Are you looking to bring your dog on vacation with you? How about a weekend retreat in the country at Camp Unleashed? Camp Unleashed, founded by Annie Brody, is a camp for dogs and their people. This unique retreat will “deepen their relationship through education and organized play in an experience designed to be transformational for both species”. Sound interesting? If you love your dog and camping, Camp Unleashed just might be for you. No need to leave your dog at home, provide your dog with an escape from the human world!
Camp Unleashed has activities for every dog and their human counterpart. Whether you want to relax or take advantage of all that Camp Unleashed has to offer, that’s up to you but keep reading for a sampling of the many activities you can expect to enjoy with your dog.
Activities…..
Dock Diving
Scent Games
Teaching your dog tricks
Paint your pup
Water sports
Agility
Swimming Hiking
Clicker Training
Do It Yourself Grooming class
Canine Massage Techniques Class
Looking to travel beyond Camp Unleashed? There are other camps across the United States that are similar to Camp Unleashed but offer their own unique flair. Click Here for a short list or do your own search. It’s really amazing what’s out there.
Now you might be wondering “Is camp right for my dog?” Each camp will have it’s own set of rules and requirements however, most camps will require the following:
Your dog must be socialized. This means your dog should be able to tolerate loud noises, other dogs of all sizes, their humans and just be generally comfortable in unfamiliar environments. Remember, the goal is to have fun and let loose. If your dog is not comfortable, it kind of defeats the purpose of attending camp.
Your dog must follow simple commands. If your dog doesn’t listen to you, it will put him in jeopardy of getting lost and/or hurt. Your dog should sit, stay and recall with 100 percent accuracy every time. If you’re not sure about this, practice with your dog in a safe environment such as a dog park before you sign up.
Your dog must not be toy or treat aggressive. Many camps house 50 campers or more. If your dog is prone to any type of aggression, bringing him into an environment like camp will set him for failure and pose a safety risk to others.
Your dog must be healthy. The worst thing you can do is bring an unhealthy dog into an unfamiliar environment. Even if your dog is a happy-go-lucky, socialized dog, the excitement of camp will be a stressor and the camp is not meant for a dog with physical.
It’s exciting to think that you can plan a getaway that actually involves your dog, right? No more leaving your dog alone in a hotel room. Camps such as Camp Unleashed are now catering to dogs and theirs humans. How cool is that?
Whatever the reason is, you’re getting in shape, you’re getting your pooch in shape, or you just enjoy the great outdoors, there are a few spots in and around Plymouth, MA best suited for your walk. Pet owners have hit the trifecta with these three awesome spots that will get pet owners and their four legged companions out of their walking routine rut! Personal experience has taught me that pet owners and their pets can become bored with the same old walk every day. So my beautiful dog, Jenna, and I started branching out, and oh the hidden treasures we’ve found!
Cape Cod Canal:
The Canal is a scenic stroll for you and your partner in crime to walk as much or as little as you like. It is an 8 mile stretch of paved pathway, with entrances about every 500 feet, that runs alongside the water. If you walk far enough you’ll hit Scusset Beach on the east end of the canal. It is a populated spot, during the summer you will be surrounded by the bustling of families visiting the cape, which means more love and attention from adoring fans for your dog!
Even in the off season you are bound to run into a few others enjoying the path, because it’s a favorite of locals as well. So, if your dog is a social butterfly they will love all the people and pets there are to meet at the canal. The journey is not limited to walking either, this would be one of the better spots to visit if you and your dog are an athletic dynamic duo, it’s a great spot for a run as well!
Myles Standish State Forest:
If you love the great outdoors and all that comes with it, from trees to cute woodland animals then this is the walk for you! This path is a beautiful 3.3 miles (6.6 miles round trip) of paved pathway winding through trees with views that would stun any Instagram follower, should you be so inclined to post a selfie with your four legged companion. It is a fairly quiet trail, you may run in to one or two people, so this may be a more appropriate spot for a dog who does not play well with others. I would say it is strictly a walking destination because it has some hills and tree roots that would trip up anybody running through the path. It is an especially nice walk during the summer when the sun is beating down and the temperature spikes because the trees provide you with some much needed shade.
To get there, get off of exit five and drive about three miles down on your right will be the entrance to the Myles Standish State Forest. There is free parking right at the front and the hiking trail is clearly marked on the left side of the entrance.
Pinehills Walking Trails:
The PineHills is a housing complex complete with apartments, full size homes, and 55 plus accommodations. It has gorgeous grounds with professional landscaping kept up year round and a downtown area filled with businesses and people, really a great place to visit even if you are not a resident. The downtown area is a nice spot for a short stroll. However, their real gem is the walking trails which are available to everyone, even if you are not a Pinehills resident. Now here’s the kicker, there is even free parking, and plenty of it! Located behind Mama Mia’s restaurant. Ten miles of walking trails to explore and enjoy! This spot is conducive to dogs with a wide range of athletic skill. You can walk your English bulldog, who let’s face it would rather be napping, or get a good workout in and run with your energetic lab.
Stay tuned for new walking spots as my dog Jenna and I do some summer time exploration!
Pets have emotions, just as we do. While they can be masked and displayed in ways that differ from a human, they are still present. They feel sadness, pain and anxiety. There are ways you can help your pet beat these emotions and the good news is; you don’t need prescription drugs in order to do so!
