The sun is finally making it’s comeback and I am more than excited to be spending more time outdoors with Marty. There is so much more that dog owners can do with their pets this time of year, but it’s important to always be aware of our dog’s safety.
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I hope these tips are helpful!
Like many other Ohio inhabitants, this sudden warm weather has me itching to get outside. As soon as temperatures reach above 50 degrees I am looking for excuses to get outside. Obviously, Marty comes with. I created this video to share some ways that Marty and I enjoy the warm weather, I hope you enjoy it!
How are you enjoying the weather with your pets?
This weekend Marty and I went to see Cleveland’s professional hockey team, the Lake Erie Monsters. The event was called Pucks and Paws and was hosted by the Cleveland Animal Protective League. All proceeds from the dog tickets went to the APL and there was a 50/50 raffle to raise funds. Not only did we have a blast, the Cleveland APL was benefitting, which is a cause that Marty and I are particularly passionate about!
You’d be surprised all the places you can take your dog. Spring is right around the corner, which means there will be a lot more opportunities to take our dogs everywhere. I put together a list of dog-friendly places, so there’s no need to leave Fido at home, let the adventures begin!
1. Yappy Hour
Many bars have what they call “yappy hours” over the summer. During certain hours they will allow dogs on the patio. Many bars and restaurants will allow dogs outside regardless, but you should always call ahead to be sure.
2. Canoeing
I just got an open-top kayak for Christmas and I cannot wait to take it out with Marty when the weather gets warmer. There are plenty of places that will allow you to rent a kayak or canoe and even bus you up river. Dogs are welcome at places like Camp Hi in Mantua.
3. Bark in the Park
Many professional baseball teams will host, “Bark in the Park” which is a night that you can bring your dog along with you. Marty goes to the Indians game every year and it’s always a blast for both of us.
4. Pet Expos
Look up your local shelters and they’ll often hold pet expos. These are large outdoor events that will have vendors and games for you and your dog to enjoy. They’re often held at busy dog parks.
5. A boat ride
Marty enjoys boats the same way he enjoys car rides. He loves to stick his head out of the window and feel the wind in his fur. It’s adorable.
6. Camping
Dogs love to get in touch with their wild side; they will have no complaints about sleeping outdoors with you.
7. The beach
You have to check with your local beach, but many places allow dogs on the beach. For example, I like to take Marty to Geneva –On-The-Lake, which is a beautiful state park on Lake Erie. Dogs are allowed on the West side of the beach. So we enjoy soaking up the sun and swimming there as much as we can over the summer.
8. Ice-cream shops
Most ice-cream parlors that have an outdoor window to order from will even offer some type of dog friendly treat. Vanilla ice cream is okay to share with your pooch in moderation! They deserve it.
I love to take Marty along with me wherever I can. Now that the weather is finally getting warmer, I hope you enjoy some new adventures with your pup as well!
This morning I was in a funk. I woke up early today wishing I could stay in bed until Monday. I rolled over and there was Marty, his head on my pillow, staring at me. I was feeling lonely, but Marty made me smile instantly. Having Marty around really improves my mood when I’m feeling down.
I even have a friend whose doctor recommended that she get a dog to battle her anxiety. Dogs are good for our health in a variety of ways. It makes me wonder how some people claim that they don’t like dogs! Here is a list of five ways that owning a dog (or any pet for that matter) can improve our health:
According to webmd.com, infants are less likely to have pet allergies if they live with a dog. They are less likely to eczema as well.
WebMD also states that dogs can be a natural conversation starter to help shy people come out of their shell and communicate with strangers more easily. Even if it is just ask questions like, “what breed is your dog?” Forget online dating, adopt a dog! Taking your dog out will result in more interaction and less isolation.
Even just watching your fish swim and help lessen anxiety. It only takes a few minutes with your dog or cat before cortisol, a hormone associate with stress, is lowered. This is why some doctors recommend companion animals to their patients with anxiety or depression.
Studies have proven that just petting a dog can battle depression. Dogs are always there to listen and are great company when you’re feeling down. Taking care of your dog by walking, brushing, and playing will give you purpose and something to do with your time. It’s amazing how our pups can better our lives.
Here’s a video of Fraser, a pet therapy dog that travels to hospitals to soothe patients:
In most cases, a dog owner needs to get outside with their pet. Whether it’s walking, throwing a ball or trips to the park, this encourages better physical fitness for the dog owner. You can even take this a step further and make your dog your workout buddy. Marty and I run together every morning, but not every dog is built for long runs so check with your vet before taking them on a jog.
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Owning a dog is a lot of work, but it is so rewarding. I love my routine with Marty and it keeps me feeling centered. Every morning when I wake up, even if I struggled the day before, I automatically have a purpose and someone to spend my time with.
