Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Dogs are not only earnest, caring, and loyal, but they also show unconditional love for their owners. This is why they are referred to as a human’s best friend. For this purpose, it is only fair that pet parents treat their fur babies right. Moreover, an active lifestyle is good for both your pet and you. There are a lot of things that you, as a dog owner, can do to make your little pup happy.

Outdoor activities such as scratching, digging, chewing, and playing can reduce the destructive behaviors of an animal and also help doggies sleep better, strengthen their bond with their owner, and build their confidence. With daylight lasting longer in the summers and temperatures rising, you have all the reason to have some outdoor fun with your pooch. Here we have compiled a list of 6 outdoor activities that will keep the boredom away!

Camping

Camping can be a fun and exciting activity, not only for you but also for your four-legged best friend. Since canine companions love the Great Outdoors, your pet dog will be grateful to be able to experience the new smells and gorgeous sights during a camping trip you take it on. However, before you let your pet dog accompany you to your campsite, make sure to take all the necessary safety measures so that you and your pet animal can make the most of your camping venture.

Play Fetch

Since the game of fetch mimics the natural instincts of dogs to hunt prey and retrieve it, dogs love it! If you throw a ball that bounces in a predictable way, it might do no good. However, using dog toys with unusual bounces can help increase mental stimulation and engagement. A great way to do so is by introducing your pet dog to an advanced ball tossing machine.
These machines help automate fetch by using AC or battery-operated machines to shoot balls across a room. The latest options come with a wide range of unique settings that help make the game more fun for your furry friend. These launchers also offer various benefits, including having positive effects on the coordination, heart, and muscles of the dog. They can also help keep your best friend busy when you are not around to give them some much-needed company!

Convertible Ride

Dogs love to feel the wind blowing in their hair while they cruise down the highways as much as their owners! The usual pickup or coupe might get too boring too fast. Therefore, upgrade your road trip game by driving your pooch in a convertible. You can even accessorize your little friend with cool sunglasses and let them bask in the sun!

Scent Work

Dogs are sniffing creatures. They love to sniff anything and everything! Whether it is a questionable smell, a bad smell, or even a great smell – for your pup, each one deserves a lengthy and thorough inspection! If you want to play a fun game with your four-legged friend, challenge its curious nose to a game of scent work. It will not only provide great mental stimulation for your pet animal but will also be super fun for them. For a game of smell-and-seek, you can place several carton boxes throughout your backyard and place yummy dog treats in only some of them. Keep the lids of the boxes open.

Next, take your pup on a leash to explore your backyard. Once it detects its favorite treat, praise it calmly. Do not pet it as petting can easily distract your dog from the game. As your doggy keeps getting better at playing this fun game, you can start closing the lids of the boxes or hiding the boxes around the backyard to make scent work a little more challenging and exciting for your dog. This exercise can be quite exhausting; therefore, make sure to give your friend a break every now and then and give it access to clean, fresh water at all times. If you want to make the game more simple, you can simply leave out the treat in open bowls around the yard.

Jogging

Dog owners who are athletically inclined can enjoy their workout sessions with their dogs as these four-legged creatures prove to be amazing running partners! However, you need to make sure that your pup’s health is intact, and it can take the stress that comes with jogging with ease. You also need to study the breed of your dog to know whether the temperament and type of your pet make it a suitable jogging partner or not. Before you start, make sure to consult a vet.

If you want to optimize your jogging experience, instead of using a regular leash that puts a lot of pressure on the pet parents’ arms, get a hands-free running leash that you can easily tie around your waist. This will enable you and your pup to have the best time on the running track!

Walking and Hiking

Like jogging, walking and hiking can also be a great exercise for dogs and their owners. As you walk together with your precious pooch, make sure to use a leash to keep your little one protected at all times. You need to keep your poodle close to you so that it doesn’t get lost in any unknown locations. Make sure to carry the necessary essentials before taking your dog on a hiking or walking trip, such as freshwater, dog food, and more. If you decide to take a stroll during the night time, carry a flashlight with you to make it easier for your pet dog to walk with you.

Bottom Line

Along with humans, dogs also need regular exercise to remain happy and healthy. If your dog is suffering from any sort of health condition, make sure to consult a vet before you take it outdoors to play!

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.