Friday Fun

Ahh its finally Friday! Time to kick up those paws and relax. Or you could get out there with the pooch for some weekend frolicking! Here is a link to a list of off-leash dog parks and on-leash dog friendly parks where you and Fido can romp.

 

Remember to keep your pooch well hydrated and rest them often if you are planning a trip outdoors this weekend as its going to be a warm one!

 

If your looking for something you and your pal can do inside to avoid the heat, here are a couple practical options for you to consider

 

First, the dog treat puzzle, featured in another blog of ours titled Trick or Treat?

 

 

If that's not enough for Fido, Hide and seek can be a fun game, not only to play but to train as well. Follow these simple steps I found on this website and they will be seeking like a pro in no time!

 

"This activity requires two people unless the dog already follows a command to "stay." Instruct the dog to sit and stay or ask someone to keep the dog in place while you find a hiding spot. Call the dog's name one time to begin its search for you, at which point the other person would release the dog. Praise and rewards upon finding you teaches the dog to repeat the activity. The ASPCA recommends that you leave part of your body visible when hiding, as this helps the dog locate you when first learning the game, and then gradually make it more difficult for the dog to find you."

 

 

Thanks again for stopping by to read, and be sure to check in on Monday in order to keep updated on the happenings here at Fort Fido.

 

-Ryan W.

 

Can your pup take the heat?

With the recent local heat wave, I decided to give you a few quick tips to help keep your pooch nice and cool this summer,
If your pup is a mostly outside, or yard dog, be sure to provide lots of shade, cool water with ice cubes in it, and a retreat back inside during the hottest hours of the day (between 3 pm and 4:30 pm each afternoon)

Another cool trick is to use the "Kong" chewtoy that your dog already loves. stuff it with wet food or peanut butter, then freeze it. It's a great way to keep your dog both entertained and nice and cool. Fun ice cubes filled with healthy snacks like peas or carrots are another great way to beat the heat!

 Something else to keep in mind, is that a dog’s normal body temperature is 100-102 degrees. So when we're hot, they are too. Watch closely for signs of heatstroke like, panting hard, staggering gait, rapid heartbeat, dazed look, listlessness, restlessness, dark red or purple gums and/or tongue and vomiting. If you suspect a heat-induced illness in your dog, gradually lower his body temperature by moving him to the shade or air conditioning, apply cold packs to his head, neck or belly, or immerse in cool (not cold) water, and then take him to the vet immediately.

 

Speaking of cold packs, I've seen some pretty awesome stuff coming out on the market designed specifically for the furriest of our friends. Collars, vests, and beds, all made to either hold ice packs in them, or actually are ice packs themselves, made to be frozen and then worn on those hot days.

Summer can be a great time for both man and man's best friend. With just a couple of extra precautions, both you and Fido can enjoy your fun in the sun!

 

-Ryan

 

P.S. Don't forget to grab your copy of The Pet Connection from the Fort Fido lobby. This issue features another great article by local trainer and Fort Fido friend Garrett Stevens, this time the topic is dealing with fearfulness in dogs.

Summertime Heat

It's starting to heat up, and summer safety for pets is becoming more and more important. A dog in Maryland has died after being left for too long in a hot car. Cars are especially dangerous places for both pets and people in the heat. Even after just ten minutes, a dog that is trapped in a sweltering vehicle can start to go into distress. The best thing you can do if you have to run errands, is to leave your dog someplace safe, or to go places where you can bring them with you.


Make sure while you're out and about that your pets are getting enough water. This can be hard to think of when they appear to be taking care of themselves. Whenever you go to have a drink of water, make sure your pet gets one too.

The Tacoma News Tribune had some great tips on beating the heat. The Seattle Times has a neat article tailored specifically to pet safety in the hot weather. You can watch a clip from a Canadian News Program about dogs and the heat.

In other news, a Tacoma man entered the Beneful Ultimate Dog Park contest, you can see his video entry here. If he gets chosen as a finalist, he could win $500,000 of funding for his envisioned upgrades the the off leash areas at Point Defiance Park. Make sure that you head on over and vote!

Have fun and be safe!

Hope

PS--Here are some funny pictures of dogs and sprinklers that I found. Too cute!