Do you believe your dog has improved your health in any way? Leave a comment and let me know!
According to petfinder.com, a moderately sized dog should be out 45-60 minutes in the morning and 30-45 minutes in the evening.
Well, it’s frigid in Northeast Ohio. With temperatures consistently in the single digits it’s challenging to keep Marty entertained. It is entirely too cold to take him on a walk early in the morning, but he needs to gets some energy out before I leave him home alone for the day. This is when I start to lose my mind. Marty is very high-energy. If he doesn’t get his playtime he can get some serious zoomies and things will get destroyed.
I’ve had no choice but to come up with a few alternatives to walking outside. So here are my favorite activities and treats that keep my dog entertained and healthy without having to freeze his paws (and my face) off in this winter weather!
Treat and Food Toys
On lazy days, Marty’s Kong has been a lifesaver. When he’s not looking I’ll fill it with peanut butter and freeze it. Frozen peanut butter in the Kong is good for about two hours of quiet fun for Marty. Which is perfect because it is just long enough for me to cuddle on the couch with a book and get some quiet time. Believe it or not, this really does tire him out. While it is not the healthiest alternative to walking, it is a useful trick on below-zero days when outdoor play isn’t an option anyway.
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Hide and Seek
There are a couple of versions of hide and seek that you can play with your pooch. Marty is not all that treat-oriented but he really responds to attention. He already knows how to “sit” and “stay” so I just upped the ante a little bit and worked on getting him to stay even when I left the room. This took some patience, but he got the idea within a day. Now I can get all the way up the stairs and yell, “come find me!” He’ll come sprinting up the stairs and crashing into every room upstairs until he finds me. This game is great because it combines thought and exercise. As he tries to focus on “staying” and then a burst of energy when he runs to find me. A few rounds of hide and seek and he’s napping, without ever having to set foot outside.
If your dog is more treat-motivated, it can also be fun to hide food or treats around the house and set your pup to find them. It will get them moving and thinking for sure, just be careful you’re not over-feeding your dog, too many treats and too little play can lead to some health issues in the long run.
Play Dates
If you have friends with dogs, use them! It’s important to keep our dogs socialized in the winter and off-leash play is particularly crucial. They need the freedom to make their own decisions every now and again. As a student, my friends that are also in school and have dogs are my allies. There’s nothing like a productive afternoon of studying while our crazy dogs wrestle out all their pent-up energy.
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New Tricks
Many people don’t realize how much dogs think. They really use their brains, especially while we’re teaching them new tricks. Getting them thinking will tire them out. If you there are any cool tricks you’ve been dying to teach your dog, the winter is the best time to do it! It’s a bonding experience for you and your pooch and it will get them napping in no time.
I hope you can use some of these tricks to cure your dog’s winter zoomies! What do you do to keep your pup happy on these cold winter days?
Call me crazy if you want, but I totally love my dog. Some of my good friends roll their eyes when I go on another tangent about how Marty and I were meant to find each other, but how can I not be excited about it? Marty is a unique dog. He is a five-year-old Border Collie/Basset Hound Mix that I met two years ago at a shelter called Rescue Village. I knew the moment I saw that goofy boy inside the kennel that I had to take him home. When I went to the shelter that day I had no intention to adopt a dogbecause I was sure that I was not ready for the responsibility. After spending some one-on-one time with Marty and hearing a little bit of his story, I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving him in the shelter for one more day. I signed the paperwork and we stopped at the pet store on the way home to buy everything I needed to welcome a rescue dog into my home and life.
Becoming a rescue mom has improved almost every aspect of my life. Since I brought Marty home, I no longer sleep in and waste days laying in bed. I get outside and breathe fresh air every day. Even on days that I feel a little down, I come home to my rambunctious ball of fur and it is impossible to feel sad. He keeps me working
and motivated. I was told to be weary of adopting a dog. My parents said that I wouldn’t have the time to care for him and he’d destroy my house. Everyone that tried to steer me away from having a dog was wrong. Adopting Marty was one of the best decisions I have ever made and everyone deserves a companion like him.
While I have loved Marty since day one, it hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies since the minute he set paw into my house. Because he is a rescue there were some very specific behavioral issues I had to address when I brought him home. At some points, it felt like a long road, but it was worth it. Now I call Marty my, “go everywhere boy” because I literally take him with me everywhere I go. Marty has been to professional hockey and baseball games, as well as traveled with me on vacations to Florida and New York. I hope to share information in this blog to assist other dog owners, lovers and potential rescue parents in their journeys to perfect harmony with their furry friends.
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