Some of the best dog parks that are located in the United States can be found in both small rural communities, as well as large major cities such as New York, California, and Florida.

Cedar Lane Dog Park: Best Dog Park For Hosting Social Events

All dog parks have a wonderful atmosphere, but the Cedar Lane Dog Park is specifically noted for its wonderful social setting. While the dogs are busy playing and running around, their owners can be found sitting amongst themselves, chatting and sipping on hot coffee, tea, and muffins, which are all provided by the facility.

You'll even find dozens of devoted regulars of the dog park enjoying the crisp winter air on a frosty Christmas morning. Now that is what I call devotion! And there are plenty of other social events which are scheduled throughout each month. There is an annual dog-swimming contest in addition to plenty of games and competitions for all you dog owners to participate in as well. You can find Cedar Lane Park located at 235 Cedar Lane, Ossining, N.Y.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park: Noted For Best Amenities For Dog Owners

If you are ever traveling through California with your dog, be sure to take a day and head to the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park. This amazing facility is not only prestigious for its dog attractions, but also noted as having the best amenities for dog owners of all of the parks throughout the nation.

After a day of romping through the mud and getting wet in the water, your dog can be taken to the local dog washing center to clean off, which is located on the grounds area. Looking to buy some new dog equipment or treats? Why not visit the doggie store and retail shop which is also located inside the park area.

Need a snack after being outside all day, watching your dog have fun? Point Isabel also has plenty of food and drink for your enjoyment at the Mudpuppy's Sit & Stay Cafe. And don't worry about your dog, the cafe also caters to making dishes that your pet can gobble up which is both satisfying and healthy. You can find the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park located at 1 Isabel St., Richmond California.

Bark Park, Located Inside Snyder Park: Best Safety In Mind For Troubled Times

Of the 700+ dog parks located in the United States, we found one special facility that makes safety the #1 priority over the other parks. Dogs will be dogs, and scuffles are bound to break out in any park area between two or more dominant canines.

It happens when you least expect it. The owners rush to the fight scene and do their best to tear their dogs away. Unfortunately, not only do scuffles like this mark the end of the day's playtime activities for the dogs, someone could also get hurt.

But what if there was a dog park that had on-site attendance whose only job was to monitor each dog and be on alert for bad behavior? Such a service has been created and can be found at the Bark Park, inside of Snyder Park, in the state of Florida. The costs for such a safety measure is paid for by a small annual fee that each owner pays. Bark Park can be found at 졣 S.W. 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Dog Cologne: Want Your Dog To Smell Better? Try A New Approach

Dogs have become a huge part of our lives. They are with us more than ever, whether we are going to the store, spending a day at the park, or just snuggling in the couch. We treat them like our kids, taking them wherever we go, which is why it is important for them to smell as fresh and clean as much as possible.

Nobody likes a smelly dog and if your canine companion is going to be accompanying you everywhere you go, keeping him clean and odor-free is just good etiquette, especially around other people.

Instead Of Doggie Clothes, Try A Little Perfume - For Dogs Of Course!

It's no wonder that for many dog owners, dog perfumes and sprays have gone beyond grooming and accessorizing. In fact, they have become more of a necessity. Unlike a fancy collar or a shirt, dog perfume is a way of pampering your dog without going overboard on accessories. It is also something that doesn't go out of style and will not get chewed up by your pet.

Spraying a little spritz on your dog keeps him smelling fresh and clean in between baths, thereby giving you, the busy owner, an extra day or two to bathe him. Some sprays even come with a special formula that literally repels dirt, so your dog will not only smell good, but will stay cleaner until his next bath.

Dog Scents Are Also Healthy

In addition to the appealing smell, dog sprays also offer benefits for your canine friend. They have ingredients that moisturize your dog's coat and skin and prevent matting. There is also a spray that offers a touch of shimmer on your dog's coat while giving it a pleasant smell at the same time. There is even a spray that comes with glitter to add additional sparkle to his coat.

Dabbing a little perfume on your dog also gives you the opportunity to get closer to him. When your dog smells fresh and clean, you are more likely to pick him up, play with him, and spend more time with him. You can have your dog on your lap or the couch and not worry about that "doggie smell."

Dog perfumes come in different varieties and are specially designed to have a pleasing smell for both the owner and his dog. Some are made of the delicate blend of the sweetest flowers while others contain essential oils as their main ingredients. Lavender and chamomile offer a soothing scent, while rose and jasmine create an extra boost of fragrance. Peppermint makes your dog's coat shine and lemongrass makes an excellent deodorizer.

Knowing the right way to approach a strange dog will go a long way toward ensuring your safety, and the safety of those around you. At the same token, knowing how not to approach one can do the same. Children should also be educated of the correct procedure. Some of their little innocent ways can trigger an otherwise well-behaved dog into aggressiveness and worse, biting.

