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.

Dog Parks City of Ottawa

Below are some guidelines from the City of Ottawa-Dogs in Parks website.

Parks can provide a pleasant and safe environment in which to exercise dogs. Safety for other park users is also a consideration however. The Animal Care and Control By-law provides for a variety of park usages or "designations" for dogs (below) and there is a Dogs-in-Parks Designation Policy (DIPDP) that applies.

Click link above to get a map of dog parks In Ottawa

• Dogs Allowed: Dogs may be off leash

• Dogs on Leash: Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times

• No Dogs: Dogs are not permitted

Chase!

Charlie loves to have the ball and if he doesn't have the ball he chases the other dog till he gets it. Charlie also chases everything he sees especially squirrels and cats. The main reason Charlie chases the wildlife is because it's enjoyable. He loves it! 

It was recommended that we hide treats for Charlie to sniff and find them at home to curb his chasing. Charlie loves this game, but it has not stopped Charlie from a good chase.

Another recommendation was to keep my dog on the leash whenever he is in a situation where there may be animals he may give chase. In my neighbourhood there is many squirrels.

So how do you stop your dog from chasing? I would appreciate any tips!

 

Charlie visits Hampton Park Ottawa

Charlie waiting for a walk

Charlie making new friends at Hampton Park Ottawa

Ottawa community News Article. Tails and tongues were wagging on the morning of Aug. 25,2014 as residents and their four-legged friends gathered to open Ottawa’s newest – and biggest – off leash dog run.

Located in Hampton Park, near Island Park Drive and the Queensway, the 9,000-square-metre, fenced-in dog run is located on National Capital Commission land that is leased and maintained by the city. Running alongside the dog run is a newly-opened multi-use pathway, constructed by the city to bridge the gap between Island Park and Kirkwood Avenue for pedestrians and cyclists.

The pathway adds an extra four kilometers of pavement to the city’s cycling network.

Charlie playing chase

Happy New Year from Charlie

Charlie's New Years Resolutions 

1.  Try some new activities this year. I will start with jogging-got to keep my pet parent in shape.

2.  No more rawhide bones. They are toxic and not good for me or the environment.

3.  Make sure I get a hug or two every day.

4,  I will tolerate homemade bandannas more even though I don't think they are very manly.

6.  Show everyone that I can learn a new trick.

7.  Get more massages.

8.  Try to convince my family to let me sniff longer when we are out for walks.

9,   Learn to swim. I'm a duck toller retriever, its about time I learn how to do this.

10. Be Happy!

What Kind of Dog is Charlie?

For any one wondering what kind of dog Charlie is. His scarf today is a BIG hint!

Charlie is a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, with a little bit of something else thrown in.  

Duck Tolling Retrievers were first bred in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia in the 19th century, as a hunting dog and to toll waterfowl. Duck Tollers were admitted to the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945 and is Nova Scotia's Provincial Dog! 

Charlie has never been to Nova Scotia himself, but he hears that it is a fantastic place to visit and live. I am sure he would love running along beaches and playing in the ocean.

For more information about Nova Scotia Duck Tollers and to see if they are the right dog for you check out this site! NSDTR Club of Canada

Merry Christmas!!

Charlie is spending Christmas in Ottawa. He would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

There is tons to do in downtown Ottawa at Christmas!

You can check out the Christmas Across Canada light display, which is projected on the to the Parliament Building. After you can walk around Parliament Hill to look at all the Christmas lights and meet up with some statues. 

Charlie is Ready for Christmas!

Reindeer Charlie. 

Charlie thinks that he is up for the job as one of Santa's Reindeer but I have my doubts. He is very fast but I don't think he will be able to keep up with all the flying. He might just want in on the job because of all the cookie perks.

All of the presents are wrapped!

Charlie is excited for Christmas. He plans to give everyone lots of love and kisses all day! His wish list is not very long, he would like lots of long walks, pettings, and maybe a new bone or ball. 

Charlie has his own Christmas tree

Charlie has found branch pieces from a Christmas Tree.

My feet hurt!

Purple socks and Bag Balm to the rescue!

Mini-spa for Charlie. His feet are chapped, cracked and sore from all the walking he does. We picked up some Antiseptic Bag Balm from Lee Valley Tools and rubbed it on his front feet. Later we will do the back feet.

Bag Balm is used for sore teats and milkers but good for dog paws too!

Surprise in the dog park!

I love the Christmas tree but Charlie is not impressed. If the tree had dog bones and treats hanging in it he would be happy. Maybe next year.

Charlie's first trip to Bruce Pit

Map of Bruce Pit-Ottawa. A heaven for dogs.

Charlie made some friends

Walking the trail

Final Goodbye

Some info - Bruce Pit 

http://www.pets.ca/dogs/dog-parks/ontario/ottawa/

http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/brucepit.html

Fun Day in the snow

It's snowing outside but you still can do a lot of fun things with your dog. 

1. Play chase in the snow, a game every dog enjoys.

2. Teach your dog to do some tricks. Roll in the snow, play dead. 

3. Let your dog dig,pounce and run through the snow.

Charlie chews his leash off

What to do when your dog keeps biting his leash?

1. One thing that helps Charlie from biting his leash is to give Charlie something to carry or hold in his mouth. Charlie loves carrying balls and sticks,
2. Can also reward your dog with treats throughout your walk when not biting on his leash.
3. Have a pull toy (a rope with a big knot is good). Play pull on a daily basis with your dog.

Is your dog destroying all the Christmas ornaments?

Charlie found the light-up snowman and chewed it to pieces. Started in the living room and finished destruction in the kitchen.

Below are some Christmas tips for you and your dog

1. Arrange ornaments on the tree so they are out of reach of your dog.
2. Don't put Christmas presents under the tree until Christmas morning.
3. Don't use tinsel on your tree, it is one of the most hazardous decorations for your dog's safety.
4. Make sure electrical cords are out of reach.
5. Never decorate with edible items.
6. Use a spray bottle to train your pet from climbing in the tree.
7. Hide electrical cords behind the tree.

Charlie enjoying the sunset

Is it too rough?

Roughhousing is part of the fun of being a dog. It is safe if done in a outside environment with supervision at all time. Dogs will play bite, pull, nip and roll around. It is completely normal. But it can get out of hand, so monitor your dog and other dogs and intervene when necessary.

Keep your dog active in the winter.

Four ways to keep your dog active this winter

1. Long walks are always good. 

2. Try to make mealtimes fun and stimulating. Put treats and wet dog food in a Kong and freeze. 

3. Play find the treat. Hide treats in the house and tell your dog to find. 

4. Look for a winter agility class.

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