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The very first issue of the Bow-Wow Gazette!
Citation preview
Look-Alikes!
Dogs who look
like their owners!
Volume 1, Issue 1
Our first issue!
Meet the
Bow-Wow
Gazette
family!
THE GREEN BEAN DIET……..07 The miracle vegetable for obese dogs? When
and why this might work for your dog!
By Piper R.
The Top 10 Smartest Dogs..10 These 10 pooches have been given the title of
smartest breeds. Is your dog on the list?
By Tinker R.
Meet the Crew!........02
Meet the Bow-Wow
Gazette Family
Picture Perfect Pet…04
Pictures of your pets!
Ask Lulu……………...05
Got a question for Lulu?
She’s got an answer!
Tinker’s Tricks……....12
Tinker has some cool tricks
up her sleeve!
Quiz…………………..14
What Recreational
Activity would be best for
your dog?
Look-Alikes……..…..09
Dogs who look like
their owners!
Table of Contents A NEW WORKOUT BUDDY
YOU CAN RELY ON!
Health and Fitness with
your Furry Pal!................16
Want to have your dog or cat
featured in one of our articles? The
Bow-Wow Gazette is always looking
for new photos of our readers and
their pooches! Just follow the
instructions below!
Send your photo to
Include your dog’s name,
breed/mix, age, and your name in
the email.
Title the subject of the email as
“Reader Photo” and send!
Photo courtesy of word clip art
Piper Job Title: Head News Reporter and Doggie Health Expert
Why I’m here: I love to report to the Doggie World about my latest findings
and news!
Quirks: I like to chew up the cardboard roll inside the paper towel roll
Favorite food: Peanut Butter
Other hobbies: Frisbee, agility training, swimming, and getting baths!
Tinker Job Title: Dog/Human Trainer and Head Journalist
Why I’m here: I want to help dogs and their owners be on the up-and-up
on what it means to be a dog and a dog owner!
Quirks: Fly eating, light chasing, sleeping with my tongue sticking out
and… Oh, I like to bark at any and all animals on TV!
Favorite food: Popcorn
Other hobbies: Eating, watching TV, barking when I run…
Moka (Not Mocha) Job Title: “Katz” Director (Coming soon in our next issue!)
Why I’m here: Piper made me do it…
Quirks: None… No, Piper, NONE.
Favorite food: Meat
Other hobbies: Planning my escape, planning the downfall of the dog empire,
wreaking havoc throughout my prison, and sleeping.
Oliver Job Title: “Katz” Assistant Director
Why I’m here: Moka made me do it
Quirks: I’m a hygiene fanatic, and a slight germophobe…
Favorite food: Meat
Other hobbies: Sleeping, eating, licking myself clean, licking Moka clean (she
doesn’t understand personal hygiene), and… photography!
Lulu Job Title: Author of “Ask Lulu” (starting on page 05), and journalist.
Why I’m here: I love giving dogs and their humans advice!
Quirks: I chew up pencils
Favorite food: Chicken
Other hobbies: Exploring the area to find the perfect place to curl up and take a
nap.
Taylor Job Title: Editor of “The Bow-Wow Gazette”!
Why I’m here: I’m Piper’s owner and she asked me if she could make a dog
magazine to give information from a dog’s point of view. I thought it was a great
idea! When the rest of the dogs found out they immediately wanted to be a part of
it!
Quirks: Using hair-ties for just about anything
Favorite food: Pasta
Other hobbies: Editing the magazine, reviewing restaurants, giving Piper baths.
Picture Perfect Pet!
Snow Time Fun,
Piper (Golden
Retriever), Taylor R.;
Spring Day, Lulu
(Basset Hound)
Taylor R.; A Trip to
the Dog Park, Piper
(Golden Retriever),
Taylor R.; Jeannie’s
Asian Son!, Chewie
(Yorkshire Terrier),
Jeannie T.; Feelin’
Flipsy!, Tinker
(Yorkshire Terrier),
Taylor R.
Do you have a
photo of your pet
that you want to be
featured in “Picture
Perfect Pet”? All
themes (funny,
cute, etc.) are
accepted.
