Tips for hiking with your dog.

Hiking with you dog can be fun for you and your dog. You should pack dog and trail treats when hiking in the city or on the trail. Bring water too, especially in the summer. Not all dogs are suitable for long hike so you need to be realistic about your dogs endurance and capabilities. Always make sure that the trails are suitable for your dog.
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Spy Dog......What does he see?

Charlie the spy dog?

More Snow!

Interesting note. Cats and dogs were suspected of spying on WWI trenches by British intelligence officer. 

See article below from The Independent Newspaper

British intelligence officers in the First World War suspected two cats and a dog of spying for the Germans, in official army documents published by the National Archives today.

The three animals were observed repeatedly crossing British trenches, leading suspicious officers to believe the animals may have been planted by the Germans in order to relay messages across enemy lines.

The incident was recorded in an intelligence briefing from July 1915.

The report, prepared by officers from the 36th brigade of the 12th Division who were stationed in trenches on the Western Front states: “Two (2) cats and a dog are under suspicion, as they have been in the habit of crossing our trenches at night; steps are being taken to trap them if possible.”

Sadly, the document does not state whether the animals were ever detained on suspicion of spying.

David Langrish, records specialist for the National Archives said: “The case of the dog and two cats, shows the level of suspicion amongst military units at this time.

“Every detail was of potential importance for the planning of further operations, and so every possible suspicion would have been reported.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cats-and-dog-suspected-of-spying-on-wwi-trenches-by-british-intelligence-officers-9189474.html

Would you like to take your dog to work with you every day?

Recently companies around the world have allowed employees to bring their dog to work. Not many in Canada. Below is a list of companies that allow you to bring your dog to work.

HootSuite, Softchoice, Modern Dog, Electronic Arts, EA Sports,Google, Kimpton, Kurgo, Tito, Mars Inc., Amazon, Etsy, Bissell Homecare, Ben & Jerry,

See SPCA tips regarding bringing your dog to work

Is your dog your child?

Many individuals are having a dog instead of having children. 

Some are calling their dog their child? Is your dog your child?

It has been found that the relationship between dogs and their owners is very similiar to those of a parent and child. Parent is the caregiver in both situations. Also the researchers found that the same hormone,oxytocin, spikes in both human and canine brains when a dog is gazing at its owner. So both dog owner and your dog benefit of living together.

But dog and child are treated different. My dog, Charlie is treated like a dog. Yes he does get our love and attention but he is still a dog. We put a leash on him when we go for a walk. He eats from a bowl on the floor, not on the table. Charlie is a important member of our family. He is involved in most of our daily activities but we all know he is not our child so he is treated as our pet.

As you can seen in the photo above Charlie is a happy, content dog :)

Charlie wishes he could Kite Surf. Maybe Charlie could try wind surfing instead this summer.

Winter Kite Surfing

Summer Wind Surfing

Photo Credit from http://islandlifebonaire.com/blog/take-your-dog-windsurfing/

Dog Park Rules you should follow.

There is some rules every dog owner should follow when bringing your dog to the dog park.

1. Make sure your dog is vaccination is up to date.

2. Don't try to get dog excited before he gets to the dog park. No one wants to deal with a hyper dog. So enter dog park in a calm approach.

3. Bring one of your dog's toys. Can't expect your dog to play with other dog's toys. Its good to share too.

4. Monitor your dog. If he is being a bully take appropriate action

5. Poop and scoop.

6. Have some fun with your dog!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from Charlie. He thought the thing he loved the most in the world was bacon. Until he realized without his Mom he would  have no way to get the bacon!

Charlie likes Valentine's Day, but he doesn't really like the silly heart hat that was made for him.

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.

Dogs go into the snow with their snowsuits already on!

Most dogs like the snow. Check out Charlie, you can see he is loving it!

Even though your dog loves the snow make sure his ears don't freeze, especially if they are small or pointed. Also all that salt on the sidewalk and roads can irritate your dogs paws. If your dog licks his salty paws he could get sick. Try washing your dogs paws with some warm water when he comes in the house.

(Keeps your house cleaner too)

Dogs regulate their body temperature in part through their paws, so make sure your dog isn't exposed to the ice and snow more than a few hours at a time. Always keep an eye on your dog. Not all dogs are the same.

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.