Dogs normally bite for one of three reasons: Indiscriminate biting, fear biting, and protective biting.

Indiscriminate Biting

Knowing which type of biter you are confronted with depends on the situation you are in at the time. For instance, if you are walking along the sidewalk in a residential street, minding your own business, and a dog suddenly leaves his yard, runs directly at you and bites, this is indiscriminate biting. This is a spoiled dog that is probably the dictator in his household. He is the type of dog that merely allows his family to co-exist with him in the house. It could be any breed, from a Toy Chihuahua to a Giant Schnauzer.

Fortunately, dogs that fall into this category are in the minority and are usually confined and restricted because the owners are fully aware of the their bad behavior. Undoubtedly, they probably have been the recipients of occasional bites from their own dogs whenever the animals didn't get their way.

Fear Biting

The fear biter falls into another category because his demeanor could be genetically inherited, or he could be a product of under-socialization with different types of people and situations when he was a puppy. He could be in a panic-stricken mind at the time of the bite.

A friendly but injured dog, he could suddenly become a fear biter depending on the circumstances. If you stop on the highway to rescue a dog that has been struck by a car, the dog may think that you are the one who hit him, rather than understand that you are there to rescue him.

Protective Biting

Finally, a protective biter is one that's unable to reason any farther than the fact that he feels the need to protect someone or something. Usually, the protective biter is in the group known as the working breeds. That is, dogs whose ancestors were originally bred to herd livestock or to protect properties and real estate. Most dogs have this protective instinct but it seems to manifest more predominantly within the working group.

Dogs that are trained professionally as attack dogs, guard dogs, and patrol dogs, are trained to see through a person's disguise. In other words, a burglar who puts up an aura of fearlessness and confidence, thinking that he can dazzle a trained guard dog into believing the burglar is "Mr. Nice Guy" will be in for a surprise! For a well-trained dog, all the sweetness, fearlessness, and confidence in the world won't win past his professionally trained senses.

Most household dogs are not professionally trained and act on instinct alone. It is this instinct that will eventually allow you to pass through, or stop you in your tracks. If you are approaching a house to visit friends, sell a product, deliver mail, read a meter, or anything else that's considered legitimate, the protective biter will be able to sense that you are legitimate if you take the time to allow him to study you. The secret is in allowing the dog time to get acquainted.

Do not expect the dog to not bite just because his owners said so. Many dog owners have been mistaken at this assumption, leaving visitors injured by ignoring the dog's warnings at the door. Even if your host insists that the dog is very friendly and has never bitten anyone, take the time to establish a connection with him.

Keep in mind that the host knows you're an invited guest, but to the dog, you are an intruder in his home, his lair, his domain. Let the dog be the judge and give him time to make his judgment. Meet him on his level, talk to him, and give him the satisfaction of scent discrimination.

Approaching The Injured Dog

The Good Samaritan attempting to capture an obviously strayed, lost, starving, or homeless dog or a person trying to rescue an injured dog, often has his confidence crushed when he is bitten by the very dog he is trying to save. A dog does not trust a situation which he doesn't understand. If he's been hit by a car, he doesn't understand why. He only knows that he's hurt. Chances are that his only remaining defense is his mouth.

Talking friendly and softly to an injured dog while slowly securing his mouth shut will shift the odds in your favor. A belt, a piece of rope, or a strip of rag will suffice, immobilizing the dog's mouth so that you can safely remove him to a safe location and administer first-aid treatment.

Keep in mind that, in an injured state, making friends is the farthest thing from a dog's mind. His main thought is to survive and ward off any potential attackers that come in his way, including you, even though you are there to help.

When Dogs Meet Other Dogs: What Are They Saying To Each Other?

How can you tell if your puppy's encounter with an unfamiliar dog will be a delight or a disaster? That depends on how the other dog acts and how your puppy responds.

Pet dogs, though domesticated, interact with each other according to pack protocol. The pack (the basic canine social unit) is structured around a hierarchy of dominance and subordinance (submission).

Every pack member is dominant to some and subordinate to others, with the exception of the alpha male (who is dominant to all) and the lowest-ranking pack member (who is subordinate to all). Social rank is communicated and enforced through body language - a complex combination of movements, posture and other physical signals.

When two dogs meet for the first time, the outcome depends on several factors:

1) Age: Most adult dogs tolerate puppies, but this isn't always the case. If your puppy is approaching maturity and tries to out some dominant behaviors, an older dog may feel obligated to put your youngster in its place. However, puppies of similar ages usually get along well with each other, because puppies usually don't attempt to dominate each other.