Submissions must
include your dog’s
name, breed/mix, a
title and caption
with the photo, and
your name. Send
your photo(s) to
bowwowgazette@
gmail.com and
your pet might be
featured in our next
issue!
Snow Time Fun
Baby Piper sitting in the snow!
Spring Day
Lulu likes to play in the Spring grass!
A Trip to the Dog Park
Piper loves nothing more than
playing with her doggie friends!
Jeannie’s Asian Son!
What dog doesn’t want to
be pampered?
Feelin’ Flipsy!
Baby Tink is cute in her “crib”!
By
Oliver
Ask Lulu!
“Dogs are not our
whole life, but they
make our lives
whole.”
~Roger Caras
My name is Lulu!
My mission is to
help pets and
owners with all of
their pet/owner
questions and/or
problems!
Dear Lulu,
My dog constantly pees on the
carpet, and it’s really frustrating. I
tried to talk to her about it, but she still
does the deed! Why does she do this
and how do I make her stop?
-- Annoyed Owner
Dear AO,
It is a common problem for dogs to
pee on the carpet, even when they
have an obvious place set where
they are allowed to relieve
themselves. First of all, don’t rub the
dog’s nose in the spot, because it just
confuses them even more. At the
same time, don’t punish a dog if the
“deed was done” even 10 minutes
earlier. We dogs have short-term
memory, and we won’t understand
why you must show us the lovely spot.
To stop this problem, you must correct
the error by showing the dog where
they are allowed to relieve
themselves after they have made a
mistake. Positive reinforcement
training is much more effective than
negative punishment. Secondly, you
should do your best to rid the carpet
of the smell because when we smell
urine, it tells us that that spot is ok to
do our business. Good luck!
-- Lulu
Don’t’ forget: Dogs only
want to please you. If
they make a mistake,
calmly and fairly
reinforce the house
rules. Dogs have feelings
too!
Dear Lulu,
I am a dog who has a bad
shedding problem. It gets
everywhere and my owner is
irritated when they find fur all over
the furniture. How do I stop
shedding?
- Excessive Shedder
Dear ES,
All dogs shed fur! It’s only natural!
But then there are some dogs
who have low shedding levels
(such as a Poodle, or a Yorkshire
Terrier). However, while there is no
way to completely stop shedding,
there are a few ways to lessen the
blow. Being a shedding dog
myself, my owner has found that
brushing my coat regularly, the fur
I would leave behind was not
nearly as bad as before. Taking
baths can wash out fur that was
caught in your coat too. It is also
helpful if you eat the right kind of
food. Higher quality food is better
for your coat and it can help
prevent excess shedding. Best of
luck!
-- Lulu
Photo coutesy of Word Clip Art
Dear Lulu,
Whenever I come home, my dog will jump up
and be all over me. I’ve tried lifting my knee
and pushing him down, but he just keeps
coming back. How do I correct this behavior?
-- Exhausted owner
Dear EO,
The reason your dog does this is to seek
attention. This can be an annoying and even
dangerous habit, especially if your pooch is a
big one! Dogs love to greet their owners, and
they want to get attention from you. The worst
way to handle the greeting is to acknowledge
that they are there. It sounds mean at first, but if
will keep them off of you until you are ready to
say hello. Instead of pushing him down, just
walk right past him. Don’t touch him, speak to
him, or make eye contact with him. By not
acknowledging his presence, he will not have
the reward of getting that attention from you
from the get-go. Once he calms down, you
can greet each other to your hearts’ desire.
-- Lulu
Ask Lulu
Got a question? Email Lulu at
your question may be answered
by Lulu right here in the magazine!
Fleas have a short life span, so
an effective way of ridding
your dog of them is to get a
medication that will kill the
fleas’ eggs before they hatch.
That way the cycle will end
with the adult fleas. You
should also consult your vet
for professional help.
Dear Lulu,
My dog has fleas! What do
I do??
-- Grossed Out
Dear GO,
Don’t worry, dogs aren’t
exactly fond of fleas either!
When fleas bite, its can
cause itching (sometimes
severe) hair-loss,
inflammation and
secondary skin infections.
That’s why it’s important to
take the measures
necessary to rid your dog
of fleas. Not only are they
harmful to your dog,
they’re just plain gross!
