10 Essential Dog-Training Supplies & How to Use Them
The post 10 Essential Dog-Training Supplies & How to Use Them by Dogster Team appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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It may be a copout to say we’re only as good as our tools, but there’s no denying that the proper arsenal can make us more efficient in any given task. Dog training is a perfect example, and the supplies we choose help us deliver better rewards, swifter punishments, and more control to enhance learning and shape our dogs into well-behaved canine citizens.
With the proper equipment, you’ll always be ready for effective training. Prime your dog for success by learning the ten essential dog-training supplies you’ll need and how to use them.
The 10 Essential Dog-Training Supplies
Walking and Outdoor Supplies
1. Leash
- Our Pick: PetSafe Nylon Dog Leash
A reliable leash is crucial when training and socializing your dog. It allows you to keep everyone calm and safe in uncertain situations. You can explore new environments and meet new people while controlling your dog and stopping their reactivity from creating a negative experience.
Your everyday leash is usually a 6-footer. While options like retractable or adjustable leashes offer versatility as your training progresses, an inexpensive standard leash like the PetSafe nylon dog leash provides a sturdy hold and keeps your dog close to make loose-leash training effective.
When using a leash as a training tool, a central goal is to get your dog to focus on you and not try to pull and runoff. You can reward the loose leash and give your dog treats or the opportunity to sniff around when they check in with you. The lead also lets you train your dog to heel, desensitize them to different environments, and condition positive responses to various stimuli, all crucial steps toward allowing them off-leash.
2. Long Leash
- Our Pick: Frisco Training Dog Leash
A long leash is a transitional tool to train behaviors outside before letting your dog operate leash-free. With a long leash, you can give your dog the sensation of freedom and a chance to explore away from you while keeping them in control, safe, and unlikely to engage in unwanted behavior.
A straightforward option like the Frisco training dog leash gives you all the durability and effective performance to take your dog’s training to the next level. Long lines over 15 feet are ideal for keeping dogs outside their tolerance threshold for various outdoor stimuli, allowing us to desensitize them and reward calm behavior.
They’re also enormously helpful when progressing through recall training. You can increase the distance between you and your dog in different settings and with various distractions while ensuring they stay successful in their sessions.
3. Harness or Collar
A dog harness or neck collar provides a place to display ID tags in case your dog gets lost and to clip your leash while outside. Collars give handlers better control over the head and reduce pulling, but they may cause pain and potential injury.
Many owners use harnesses as a welfare consideration, giving their dogs a more comfortable and secure leashing point. Harnesses are especially helpful when you transition to long-line training. If your dog takes off too quickly, you don’t want them to accelerate into a full sprint before suddenly stopping by their neck.
Harnesses can be a safer option in more places, with front-clip varieties like Chai’s Choice Premium Outdoor Adventure front-clip dog harness helping to prevent pulling.
Rewards
4. Training Treats
Training treats are instrumental in most positive reinforcement strategies. A tasty treat is the primary reinforcer, showing our dogs that their behaviors result in rewards. Treats can charge marker words or clickers to enable more efficient training. We can offer treats when capturing or shaping behaviors or luring dogs into desirable actions.
For purely positive training methods, it’s almost impossible to make forward progress without a tantalizing food reward. Treats have different levels of value, ranging from low-value kibble to high-value hunks of cheese or boiled chicken. As trainers, we must choose treats appropriate for the occasion and the importance of the behavior.
They should offer at least enough appeal to draw your dog’s focus over any other rewarding stimulus and be adequately valuable to emphasize how crucial the behavior is to perform. For everyday training to teach new behaviors, bite-sized and healthy treats like Blue Buffalo Blue Bits training dog treats offer the irresistible taste and nutritious ingredients you can deliver in abundance.
No matter what you feed your dog, treats should only account for no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, so be careful to monitor how much you reward your pet.
5. Balls, Ropes, and Other Toys
- Our Pick: Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball
Balls, flying discs, ropes, flirt poles, and countless other toys give owners fun activities to share with their dogs. The exciting play lets us bond with our dogs and supply exhausting exercise, helping them stay relaxed, docile, and easier to train. At the same time, toys can be training tools to teach commands like “drop it” or act as primary reinforcers to promote desirable behaviors.
Safe, durable toys are ideal. You want toys that will last because they can become hazardous for your dog to chew when they start falling apart. A toy like the ultra-bouncy, water-friendly Chuckit! Ultra rubber ball features rugged construction and fun interactive qualities to entertain your dog through countless uses.
