Holidaze

We took a last minute hiking vacation this weekend. In planning where we would stay and where we would go I was shocked at the lack of dog friendly hotels, cabins, cottages, B&B's what have you available. My first inclination was to camp, which is almost always a dog friendly event, but with temperatures dropping at night below freezing at all our possible destinations it didn't seem like a relaxing way to go. 

So there's a couple website that claim to help you bring your dog with you on any adventure any where in the united states, but they are unclear, and just guide you to lodging websites where you can desperately search for a pet policy that usually state something to the effect of: :"Bringing your dog here might be okay but you need to talk to us first and we prefer little dogs, and there are pet resorts in the area to drop off your dog." Total disappointment! 

After hours of searching I found a place that only charged 25 extra dollars for the dog, brought us breakfast to our room with dog treats and didn't have a 3-night minimum. 

After six miles of hiking with the dog yesterday and 3+ miles today it was worth it. Nikki loved the hike, we left her on a 20ft leash, which she dragged behind her in front of us (Leash laws are ever-present) and she stuck with us easily, zig-zagging and enjoying all the smells. Even walking around town, when I started to be bummed that Nikki inhibited us from going into stores/restaurants etc., a winery let us do a tasting with her inside as long as it was just us. 

I chatted with the wine attendant, who has a pit/shepherd mix who bites her 4 year old son when he swings on the swing set. The dog has actually managed to draw blood during this unhealthy game it has created. Previously in the conversation, she confessed to the dog not getting much exercises and not getting any socialization or playtime with any other dogs. This does not justify the biting at all, but if dogs are not given a chance to burn off their fuel, they chose the dumbest things to do. I gave her some advices, moving slowly using the most delicious treats to change the game. I hope she tries because she said if the dog draws blood again she will be giving her up. With all that on the line I hope she realizes that her dogs life is in her hands, she has to retrain the animal, and provide her with proper energy outlets.

Its hard not to get more involved but since I am at the beginning of my research I am not ready to dive into the behaviour/training world. But I have learned so much in my 6 months of intense dog adventures and observations I can't help but try and share.

There was this lady in the pet store spouting nonsense about how she will never ever ever play tug with her dog because it is a pit mix. MY LORD REALLY? I politely let her know that tug is a cooperative game, that is healthy for dogs and DOES NOT promote aggression, I gave her some tools to make sure tug is only played with her permission. She didn't blow me off but I don't know that I got through, I can only hope the pit mix she has doesn't really want to play tug, and find unhealthy ways to play it. 

I don't ever want to lecture people, but I really want to help educate. In the 10+ dog books I have been reading and in all my hands on experience with rescue pups it becomes easy to see the basic truths shining out against all the silly little lies ingrained in us about dogs, but it was never obvious to me until I started searching for the answers...