If you are lucky enough to live in the Pittsburgh area you and your dog can enjoy an indoor pet-run facility. Check online to see if your area has one.
Indoor dog parks and agility courses, dog yoga and massage, even canine-friendly cocktail parties can add dimension to the bond between you and your pooch.
For structured play time, Splash and Dash K9 Sports Inc., a dog training club in Plum, offers plenty of options, including fly ball, in which teams of dogs run races, perform jumps and retrieve balls.
"Winter is our busiest season because people are looking for things to do with their dog," said club member Leslie Meyn of Ross, and the owner of five Keeshonds. Her 1-year-old, Sefina, is learning freestyle, a canine form of dressage that combines obedience with choreographed dance moves.
"Any training you do with your dog builds his self-confidence. A confident dog is more adaptable, less afraid of new situations, and happier," said Meyn, whose dogs have all gone through agility training, which involves navigating a course with a series of obstacles including seesaw, tunnel and tire jump.For unstructured play, The Dog Stop near Homewood has a total of 17,000 square feet of indoor space where pets can run off-leash or walk with their owners in a well-lighted, climate-controlled environment.
"Given Pittsburgh's weather, people like having that option," said owner Jesse Coslov.It's open from 5 to 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and folks pay $5 per visit or $25 for a month of unlimited use.
"Any way you can physically participate with your dog is good for both of you," said Coslov, who also rents dog-washing facilities. "Your dog is getting rid of a lot of pent-up energy that could otherwise make him engage in destructive behaviors, and you're deepening a special bond."The Dog Spot began offering massage classes in November, when licensed chiropractor Dina LiVolsi showed owners how to gently manipulate and stroke their pets for improved well-being. Coslov admits to being surprised when 14 owners and their pets showed up.
"I was a little skeptical as to how popular this would be, but I think, in general, pet owners today are more open to providing dogs with what they need to be ideal companions," said Coslov, who has scheduled another session for Feb. 13. "Thirty years ago, it was acceptable to leave your dog outside. Today, they are more members of the family."Leta Koontz, owner of Schoolhouse Yoga, believes "doga" can make for a happier pooch. The owner of a golden retriever and three mixed-breed shelter adoptees, she periodically leads classes to raise funds for Animal Friends and other venues.
"Anytime you go on the floor, your dog sees it as an invitation to play. He'll put his front down and his butt up in the air -- like our 'downward-facing dog' yoga position -- and he'll wag his tail to tell you he wants to roughhouse," she said. "Dogs read our energy. They read our emotions and our stress levels. When I'm meditating, my dog puts his head in my lap."Doga practice includes walking meditation, yoga postures and nose-to-tail massage.
"Dogs are excited when they enter class, and by the end of the session they're calm," she said.
Dr. Paul Maza, a veterinarian affiliated with Cornell University's School of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, N.Y., said he's unfamiliar with the benefits of doga but endorses canine massage.
"It can help reduce soreness and lactic acid after exercise, and improve your dog's mobility and flexibility," he said. "After exercise or as part of rehabilitation, it's great. Of course, any instance to interact with your dog increases that special bond."Dogs waiting for a loving home need human contact, too, and local shelters invite volunteers to walk, bath and socialize with furry residents, including cats. Shelters also offer a host of programs for dog owners, too.
"When we built our new facility four years ago, we built a place that would keep pet owners coming back, and not just those who've adopted from us," said Jolene Miklas, communications director of North Hills-based Animal Friends. "Our goal is to encourage sustained ownership."The shelter's Paws and Pours wine and beer tastings are "hugely popular," Miklas said. "It's BYOD -- Bring Your Own Dog -- and we usually sell out in advance. They're designed for the working professional who wants to go out after work but doesn't want to leave their dog behind."
Animal Friends also helps parents-to-be prepare their pooch for a new baby.
"You don't have to surrender your pet because you're expecting," said Miklas. "At our Baby Ready Pets class, behaviorists talk about downloading baby noises and wearing baby lotion on your hands in advance of bringing baby home. They show you which changes to anticipate in your pet, and how to get him used to more visitors who may come to the house once baby arrives. They help you help him with the jealousy factor."
7 Tips for your pets health:
Being either a cat owner or a dog owner you will most likely know these 7 tips. But study shows that you are probably not aware of the importance of each them so in order for your pet to have the best possible health condition I am here to remind you.
* Amount of exercise: Both cats and dogs need physical activity. Movement is vital to any pet and the larger pet the more exercise is needed. That is why dogs will often require more exercise than cats.
* Exercise options: Whether you have a cat or a dog you can easily take the for a walk. Just put on a leash and go outside. If you live in a crowded city you might want to go to a park but if you live in the countryside you can just go for a walk in your neighborhood.
* Don't spoil: Giving your pet food in excess amounts will be just as harmful for them as it is for you to overeat. The problem is that since they are pets they don't know that what you're giving them will actually harm them.
* Proper nutrition: Make sure to provide your pet with healthy organic foods. If youre in doubt what would be right for your particular pet be sure to ask your VET. Dont guess and end up making vital mistakes.
* Affection: Show your pets that you truly and deeply love them. Hug them and tell them that you love them. You might think that they do not understand what you're saying but I promise you that they can sense what you feel.
* Insure your pet: Every day thousands of pets get hurt by cars and there is nothing we can do about it. But instead of hoping that it'll never happen to your pet be sure to get an good pet health insurance that will cover everything if bad luck strikes.
* Plan: Make sure you use a schedule for all major appointments. Be sure to note the regular VET check-ups and that your pet gets any medication or vaccines that it'll need. Small things like these will add up in the long run.
* Amount of exercise: Both cats and dogs need physical activity. Movement is vital to any pet and the larger pet the more exercise is needed. That is why dogs will often require more exercise than cats.
* Exercise options: Whether you have a cat or a dog you can easily take the for a walk. Just put on a leash and go outside. If you live in a crowded city you might want to go to a park but if you live in the countryside you can just go for a walk in your neighborhood.
* Don't spoil: Giving your pet food in excess amounts will be just as harmful for them as it is for you to overeat. The problem is that since they are pets they don't know that what you're giving them will actually harm them.
* Proper nutrition: Make sure to provide your pet with healthy organic foods. If youre in doubt what would be right for your particular pet be sure to ask your VET. Dont guess and end up making vital mistakes.
* Affection: Show your pets that you truly and deeply love them. Hug them and tell them that you love them. You might think that they do not understand what you're saying but I promise you that they can sense what you feel.
* Insure your pet: Every day thousands of pets get hurt by cars and there is nothing we can do about it. But instead of hoping that it'll never happen to your pet be sure to get an good pet health insurance that will cover everything if bad luck strikes.
* Plan: Make sure you use a schedule for all major appointments. Be sure to note the regular VET check-ups and that your pet gets any medication or vaccines that it'll need. Small things like these will add up in the long run.
About the Author:
About the author: J. Sommer is one of the leading experts on pet health and will assist you in finding cheap pet insurance for your pet. Get valuable insights by visit his website at www.petinsurancepro.com.
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