6. Chews and Feeder Toys
- Our Pick: KONG Classic Dog Toy
Chews and feeder toys provide mental enrichment to ease stress, prevent boredom, and exhaust your dog to keep them relaxed. When training, a chew may be a jackpot prize for excellent behavior. You can also use it to take your dog’s mind off alternative unwanted behaviors, like gnawing on the furniture or your shoes.
The KONG Classic dog toy is one of the most popular toys to keep your dog happy and healthy when you’re busy elsewhere. Fill it with their favorite treats, and they have a lasting source of engagement to help them stave off separation anxiety and keep them focused on healthy outlets for pent-up energy.
Training Facilitators
7. Clicker
A clicker is a secondary reinforcer in positive reinforcement training. You charge the clicker by clicking and giving a treat immediately. Click, treat, repeat. Eventually, your dog will see the click as rewarding, giving it value while training. You can then use the clicker to mark your dog’s actions and tell the dog, “You’re doing good, and I approve of this behavior.” With repeated use, it reinforces the association between their behavior and rewards.
By marking desirable behaviors, you can make them more likely to happen later. Although clickers aren’t necessarily more effective than other markers, the consistent sound and simplicity of hitting a button make them a practical addition to an efficient training toolkit.
You don’t need anything fancy. A no-frills, low-priced clicker like the Downtown Pet Supply clicker is more than enough to quickly and accurately mark behaviors and promote the manners you want.
8. Treat Bag
- Our Pick: PET N PET Dog Training Treat Pouch
A treat bag makes training much more convenient, offering a hassle-free area to securely hold your treats and make them readily accessible so you can promptly reward your pup. Bags fit comfortably around the waist and include added features to keep your other tools in an easy-to-reach spot.
Products like the PET N PET treat pouch can store your phone, waste bag, keys, and anything you might need for a successful training session or neighborhood outing.
Indoor Training Supplies
9. Dog Crate
An appropriately sized and sturdy crate like the MidWest iCrate fold and carry single door collapsible wire dog crate is one of the most helpful tools for housetraining a dog. It gives your dog a secure and comfortable space, a solution for controlling your dog indoors, and an ease of stress when they’re alone.
Dogs don’t like to potty where they sleep. When they’re young and have trouble controlling their bladder, keeping your dog in a crate during naps and downtime can significantly decrease the chance of indoor accidents. Your house stays cleaner, and your dog learns to potty outside much faster.
Crates must be rewarding if they’re to be effective. You can’t throw your dog into their crate as punishment. It must be a relaxing den they are excited to use. Give your dog treats and praise when they enter it and supply high-value toys they can only get in the crate to give it a positive meaning.
10. Enzyme Cleaner
Accidents are bound to happen during potty training, but if you want to keep them as one-off occurrences, you must clean them as thoroughly as possible. Dogs like to pee in places they’ve gone before, using the scent to find previous potty spots.
With powerful noses, they only need the faintest hint of a past stain to encourage repeat behavior. While many cleaners can make the smell and stain go away to our satisfaction, most can’t remove every last trace.
You need an enzyme cleaner like the Hepper Advanced bio-enzyme cleaner. The targeted formula uses bacteria and enzymes that actively degrade any urine compound they touch, continuing to work until the stain is gone. The smell never returns, and your dog has a more challenging time finding their once-favorite indoor potty spot.
At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!
Nice-to-Haves
Some training supplies are non-negotiable and necessary to make your dog’s education progress smoothly. Other items aren’t essential but can have unique benefits at various training stages. Although you may not need these tools, you can appreciate the convenience and efficiency they offer.
- Hands-free training leash: A leash that wraps around the torso so you can keep both hands available
- Calming aids: Treats, pheromone diffusers, vests, and collars to help your dog relax and desensitize them to troubling stimuli
- Backup leash: A second 6-foot leash in case your dog chews through their leash, it gets damaged, or you lose it
- Recent dog training literature: Dog training is always evolving, and expert insights in the latest books will keep you up to date on the most effective methods
- Portable training mat: A roll-up mat is a portable station where you can send your dog on command when needed
- Whistle: A loud, consistent tone can facilitate recall, particularly an emergency recall
Conclusion
A proper assortment of tools will keep your dog safe, focused, and willing to learn, making training faster and more enjoyable for everyone. The best part is it doesn’t have to be expensive!
