first, try just walking over the jump with the puppy at your side. If that works, fine; if not, put your puppy on one side of the jump and get on the other side. Use a piece of food to coax him over. If you have a leash on the puppy be sure to keep it loose when he jumps. You should never pull a puppy (or a dog) over a jump.

Same as above, except start with the bar on the ground. Slowly raise it after each successful jump.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Dog Etiquette for the Dog-Friendly Beach

Many dogs enjoy a day at the beach. They love the sand beneath their paws, the waves lapping back and forth and the ocean water beckoning them. It seems like a nice way to spend a summer's day. But before you get in your car and head down to your favorite beach, are you sure your favorite pooch will also be allowed? And if dogs are allowed, are they allowed to run leash-free or is the leash law enforced?

These days it seems tougher and tougher to find beaches that will allow dogs. This can especially be true when trying to find a beach near a large coastal city or metropolitan area, like Miami Beach or Los Angeles. In fact, in Los Angeles County, out of over 70 miles of coastline and beaches, only one smaller beach allows dogs on a regular basis. It seems only natural to think that a dog would be welcome at a beach. So one may ask why there are so many beaches that ban dogs. Beaches, like any other popular or heavily used area, can be a hot spot for conflicts. In search of dog-friendly beaches, we recently called and researched ocean beaches throughout the United States and Canada. While we did find hundreds of beaches that allow dogs, the majority of beaches throughout the U.S. and Canada do not allow pets.

Based on a recent unscientific poll by DogFriendly.com, the top reason for banning dogs from beaches is the disregard for leash laws. Violation of the leash law is a hot topic and park officials can be very sensitive about this issue. Many popular beaches have banned dogs because there were incidents with a person or even a dog being bothered by someone else's dog, or park officials were concerned about such conflicts arising. Even beaches that have recently allowed leashed dogs, are now banning dogs completely because too many people are choosing to ignore the leash law. Problems often arise when someone lets their dog off leash, and then either ignores their dog or does not have their dog trained well enough to listen to them. This scenario can lead to the off-leash dog having a confrontation with another person or child, or even another dog. Imagine sunbathers relaxing on the sand. All of a sudden a dog comes running towards them or even jumps on them, getting the sunbathers dirty, or worse yet, scared because they do not know if the dog is friendly.

Another very big problem arises when a family or person with their leashed dog is taking a relaxing stroll down the beach. Unexpectedly, some off-leash dog comes running fast and furious at their dog. Is the dog running to attack them, or is it just an over-friendly pooch? Either way, chances are that this family is not going to welcome this unpleasant or even potentially dangerous experience. In a world where all it takes is one bad experience to ruin it for everyone else, we all need to pay attention to rules and respect other people and other dogs. If a beach says dogs must be on leash, then please listen and follow the rules. Some park rangers will even issue citations and fines to owners who let their dogs run free on the beach in a leash required area.

If you prefer to let your dog run leash-free, legally, on a beach, there are some beaches where dogs are not required to be on leash. However, park officials are usually adamant that your dog must listen to your verbal commands and that you always pay attention to your dog so your pooch will not bother other people or dogs. There are also beaches that are specifically for dogs to run leash-free. They are known as "dog beaches" and thanks to many local dog advocates, there are more and more of these beaches opening. At a dog beach, your dog has the freedom to run off-leash, but he or she must still be well-behaved around other dogs and people, and must listen to your verbal commands. Remember you will still need to clean up after your pet.

Dog beaches can be very popular. One of the most frequently visited dog beaches in the country is Dog Beach in San Diego. On any particular day, there can be hundreds of dogs running on the sand or taking a dip in the water. If there is no dog beach in your area, you might be able to start one. Either find or start an off-leash dog group or organization in your area which will promote and organize a dog beach for your region. You can advertise your group on the Internet, or at your local vet's office, groomers and at pet stores. Once you have a group together, then you can work with local officials to begin plans for an off-leash area. Chances are good that there are more that just a few people in your area who wish to open an off-leash dog park or dog beach. Many city and town governments are also willing to assist dog groups in setting up off-leash areas. They may provide land, but local people and local pet-related businesses are typically the ones who actually fund the fencing, grass, and tables for a dog park. For more tips on how to start a dog beach or dog park, try visiting the Poway Dog Park website.

