Dogpark.com®

Your dog may have the carbon footprint of an SUV. Be Green and Fido-share, suggests a new book

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:19:32 -0700

A new book from New Zealand, “Time to Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living” studies the carbon footprint of our animal companions and calculates that a dog the size of a German Shepherd has the relative carbon footprint equal to two SUVs. The primary culprit? The meat that dogs eat - about 164 kg per year for our German Shepherd, and meat uses a lot of resources in its production. Cats = a VW Golf, a pair of hamsters = a plasma TV and even goldfish don’t get off the hook - they are the environmental equivalent of two cellphones.

Their suggestions on how to solve the issue are provocative - Fido-sharing anyone? Human food? Or have pets that produce food - chickens for eggs and rabbits for, well, rabbit. Although it seems to us that once you’ve cooked your pet, it’s not a pet, it’s dinner.

http://bit.ly/ViWuZ

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Pilgrim Dog Park, Provincetown MA: Silent Auction Starting this Week and Lily Tomlin on August 29th

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:42:07 -0700

Pilgrim Dog Park is hosting a silent auction and event: check out their web site for more info:

http://www.provincetowndogpark.org/

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Newton, MA: No new dog parks expected this summer

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:23:13 -0700

The Newton Off-Leash Dog Park Task Force met and decided to postpone opening new dog parks this summer, pending the review of multiple applications for dog parks in the area. Limited resources to effectively develop and enforce regulations are behind the postponement, however, the area remains committed to opening new dog parks as a result of strong interest.

Read the full article here:

http://tinyurl.com/nb92bz

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Dog Park Event Alert: Lily Tomlin Aug 29 in benefit performance for Pilgrim Bark Park

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 14:46:46 -0700

Pilgrim Bark Park in Provincetown MA has announced a performance by Lily Tomlin on Aug 29. Proceeds benefit the dog park.

They are also hosting Run Dog Run, a 5K/10K run for dogs and people on June 20.

http://tinyurl.com/lfgmqe

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Who knew that a robot could be man's best friend?

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:17:52 -0700

http://tinyurl.com/mepgz3

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Los Angeles limits dog parks to 3 dogs-per-person limit, dog walkers growl

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:40:11 -0700

The law actually went into effect 6 months ago, but is about to be enforced as warning signs are posted at L.A. dog parks.

A permit will be available to those wanting to bring more than three dogs, but it’s as yet unclear how those are awarded.

Opponents say that dog walkers bring ‘clients’ to the dog parks in such great number that they are unable to effectively supervise all the dogs in their care. Dog walkers say that when the new limit is enforced they will have no place to go with the dogs and the dogs will suffer as a result.

The law does not seems to have a provision for individuals who have more than three dogs, or those whose per-person dog limit is exceeded on a temporary basis, like being at a dog park with your own dogs and a friend’s dogs that you’re babysitting.

http://www.laanimalservices.org/info_dogparks.htm

http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_12530157

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Southwest to allow pets in cabin - time to add airport pet rest areas to our list of dog parks

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:12:16 -0700

Starting June 17, Southwest Airlines will allow up to 5 pets in cabin on each flight. There will be a $75 fee and pets will have to be small enough to fit in a crate or bag that can be stowed under the seat in front of you.

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/sns-trvrail3-wk1-jun2

We sometimes receive emails from airport facility managers who are looking for advice on what makes a good pet rest area, and we’ve starting compiling a list of airport ‘dog parks’. These vary in size and amenity, and are really there for potty stops rather than play and socializing, but who are we to tell you how you and your dog should use the facilities?

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Playing with your dog - now an exercise book!

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:01:31 -0700

We got into flyball to give Dino - an active Portuguese Water Dog (and yes, I know that’s redundant) a job. Not only did it improve our training, his focus, and our overall relationship, turns out it’s good exercise for me as well. Seriously - three hours every weekend of team practice is a real calorie burner, not to mention all those walks and at-home practice sessions.

So - think outside the ‘jogging with your dog’ boundaries when you consider ways you and your dog can play together. But pick something - it’s good for both of you!

http://tinyurl.com/r7bazv

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new 'Travelling with Your Pet' book out - now with more dog parks!

Thu, 21 May 2009 06:15:59 -0700

Dogpark.com has been contributing dog park information to AAA for their annual “Traveling with Your Pet’ book for 9 years, and the 11th edition is now available, with over 13,000 pet-friendly accommodations in the US and Canada, and lots and lots of dog parks listed. See http://www.aaa.com/petbook/ and don’t forget to enter your dog’s photo in the contest for next year’s cover picture!

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Dog food or Paté - maybe your dog can tell?

Mon, 18 May 2009 22:13:40 -0700

…because apparently people can’t, although in a taste test, a majority (of humans) did agree that the dog food was the worst-tasting paté they sampled. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pate1-2009may01,0,6580998.story

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200 dog parks now on list - and adding more!

Sun, 17 May 2009 10:10:21 -0700

200 parks listed, many to go ;-) All fact-checked, maps linked…whew! If your dog park isn’t listed, please tell us: http://www.dogpark.com/dogpark_maint.html

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Harvard's Canine Cognition Lab

Sun, 17 May 2009 09:23:46 -0700

is studying the psychology of dogs. Yes, they smile and know right from wrong. Could have told them that! http://tinyurl.com/d4sstc

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We'll send your dog a birthday greeting

Sat, 16 May 2009 17:46:42 -0700

Sign your dog up for our Birthday Club and we’ll email him or her a special message on the day! Be prepared to sing… http://www.dogpark.com/birthday_club.php

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The irony...

Sat, 16 May 2009 16:30:12 -0700

So busy uploading dog parks onto the site that I can’t take Dino to the dog park. Have tried explaining working on a Saturday, but he is unmoved. Time to step away from the computer and take this dog out!

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this is why we go to the dog park

Sat, 16 May 2009 10:00:47 -0700

it doesn’t get much better than a happy dog

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unneutered males at dog parks?

Wed, 13 May 2009 12:22:59 -0700

We’re seeing more unneutered males as people delay or decide not to neuter their male dogs. This is at dog parks where there is no specific banning of unneutered males. These dogs are attracting unfriendly attention from other males who have been neutered but show some aggression towards these males.

So - what is the etiquette? If your dog shows aggression to these dogs (and is not aggressive otherwise) do you pack up and go home? Or is it the responsibility of the parent of the unneutered male to leave? Is there a third option to consider?

We think we come to the dog park so they can play. They think we...

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:20:55 -0700

We think we come to the dog park so they can play. They think we come to the dog park so they can eat dirt and grass. We’re both right.

New-and-improved site launches this week!

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:31:51 -0700

We’re launching a major redesign this week, adding all the good stuff we’ve been planning to do for years. Plus some great extra goodies for our dog park friends ;-)