The market is full of unique tech to improve life with pets, but sticking with these essential dog-training supplies is all you need to transform your dog into the social, well-behaved companion you’ve always wanted.
Featured Image By: Duncan Andison, Shutterstock
The post 10 Essential Dog-Training Supplies & How to Use Them by Dogster Team appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
GIVING TUESDAY
The post GIVING TUESDAY appeared first on Stand Up For Pits Foundation.
Can Dogs Tell When You’re on Your Period? Vet-Verified Senses & Behavior Insights
The post Can Dogs Tell When You’re on Your Period? Vet-Verified Senses & Behavior Insights by Matt Jackson appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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When you’re on your period your body goes through hormonal fluctuations that manifest differently. From tiredness and cramps to mood swings, there are a lot of changes that dogs might sense. So, do dogs know when you’re on your period?
Dogs can smell menstrual blood and changes in your body’s scent, which means that most dogs can probably tell when women are on their period, however, we rely on anecdotal reports and have no scientific data to back this up. Your dog sensing that something is different can lead to a change in their behavior, including sniffing and your dog wanting to cuddle and get closer to you.
A Dog’s Sense of Smell
Dogs have very powerful senses of smell that are far more powerful than those of humans. They are especially capable of smelling blood and some of the best sniffers can outperform the most advanced scientific equipment when detecting blood on surfaces and items that have been washed multiple times.
As such, they don’t have a problem smelling menstrual blood when your period starts.
Hormonal Changes
To date, the dogs’ ability to detect women’s hormonal changes has not been scientifically proven. Still, there are reports of owners claiming that their dog can sense their period, ovulation, or pregnancy. Dogs do seem to be able to sense these hormonal changes, however, it’s not clear if it’s related to a change in body scent or changes in your behavior.
Emotions
Dogs can also detect emotions, so if your period is making you feel lousy and stomach cramps are making you tetchy, your dog will be able to detect these psychological changes. This is one of the reasons why dogs are so good as therapy animals, and it is also why they make such great companions. They know when we need extra affection and are typically only too happy to provide it.
The 4 Common Changes In Your Dog’s Behavior
When they do sense these changes, whether because they can smell menstrual blood or detect hormonal changes, dogs tend to act differently. These changes can manifest in different ways.
1. Comforting Behavior
Dogs are our companions, and they are said to be our best friends because they instinctively know when we need attention or affection. This may be true of your dog when you are on your period. You might notice them curling up on your lap more often, giving you kisses and pats, or even just popping in to check on you.
2. Excessive Sniffing
If your dog can smell your period, they may be inclined to try and get a better smell of the scent, primarily to check what’s going on.
If you’ve been comfort eating, you may also find your dog is sniffing you because you have crumbs on you, or because they can detect the odor of whatever you were eating.
3. Licking
One of the ways dogs may show affection is by licking. It is an instinctive action that is meant to mimic the feeling of comfort they received as puppies when their mothers licked them. If your dog notices that you’re feeling down or are in pain, they may be more likely to lick you as a way of showing they care.
4. Neediness
When your dog detects a change in your hormones, they might act differently around you. This might mean your dog becomes more attentive, but it might also mean they show signs of neediness. Your dog is likely trying to comfort you and help, and you might notice them wanting more cuddles and more petting.
Can Cats Tell When You’re on Your Period?
Like dogs, cats have very sensitive senses of smell. As such, many owners also report that their cats can tell when they’re on their period, too. Some cats may become more clingy or needy and might show you more attention, but many cats are indifferent to the changes, so you might not notice any changes in behavior.
What About Other Animals?
Whether an animal acts differently around you when you’re on your period depends primarily on their senses of smell and their reaction to scent changes. Rats and other rodents have a very good sense of smell and they may react differently if they smell anything on the person who picks them up.
On the other hand, birds’ sense of smell varies among species and their reactions can vary depending on this.
Conclusion
Dogs are attentive and attuned to our emotions, and they perceive the world primarily through their senses of smell and hearing. As such, they can detect changes in our body scent, and they can smell period blood. This can lead to dogs acting differently when you are on your period.
Changes include neediness, comforting behavior, and a greater likelihood of them sniffing and licking you. It isn’t usually anything to worry about, although you can discourage your dog from sniffing you while making the most of the opportunity for an extra cuddle on the sofa.
