Brought to you by Dog Paddling
Adventures | | |
| |
| |
There's
an old saying that a "tired dog is a happy dog" Spending time with your
dog everyday is good for your dog's mental, emotional and physical health (and
it's not too bad for you either!). Dogs are pack animals and isolation goes against
their basic instincts. The time you spend outside with your dog offers a wonderful
opportunity for you to bond, interact and communicate with your dog. Not to mention
all the fun you will both have.
This newsletter will show you just a
few of the amazing ways to bond with your dog using the outdoors as a tool. There
are many activities that you probably do every day and have never thought of inviting
your Canine friend to join. We hope to show you just a few things that you can
now include him in!! | |  |
| During
the wonderful spring, summer and fall seasons going for a bike ride is a great
way to spend the day or an evening! It is fantastic exercise and a ton of fun,
not only for you but for FIDO too. Why not bring him along for the ride…
Dogs are natural biking partners. Most dogs love to get out and run, but
size and endurance are important considerations. You and your dog can begin cycling
together once your pup's bones have become strong enough to endure the impact.
Check with your vet to see what age is best for your pup in particular. Most healthy
dogs from 2-5 years old can maintain a speed of about 10km/h for about an hour
or so, which is just
perfect for trail riding. Start your dog off slowly going
just a few kilometers a day, building up their distance gradually. Dogs are built
to run and will do their best to out ride you, so it's best to keep a lookout
for any signs that they are starting to get tired. If you notice your dog is starting
to lag behind, pull over and let them have some water and a rest and start to
head home at a slower rate.
Biking with your dog is a terrific way to
bond and to show them how much you truly enjoy their company out on the trail.
As long as you are safe and encourage your dog to stay with you on the trail you
will have a safe and enjoyable riding partner for years to come. 
| | Rollerblading
is a great sport and a ton of fun. Just think how much fun Spot would have joining
you when you leave the house!! Not only is it great exercise, but your dog will
be delighted that you can keep up with them on the trails. However, rollerblading
with your pup is different than doing it on your own, so make sure that you are
confident on your blades first before taking Fido out for a spin.
Your dog's personality will also help you decide how much skill you need before
heading out, as a small terrier will be easier to control on blades than a malamute
when that squirrel runs by!
A couple of suggestions for a safe inline
ride with your dog are to make sure to use a slightly longer leash than normal.
The leash should be long enough to give you warning if your dog takes off in an
unexpected direction, but not so long as to put him in danger before you can save
him. A harness leash is best to avoid choking your dog in case you have to pull
in an emergency. Another precaution is to be aware of your dog's training. Your
dog should be trained to stop on command and that the command is reliable…
you never know when your dog will suddenly see something that interests him to
go left or right without your knowledge!! Rollarblading with your dog can be a
ton of fun. As long as you are safe and in no rush you will have a blast! A couple
of suggestions for a safe inline ride with your dog are to make sure to use a
slightly longer | | | |
| |
| Dancing If
hiking and riding with your pup are old hat, consider this...dancing with your
pooch! Dog lovers in growing numbers are training their pets in a new sport called
"canine freestyle", a pastime in which the dog and its owner move in
tandem through a set of choreographed steps to the music of their choice. There
are even organizations in the US, Canada and Great Britian that
hold championships
that are drawing large crowds of dancing enthusiasts!  The
world Canine Freestyle Organization which was founded last year held a Disco Doggy
Dance and attracted 300 members in 14 Countries! They feel the aim of this sport
is a form of bonding with their dogs, and if dancing is fun for humans, then try
it with a prancing poodle for even more good times! If
you would like to participate they say it is best
to have your dog complete a standard beginning obedience class first to ensure
a good time right from the start. Then you can follow a video tape created by
the Canine Freestyle Federation which teaches you and your dog how to 'heel' on
both sides, how to walk backwards in a straight line, as well as how to pivot
in place and how to sidestep. Next you need to choose music that fits the rhythm
of your dog and then to choreograph your new moves into a routine. Start by experimenting
with your dog by moving to the music! One word of caution, though…if your
dog is predisposed to hip dysplaisa it shouldn't be dancing in ways that will
pull or put pressure on that area! Check with your vet if you have concerns in
this area. Give dancing a try, and your dog will wag its tail in excitement to
the beat of your favorite tunes!!
A Guide to Canine Halloween Attire
As Halloween fast approaches, it is time to start thinking about your costume.
But have you considered what your pooch is going to wear? Here are a few simple
rules to govern the proper etiquette of doggie dress up!
