Outdoor activities
are good for pets and their owners
By Carolyn L. Cheney
Member, Board of Directors
Spring is here, and we humans and dogs have spring fever. It is the time of year we like to be outside and that includes our four-legged friends.
Today, I am going to write about games that dogs and their humans could play. Animal play makes a dog happy and often better behaved. They need a way to burn off their excessive energy. It is so important to remember to keep your dog hydrated during the warmer months and particularly when engaging in play.
Many dogs love to play water games. Use a regular garden hose and put it on a jet stream and let the dog chase the water, moving it horizontally and vertically. They will have a blast.
Also, many dogs like to swim. If your dog is less than enthusiastic at first about swimming, throw a stick a few feet out in the water to entice him to go in. Usually he can’t resist that. Just be careful if you are at a lake, making sure when he goes in, he will come out when you give the order. A number of years ago, we almost lost a dog to drowning because she decided it would be great fun to chase some ducks while swimming at Echo Lake. Finally, after much yelling she came to us. After that episode, we let her swim but with a very long rope attached to her collar.
A sprinkler system going is great fun for many dogs. Along with the kids, pups love going back and forth through the water on a hot day.
Fetch and catch is enjoyed by many dogs and it is a good way to work on obedience. Make sure the ball is small enough to fit into his mouth but not so small that he would swallow it. Give the ball to the dog and then tell him to drop the ball. After getting this exercise down to a routine, try throwing the ball and tell him to bring it to you and drop it. Some dogs love this exercise and others don’t. It may take a few tries, and remember to reward with a treat when he does things right. I understand there is a sprinkler bubble machine that can attach to your hose, if you are interested.
Soccer playing is for dogs and humans. Kick the ball for the dog to chase and he will be playing for a long time. It is better to have a large rubber ball that is hard to puncture and will last a while. Dogs get very excited when they play soccer.
Kids and dogs really go together, and both love playing tug of war. A very strong rope with knotted ends works beautifully. At my house it is usually my 70-pound Henry against my two grandchildren. Henry will not back down.
Last summer my husband tied a rope to an old tire which he tied to a strong tree branch. His idea was that the kids would really enjoy swinging in the tire like he did when he was a child. They liked it but Henry liked it better. He tried for days to pull that tire down. That was a very easy game he played alone.
An easy way to keep your dog hydrated and to have fun — fill a half-gallon milk carton with water and add a rawhide bone or small toy and then freeze the carton. When it is frozen, cut off one side of the carton. The dog will lick the ice until he gets to the treats.
Remember there are many dogs and cats at the Central Aroostook Humane Society waiting for a home for life and to be your playmate. Please visit us and take home a friend for life. Remember to have your pets spayed/neutered.
Our annual Paws for the Cause walk is coming up soon. What is Paws for the Cause? It is a two-mile walk to benefit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. The walk is on Saturday, May 19. Registration starts at 10 a.m. at the shelter at 26 Cross St., Presque Isle. The walk starts at 10:30 a.m. There is a $5 registration fee without pledges. There will be a Rabies-Only Clinic — $10 each, from 1-2 p.m. administered by Presque Isle Animal Hospital; also a dog wash, refreshments, prizes and much more! Bring the whole family for some “canine camaraderie” and a tail-waggin’ good time! For more information, call the shelter at 764-3441.