- You may be interested in: Can Dogs Sense Pregnancy? What the Science Tells Us (Vet-Verified)
Featured Image Credit: savitskaya iryna, Shutterstock
The post Can Dogs Tell When You’re on Your Period? Vet-Verified Senses & Behavior Insights by Matt Jackson appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Can Dogs Ever Be Trusted? Lava Breaking Boundaries
The post Can Dogs Ever Be Trusted? Lava Breaking Boundaries by Dr. Maja Platisa DVM MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela.
Lava is a menace. One that I love very much. But, can she be trusted? Absolutely not. She is the worst. If there is an opportunity to “escape” and check out what is lurking in the distance, she’ll take it. She always has a good reason to disregard me and my calling, breaking my trust in her, as she is just too big of an adrenaline junkie.
Lava Is An Explorer At Heart
Always up to something, Lava is a great adventurer. Every time I start thinking she is getting so much better, with almost perfect recall and such keen interest in my presence during our walks (due to the treats I carry, of course), she does something to “knock me off my feet,” so to speak, and undermine my trust in her. It’s nothing huge, but with me being such a worrier, it doesn’t take a lot to cause me anxiety.
How I Lost My Voice
Two years ago, I took Lava on a small hiking trip up a nearby hill. Around 2 hours walk up, and a bit less down. Just the two of us, and the forest was peaceful and quiet, with autumn colors and fallen leaves. It was beautiful. And she was so well behaved off the lead, but wearing her GPS tracker. She was returning to me with so much enthusiasm for her treats, and keeping an eye on my whereabouts. It was almost too good to be true. And then, my worst nightmare came true. Suddenly, before I could even properly react (and even if I could have, she would have run off instantly), she was gone. Her nose was low on the ground and she was clearly following a very exciting trail. A few minutes later, I couldn’t see her anymore and couldn’t keep up, but I could hear her excited barking in the distance. She encountered wildlife, I suspect a wild boar.
Thirty minutes later or so, I was messaging a friend to get the kettle on, as I needed a warm drink. My voice was gone from calling Lava. She returned finally, very proud of herself, luckily with no wounds or evidence of any physical trauma, but so content. And I was praising her for her return, faking joy to the point it was even believable, while deep down I wanted to kill her there and then. Okay, maybe not kill her, just disown. My friend was laughing.
The Grass Is Always Greener On the Other Side
Similar things happen where we live now. My neighbor, the only one for miles, has five dogs, a bunch of chickens, and a herd of sheep. And for Lava, this is like a rollercoaster park! It beats all the fun, games, walks, and treats I could ever possibly offer. Every few days, when I let my guard down, she runs off to greet the dogs and try and play. Fortunately, she hasn’t tried to attack any of his livestock, and the neighbors’ dogs are very protective of their herd, but as you can now guess, that’s my biggest concern. It’s interesting: the sheep love to come to my land thinking the grass must be better this side of the valley, while Lava loves their place, not wanting to miss out on all the fun they must be having. Animals, strange beings indeed.
It Seems to Be Getting Better Until It Isn’t
Since having Lava and battling the strong urge to keep calling her whenever she goes off on her little ventures, my voice has never been the same. I am trying to learn to let go, as she always comes back and there is no traffic where we are, but the worry burns inside like a freshly lit fire. It’s hard to contain it. It’s not as bad as it was years ago, but she is still a wanderer at heart and I doubt this will ever change.
Trust Is Difficult to Earn
Some days I find myself trusting her a little bit more, just to take it all back. She always gets that mischievous look on her face just as she’s ready to bugger off, and it all happens in a matter of seconds. I have no time to react. And even if I did, I couldn’t stop her. After all, she has a mind of her own. But at the end of the day, she is fairly gentle and has never harmed another animal so far. As much as I battle letting go and learning to trust her, or as they say, fake it ‘til you make it, it’s proving very challenging. But seeing her so free and at peace does give me a dose of contentment and even pride.
- Read her previous article: Long Leads and Dogs: How Not to Break a Bone
The post Can Dogs Ever Be Trusted? Lava Breaking Boundaries by Dr. Maja Platisa DVM MRCVS (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Ask Dr. Paola: Monday December 2, 2024
The post Ask Dr. Paola: Monday December 2, 2024 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our readers better understand their dog’s health and well-being.
