Comments on: Make That Summer Festival As Fun For Your Dog As It Is For You

By: Michael Kirk

Michael Kirk — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 05:00:12 +0000

I’ve figured out which dogs to bring to which events. And I also try to evaluate if it’s going to be just for my own indulgence, or if my dog(s) actually will be comfortable there. If there’s other dogs there, and it’s not too hot for too many hours, i’ll definitely bring them. I found all the dog friendly beaches, for those of you interested. Galveston and Surfside Texas are dog friendly. Some beaches in l.a-lower Alabama, and the only beaches I’ve found to be dog friendly in the redneck Riviera-(Pensacola, Ft Walton Beach, Destin and Panama city Florida), is Panama City. All the others ARE NOT. I found that out from experience last July 4th, 2013.

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:53:04 +0000

In reply to Pamela. No you were supposed to say leave him at home. I don't know if I'm being selfish taking him or being selfish leaving him behind!!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 11:18:10 +0000

In reply to Rebekah. Interesting way to evaluate who to bring along. Either way, I bet you attract a lot of attention with your dogs at an outdoor event. They're stunning.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 11:16:16 +0000

In reply to Mary. Yeah, I bet you see plenty of bored and uncomfortable dogs at outdoor shows. For things like art shows, where the artists' work demands more of my attention, strolling with Honey is my first pass. Then I take her home and come back to do my real looking and buying.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 11:14:13 +0000

In reply to Lauranne. Stock your pockets with particularly yummy treats to reward BD for focusing on you instead of other dogs. Because it sounds like you have good ideas about how to make this work. Good luck.

By: Taryn

Taryn — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 19:29:23 +0000

In reply to Pamela. I always forget about the car free part. That definitely makes getting to the dog-friendly spots much more difficult. I must have missed the lake-front park.

By: Rebekah

Rebekah — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 15:52:49 +0000

Great tips! I try to take my dogs to as many dog friendly events as possible. If I feel there will be more dogs than people, I take Faolan. If there will be more people than dogs, I take Neeko.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 14:13:30 +0000

I’m always amazed how many people we see at art shows that aren’t thinking about their dog. No water, I’m guessing no treats. And some of them look pretty sad to be there.

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 11:49:50 +0000

Oh that’s made me scared. I have to go to a local event with BD week after next and I’m worried. It’s been a long time since I’ve taken him anywhere with crowds and I wouldn’t go if I hadn’t got my weekends confused and made promises to various good friends that I don’t want to break. My plan is to stay on the outside as much as possible. Take Mity with me as he calms BD down and about a million people I know to help, stay on the outside and look at this as a learning experience for both of us. I do have an escape route planned if needed. It’s one of those things that wouldn’t be so bad if I could rely on other people to control and manage their dog.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 10:48:29 +0000

In reply to Ann Staub.

In truth, although my first dogs, Agatha and Christie, weren’t fond of events, I did occasionally take them for training purposes.

We’d hang out far away from the action. And they’d get treats for not reacting. But we only stayed a few minutes before heading home.

Maybe you and Shiner can find a nice quiet place to sit outside on a pretty day. If going to Walmart is your big outing, it sounds like you could use the break. 🙂