Playday Tuesday July 30

Dog Park Etiquette

What dog doesn't love a dog parks!
  

Back in California, our community had a wonderful, large dog park.  Our dog park had three areas: one large area for dogs to run and be off leash, another spot for puppies, small and toy dogs to enjoy, and a small area in the back of the larger area for big dogs to have alone time or dog who were not as social yet. 

Water was available, as were pipes for the dogs to run through, and tree stumps to jump on.  Plus, there were benches and tables available for the humans to enjoy

Maisie, our first dog, was great, gentle and friendly with all the dogs and made lots of friends. 

When Rosie was old enough we took her to the park and she made lots of friends too.  We kept Rosie in the little dog or puppy park, while Maisie ran around the big side.  Maisie would check on Rosie once in awhile through the fence.

Our etiquette problems started when we introduced Rosie to the big side with Maisie. 

Soon Maisie was at Rosie's side and playing the big sister or big nasty sister.  Maisie would try to herd the other dogs away from Rosie, and bark at them too. It's her nature, as she is a working breed.

This did not sit well with us, and we scolded Maisie, put her in time out, and used treats to teach her not to herd or bark. But her instinct to herd got the best of her, so we relegated ourselves to the enclosed small area of the big park, where they could play with each other and not bother the other dogs.  

When we moved to Ohio we made sure our dogs had their own yar, with lots of room for running and  playing.

Since we moved, we have found the  dog parks in Ohio that are  like doggy day resorts. Pools to splash in, wade in and misters; fields and obstacle courses, and even training areas with teachers. A far cry from our  community dog park back in California. 

We found most of our experience to be all good, but on a few occasions we had some parents who just did not know how to handle their "kids".  

I wish this poster was up for some of the parents at our dog park to read. 

Dog Parks are play parks for all dog types, so be nice and folks will be nice to you. 

The poster is from the blog/Website of Dr. Sophia Yin. (drsophiayin.com) Take a look! She offers this poster as a PDF download.

Happy Play Time!

Remember Monday July 29

Remember Monday : Your Lawn

 

 

Here in Nature's 1/3 Acre, our dogs Maisie, Rosie and Coco have a lot of room to run and play.  But lately here in Ohio we have had  lots of rain. (Coming from California, I am not used to rain in the summer, or much at all.) And for us, rain means FLOODING.  We are located below a main street in our half of the village so all the water from above runs off into our backyard. The backyard does drain, but our clay soil holds the water so my lawn looks like a marsh. We have lots of names for our lawn: The Lake, The Marsh, and so on. So this year, I have been looking at what happens to the grass and what is the best way to handle it.  I am sharing this article today so you remember your lawn is a very important part of your enjoyment--and your dogs. Take a look.

Heavy rains and flooding have left many lawns waterlogged, or worse, covered in silt when flood water recedes. Nature has a wonderful way of recovering from these things, but a few points considered now could give it a helping hand.

Try to avoid walking on wet or damp grass, as it is likely to damage it. If a lawn has been waterlogged for several days, wait until water levels have completely subsided and you can walk on it without leaving wet footprints.

If you want to mow the lawn once it has dried out – just to give it a late season trim, set the mower blades to the highest possible cutting height. Do not attempt to mow a wet or saturated lawn as you risk compaction and ruts. And obviously do not use an electric lawn mower in damp or wet conditions.

If the lawn has been flooded, be aware that any silt left behind may be contaminated, so wear rubber boots, disposable rubber gloves and cover any open wounds before working outside. You should attempt to remove silt, along with any debris from the lawn – either by hosing or raking it off. Unfortunately, if your lawn has been submerged for over a week or if it is covered with more than ¾ inches of silt there is a possibility that it will need to be re-laid, but this along with any major lawn repairs will need to wait until early spring.

Lawns that have been very wet will benefit from some serious aeration – either manually using a garden fork or with the help of a powered aerator. Moss is also likely to build up in damp conditions, but remedial treatments like aeration, scarifying, top-dressing or re-seeding bald patches will now need to wait until next spring.

One thing you can do now is check for any particularly waterlogged or vulnerable areas of the lawn, where heavy rain collects. Make a note of those areas and consider preventative action you could take in the future, either by evening out the ground levels or improving drainage.

Article from: Stihlusa.com

Play Day Tuesday July 23 - DIY Denim Toy

Well, how did you do on your denim play toys?  