Whether you’re a new pet parent or a seasoned dog lover, Dr. Paola is here to provide answers to your most pressing questions. From nutrition tips and preventive care to troubleshooting common behavioral issues, Dr. Paola is ready to offer insights that will keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Stay tuned for expert guidance on a range of topics that matter most to you and your dog, so you can make informed decisions and provide the best possible care for your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Help! My Dog is a Afraid of My House!
“We had a repairman at our house yesterday and since then our dog is afraid to walk through rooms where the man was. My husband was there the whole time and Arlo was not on the rooms with the man. The area where the man worked were closed off to the dog so there was no contact.” – Michelle
Hi Michelle,
This is unusual unless Arlo is not used to seeing unknown visitors in your house. One possibility is that Arlo was afraid of loud or unusual noises from hammers or machinery used in the repairs. Arlo might also be reacting to specific scents used in different chemicals such as glues, oils, or paint. You did not mention Arlo’s history but there might be a negative association with these smells and since dogs rely on their sense of smell to navigate the world, scents can trigger fear responses.
Regardless of it, the best advice is to give him some time, and hopefully, this will pass. You will then need to try to figure out the exact trigger and start actively desensitizing Arlo so he can learn that novel stimuli (people, noises, scents, etc) are nothing to be afraid of. If the repair man is to ever return, take this as an opportunity and get him to offer Arlo a couple of treats while entering your home. You can also anticipate days with new visitors and use some calming techniques beforehand.
Best wishes!
Dr. Paola
Help! My Rescue Dog Is Scared of Everyone!
“When Rosco, our one-year-old rescue, sees new people he shakes. With men, he runs away. The other day my nephew was let him out, and when he went to let him back in, Rosco jumped the 4ft fence. The dog will not come to anyone but me and my niece. We got him for her to help with her anxiety. We have one cat that will not come in the house any more because Rosco chases that cat, but not the other. He is getting along with my 4 other dogs. Thinking of giving he back to rescue, though we don’t want to. We have fallen in love with Rosco, but this behavior needs to change if possible. Waiting for help.” – Diane
Hi Diane, rescue dogs can be a challenge as their past might have scarred their perception of the world. The big challenge with these pups is to teach them to trust, and depending on the history of abuse, some of them might never be totally open to strangers, while others will eventually learn to tolerate them while being wary. Your advantage is you have identified the triggers, strangers, and men. You can start to slowly work on changing Rosco’s perception of men by creating a history of positive associations with men. Find ways to get a man to be familiar with and offer Rosco positive experiences, for example, you can have your nephew serve them dinner from a distance. This would be a great and easy starting point. Give him time to understand that this man means good news before you try to push more proximity.
It is important to note that a rescue dog needs help with his own fear and anxiety and it is not recommended as an emotional support or therapy dog. Those dogs need to be emotionally stable themselves.
Chasing one cat away is a different problem. But reading that he came to a household with other 4 dogs and 2 cats, I think he is doing very well for a rescue dog. You will have to focus on one problem at a time. And remember that rescues take some time to settle in.
Best of Luck!
Dr. Paola
Help! My Dog Won’t Stop Chasing His Tail!
“My dog has this hilarious yet somewhat concerning habit of chasing his own tail, especially when we have guests over. It’s cute at first, but he’ll spin around in circles for minutes on end, and sometimes he even barks at his tail and gets so intense about it we have to remove him from the room to snap him out of it. I can’t tell if he’s just bored, attention seeking, or if he’s trying to entertain himself. Is there something behind this ‘tail-chasing mania,’ and should I be worried, or is it harmless?” – Dale, dad to Border Collie Hal
Hi Dale! By the way you describe this as hilarious first, I think there is a possibility that Hal got reinforced for chasing his tail in the past. If you think about it from his perspective, visitors come in and remove his human’s attention from him. Tail chasing may have started as a way to deal with the anxiety, and then Hal learned that if he chases his tail, he can have his human and his visitors’ attention and laughs.
It is possible that visitors are his cue. You should start to use positive reinforcement techniques to teach Hal how to be calm with or without visitors. If you are willing to you may even teach him a few tricks to impress your visitors in a more positive way. After all, it sounds like he loves to be the star of the show!
Best wishes!
Dr. Paola
- View past week’s questions here: November 25
- Click here to submit a question
The post Ask Dr. Paola: Monday December 2, 2024 by Dr. Paola Cuevas MVZ (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
9 Great Pet Friendly Trips To Avoid Crowds
Vacations are fun … but they’re better with your best friend. And choosing a pet friendly destination that isn’t over-run with tourists will really allow you to get away from it all!
