Walking your dog is good for your health.

If you have a dog your likely walking more than non-dog owners. This is a good thing! 

You likely happier than non-dog owners too. Other benefits of having a dog is that you likely have an improved sense of well-being.Also walking your dog 30 minutes a day at least 3 times a week reduces your blood pressure, increases your energy and is likely to lower your weight by 5%.And on top of all that you get the love of your dog.

Coyote Sighting in Britannia park!

Although coyotes live in many types of habitat, they typically prefer open areas. This might be one of the reasons we are seeing coyotes along the Ottawa River in the City of Ottawa. 

How to protect your dog from coyotes. 

1. Monitor your dogs when there are outside, even inside fenced yards.

2. Keep your dog on a leash when walking in park areas where there has been coyote sightings.

3. If you do see a coyote approach while walking your dog try yelling at the coyote, act      aggressively and walk back slowly from coyote.

4. Keep a lid on your compost containers and secure your garbage containers.

5. All individuals have to be careful in areas where coyotes have been sighted. Coyotes have not only killed dogs,cats but humans too. 

Charlie with his new collar light

Charlie's not happy,too many of his favorite trees have been damaged bythe ice.

Charlie sees his friend Maxine in the distance. Charlie has more friends than his pet parent.

Playing in the snow to snoozing on the bed. What a hard day!

Charlie hiking

Charlie loves, I mean really loves a good hike. 

Yesterday we went to Shirleys Bay-P2 hiking trail. The trail does a loop to the Ottawa River and back. If you like to hike below is a list of 7 dog breeds that like hiking too.

1. Labrador Retriever 2. Bernese Mountain Dog 3. Siberian Husky 4. Portuguese Water Dog
5. Alaskan Malamute 6. Australian Shepherd 7. Border Collie and Mixed breeds

Charlie enjoys the snow

Charlie at the park

Charlie at the playground

Charlie is a hot dog!

Some dog breeds are blessed with thick fur that keeps them warm naturally, even if the weather is below freezing. Dogs with a thin fur coat may need a coat or sweater. 

How much sleep does a dog need?

The average amount of sleep for adult dogs is 12–14 hours per day.

Charlie loves to sleep. He can sleep anywhere but usually sleeps in the room I'm in. So now while I write this he is in the office/bedroom on the floor. When I leave the room he will follow me. 

Dogs sleep in short and long stretches throughout the day and night. Dogs almost spend half their life sleeping. It is important to teach children and guests to not approach your dog while its sleeping. A dog that is startled can jump or bite.

Why is Charlie so darn cute?

Lots of dogs are cute but why?

Humans find dogs cute because of their soft and furry coat and the sad puppy eyes that you can't help falling in love with. Just look at Charlie. You can't help yourself saying "awww-how cute".

Many say we like to be a surrogate mother to our dogs forming long loving friendship. But being cute can be a bad thing too. Many dogs get adopted because their cuteness and later brought back to the dog shelter. So before you adopt a dog do your research. Find the right dog for you, looking at temperament, how much exercise it needs, how big will it get. Does everyone in the family want a dog? Getting a dog is a big commitment.

Dogs can be cute but they can also be destructive, aggressive, dangerous, high-strung, fearful, shy, hyper-active, temperament and dominant to name a few.

Helping dogs get along

According to Cesar's way, the best way to introduce a new dog is to first meet in neutral territory and take a long walk together. This will allow the dogs to get to know one another.

My experience at the dog park is that dogs are quick to run and greet the new dog. Dog owners seem to know their dog. Sometimes holding their dog back to sniff and then release once everyone is comfortable. At times some dogs can get aggressive and dog owners should be quick to intervene.

Why do dogs look so sad?

Your dog may be sad because you're sad. There have been studies that determined that dogs can tell when you're happy or sad. Dogs pick up on cues and behavior through facial expressions and body language. See link for more info

Charlie going for a hike

Ottawa has many hiking trails. Some trails dogs are not permitted. For more info see link Ottawa Hiking Trails

Charlie loves sticks

Charlie loves sticks

First thing Charlie does at the dog park is 1. Look for other dogs to play with and 2. Look for sticks. Charlie loves sticks, short sticks, long 4 feet sticks. He likes to share his sticks to as can be seen in the picture below. You can't see the stick but 3 dogs have their teeth on the stick.

Charlie loves sharing his sticks

Ottawa Dog Parks

Ottawa Dog Parks

If you have a dog be respectful of where you can and can't take your dog in Ottawa. We are lucky to have so many parks that allow dogs
as well as dog friendly walking trails. See link to dog friendly parks and trails in Ottawa.

      

Getting your dog's attention

Getting your dog to pay attention to you can be a challenge for new dog owners and seasoned owners. 

Best to start with a tired dog. So before training go for a run with your dog, play stick for 10-15 minutes before training. Also have the best smelling treats you can find. Use these treats for only training or correcting behaviors.

Charlie at the Beach

Charlie wants to go for a swim

Be careful of  your dog on ice and open water during the winter months.  Dogs can be hurt on icy patches on sidewalks or on frozen lakes and rivers.  Ice and snow can also accumulate between a dogs toes, which can be very irritating and painful for your dog.

Charlie sniffing the bird footprints

Walking your dog at night

Your dog can see better than you can in the evening light.

Dogs see a lot better then we do at night since dogs have larger pupils and the center of the retina has more light sensitive cells which work better in dim light.

Play Time

Charlie loves to play.

Play time for a dog is very important. It offers physical and mental benefits for all dogs. Also keeps your dog happy and healthy. A dog walk, tug games, hiding food games, chase are all good activities for man's best friend.

Toys- Every dog needs toys.

Toys such as such as kongs, pull toys, plastic bones and raw hide are also good for mental stimulation for your dog. I would suggest one toy at a time. You could also make your own toys. See link for ideas

Charlie and his friends

Can dogs have best friends? 

Some feel that dogs do have best friends since their heritage is from wolves, which are cooperative hunters who need to work together and form lasting relationships to be a successful pack. For more info about dogs and their relationship with other see link

Nothing better for Charlie then a stick to chew on and a friend to share it with.

A snowy day

Charlie and I don't see any bikers on the bike path today. 

A great time to take your dog for a walk on the Ottawa bicycle paths. Not many walkers and too early for cross country skiers on the path. 

A boat is leaving Britannia. Must be heading to a new Marina.

Picking up the the local paper. 

Charlie is having so much fun in the snow. He must have eaten a gallon of it.