There are many different
medications and solutions
to rid you dog of fleas. Go
to your local pet store
(without your dog!) and
choose a brand that will
help you most. The AKC
suggests “The flea comb is
a handy item which helps
you determine if your dog
has fleas. The teeth are set
very close together and
snare flea evidence when
the comb is drawn through
the dog's coat. If you trap
a flea, crush it
immediately. Though
wingless, fleas can jump so
fast and so far that they
may disappear the second
you spot them.”
Photo courtesy of Word Clip Art
Photo courtesy of Word Clip Art
Does your dog break the scale? The Green Bean Diet is when you
substitute a portion of your dog’s food with green beans. The green beans act
as a filler, which is a way give your dog a regular amount of food, but without all
of the calories. According to Dr. Jon, of Molly D. Imperial, Missouri,
(petplace.com) says “It should be started and stopped gradually. When used, it
is recommended that you decrease the food quantity by 10% and replace with
an equal amount of green beans. After 2 to 3 days, decrease the food quantity
of dog food by another 10%, again replacing the dog food for the same
quantity of green beans. You do this until you are feeding about 50% of their
regular good quantity and 50% green beans. The green beans are to help the
dog feel full while supplying few calories. Once the dog reaches its ideal weight,
you can begin cutting out the green beans and returning them to a
maintenance amount of food.”
What do you think? Does
this dog look overweight?
The Is your dog overweight?
Read on to find out how to
get their weight down to a manageable level!
Green Bean
Pros
It is a safe, easy way to
help your dog lose weight
Your dog won’t feel
starving in the process. In
fact, she may feel full most
of the day!
Green beans are generally
inexpensive, especially
when compared to the
price of dog food!
Cons
Because of the added
fiber brought in by the
beans, the dog’s
eliminations should be
monitored to ensure that
their digestive system is
working properly.
Photo courtesy of Word Clip Art
Photo courtesy of Word Clip Art
Q: What if my dog doesn’t like green beans?
A: It’s rare that dogs won’t enjoy some green beans, but if they don’t, you can substitute baby carrots for beans. However, carrots must be chopped up to prevent choking, and they can contain more sugar than green beans, therefore green beans are generally preferred over carrots.
Q: What kind of green beans should I buy?
A: When purchasing green beans for your dog, you should look for sodium-free beans. Regular green beans have higher sodium levels which are not good for dogs.
Q: How long does the green bean diet take to start taking effect?
A: All dogs are different, so all results will be different. For me (Piper), it took me two months for me to get to my ideal weight. However, for Tinker, she must have blown her diet somewhere along the way because she hasn’t lost any weight. There are no overnight results and as long as you stay consistent, this diet can be effective.
Is the Green Bean Diet right for your dog?
FAQ’s
The Green Bean Diet
Before starting your dog on
any weight loss program,
you should always consult
your vet. They can give you
tips, and help monitor your
dog’s progress.
Questions? Email me, Piper at
Article by Piper R.
Q: What are the side effects of this diet?
A: Sometimes, the dog can have some gas, or their feces might have a slight greenish color to them, but generally there are no other major side effects. Remember: all dogs are different.
Q: Where should I store the beans?
A: It is best to keep them in a resealable container for easy access during feeding time.
Q: Are there anything other tips on how to make this process easier?
A: 1) Exercise! This burns of calories! (Check out the quiz on page 14, to see what would be a good activity for you and your dog!)
2) Cut the table scraps out of your dog’s diet. You won’t love for the fifth them any less by not feeding them junk!
3) Swap your dog’s regular food for weight management dog food. This can help by adding fewer calories to
their daily diet.
G D Williams, author of the article “The Green Bean
Diet - Is it right for your dog?” suggests, “If you
decide to feed your dog the green bean diet, you must know that
you can not entirely feed your pet green beans. Only providing your
dog with this green vegetable will not be a healthy choice for your
[dog’s] diet. Pet owners will want to determine a balance between
dog food, for example and green beans that will produce the
desired results.”