Start making your plans, but don’t call the kennel or schedule a sitter for your dog or cat. We’re giving you the inside scoop on nine great pet friendly trips to avoid crowds, so you and your furry travel buddy can really relax.
Pet Friendly Trips To Avoid Crowds
Big Bend, Texas
Big Bend isn’t on the way to anywhere else, so you have to make an effort to get there. And that means fewer people do. Plus, with amazing scenery, friendly locals, and a pet friendly ghost town, you’ve got the makings for a fantastic pet friendly trip!
The diversity of Big Bend is its biggest draw. Massive canyons, vast expanses of desert, forested mountains, and an ever-changing river provide a stunning variety of landscapes to admire. One of the best places to experience all the area has to offer is Big Bend National Park.
Unfortunately, the National Park doesn’t allow pets on any trails, on the river, or in the backcountry. However, leashed pets can walk the 200+ miles of dirt roads running through the park – and most of them get little very little traffic! Jeep trips, a scenic drive along the Rio Grande to Presidio, and exploring the little communities are other popular activities.
Pet friendly campsites are available year round at Big Bend National Park and at many private campgrounds in the area. You’ll also find many, many pet friendly vacation rentals and Airbnbs in Big Bend. And there are four pet friendly hotels within easy driving distance of the National Park.
READ MORE ⇒ Visiting Big Bend With Dogs
Dixie National Forest – Southern Utah
If you’re looking for pet friendly trips where you can really stretch out, it’s hard to beat Dixie National Forest. Covering almost 2 million acres, it would take a lifetime to explore the 1,600 miles of trails, hundreds of miles of scenic drives, 500 miles of fishing streams, and 90 lakes within the park’s boundaries. And the best part is … every square inch is pet friendly!
The stunning scenery of southern Utah is something to behold. But if you’re traveling with pets, the area’s most popular attractions – Bryce and Zion National Parks – will leave you disappointed. Both of these national parks have strict pet regulations.
Fortunately, Dixie National Forest provides plenty of options! We highly recommend the Red Canyon Trail, a five-miler with plenty of ups and downs that winds through the incredible hoodoos.
Dixie has 18 seasonal campgrounds, which are generally open from May through September. If you’re planning to travel outside camping season, the town of Panguitch has several pet friendly hotels which provide good access to the park.
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Things To Do In Dixie National Forest
Florence, Oregon
Florence has all the amenities that make a shore town fun, but without the inflated price tag and touristy atmosphere. The locals are friendly and the pace is relaxed, though you and your pet will find plenty to do!
You can take a drive down to explore the Oregon Dunes, hike the Sweet Creek Trail past eleven waterfalls in the Siuslaw National Forest, or rent a kayak and watch for otters as you paddle the Siuslaw River.
Be sure to visit Cape Perpetua, where you and your pet can walk over ancient lava flows that formed the coast in this part of Oregon. All 26 miles of trails here are pet friendly, so you’re sure to find something that suits you. If you’re looking for the best view, climb nearly 800 feet to the overlook, where on a clear day you can see 70 miles of coastline!
Florence boasts a surprising number of pet friendly restaurants for a town this size. There are also several pet friendly vacation properties. And the Best Western welcomes two pets per room, including cats and dogs up to 80 pounds.
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Day Trips from Florence, Oregon
Fort Worden State Park – Port Townsend, Washington
Located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Fort Worden was an active military base until 1953. Now it’s a truly unique 433-acre state park overlooking the Puget Sound.
While exploring twelve miles of pet friendly trails, you’ll find bunkers and gun batteries atop strategic hilltops. Of course, your pet won’t want to miss the two miles of sandy beaches. And bring the canoe or kayak, because the park has two convenient boat ramps.
You can choose to stay in one of the park’s two pet friendly campgrounds, or opt for a truly unique pet friendly vacation rental experience. Three dozen Victorian houses which comprised the original barracks have been renovated into vacation accommodations, and five of the units welcome pets!
All of this is just a few miles from the quaint fishing village of Port Townsend. With historic buildings, a lovely marina, and great eateries, it’s a great choice for pet friendly trips.
