Playing Fetch. Is It A Load Of Balls?
The Happy Dog Journal™️- A Weekly Dog Newsletter from Freya.
Hi Gang
It’s another beautiful, sunny Saturday here at Locke Towers, and Twyla is waiting impatiently for me to get my backside in gear and take her to the park. We don’t generally go to the park in the Winter as it becomes an awful mudfest, and we are lucky to have plenty of drier, less swampy places to explore. But in the spring, the ground has dried up, the pigeons and squirrels are aplenty, and the park becomes a wonderful place of greenery and the odd snack dropped by the local children.
Not to mention the other dogs! All playing in the sunshine. It’s glorious.
That leads us to one of the hot debates in the dog training world.
“Should dogs play fetch?” (Yes, really, those dog folk will argue about anything.)
Find out what I think and recommend in this week’s Fun Not Fear® Club video below this newsletter.
Camping Season
Who here takes the dog camping? Who would like to?
As the weather warms up, in my house, we start dusting off Castle Brocke, our beloved tent, and checking out which things still work and are leak proof. Getting away from it all, sitting outside on deckchairs, drinking coffee from the kettle on the stove, and listening to nothing but birds is a vital part of our Spring and Summer.
Taking Twyla along is essential. After all, who else would keep the tent safe from passing leaves, crisp packets, and other terrifying objects while we sleep?
Just as we like to have our creature comforts while away, so does she. So here is our packing list to ensure Twyla has a safe and happy time away with her mum and her Peter.
Twyla’s Camping Essentials:
Crate - Twyla is a clever girl who can open doors, pull zips, get into boxes and is partial to the odd spot of stealing goodies. Despite being the goodest of girls, mischief sometimes falls upon her world. Therefore, while we sleep, we must keep her safe. So at night, she has a crate set up beside our bed.
Blankets - Camping can be cold without the right equipment, and with her occasional case of Limber Tail, we are very keen to make sure she stays warm. So, we make sure that not only does her crate have a pad on the floor for comfort, it also has a plethora of blankets for her to dig into. We also pop a blanket over the top of the crate and across the sides (which face the sides of the tent) for added draft proofing and to keep some heat in. She has one side open to see us and feel the heat from our heater.
Heating - We have a small halogen heater that barely uses electricity and switches off if knocked over. I prefer it to a gas heater as I feel safer. It also doubles up as a beautiful warm light. Twyla loves the heater at home and sleeps in front of it when she can, so it’s a treat for her in the tent to have it there, too. It is a game-changer for our camping expeditions when a hookup is available.
Food - Twyla has always been mixed-fed, so she can eat fresh meat and vegetables, fish, eggs, tinned meat, and other things without a problem. A changing diet means her tummy isn’t upset by sudden dietary differences. If we stay near a butcher or a grocers shop, she eats fresh; if not, a selection of tins from home is generally sufficient. She also has treats such as crackers, dog biscuits, bits of meat and a bedtime dental chew (not Dentastix though; we prefer not to use them).
Bowls - At least two bowls. One for water, one for meals.
Water - Most campsites have a water supply, but if not, then you will need to bring water with you. Keep the water topped up at all times.
Towels - A dog should be kept dry when staying outside and camping to avoid chills. Plus, a wet dog can make your tent, and their own bed, a rather unpleasant experience.
Poo bags - Because if you don’t clean up after your dog, you shouldn’t have a dog.
Spare Harness and Leads - Accidents happen, harnesses can snap, and leads can break. It is always a good idea to have a spare set of each. Dogs should always be on leads when at a campsite.
Toys - Twyla is a busy beastie who needs things to occupy her. If she gets bored, shenanigans happen.
Antibacterial spray - Leucillin can help avoid infection if an accidental scratch or boo-boo happens. For both you and your dog.
Collar and tag - In the UK, it is illegal for a dog not to have a tag with their humans' contact details. A collar is generally the most useful place to put them as they are fairly accessible. Do teach your dog in advance that people reaching for the collar is a good thing by pairing the action with a reward.
Are there any other things that you can think of that you would pack for your dog? Tell me in the comments.
Spotted and sharing.
Meghan Butt is a new Substack Dog writer, and well worth a look. Her vibe is all about having a peaceful, fun and happy life with your dog, and like me, she is all about helping with behaviour holistically, rather than harsh training methods.
My other posts - because I write about other stuff too!
Warm ‘n’ Fuzzies,
Freya xx
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