How do you know if your dog is overweight? Stand over your
dog while he is in a standing position. Look at his waist. A normal,
healthy dog should have a slight curve right after his ribcage which
goes inward. His ribs should be easily felt, with a thin layer between
his ribs and his skin. An overweight, or obese dog has no visible
waist, and is a straight line from shoulders to hips, or he may even
have an outward curve. Still not sure? Check with your vet and see
what they have to say!
Photo courtesy of Word Clip Art
LOOK-ALIKES! DOGS WHO LOOK LIKE THEIR OWNERS!
Tori Spelling, and her pug, Mimi LaRue
Tori Spelling is often known to have
some interesting species of pet,
including a goat and a chicken, but
Mimi LaRue is all dog! Structurally,
Mimi had the same fullness in her
eyes as Tori. Cosmetically, Tori’s dark
smoky eye hints at Mimi’s accents of
deep charcoal in her eyes, ears, nose
and toes! We give this duo a 3 out of
5 in likeness!
SAYING GOODBYE TO MIMI LARUE
Tori Spelling's dog, Mimi LaRue died of at the
age of 11. When interviewed by PEOPLE magazine,
she stated that, “She was a star and a true lady, and
she will be missed greatly. People everywhere knew
her by name. I loved when fans wanted her over
me. I felt proud!" Spelling also noted that, “She was
not just a dog, but a fashion icon, and legend
amongst Hollywood dogs. She received fan e-mail
on a regular basis, and I often joked she got sent
more designer clothes than me!"
"She was a loving pet and a true diva to the end,"
says Spelling.
Tori Spelling interview by People Magazine at www.people.com
TORI SPELLING AND MIMI LARUE
Scoring
1- Why are they even ON this page?
2- Not really similar.
3- Somewhat similar…
4- Pretty dang close!
5- Are they twins??
Celebrity Moment!
“The dog
breeds on
this list took
at least five
repetitions or
less to learn a
new
command.
There were
some that
obeyed first
commands
more than
95% of the
time.” --
www.dogsnpawz.com
Official Kennel
Clubs List of the
Top 10 Smartest
Dog Breeds
Top 10 Smartest Dogs
1) Border Collie
Border Collies are herding dogs, with an
energetic personality. They are highly
trainable dogs who aim to please.
2) Poodle
This hypoallergenic dog is an active dog
who can very easily be spoiled. These dogs
are very loyal and can also be easily
trained.
3) German Shepherd
German Shepherds are most commonly
known for their loyalty and
courageousness. However, they can also
be great family dogs, and a joy to train.
4) Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are family oriented
dogs. They tend to very friendly and loyal.
This dog is patient and highly trainable,
and their main goal is to please.
Bulldog photograph, courtesy of word clipart
Border Collie, Poodle, German Shepherd, and Golden Retriever photos courtesy of shutterstock.com
Top 10 Smartest Dogs
5) Doberman Pinscher
These fearless dogs make excellent guard
dogs, but their obedience and loyalty
make them great family dogs.
6) Shetland Sheepdog
These playful dogs are very affectionate,
and loyal. They have been known to be
highly trainable and ready to follow
commands.
7) Labrador Retriever
These active dogs are very excited to
learn new things, but they can be very
gentle and friendly.
8) Papillion
Don’t let their small stature fool you! These
dogs have been known to be great
watchdogs. On the flip side, they are also
very energetic and friendly.
9) Rottweiler
This obedient dog is very devoted to his
owner. He is eager to please and ready to
work.
10) Australian Cattledog
These energetic dogs can be very
protective and obedient. They are loyal
and brave which gives them a desire to
please their owner.
Don’t see why
your dog
shouldn’t be on
the list? All dogs
have different
personalities and
temperaments.
Please note that
all dogs are
trainable with the
consistent
training. It’s
better to start
training early,
during the puppy
years, but don’t
believe the
phrase “Old dogs
can’t learn new
tricks”!
Want to teach
your dog
something new?
Check out
Tinker’s Tricks on
page 12.
By Tinker R. Doberman Pinscher, Shetland Sheepdog, Labrador Retriever, Papillion, Rottweiler, and Australian Cattledog photos courtesy of shutterstock.com
Tinker’s Tricks! Dog tricks made easy!
SIT Step 1: Have your dog stand
in front of you.
Step 2: Hold a treat in your
hand, and move your hand up
over your dog’s head, towards
their tail.
