Jan
18 2011
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WE'VE MOVED!

Jan
17 2011
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5 Great Austin Dog Walks & Hikes

Jan 11, 2011 // by Paul // 1 Comment

While there are several spots in the area that we enjoy taking our dogs, here is a list of 5 of our favorite spots in and around Austin to take your dog hiking and walking.

Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail is a very popular trail for bikers, runner, and dog owners. The trail system covers more then 10 miles and mostly lies on the banks of Lady Bird Lake. This too is an on-leash trail and you can expect to wander right next to the downtown areas, as well as quiet secluded areas of the city.

Brushy Creek Trail is right at the tip of North Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park. You can expect to enjoy 6+ miles of hike and bike trails with views of a reservoir and even a golf course in certain places. This is an on-leash trail and there are poop bag dispensers and trash cans throughout the trail.

Walnut Creek has several trails (totaling 12+ miles) that wind and weave around the shallow creek in several spots (giving your dog a great place to cool off). The main trails are wide enough to walk shoulder to shoulder with a few people, but some of the other paths that branch off can be a bit narrow. Walnut Creek is an off-leash hiking trail, but keep an eye on your dogs and keep them out of the way of the mountain bikers and trail runners.

Lake Pflugerville Park includes an on-leash 3 mile trail that is great for walking, jogging, and biking. The circular trail surrounds a 180 acre reservoir and has a boat launch, beach area, and rest rooms. Rules state that dogs must be on-leash, but it’s not uncommon to see some well-behaved dogs taking a quick dip in a secluded spot on the reservoir.

Turkey Creek is part of the Emma Long Park system and is a fantastic hiking trail that also crosses a small stream in several places. This is an off-leash trail and is about 3.5 miles long, taking you into the heart of the wooded Hill Country. The Turkey Creek trails can be a bit narrow in certain places but it’s still an easy to moderate hike, the dogs love it here!

*BONUS* The Goodwater Trail at Lake Georgetown consists of over 25 miles of trails. The trail system is zoned for on-leash dogs, but it’s not uncommon to see well-behaved dogs running the trails as well. The trail runs around the shoreline of the lake and has trailheads at all five parks.

What about you, what are some of your favorite hiking and walking trails that your dog enjoys?

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Dec
31 2010
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Dog-Gone New Year’s Resolutions

by JODI ANDERSEN-SPEN on DECEMBER 21, 2010 · 5 COMMENTS · E-MAIL ALERTS

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Jodi Anderson shares five ways to make 2011 a better year for you — and your dog

Those of us lucky enough to live with dogs already know that life just doesn’t get any better. But sobering headlines about animal abandonment and abuse serve as reminders that there is always room in our hearts — and in our lives — for improvement. So why not let the approaching New Year serve as the perfect time to let at least one of your resolutions go to the dogs? Here are a few places to start:

1. Personal training: Before you write another big check to the gym, consider — instead — taking a long, daily aerobic walk with your dog. Dogs make wonderful personal trainers and usually have the stamina to push you to go the distance. If your routine already includes one dog walk, add another. Your dog’s behavior — and your waistline — will benefit.

2. Volunteer at a local shelter: Whether you plan to spend one hour a week or several, volunteering at a dog shelter will change your life. Every moment spent making a dog’s life better will improve your own tenfold. If you’re not up for the physical challenge or time constraints prevent you from showing up in person, consider sponsoring a shelter dog or lobbying for one of the many worldwide canine causes. Check aspca.org for local as well as global options.

3. Canine emergency kit: Put together a small backpack for your dog that contains important contact information, as well as a few doses of any essential medication in the event of an emergency. Discuss a contingency plan with a friend, family member, and/or a neighbor, in the event that you need them to unexpectedly care for your dog. Make sure your dog’s I.D. tags are current. Listing your cell phone number as the contact will help your dog get back to you safely and swiftly, no matter where you are.

4. Discover that inner talent: Take the time to notice what your dog is good at. If he/she spends more time jumping out of your yard and into your neighbor’s, he might win a blue ribbon in an agility competition. If his focus on a ball borders on the compulsive, search and rescue could be his forte. Or, if he’s a social butterfly who would do anything to sit on someone’s lap, you might just have a therapy dog on your hands. If you’re not sure what your dog might be good at, try looking at him/her through the eyes of a canine talent scout. You might just gain a whole new appreciation for his/her particularly quirky behaviors.

5. Time is better than money: Promise yourself that you will try to arrive home at least 30 minutes earlier than is customary and spend it with your dog. No matter what your paycheck says, a little more quality time with your best friend is priceless.

There are of course countless more ways to pay homage to a species that has for centuries steadfastly served us by day and slept lovingly at our feet by night; these are just a few of mine. Regardless of which resolution(s) you ultimately choose, have a happy and healthy new year. And as each of us contemplates how we might do our own part to help make the world a better place, remember that small gestures — even those that go to the dogs — can make a big difference.

Editor’s Note: Jodi Andersen-Spen is a New York-based dog trainer and the founder of TrainingWorks for Dogs, Inc. She is the author of The Latchkey Dog: How the Way You Live Shapes the Behavior of the Dog You Love. She has appeared on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and The Discovery Channel. Ms. Andersen lives with her family, which includes four dogs, on Long Island, NY.

Dec
29 2010
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Include your Canine when you tie the knot!

theweddingdog:

Puppy Love

When inviting the dog to your wedding, consider his disposition

You love your best friend, but she’s a real loose cannon. You never know how she’s going to react to someone, she tends to overeat, and her personal grooming habits are questionable — let’s face it, she’s a slob.

Do you include her in your wedding party?