Health, Wellness and Fitness for People & Pets April 2015 | Page 43
mentally stimulated and exercised until he is tired,”
says Celapino. “The dog park or a daily walk is fine,
but to really tire your dog, you need to mentally
and physically tire him.”
Pet owners can learn more about Dawn’s
business, Leash Your Fitness™, and follow Jack’s
blog at www.leashyourfitness.com.
Backpacking and hiking are two more activities
that your dog may enjoy just as much as
you. Many state parks are pet friendly and
Hikewithourdog.com provides a listing of dogfriendly hiking trails in the U.S. and Canada. Your
dog’s health and safety should be a top priority,
so remember to bring a pet first aid kit and
plenty of water for both you and your dog for
any outdoor activities.
Canine surfing is also becoming a big doggy
trend. In canine surfing, your dog sits or stands
on the board and you push him so that he is
moving the same speed as the wave and can
ride it out. Pet owners can check out beginner
surf dog training tips and video lessons to do at
home at www.surfdogricochet.com.
A trip to your local dog park is also always a
good standby activity for warm spring days.
When visiting a dog park, remember to make
sure that the fencing is secure and that if
needed, there is a separate area for toy-sized
dogs that could be unintentionally hurt by
larger dogs. Visiting the dog park is a great
way for both you and your dog to make new
friends, but remember not to pressure your
dog. If he is not already well socialized, watch
him closely and let him ease in to interacting
with the other dogs.
If you are making Spring Break plans, a road
trip or a vacation can be perfect opportunities
to spend more quality time with your dog.
Be sure to check in advance that your travel
destination will welcome your dog. You can
search at dogfriendly.com or petfriendlytravel.
com to find pet-friendly hotels and vacation
rentals. If your dog can’t accompany you on your
trip, or if you’ll need a pet-care provider at your
destination, remember to only use the services of
professional pet sitters. You can search for local
pet sitters at petsit.com/locate.
Whatever fun activity you choose, it’s important
to heed the rules for dogs. Be sure to keep them
on leash when instructed on certain hiking trails
and use canine life jackets for swimming and
boating activities. With planning, you and your
dog can have fun and stay busy—together—all
season long! psw
About the Author:
Beth Stultz is the marketing & communications manager for Pet Sitters
International (PSI). Established in 1994 by Patti J. Moran, author of Pet
Sitting for Profit, PSI is the world’s largest educational association for
professional pet sitters, representing nearly 7,000 independent professional
pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad. PSI provides
members with access to group-rate pet-sitter liability insurance and
bonding and educational resources including a comprehensive certificate
program, Pet Sitter’s WORLD magazine and PSI’s annual Pet Sitter World
Educational Conference. For pet owners, PSI offers the Official Pet Sitter
Locator, which pet owners can search free of charge to
find a local pet sitter. Learn more at www.petsit.com.