READ MORE ⇒ Seeing Washington’s Olympic Peninsula With Dogs
Hudson Valley, New York
For those looking to be dazzled by spectacular vistas, prepare yourself for the Hudson Valley. Just 90 minutes north of Manhattan, where the Hudson River cuts along the backbone of the Catskill Mountains, you’ll find rolling hills, quaint villages, and plenty of wide-open spaces to explore.
During your visit, plan to spend a day at Bear Mountain State Park. You’ll want to pack a picnic and pull up a bench while you admire the view. When the weather cooperates, you can spot Manhattan’s skyscrapers on the horizon!
After lunch, hit the Appalachian Trail on the east side of the mountain. It includes 800 stone stairs and is considered one of the most beautiful trails built in the last fifty years. And be sure to take a stroll around Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where many famous (and some infamous) people have been laid to rest.
There is no shortage of lodging options for pet friendly trips to the Hudson Valley! From Kingston to Newburgh to Tarrytown, you’ll find campgrounds, hotels, and vacation rentals ready to welcome your furry family members.
READ MORE ⇒ More Pet Friendly Things To Do In The Hudson Valley
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Take the ferry to Mackinac Island, and you’re in for a special treat! At just 3.8 square miles, this jewel sits in Lake Huron between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas, about a 15-minute ferry ride from shore.
Eighty percent of the island is preserved within Mackinac Island State Park, and personal automobiles have been prohibited here since 1898. Pets, however, are very welcome! You’ll find ferries, lodging, restaurants, horse-drawn taxis, guided carriage tours, and bike and kayak rentals for cats and dogs eager to explore.
Though camping isn’t allowed on Mackinac Island, there are three pet friendly lodging options to choose from. Mission Point Resort has beautiful grounds and a restaurant with pet friendly patio, and welcomes pets for an additional per-stay fee of $100, plus tax. Park Place Suites offers three condo units in the heart of downtown, which come complete with a yard. They charge an additional pet fee of $30 per night. Sunset Condos offers more seclusion and fantastic views of Lake Huron and the Mackinac Bridge. Their pet fee is based on the size of your pet – less than 40 pounds is $75 per stay, more than 40 pounds is $100 per stay, and two pets over 40 pounds are $150 per stay.
READ MORE ⇒ Mackinac Island Is Michigan’s #1 Pet Friendly Destination
Natchez Trace, Tennessee to Mississippi
For off-the-beaten-path pet friendly road trips, there’s nothing like the Natchez Trace! Stretching 444 miles from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi, it’s a blissfully quiet, billboard-free retreat from other American highways.
Along the way, more than 100 exhibits, interpretive signs, and marked trails provide archeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational, and scenic insights.
The Trace is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, because there’s something to sniff around every bend! And when it’s time to really stretch your legs, 28 pet friendly hiking and self-guided trails are just steps away.
Appreciating the changing landscapes is another enchanting part of the Trace. From thick forests, to boggy cypress swamps, over 2,000 types of plants live and bloom along the route. The drive is especially lovely during the spring bloom and the colorful fall foliage.
The only overnight accommodations you’ll find on the Natchez Trace are primitive national park and forest campgrounds. However, there are plenty of pet friendly lodging options in the towns and cities just off the Trace. If you’re traveling at one of the more popular times of the year, reservations are recommended.
READ MORE ⇒ Traveling The Natchez Trace With Dogs
Paradise Valley, Montana
Many of our national parks see millions of tourists every year, but few visitors spend much time outside the park borders. This is definitely true of Yellowstone National Park, and it makes Paradise Valley the perfect place for a pet friendly trip that avoids crowds!
As the Yellowstone River flows north out the border of the park, the landscape opens up and mountain peaks frame the view. The beauty of the valley beckons you outdoors, as the river tumbles over perfectly worn stones. And there are plenty of activities to choose from!
The Yellowstone is a world-class fly fishing river with many access points along it’s shores. Wildlife viewing is always exciting in this part of the country, with antelope, big horn sheep, bison, elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer often seen from the roads. And the hiking is spectacular, with the Gallatin National Forest offering spectacular pet friendly trails for both serious hikers and those just out for a stroll in nature.
Between privately-owned and national forest campgrounds, finding a place to pitch your tent isn’t too difficult here. And Gardiner and Livingston both have several pet friendly hotel options. If you’re willing to drive a bit further, Bozeman offers even more pet friendly lodging.
