Walk Fido

Love 'Em, Don't Ply 'Em

  
"Eighty-one percent of dog owners buy gifts for their dogs," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "But what you should really be giving them is consistent exercise, training and stimulation. Try to start the year off right by resolving to do more with your dog in 2010."

What a welcome surprise in our Inbox this morning - a press release from the AKC urging owners to actually take care of their dogs this holiday season, rather than plying them with gifts.  They offer up some great tips that you can read more about at their site.  Here are our favorites:

• Get Fit with Fido - The National Academy of Sciences reports that one out of every four dogs and cats in the western world is now overweight. Daily walks are a great way for both dogs and owners to avoid gaining extra holiday pounds. According to a recent study, dog owners get more exercise walking their pet than someone with a gym membership.
• Dogs Love Helping Others - Dogs are invaluable in providing service to humans -- visiting the sick, helping the disabled, locating missing persons, and much more. If a dog has the correct temperament, there are many ways dog owners can put their special skills to use in service to their community. Contact the volunteer director at your local hospital to find out how you and your dog can qualify to volunteer or visit a home-bound neighbor.
• Help Kids Learn to Read - There is no better listener than a dog. Many libraries have programs for children to practice their reading skills and gain confidence by reading with dogs. Contact your local library to learn about available reading programs or volunteer to start one with your dog.

We dig the "help kids learn to read" idea so much, we'll be exploring that in Los Angeles to see what kinds of programs are in place. Great idea, and something our community could really benefit from.  Stay tuned.

Invisible Dogs

Wet & Windy & Wild

It's that time of year once again (it's raining in LA, it's raining in LA) and however fleeting it may be, our pooches tend to get sopping wet in downpours like today's if they aren't properly clothed.  We're strictly non-dog-dressing folks, but after walking soaking wet dog after soaking wet dog through downtown's streets today, we can at least agree that a covered up dog is a less soaking wet dog when the walks are over.  Yes, there are still paws to clean, yes their underbellies get wet no matter what they wear, but a little slicker here and there can make a big difference on all sorts of dogs. It can also reduce the amount of dry and fluff time after each walk!

We did a great rundown of cold/wet doggy gear awhile back, but this time, we're not fooling around with the fancy stuff.  We need solid doggie raincoats that we can easily put on, easily take off, and that allow dogs to do what they do best on walks: move around and have a good time.  Here's our first pick for favorite/easy/cheap/let's get one for every dog raincoats:

 

Available at dog.com for $9.99 - $11.99.  Can't beat that price!

What do you think?  We'll keep our eye out for more as the rain continues to pour.

What's It Take to Be a Downtown Dog Walker?

 
Ask Richard Guzman, City Editor for LA Downtown News. As part of his Downtown Challenge series, where he test-drives a variety of downtown jobs, Guzman tagged along with Walk Fido for some late afternoon/early evening walks.  Walk Fido put him through his paces and in the end, Guzman proved he's got what it takes to be pack leader - the most important ingredient for downtown dog walking.  Check it out.

And isn't it nice to see pit bulls in a positive light in the press? We're so proud of all the Walk Fido dogs that rounded out Guzman's training: Johnny, Titus, Honey, Rocco, Derby, Abby and the oh so kissy Max.  We're especially pleased to show folks that pits and bostons and german shepherds and bull mastiffs and labs and wheaten terriers and dogs of all shapes, sizes and temperaments can get along and have fun, safe walks downtown.

*Photos by Gary Leonard for Downtown News

New Year, New Dog!

Walk Fido wishes you all a Happy New Year and encourages you to make this the year you walk your dog every day and give them the exercise they need to be happy & healthy.

And if you can't walk them every day...you know where to find us!