Step 3: As you do step 2, say
“sit”.
Step 4: Your dog should follow
the treat with its head and this
should make him sit. As soon as
his bum hits the ground, quickly
treat and praise your dog, saying
“Good sit!”
Step 5: Repeat, repeat,
repeat! Dogs learn with
repetition, and the more you
practice, the better they’ll get.
Just don’t wear your dog out!
You will need:
Many treats.
A quiet environment to
practice in.
Tips:
When you are holding the treat
above the dog’s head, make
sure it’s not too high, or he will
jump to get it.
Don’t give your dog a treat until
he has done the command
correctly.
Reinforce the command
regularly.
Praise your dog every time it
performs the command correctly.
SIT!
Ph
oto
co
urt
esy
of
Wo
rd C
lip A
rt
You will need:
Many treats.
The sit, and lie down
command.
A quiet environment to
practice in.
Tips:
If the dog lies down when you
put the treat down, calmly
repeat the command, and
pick his bottom up, until he
stays in the position.
The bigger the praise, the
more they will understand
that what they did was good.
Don’t be afraid to go
overboard!
BOW Step 1: Make sure your dog
knows how to sit, stay and lie
down on command
Step 2: Have your dog stand in
front of you, and have him face
you.
Step 3: Hold the treat in your
hand, and slowly move your hand
towards the floor. Your dog should
move is head toward the floor,
thus, bringing his elbows down as
well. As soon as his elbows hit the
floor, give him the treat and praise
tremendously.
Step 4: Add a verbal cue, such
as “bow”, or “take a bow”
Step 5: Repeat, repeat, repeat!
Step 6: After at least 20
successes in a row, try telling your
dog the command WITHOUT
moving your hand. If he doesn’t
understand, go back, and keep
practicing.
NOTE: Dogs generally only have an attention span
of about 30 minutes until they get bored, so if they
start losing interest, try again tomorrow!
Ph
oto
co
urt
esy
of
ww
w.k
evin
and
aman
da.
com
What Recreational Activity is
Best for You and Your Dog? 1. How active is your dog?
a) Hyper, hyper, hyper!
b) Moderately active, but not hyper.
c) Normal
d) Sluggish
e) A total couch potato
2. Is your dog friendly with people?
a) Yes, very friendly.
b) He is reserved, but not unfriendly.
c) He doesn’t pay much attention.
d) He can be aggressive with some
people.
3. Is your dog friendly with other dogs?
a) Yes, very friendly.
b) He is reserved, but not unfriendly.
c) He doesn’t pay much attention to
the other dogs.
d) He can be aggressive with some
dogs.
4. Does your dog have any physical health
problems?
a) Yes
b) No
5. Is your dog overweight?
a) Yes
b) No
6. How old is your dog?
a) Under 1 year
b) 1-3 years
c) 4-6 years
d) 7+ years
7. How is your dog’s confidence with new
things?
a) Very nervous, and cannot
concentrate at all in the presence
of a new things.
b) Not too bad, maybe a little nervous
at first.
c) Hardly notices them, he likes
exploring new things.
8. Does your dog like to retrieve?
a) Yes, and he will bring it back to me.
b) Yes, but he hasn’t grasped the
concept of bringing it back.
c) No.
9. Dog your dog like climbing and exploring?
a) Yes
b) No
10. Does your dog like to swim?
a) Yes
b) No
11. Is your dog good at paying attention to
you, even in distracting situations?
a) Yes
b) Sometimes
c) No
12. Does your dog enjoying being petted?
a) Yes, by anyone.
b) Yes, but only by me,
c) No
13. Do you consider yourself to be well
coordinated?
a) Yes, I am above average
b) Yes, average.
c) No, not at ALL!
14. How physically active do you want to be
with your dog?
a) Very physical, we can be workout
buddies!
b) A fair amount, walking, and maybe a
little running.
c) A small amount, walking
d) Not much, walking or standing
15. Does your dog like to follow scents?
a) Yes, so much so he doesn’t listen
when I call at times.
b) Yes, but he comes to me when
called.
c) No.
16. Does your dog like to chase other
animals?
a) Yes, but I can’t control him.
b) Yes, but I can control him.
c) No.
