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Does the nature city is your area offer a dog membership? At the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, for an extra $15 per your dog, your pup can get a free dog treat when visiting the gift shop. The Houston Arboretum is also offering "Party Animals" on one Saturday a month during the spring, when everyone is encouraged to hang out with their dogs, enjoy refreshments for all and various activities such as a doggie fashion show.
Off-Leash Dog Play: A Complete Guide to Safety & Fun has been written by Robin Bennett and Susan Briggs. Briggs, who is co-owner of a doggie daycare facility in Houston (Urban Tails), says that in order for your dog play safely in a group with other dogs, you have to learn to read dogs' body language. Says Gail Fisher, owner of All Dogs Gym in Manchester, NH: This book is filled with what [doggie daycare operators] have learned over the years, presented in a clear-cut, easy to reference format. It is a must read for anyone who runs a doggie daycare, is thinking about opening one, for dog owners who want to know what their daycare operator should know, or who take their dogs to a public dog park.
NY Times: The Healing Power of Dogs, 2008-Jan-8, by Tara Paker-Pope: Over the years, data on the larger role dogs play in health has trickled out from various corners of the world. One Japanese study found pet owners made 30 percent fewer visits to doctors. A Melbourne study of 6,000 people showed that owners of dogs and other pets had lower cholesterol, blood pressure and heart attack risk compared with people who didn’t have pets. Obviously, the better health of pet owners could be explained by a variety of factors, but many experts believe companion animals improve health at least in part by lowering stress....The role dogs play in medicine is celebrated in a new book, Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs (Alyson Books, 2007), which chronicles the numerous ways dogs contribute to our health.
Ask the Vet at Cesar Millan: Chew Toys and Bones, by Dr. Sherry Weaver: The truth is that there are no completely safe chew toys. Any product that is swallowed has the potential to cause an upset stomach. All natural products are preserved with chemicals, and rawhide has been found to have unhealthy chemicals and bacteria. Our biggest worries are toys that cause more serious problems such as blockages or tooth fractures. The key to safe use of any toy is to read labels and watch your dog at play with the toy to determine which is best for him as an individual.
The Partnership for Animal Welfare has a good comprehensive list of things to consider before you take your dog hiking. Here are just a few. Dog Tip: Hiking, Camping and Swimming with Your Dog: Make sure vaccinations are up to date and that you take along proof of rabies vaccination. The dog should be healthy before an outing. Get your dog in condition before hiking and camping by taking him on shorter hikes close to home. Take an extra leash in case your regular one gets damaged. Pack and use dog boots if you are hiking in rough terrain.
If you have a dog which is subject to breed discrimination, such as a Rottweiler or any type of Pit Bull, you should consider having its temperament tested by the American Temperament Test Society. If any friends or family express fear of your dog, then you can tell them about his score and what they should expect from your dog. ATTS holds testing sessions for dog clubs around the country. Check out their schedule.
The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed's inherent tendencies. The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.