- Never
dress a Dachshund as a hot dog.. It's simply insulting
-
Avoid dressing a boxer as Mohammad Ali. Other dogs will laugh at him
- Avoid
the Taco Bell costume for Chihuahuas. No imagination at all and it irritates the
general public
- Don't
dress a collie or a sheep dog as a lamb. It will only serve to confuse them
- Pugs don't like to be dressed
as pigs. Try it and see what happens
- Dalmatians
may not like a fireman's uniform, ask first
-
Not all poodles speak French. A beret may not suffice!
Whatever
costume you choose put your canine's wishes first; therapy can last much longer
for dogs as they cannot tell you when they do feel better!
Rebecca Ash |
| Jogging
 Getting
the inspiration to get up off the couch for a jog can sometimes be difficult,
but it is a lot easier with the right partner! One partner that won't let you
down is your faithful dog. He's usually ready, willing and able to accompany you
on any jog, any day. Running is a wonderful way to help burn your dog's excess
energy, keep them in shpae and show then just how important spending time with
them really is to you. Before you grab your running shoes and his leash, there
are a few things you'll want to remember. Start out slowly and build up his endurance.
Warm him up by walking first, followed by a short jog. Let him cool down with
a walk at the end. Watch him carefully for any signs of discomfort. Dogs are eager
to please and yours will be thrilled to be out running with you. Unlike us, however,
they'll ignore or even be unaware of pain. If you see him struggling or tiring,
it is a sure sign that it is time to walk the rest of the way home. Mind the weather,
as dogs cannot tolerate heat as efficiently as you can. Consequently, they're
at greater risk for heat stroke or dehydration during warm weather. The best time
to jog is early in the morning or the evening to avoid the hottest time of day.
Always bring enough water for yourself and your dog, at least a full liter to
share.
Aside
from the effects of heat, another thing to pay close attention to is the condition
of your dog's paws. Depending on the terrain you are jogging on, his pads may
initially become quite sore and even tear in places until they become accustomed
to the asphalt or pavement. After a jog, we have found that using a natural skin
cream, balm, or oil on your pup's foot pads will help to maintain a healthy jogging
partner. Try it at home after your pup has had a drink and is beginning to settle
into a well earned nap. Sometimes putting it on right away while Fido is still
excited will only result in him licking off all the cream and leaving his pads
even drier than before!
 Where
should you never take a dog shopping?
...to
a flea market!! | | |
| |
| Frisbee
|  For
most of us, playing with our dogs is a common occurrence, but is it a regular
daily activity? Playing for dogs is no different than playing for humans; it's
a great mental break, good physical activity and a great stress reliever. It is
healthy for both parties involved. Playing in your yard, on the driveway or at
the park is the best way to relieve your pup of their pent up energy, and every
dog can learn to love playing Frisbee! Just the site of the Frisbee for our dog
gets her tail going nuts. It is a great source of exercise and a fun way to spend
an hour in your backyard or local park.
To
start, get your dog comfortable with the Frisbee by using it as a food or water
bowl. This technique works with puppies and adult dogs. It allows them to associate
the disc with something positive. Slowly substitute the Frisbee for another toy
that your dog likes, this adds to your dog's comfort level with the disc. Start
off by sliding the Frisbee on the ground and encouraging your dog to chase it.
Once your dog is interested in playing, toss the Frisbee and let him chase it.
Keep the tosses short so the Frisbee stays visible as a fun object to retrieve.
Stand about 3 feet in front of your dog, gently toss the Frisbee in the air and
say "catch". If he catches it give him tons of praise. Once your dog
is comfortable catching short throws make the tosses longer. Eventually your dog
will be quite the Frisbee partner and you will be able to impress the other enthusiasts
at the park. Who knows, maybe one day you will be a winner at the Canine Frisbee
championship! At very least you and your dog will have an activity to bond over! Agility
Agility
training is basically an obstacle course for dogs, patterned after show jumping
for horses. It involves the dog navigating the correct path through a series of
barriers and tests. Agility is truly fun for you and your dog! Dogs enjoy the
freedom, speed and challenge while owners enjoy the physical aspect of helping
their dog work out the challenges of mastering each obstacle. It requires a commitment
of time and energy on the part of both you and your pup, but this commitment creates
an incredible bond for the both of you. The dog must be in perfect sync with the
owner on the agility course since there is no leash or collar for control. Since
the order of obstacles on each course is different and the pathway between the
obstacles twists and turns, dogs must learn a whole new vocabulary so they don't
run up the wrong things. Almost any dog can do agility, although giant breeds
may have some trouble with certain obstacles. But, if the dog is game it can be
done. Dogs gain confidence in their abilities as they learn to climb, jump, or
crawl through agility obstacles. The learning may be hard for a dog who is afraid
of heights or reluctant to enter dark spaces but a determined owner can coax them
through it. There is no pressure with agility, just simple fun. It is a sport
that you and your dog can share and enjoy together. Make the commitment with your
dog for a couple of days a week of fun!  Picture
courtesy of: www.k9sports.ca
|
| |
Doggy
Tails
By:
Janette Hackett
Cheyenne
had a very rough start in life. She was abused, was not fed, and had two broken
front legs after being hit by a car. In order to try to save one of her legs she
required surgery to insert a metal plate in her leg to hold the bone together.
