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.