2) Sex: Adult dogs often have friendlier interactions with dogs of the opposite sex than those of the same sex. Because this characteristic is related to maturity, it doesn't affect interactions involving young puppies

3) Location: Dogs naturally try to protect their own territory (their house and yard), so they often get along better when they meet on neutral ground, such as a park. This tactic doesn't work, however, if either dog decides that a frequently visited public location is part of its territory. Most puppies, especially young ones, aren't really territorial, but an adult dog may still regard your youngster as an intruder.

4) Owner Presence: And finally, some dogs are more amiable with one another when their owners aren't around. This may be due to decreased feelings of jealousy or protectiveness. It may also be that socialization proceeds more smoothly without human interference.

A friendly dog will approach your puppy with a slightly crouched posture, low wagging tail, laid-back ears and a soft, indirect gaze. A not-so-friendly dog will approach standing tall, with its tail and ears erect. It's gaze will be direct and staring; it may snarl or growl as it approaches.

Your puppy will probably respond to either of these dogs with submissive behavior, which is similar to that of the friendly dog, but more pronounced. Your puppy may even roll over on its back or urinate a bit -signs of complete submission. Even the most aggressive dog won't attack another dog in this position.

Scenting Ability - The Remarkable Nose Of Your Dog (Part 1)

Whether you own a 160 lb St. Bernard, designed to track down and hunt people, or enjoy the company of an adorable little Chihuahua, every dog has an incredible nose that can pick up the most uncanny of scents.

Your canine friend may not have as good eyesight as you do, but his sense of smell is far superior to any human. It is through his acute ability to pick up on scents that he knows and understands the world around him. Whenever your dog dashes off and escapes outside, he is not wandering off on some sightseeing adventure. Instead, he is roaming on a scenting delight.

And when those country-living hunting dogs head out into the open field, their nose sets a rapid pace with all of his other senses to help direct him on the exact way to go towards hunting down his prey. These dogs are aware of people, things, animals, food, vegetation, literally everything, all through the amazing sense of smell.

How A Dog's Nose Works

The physical makeup of a dog's nose is suited specifically for his laser targeted scenting talent. A dog picks up on an odor by drawing in several short breaths into the nasal passage. This odor mixes with the air and comes into contact with a mucous membrane which covers the olfactory nerves. Dogs have a much larger smelling membrane surface than people do.

Every living thing around us gives off molecules of odor. When a dog inhales these molecules, they are dissolved onto the mucous membrane. Once this happens, the scent is ready for the dog's highly sensitive smelling equipment to take over. There are tiny nerves that relay the message of an odor, which travels to the olfactory nerve, and then signals directly to the brain.

Once the completed message is picked up by the brain, the dog's scenting ability is so precise in interpreting the odor, that he can distinguish each one from hundreds of other similar type smells. For example, if a stick is marked and touched by a dog's owner, the trained canine can individually single out this same stick out of hundreds of other sticks.

Dogs also have the ability to remember each scent it comes across and match it to the experience the brain produced. This memory to last a dog's entire lifetime. A particular odor of a dog picked up could be remembered 8 - 10 years later in a dog's life.

Moving Into A Small Apartment: Does Your Pet Feel Welcome? Part 1

As cities across the world continue to get bigger, small suburban towns are also increasing their population and spawning large apartment facilities to handle the growth. These complexes not only attract newcomers, but also homeowners in the area. Many families are trading the bother of keeping up a house for the convenience of an apartment. Perhaps your family is one of these.

You face the move with mixed feelings. Sadness at parting from old friends, relief at knowing someone else will fix the faucets and cut grass, and anticipation of more time to do the things you want to do. Of course, the task of moving is enormous. You know it will take a while before your family is comfortable in the new home. But you're prepared for some turbulence in the family routine. But what about your pet?

The advertisement read "Pets Welcome!" but will Sparky feel welcome?

Veterinarian Christina Slater, from Houston, Texas, rejects the idea that breeders can foretell how your pet will adjust to life in an apartment complex. "Every dog has its own personality," Christina says, "The way you have trained him determines how your pet will cope with a new situation"

Apartment dweller Bob Carter says, "We've had our dog, Dusty, for five years. We lived in a house, but did not confine Dusty to the yard. He ran with other dogs in the neighborhood. Now Dusty is kept on a leash, and he does not like it. He has taken a dislike to two other dogs in our building, and when I walk him he won't relieve himself unless I drop the leash."

There are eight buildings where Bob lives, and every tenant family has children or dogs - or both. If, in this type of situation, your pet would not be dangerous to other dogs or children, there is always the chance that harm might come to him from them, or he might be injured by a car in the parking area. Even the well-disciplined pet cannot be allowed to run at will in a compact living arrangement, and dogs who have never worn a leash before must become accustomed to restraint.