17. How much time are you willing to spend
training with your dog?
a) As much time as needed.
b) Once a week or so, maybe a weekly
class.
c) Something the dog does naturally,
with little training.
18. Do you want to participate against other
dogs and their owners?
a) Yes.
b) No.
19. Do want to train your dog with food or
without?
a) With
b) Without
c) Either one
20. How much money are you willing to
spend on equipment/training?
a) My wallet is bottomless!
b) A fair amount.
c) Not too much, but I’m willing to
spend a little bit.
d) Not much at all if possible.
e) Just me and the dog, no cost.
Scoring
1. a- 1
b- 1
c- 1, 2, 3
d- 2, 3
e- 3
2. a- 1, 2, 3
b- 1, 2, 3
c- 1, 2
d- 1
3. a- 1, 2, 3
b- 1, 2, 3
c- 1, 2
d- 1
4. a- 2, 3
b- 1, 2, 3
5. a- 2, 3
b- 1, 2, 3
6. a- 1, 2
b- 1, 2, 3
c- 1, 2, 3
d- 1, 2, 3
7. a- 2, 3
b- 1, 2, 3
c- 1, 2, 3
8. a- 1, 2, 3
b- 1, 3
c- 3
9. a- 1, 2
b- 3
10. a- 1
b- 2, 3
11. a- 1, 2, 3
b- 3
c- 3
12. a- 1, 2, 3
b- 1
c- 1
13. a- 1, 2
b- 1, 2, 3
c- 3
14. a- 1, 2
b- 1, 2
c- 2, 3
d- 3
15. a- 2, 3
b- 1, 2, 3
c- 3
e- 3
16. a- 1
b- 1
c- 1, 2, 3
17. a- 1
b- 1, 2
c- 1, 2, 3
18. a- 1, 2
b- 3
19. a- 1, 2, 3
b- 3
c- 1, 2, 3
20. a- 1, 2, 3
b- 1, 2, 3
c- 1, 2, 3
d- 2, 3
e- 3
How does the scoring work? 1. Circle your answers for the
questions (this will make things
easier!)
2. Keep count of the numbers
you get in the columns below.
3. Whichever number in most
frequent in the columns is the
activity that matches best for
you and your dog!
1’s 2’s 3’s
Health and Fitness with your Furry Pal! How to stay healthy and have fun doing it with your dog!
It is commonly known that having
a workout buddy increases your
likelihood of maintaining an exercise
routine. In our opinion, the BEST workout
buddy of all is that furry friend that stands
beside you no matter what. In the article
titled “How to Exercise with Your Dog”,
by Leah Zerbe, it was stated that, “Many
researchers have made the connection
between dogs and the health of their
owners. One in particular, from the
University of Missouri, found that
overweight people who walked their
dog each day dropped an average of
14 pounds through the course of a year.
That's more success than people often
experience with some weight-loss plans!
Plus, it's fun… And we humans are much
more likely to stick with a workout that's
fun”. Who else would drop everything
and take a run with you at any time, or
who would gladly jump out of bed with
you to do a few reps? The most reliable
friend you’ll ever have is your dog, and
he will always be willing to have some
fun with you! Here’s some tips on
keeping the both of you fit, and being
safe while you do it!
Dogs need to stretch too! Try out these
moves to get your pooch warmed up!
Bow- The dog’s elbows are
touching the floor, and the front
legs are extended out in front of
them. Their rear is in the air. This
stretches the back, front legs, and
shoulders
Stand- The dog is standing on two
feet, standing up-right. This stretches
their back legs out.
Play Dead- Your dog’s back is on
the floor, his belly facing the ceiling.
This can help stretch out their limbs
and loosen their neck muscles if
they relax. Be careful not to force
your dog to lay in this position if they
do not feel comfortable doing so.
By Piper R
Photo courtesy of puplife.com
Taking a Run with Your Pooch
In “How to Exercise with your Dog”, “Research
shows that just a brisk one- to two-mile walk four
or five times a week can greatly improve your
cardiovascular health and even ward off
depression.” Not every breed of dog is meant
to do a hardcore run, but a simple run with your
dog can really keep you both motivated if you
are both having fun together.