We made a few ourselves and let the dogs try them out. Take a look.
 

Four strips of denim about two inches wide and a foot or so long.

Since I am more a visual person, the directions helped but confused me a bit until, as Creativity Unmasked said, "You will understand better with your strips in front of you plus trial and error." I must say there was not much error here; this was a very simple toy to make.

I set up my strips like this, then folded them over each other.

After trying it like the photos. I came up with this method that worked for me and my brain.

Next I turned it over and tucked each tail of the strip into the loop it covers. 

One by one I pulled the tails tight to get this wonderful knot.

Having extra long tails, I decided to tie the tails with tail next to it to make one big knot.

Finished Product. I am happy.

With our denim toys all finished, we went outside to play. Coco was really ready to play with them, jumping and dancing around me till we got to the end of the patio path.

I threw one of the toys into the air and she would run and catch it.  Then Coco would run up to me and then run away. Run up to me and run away.  I had to grab it from her so we could play again.
 

 

Here are some photos of Coco with her denim toy. She carried it all around the yard with her. When I tried to take it from her she would turn her head and look at me like "Um, you made this for me, so back off"

 

A rare moment came when Coco let go of her toy. I swooped in and tossed it high in the air again.  

 

Now I want to see if I can add a tennis ball to the inside and make it look like a denim comet. 

Coco has had the toy all day and has not given it up yet. 

 

Hope you folks had as much fun as we did.  

Play well, Play safe, and JUST PLAY!

Thanks to Creativity Unmasked for this wonderful DIY dog toy idea. 

Visit their blog soon.

Playday July 16 2013

Play Day Tuesday

What dogs doesn't just love to play and play? They can play catch, fetch, run around and chase each other, jump on things and off things, wrestle with each other or just toss the rope in the air and catch it by themselves.

Our dogs have always been the running around type. If we play catch, I get the work out.  I throw the ball, they run past the ball and I go get the ball so they can RUN again.

 Maisie just loves to run and run and run. She plays with Rosie and Coco by chasing them  around the yard.  "Mu" is our oldest and so her play time is a little shorter now.


Rosie loves to play Tug-O-War with rope. She will dangle a rope in front of Maisie and wait for her to take it, then pull and growl. This can go on for a very long time! Another game Rosie likes is to lay on her back and try to eat the other dog's head--so funny!  She is also very sly. If she wants what Coco has, Rosie will ring their bell to go outside, then do a fake-out when Coco drops her toy to go outside by running back to grab Coco's toy, leaving Coco with nothing. Miss Rosie has them BOTH now.

Rosie chasing Maisie

Coco with Rope

Coco loves to chase any type of ball. And she will actually bring the ball back to you so she can retrieve it again.  She is good about carrying the ball around, so when you want to play she is ready.   She will also headbutt Maisie to get her to chase her around the yard. When I give Rosie some loving, Coco will come by and force her way between us and try to eat Rosie's head. When the growling and bouncing begins I have to get out of the way or I end up under them both as the try to eat my face.



With Ball

Coco has many toys: ball, robe, football, and kong.

Coco & Mu at play

Which way did he go?

Oh, and Rosie would chase squirrels around the yard all day long, if they would only stay around.

So that is Play Day with our little family.  How does your family play?

Remember Monday - Dog Wisdom

 Remember Monday - July 15, 2013

Well, we start a new chapter in my blog. 

Small, daily fun items to help us do better; new 

and playful things with man's best friend, our DOG.

 Dog Wisdom 

Watch your pup, he will help be your life coach.  
 

They know when to work and work hard.  Jobs like tearing up your shoe, the left one. They go about this job with gusto and without having to take time to lean "how to."

They know when to play,  after the work is done.  Your dog can sense when you may need a break.  When he comes to you and want to play ball, take the time; he will be happy and so will you. 

 Your voice tells your dog that she has done something wrong. Even before you can say "I am sorry" she forgives you and is ready for some fun. Follow her actions and  forgive the people in your life quickly so you can enjoy a happy play time and a nap.

When the day is stressful and we think we can't take anymore,

 Remember to 

Chase After your Dreams, 

Never Stop Playing, 

Make Your Own Fun, 

Take a Nap

 and just 

DIG LIFE. 

Your dog has all the answers, just follow.

Above photo found on Pinterest.