Beating Those Dog-Gone Winter Blues

Admittedly, our winter this year has been rather wimpy, to say the least. We’ve had a few snow showers, but nothing to brag about. Granted, as soon as I write this, we will have a blizzard, so I apologize in advance for jinxing our winter weather luck. Our three dogs—all of whom have short hair—are glad that Momma isn’t bundling them in their sweaters to go play in the snow. But what else is there for dogs to do besides run around in our backyards, in the snow --or mud-- (and track it back in the house)?

Dog Parks

The White Lake area is lacking in off-leash dog parks for romping around, but if you’re willing to travel not too far from home, there are a couple places to let your dog burn off some energy.

Lyon Oaks in Wixom provides 13 enclosed acres, divided for large and small dogs, as well as a field training area. There are also pavilions with picnic tables (although how you would be able to enjoy a snack while surrounded by dogs begging for food is beyond me) benches, and a water supply for the dogs. Lyon Oaks is open daily all year-round from sunrise to sunset, and for a daily fee of $5 or an annual membership to all Oakland Country Parks for $30, it’s a great deal.

The Friends of Canton’s Dog Park at Preservation Park is fairly new, having opened in May 2011. It is 5 acres of fenced-in play area, with two separated areas for small and large dogs (20 lbs. is the cut off). An annual fee plus a registration fee helps keep the park open for up to three dogs per household. The Friends of Canton’s Dog Park is open daily from dawn till dusk.

Paw Run Recreation Area in Ann Arbor is located on North Territorial, just west of US-23. This park boasts 18 enclosed acres, which includes a pond for swimming, an agility yard, and double-gated entry, as well as water for both dogs and their humans. For this "deluxe" park, parties interested in using the amenities must first have their dog pass a temperament test for the safety of others, and pay membership dues as well.

As always, please follow dog park etiquette: keep your dog under voice control, no toys or food allowed in the park, as well as small children for their safety.

Doggie Daycare

Our Plott Hound loves daycare. We would take her there while I was pregnant to give me a break from her antics or while we were out of town. Sometimes, we would take her there just to burn some of her energy so she wouldn’t be so hyper and destructive at home. There are several doggie daycares in the surrounding areas, but my two favorites are Camp Bow Wow in Brighton and Barktown, USA in Howell.

Camp Bow Wow Brighton is located on Old US-23, just south of Hilton. They have four indoor/outdoor play yards, each one for dividing dogs by size and temperament. At break, dogs get to rest in their own "cabins", and you also have the option of getting a "camp shower" before picking up your dog from his or her long day of play. Paul and Cheryl Grougan truly care about your dog’s experience, and make it fun and easy to drop off your dog, as well as giving you peace of mind that your dog will be safe and taken care of. All Camp Counselors are trained in Canine First Aid and CPR. First-timers will need to call and set up an interview prior to playing to make sure they are ready for the camp experience, and after your dog passes the interview, he gets to play the rest of the day for free, receiving a certificate at the end of the day.

BarkTown, USA in Howell is located on Lucy Road, just off Grand River Avenue. April Hargraves combines daycare with obedience training and grooming to help your dog be the best it can be. BarkTown, USA’s indoor play yard features "TenderFoot" flooring, which is easier on paw pads and provides cushion for healthier joints. The outdoor play yard is 4,500 sq. ft. and fully fenced. They have several trainers that conduct classes outside of daycare hours, and I recommend Linda Nichols, CPDT. She is available for group classes, as well as private in-home sessions. She has worked with our Plott Hound, and is very knowledgeable in how to train dogs (and their owners) without the use of force or pain.  

Boredom Busters at Home

Some activities we do with our dogs at home (particularly those days that are too cold to go for a walk) are tug-of-war, “Puppy Ping-Pong”, and breaking out the mental stimulation toys. Tug-of-War is particularly great if you have two dogs of similar energy. Our Plott Hound and Treeing Walker Coonhound enjoy playing with each other, and it’s fun to watch them, since Walker is a 30-lb puppy and Brooke is a 70-lb adult. “Puppy Ping-Pong” works very well as a way to tire out your dog if you have two people, and it also helps with your dog’s recall. You stand apart with the dog between you and take turns calling him to you, giving him a treat when he comes. If you work outside the home and have to leave your dog alone for most of the dog, toys that tire him out mentally should definitely be in your toy box. Buster Cubes, Atomic Treat Balls, frozen peanut butter-filled Kongs, and kibble-filled Tug-A-Jugs are among our favorites. Nina Ottosson has a great line of puzzle toys that are very highly rated.

There are even some breed-specific things you could try. Labs and Goldens naturally enjoy retrieving, so a game of fetch is a great idea if you have a large room to play in. Trick training is great for small dogs with an eagerness to please, and herding large balls is a great activity to keep in mind for herding dogs, like the Corgi. Have a scent dog, like a Beagle or Coonhound? Try hiding some delicious snacks around the house for them to scent out.

A tired dog is a happy dog. The more you connect with your dog through activities together, the more bonded you become. Some dogs act out because they are bored, and tiring them out physically, as well as mentally, is a way to change that and help them be a better dog.