There are many remedies out there these days. You may have heard of homeopathic healing, essential oils and natural healing. Flower Essence is very similar. However, flower essence is just that; the healing part of a particular plant or flower that possesses the ability to calm your pet’s nerves. It helps to beat the blues and to provide emotional well being and balance. Also, Flower Essence is used to treat mental disturbances as opposed to physical conditions which homeopathy is used to treat. Flower essences use only flower and plant extracts where as homeopathy combines additional ingredients. Flower Essence is created without the use of chemicals or pesticides. You may have heard of Bach’s Rescue Remedy, which is one of the most popular remedies out on the market.
Flower Essences can be applied to your pet in a variety of ways:
Add a few drops to your pet’s water.
Put some flower Essence in a spray bottle of water and simply mist your pet.
Place the Flower Essence directly in your pet’s mouth using a dropper.
Rub the Flower Essence onto your pet’s body – belly, ear flaps or pads of feet. Just be sure to apply it unbroken skin.
These remedies are a wonderful way to provide relief to your pet with non-invasive, non-harmful comfort. Many pets that are emotionally unbalanced and suffer aggression, depression and grief have shown great improvement with the use of these simple flower derived treatments.
These essences can be purchased from health stores, pet stores and via online sites which specialize in holistic healing. Search around, try out a few different options on your pet and see the amazing results.
Keep in mind this is not a replacement for medical treatment or western medicine. But it is worth a try if your pet needs something to soothe their nerves. Always consult your holistic veterinarian to see if Flower Essence is right for your pet. Do you use natural remedies on your pet? Tell us. We’d love to hear about it.
Dog Park 101 is an important class you, as a parent, should to attend! Online classes are available! Ok, would you settle for a crash course? What I mean by this is that you need to know the “Etiquette” required when you bring Fido to a dog park.
Clean up after your dog!
Yes, despite the fact that you’re in a park, you still need to pick up after your pooch. Your common courtesy will help to keep the park clean, avoid the spread of disease and others stepping in your dog’s mess!
Bully Free Zone!
If your dog is a bully then he shouldn’t be at the park. If you haven’t mastered the training techniques yet, please do so prior to unleashing your dog onto the public. Others bring their pets there to have fun, not to be picked on by your dog.
Barking Blues.
While the sounds of happy barking can be music to our ears, keep in mind aggressive barking or intimidated barking is unacceptable. It can cause other dogs to become stressed and defensive if your pooch is being aggressive or barking at their owner. That can cause all sorts of unpleasant chain reactions.
Trained Pets Only, Please!
Again, the basic rule for dogs coming to a park are “training required”. Your pet should respond to commands such as “Come” “Stay” and “No” and not just under calm circumstances. Your pet should follow commands even during times of stress. You must have total control of your pet before you not only release them into a place with other dogs and humans, but for their safety as well.
Pay attention!
While it‘s great for you to connect and socialize with other pet owners, it’s not ok for you to turn your back and not pay attention to what’s happening with your dog. Again, things can escalate to a dangerous situation pretty quickly. You can socialize and keep an eye on your dog at the same time! Try to stay off your smart phone too. It’s irresponsible if you don’t keep close tabs on your dog at the dog park. You’re trying to make friends – not enemies!
Take a few moments before you bring Fido to a park and search the net for Park Etiquette rules. The above are simply a few of the very important rules to get you started; however there are many more that you should familiarize yourself with. Remember, a trip to the park should be a fun outing for you and your pet! Follow some common rules of etiquette and it can be fun for all involved.
Did you know that a Urinary Tract Infection, if left untreated, can spread to the kidneys and develop into a life threatening illness? Therefore, it’s imperative that you are able to identify the symptoms of Urinary Traction Infection in your dog. This is especially true in your female dog as she is more likely to develop an Urinary Tract Infection. Why? Female dogs have a short urethra which makes it easier for bacteria to navigate their way through her body.
What are the symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection in my dog?
If your dog displays any of the following symptoms, a prompt visit to the vet is a must! Delaying medical treatment will only serve to keep your dog uncomfortable for a longer period of time and you are putting your dog at risk for a serious and possibly fatal situation. Your veterinary doctor will perform a series of tests such as an x-ray and urinalysis. Routine blood work may also be performed.
Fever
Lethargy
Frequent urination
Painful urination
Urinating inside the house or inside his/her own bed
Excessive thirst
Blood in the urine
Urinary Tract infections are the result of an overgrowth of bacteria. A high quality diet is very important. A meat based diet is considered a great preventative because it will make the dog’s urine slightly more acidic. An acidic environment makes it more difficult for bacteria to survive. On the other hand, a grain based diet promotes more alkaline in the urine. Alkaline is the perfect, cozy environment for bacteria to grow. It’s also important to always provide your dog with clean, fresh water. Bacteria breeds in more stagnant or old water. Your dog should have plenty of exercise and play time each day as this helps reduce infection, inflammation and disease. Additionally, your dog should not have to go long periods of time between potty breaks as this is not only uncomfortable but promotes the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Urinary Tract infections can spread to your dog’s kidneys and lead to a seriously fatal illness. This is completely unnecessary. Always seek proper medical treatment for your pet. For more about how to naturally prevent Urinary Tract Infections in your dog, please visit Natural Health Remedies.
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