On the other hand, some dogs react to life in an apartment complex with enthusiasm. A pet who had a lonely yard life to himself may be delighted to accompany his owner on long walks, and may respond happily to meeting other dogs.

Such an eager young dog is named Tiger, whose size is awesome compared to the small dogs living in nearby apartments. In his last home, Tiger was allowed to run, but there were no other dogs in his neighborhood. Tiger is only now learning to socialize with other dogs. His customary greeting to a new acquaintance is a swipe of his large paw! And he does so with the fullest of affection and excitement. Truly, this is one dog that is loving the new changes of living in a small apartment.

Security Dogs: Is A Security Dog Right For Your Company?

With increasing crime rate constantly on the news, more and more guard dogs have been on demand. So much so that in some areas almost everybody who is anybody owns one - or so it seems. Many businessmen are purchasing guard dogs under the misconception that they will be the answer to their countless security problems.

However, once they purchase these security dogs, they find the animals ineffective, poorly trained, or unnecessary in the first place. So they get rid of their canine security and are poorer, but wiser, for the experience. Each time this occurs, the credibility of the guard dog as an effective and viable tool in industrial security is tarnished.

Having researched and discussed the problem with numerous businessmen and other executives, it appears that several factors contribute to the frequent failure of guard dogs when employed in an industrial environment. Among the most common of these are:

1. Misunderstanding of the capabilities of these dogs.
2. Inability to procure properly trained animals.
3. Failure to identify a valid need for security dogs before a program is initiated.

Other problems exist, of course, but the above reasons seem to recur most frequently. Obviously then, there is a need for a fair discussion of guard dogs in the industry, their strengths and weaknesses, and their use and misuse.

When employed properly, guard dogs can be valuable assets to a security program. Valuable, that is, if they are properly trained and expertly handled. Unfortunately, many people in the business of dog security are dishonest and are only out to make a sale. By the time a security dog salesman gets through with a prospecting client, the client is going to buy several of those wonderful dogs whether he really needs them or not.

Therefore, the decision whether or not to purchase security dogs should be based on an honest and realistic analysis of the criminal threat involved - not fad, emotion, or beliefs.

Sometimes this is difficult to do, especially when your boss is pressuring you to reduce burglary from open storage areas and increase the overall protection of the company assets. Regardless of the pressure, however, clear thinking must be applied before a security dog is added to the company staff.

We must keep in mind that canine security is not the answer for all of the problems facing security planners. Instead, it is merely one of many choices available that can help in suppressing criminal misconduct.

Dog Breed Training Groups - Investigate Each Group Thoroughly Before Signing Up

There are hundreds of dog training books that can be found in libraries, bookstores, and on the Internet. Most of them are just fine and teach thorough, positive training methods. But I have yet to see any of them that make a point of stressing the fact that dogs are living, breathing beings that have emotions, feelings, and unique personalities.

You can have two Labrador Retrievers that, emotionally, may be as different between each each as a Rottweiler would be to a Pomeranian. The training protocol and corrections for one dog may not be necessarily suited to the character and personality of the other.

A suitable training correction for a dog that has an outgoing personality and is on the stubborn side may cause trauma to a dog that is naturally sensitive and cannot emotionally handle such dog training tactics, even if both dogs are the exact same breed.

Professional Obedience & Dog Breed Clubs

You'll find many clubs devoted to specific breeds and training groups all around the country. They are considered to be the most reliable and educated people to go to for training and specific breed information. For the vast majority of information, this is probably true, but some are are also guilty at assuming all dogs of the same breed should be trained and treated in the exact same manner.

The blame should rest upon whomever is running the group. However, choosing this leader is typically nothing more than a personality contest instead of their education and training history with canines. Criterion for the selection usually boils down to whomever is the most persuasive speaker, has had the longest membership, or even how bad the person wants the job.

There was one group who selected the lead trainer and spokesperson solely based on the fact that she had the best working dog the year before. There ware no requirements about success in the dog training area.

Another group had a specific opening for just "trainer" and the only requirement was that they had to have worked their own dog up to receive the Companion Dog Title. What training methods that person used, or whether or not it was positive or aggressive, had no bearing on the position. Pretty important stuff if you ask me, right?

Investigate Before Allowing Your Dog To Be Trained By Such A Group

If you are considering paying for dog training lessons with a specific group, even if the group is nationally recognized, asked the same questions you would from any dog trainer:

1. What are his or her references?
2. How many dogs have the trained?
3. Where did they get their knowledge and training advice from?
4. Do they admit that no 2 dogs are alike, even from the same breed type?
5. Do they use harsh training methods?