Summer adventures with your dog

I saw a car go by today with a woman driving, a small dog on her lap, his head out the open window.

Dangerous and misguided as that may be, it reminded me of how much we want our dogs to accompany us on all of life’s adventures.

That might mean taking her to Stewart’s for some vanilla ice cream, or getting her to participate in your favorite summer sport. Nothing wrong with that, as long as safety is a priority, for us and for our best buds.

So if you plan to take your dog with you for a run, a bike ride, or a paddle, doing it safely means a little extra advance preparation.

RUNNING

The rules are pretty straightforward:

Bring poop bags and water.

If its too hot and humid for you, its too hot and humid for your dog.

Be aware of overheated pavement.  Your running shoes can handle it but sensitive paws can’t.

Good walking skills translate to good running skills, otherwise you will get sidelined by your dog stopping to sniff every tree.

BIKING

Your dog also has to figure out where to be in relation to those spinning tires. To minimize accidental run-ins and falls, invest in a bicycle leash so you can ride hands free with your dog at a safe distance from the bicycle.

Take into consideration that your dog is running while you are riding. Allow for potty, water, and rest stops.

Remember the hot/humid rule.

PADDLING

Get a PFD (personal flotation device) for your dog. Make sure he wears it. Every single time he is in a boat. Hey, you wear yours every time, right?!

Acclimate your pup to the boat. Let him hang out in the canoe or kayak while it is on dry land. Be generous with treats so he has a positive association with the boat.

Designate his place to sit in the boat with a waterproof mat. Teach him to go to the mat and stay.  You’ll be glad you took the time to do this because a dog in motion while in a canoe or kayak on the water means you are at risk for a surprise swim.

Another factor is which way your dog is facing while in the boat. Not all dogs are happy watching the world go by from open water.  He might need to sit facing you (not in your lap – paddling would be quite challenging with a dog in the way!) for reassurance.

If your dog loves to swim, keep him on a leash while in the boat so he doesn’t decide to do a swan dive from your canoe. Your best bet is to let him swim until he is tired, and then take him for a boat ride.

And wherever you go with your dog, keep him safely in the back seat in a car harness. I hope you and your dog are enjoying a summer full of adventures!

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