The second most popular reason for banning dogs from beaches is because of dog waste left on the beach. Owners should always clean up after their pets out of respect for other beach-goers. In the town of Jupiter, Florida, government officials were ready to ban dogs from Jupiter Beach for many reasons, including because there was too much dog waste left on the beach. After hearing complaints about dogs on the beach, a local dog group, called "Friends of Jupiter Beach" or FJB, was formed in 1994 to save their dog-friendly beach. The group raised money for poop bags and dispensers. And once a month, they even get volunteers together to help pick up dog waste that not-so-responsible dog owners fail to pick up. FJB is very active in promoting responsible dog ownership with their "Code of Conduct." Suggestions include not letting your dog shake water on someone else or invade other people's areas, removing dog poop (don't leave it or bury it), only letting dogs run leash-free when you have found a desolate spot on the beach, and bringing your dog to the beach during the morning or evening when it is not too crowded or too hot. Regardless of what dog-friendly beach you are visiting, always bring a bag or pooper scooper and be sure to clean up after your doggie. Keep in mind that most beaches can impose a fine on people who do not clean up after their pets.

Together we can help save our remaining dog-friendly beaches, and maybe even help start some new ones. But in order to do this, we must all be responsible dog owners. Please follow the leash laws and always clean up after your pets. Let us hope that enough dog owners do in fact listen to the rules and regulations, so we and our best friends can continue to play on the beach for generations to come. Beach Etiquette for Dog Owners

- Always keep your dog leashed when there is a leash law

- Always clean up after your dog by using a poop bag or pooper scooper

- Do not let your dog visit with other beach-goers or dogs, unless welcomed

- If using an official off-leash area, your dog needs to be well-behaved and must listen to your verbal commands.

- In an off-leash area, always pay attention to your dog

Section: Lassie the Lobster?

 

 

 

 

Just like humans, pets can overdo it in the sun. A French-fried pooch can peel, scab over and experience pain. Extreme cases can even lead to skin cancer.

Keep Your Dog From Burning

According to Novartis Animal Health, there are several things you can do to prevent disaster:

Pay attention to your pet's exposed areas, such as around his lips, ears and nose. Apply sunblock to the tips of your pet's ears and the top of the nose.

 

Protect your fair-haired pet. Just like people with pale white skin, dogs and cats with lighter-colored fur are at greater risk for getting sunburned.

 

Dogs are less likely to sit and soak up the sun, but some are vulnerable. "White dogs need to have their hairless areas protected and breeds with short hair, like bull terriers, are susceptible, as are those who have been shaved or trimmed short exposing more skin area to the sun.

 

But why not just use your own sunscreen? Dogs will lick their coats so the sunscreen has to be safe to ingest.  Human sunscreen can contain nasties such as zinc, salicylate and PABAs, all of which are pretty unpleasant to eat.

Watch For These Signs:

• Noisy breathing that may indicate upper airway obstruction
• Excessive panting
• Bright red mucous membranes (e.g. gums, conjunctiva of the eyes)
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Seizure
• Coma

High body temperature

If You See These Signs

Place a cool, wet towel over your pet or put your pet in a cool water bath. Do not use ice because it may hurt his skin.

Check your pet's temperature rectally. Normal body temperature in dogs and cats is higher than in humans (100.5 to 102.5 F as compared to 98.6 F).

If your pet's temperature is over 105 F, call your veterinarian and get him out of the heat ASAP.

Bring your pet to a veterinarian or emergency clinic as soon as possible

From Our Kitchen

Homemade Summer Treats for Your Dog

Pet stores are full of dog treats. But did you know that you can make your own healthy dog treats at home? Here are some dog treat recipes to help you find a way to your dog's heart:

Bark-B-Q

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup white flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
2 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons oil
1 egg
1/2 cup water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix barbeque sauce, honey, oil, egg, water. Add to dry ingredients.