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly Activities Near Yellowstone National Park
St. Johnsbury, Vermont
If there is a Mecca for dogs, it’s Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury. This 150-acre off-leash playground for pups was the vision of artists Stephen and Gwen Huneck. The property has a pond, hiking trails, and a pet friendly art gallery. But the heart of Dog Mountain is the chapel, with its pews carved with dogs on the ends and stained glass windows celebrating the gifts dogs bring to our lives.
Over the years pet lovers have contributed tributes, pictures, letters, and notes to their departed pets, covering the walls several layers deep. The result is a masterpiece beyond description.
Nestled along the banks of the Passumpsic and Moose Rivers, the picturesque town of St. Johnsbury has more bridges than traffic lights. And it makes a perfect base camp for exploring Vermont’s Green Mountains and New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
If you get a clear day, be sure to take the drive up Mount Washington. At 6,288 feet, it’s the highest peak in the Northeastern United States.
The Fairbanks Inn in St. Johnsbury offers pet friendly rooms with a $25 per night pet fee, and there are many camping options in the area.
READ MORE ⇒ Dog Mountain Is Vermont’s Best Pet Friendly Attraction
We hope this gives you some ideas for places you can take your pets to avoid the crowds and enjoy a relaxing getaway. If you have some favorite destinations for off-the-beaten-path pet friendly trips that you don’t mind sharing, please leave a comment below!
The post 9 Great Pet Friendly Trips To Avoid Crowds appeared first on GoPetFriendly.com.
📣LADIES AND GENTLEMAN📣 We could not be more thrilled to announce Viola has been ADOPTED!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
After nearly a year Viola is finally home! This inherentlhy good soul was horrifically failed by society, the shelter system and a “rescue” which is beyond sickening. It has been a very very long, hard and extremely costly road to get Viola to her happily ever after and we would not change thing. It was worth it all. We want to thank Viola’s beautiful family for picking her. Huge thanks to Viola’s exceptional and dedicated foster, Heather who has been vital in this massive life saving effort. We want to thank Sheila from @mad_mutts for her dedication to Viola for all these months and to the temp fosters who helped along the way. Thanks to Libby at @thelibertydognetwork and @juliajones_healthyliving for all your help with this magical land seal and a massive thanks to everyone one of you who donated items from her wish list and made monetary donations. Saving Viola’s life cost SUFP over $82,000.00. This is the most we have ever spent on one dog and while we would not change a thing it’s important to remind everyone this could have been avoided had a responsible and reputable rescue with a plan and resources pulled her from the shelter. Viola will never know or feel pain again. She will be loved and adored for the rest of her life. We will be checking in on Viola regularly and look forward to providing updates when we get them.
Viola, like all pit bull type dogs was born inherently good. She always deserved to be seen, respected and protected. We are honored we were able to give her that chance and we will never stop fighting for these dogs. They are all deserving of the care and love Viola recieved and ask you all to remain dedicated to pit bull type dogs and do more if you can. Become an approved foster, adopt, volunteer, donate, educate, advocate and keep sharing dogs so they too can be seen. Please aslo take a moment to celebrate this MASSIVE WIN. Viola overcame all the odds and now gets to live the life she always deserved.
The post 📣LADIES AND GENTLEMAN📣 We could not be more thrilled to announce Viola has been ADOPTED!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 appeared first on Stand Up For Pits Foundation.
MAXX CROSBY CHOOSES THE STAND UP FOR PITS FOUNDATION AS HIS “MY CAUSE MY CLEATS” CHARITY!
The post MAXX CROSBY CHOOSES THE STAND UP FOR PITS FOUNDATION AS HIS “MY CAUSE MY CLEATS” CHARITY! appeared first on Stand Up For Pits Foundation.
Happy Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday ALL Cookies & Treats are $8.99 …
The History Of Small Business Saturday:
Small Business Saturday encourages Americans across the country to support local small businesses.
The day infuses money back into our local economies, promotes vibrant and diverse communities, and celebrates the important role of small businesses in the national economy
While there aren’t specific sales projections for Small Business Saturday 2024, here’s some information about the event and what it can mean for small businesses:
Small Business Saturday is an annual event that takes place on the Saturday following Thanksgiving (this year, November 30, 2024). First observed in 2010, Small Business Saturday has become an important day to show appreciation for the small businesses that are the backbone of our nation’s economy.
Small Business Saturday encourages Americans across the country to support local small businesses.
The day infuses money back into our local economies, promotes vibrant and diverse communities, and celebrates the important role of small businesses in the national economy.