Taking a Swim with Fido
"Not all dogs are natural swimmers. Some want
to be near water but not swim," says Arden
Moore, pet expert and author of Healthy Dog:
The Ultimate Fitness Guide for You and Your
Dog (Dog Fancy Books). If your dog is okay with
swimming and he feel forced to swim, the best
investment to make for a water dog is to get
him a doggie life vest. Swimming is a real
calorie burning activity that is fun to do for both
human and dog.
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Other Fun Activities
Here are just a few ideas from the article “12
Fun Things To Do With Your Dog”, by Park B.
Agility – Park B., author of “12 Fun Things To Do
With Your Dog” says that “Agility trials are ideal
to help pets build their confidence, release
energy and learn to focus, so if you have a
competitive streak and think your pet would
love the challenge of competing in obstacle
courses, beginning agility training could be the
ideal activity for you and your pet!
Other Fun Activities (Continued)
Hiking - For those of you who are athletic, why
not explore the local trails with your furry
companion, just don't forget to pack a first
aid kit, poop bags and of course plenty of
water for you and your pet!
Walks - What better way for you and your pet
to bond and get healthy at the same time?
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Safety First!
Here are some safety tips from the Zerbe
about keeping your dog safe while you
exercise.
Cool down—After you both exercise, give
your pooch a head-to-tail rubdown to relax
his or her muscles.
Know when it's time to fly. Incorporating
Frisbee time into a workout can be a great
calorie burner, but younger pups need some
months under their collar before launching
into high jumps to grab the toy, warns Moore. To start off, throw a natural-rubber Frisbee just
inches above the ground until the dog is at least 18 months old—it will get them in the routine
but won't jar their developing body.
• Learn dog water safety 101. Rule numero uno—never force your dog to swim. If your dog
does like the water and swims with you, or rides along in a boat or kayak, it's a good idea to
use a doggie life vest. Moore recommends Ruff Wear flotation products. And be careful where
you choose to swim. If a body of water is stagnant, smelly, or contains lots of algae, it could
also harbor Giardia, a parasite that will require a visit to the vet if your dog swallows infected
water. If you live in a development, it's important to keep your dog out of retention ponds, too.
They're often contaminated with gardening and lawn chemicals that are hazardous to
everyone's health.
• Don't sizzle their paws. Doggies don't wear shoes, so if you're going to jog or run on pavement
or a sidewalk, place your palm to the surface first. If it's irritating to you, it will be for them, too.
Pick a grass surface, or wait until it's cooler to work out.
Safety First! (Continued)
• Don't bike. Cycling with your pooch by your side is a prescription for trouble, Moore says. If you're looking for
something a little more interesting, check out an agility class in your area. It's fun and burns calories for you
and your dog, and it can develop and deepen the trust between you.
• Don't let your pooch overheat. Dogs with pushed-in noses, such as pugs, bulldogs, and Boston Terrier types,
can have a lot of problems in the heat, so try walking them in the early morning or evening, when it's a bit
cooler. Remember to offer small amounts of water throughout the workout, no matter what type of dog you
own. Dogs won't always tell you when they're exhausted, and will often run or play fetch until they collapse.
Monitoring them is your job, and it's best to stop even before they start showing signs of exhaustion. If you
notice any of these signs in your dog, it's time to stop working out immediately:
1. Drooping tongue that may actually have widened, or is curled up
2. Overtaxed-appearing eyes; the dog could look worried, or have a slightly glazed look
3. Rapid panting
4. Change in gait—hesitation before chasing ball, or staggering, wobbling, or shifting weight.
If your dog is overheated, offer the dog more water to drink, and dip the dog's paws in cool, but not cold,
water.
Check out these sites for more on exercising with
your dog!
www.petnet.co.uk
www.organicgardening.com
Woman Walking with Dog photograph from www.organicgardening.com
Woman Running with Dog photograph from www.vetstreet.com
Dog swimming photograph from www.dog-paw-print.com
Agility Dog photograph from www.dog-obedience-training-review.com
Hiking Dog photograph from www.blog.trupanion.com
First Aid paw print clip art from www.appfinder.lisisoft.com