She was afraid of everyone, of everything, of trying anything new and spent a
lot of time hiding in her cage. Obedience
training, agility training and play class helped. The first few months of play
class she spent hiding under a chair. She eventually made a friend, Casey. She
would play one on one with Casey, but, if another dog joined in Cheyenne would
back away and hide under a chair. I
really wanted to do something for Cheyenne where she would have fun. I talked
to Eren and explained Cheyenne's physical and emotional conditions and he thought
she would be ok. Last
fall Cheyenne and Casey went on a hike. Cheyenne had never been off leash, but,
since the other dogs were (especially since Casey was) I took a deep breath and
let her off leash. THE RESULT - she ran and ran and ran some more. She ran with
Casey and she ran with the pack. She came back every time she was called, which
definitely was not due to her being well trained. She was happy and had a twinkle
in her eyes I'd never seen before and she was smiling. Her tail which was usually
down between her legs was now up and wagging. I
learned to trust my girl a little more that day and Cheyenne learned sometimes
new things can be a wonderful adventure. Kathryn,
Eren and Jessie gave Cheyenne a very special gift that day...the gift of fun. |
| |
| |
| Exciting
Dog Paddling Events.....
| Dog
Lovers' Fall Hiking Club
Our Fall Dog Lovers' Hiking Club has been a wonderful success. Our newest hike
at Albion Hills is a terrific addition to our other two locations. We have 3 hikes
left this fall on October 20, October 26 and November 3, so be sure to check them
out on the web or call us for more information. They are a great way to spend
the day with your pooch in an off leash environment watching the fall leaves change!!
All snacks, drinks and food for you and your pooch are included. We offer a discount
when you participate in more than one hike. Winter
Trips
As
soon as the snow falls Jessie will be putting on her harness in anticipation of
a day of fun in the snow. Skijoring and Kicksledding are the perfect winter activities
to get you out of hibernation and into some real adventure. Dogs love to skijor
and kicksled, they live for the exercise and meeting new dogs, the outdoor scents
and of course the companionship they share while working as a team with their
owners. Try our one day introduction to cross country skiing (skijoring) with
your pup or come out for a log cabin weekend of fun in the snow with other fellow
dog lovers!
Inner
Strength
If
you can start the day without caffeine or pep pills,
If you can be cheerful,
ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people
with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful
for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
If you can overlook when people take things out on you when,
through no fault
of yours, something goes wrong,
If you can take criticism and blame without
resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you
can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can do all these things,
Then you're probably the family dog. "Nobody
can fully understand the meaning of love unless he's owned a dog. A dog can show
you more honest affection with a flick of his tail than a man can gather through
a lifetime of handshakes."
Gene Hill - The Dog Man |
| | You
Know You're A Dog Person When...
- You don't
think twice about trading licks of an ice cream cone with your dog.
- Your
parents give up on grandchildren and start to refer to your dogs as their granddogs
- You have hundreds
of pictures of your dogs on your desk at work and in your wallet but none of your
family or friends
- You
reach into your pockets for change and treats fall all over, especially embarrassing
in a fancy restaurant
- You
can't see out of the passenger side of the windshield because there are nose prints
all over the inside
-
You sit on the floor if your dog got the chair first
- You
talk to your dog when driving. He answers
- You
have no problem kissing your dog on the lips, even when you know where his lips
have been
- You refer
to yourselves as Mommy and Daddy
- You
have 30 different names for your dog. Most make no sense, but hey she understands
- You have little
songs that you sing to your dog, and she always wags her tail when you sing!
Dog
Paddling Adventures
177 Idema Road
Markham, Ontario., Canada, L3R 1A9
jessie@dogpaddlingadventures.com
Tel: 416-992-2216 
Back to Top
| |
|
"An
experience with so many pawsibilities" |
