Dogs, What Do They Really Want?
22 Nov 2011 1 Comment
in adventures with dogs, dog culture, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, Dogs
Dogs, what do they really want. I have spent years trying to figure this out. I finally think that all they want is to help the human race before its too late. They seem to be teaching us. Here are some of my recent observations.
Dogs do not text while driving. Unlike most of the current population, dogs keep their eyes on the road.
Dogs are disgusted by other dogs that leave a poop right on the sidewalk. Why else would they leap over it as if it is radioactive.
Dogs find the best place in the house to take a nap, a sunspot, warm fire, or the bed. People don’t stop often enough to nap anymore.
Dogs don’t use hand sanitizer. Is it possible that the lack of bacteria could be causing human immune systems to stop doing their job?
Dogs aren’t afraid to bark out a feeling as a result they are happier for expressing themselves.
Dogs hate heated discussions about money or politics in a relationship. They just get up and leave letting us know how really important that is.
Dogs are helping us eat less. They always willing to share a meal especially pancakes.
Dogs won’t let us sit on our duff. Their job is to keep us moving and get enough exercise. Through all sorts of weather we walk briskly with our personal dog trainer.
Dogs like to hang out and do nothing. When was the last time” busy” wasn’t our path in life.
Dogs help us to be the person they think we are.
Dog is love.
Like this:
Wild Mountain Online releases search engine for Outdoor Dog Products
08 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in adventures with dogs, dog booties, dog coats, dog culture, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog life jackets, dog packs, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs, Dogs Rafting, mushers wax, Singing Dog, the singing dog
Wild Mountain Online has taken their knowledge of the outdoors into a further venture. We have taken all of our favorite products and found the best price and quality on the internet. Essentially we created a catalog of what we deem the best.” Some of the products are available from us and many from our partner stores. Again emphasizing the high quality and reliability that Wild Mountain Online has been known for since 2005. Visit us and check out the new pages at Wild Mountain Online
River Dogs
12 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in adventures with dogs, dog culture, Dog Fun, dog life jackets, Dogs, Dogs Rafting
I heart the Chama River
Recently we were lucky enough to get a launch on a three day section of the Chama River in northern New Mexico. The Chama is one of the few rivers that still allows dogs. The rigging went pretty smoothly although both dogs had to jump in immediately to cool off after the 3 hour road trip from Santa Fe. The river rules concerning dogs are mainly that they must be on a leash at camp and all waste must be collected and taken out in the portable toilet or river groover as it is affectionately known. Never let dogs harass ducks, geese, or any other wildlife.
Along the river
The Chama River winds thirty miles through the beautiful 1500 foot deep multi colored sandstone canyon. The rapids are mellow class 2 and 3 making it a sought after permit by families with kids and dogs or others seeking a relaxing experience on river.
Dog life jackets are not required but suggested. Rio and Lily sport Ruffwear and NRS flotation devices. It was a good thing too as they decided to jump in the river simultaneously. Going to the shore and picking them up became more difficult as the river picked up speed. After the first day they eased into the ritual of bow riding. Hours spend retrieving sticks thrown in the river mixed with lunch and sleeping together in a pile in the tent, were among their favorite activities. All of us became recharged from 3 days of wilderness.
For more info go to the BLM Taos website or pick a rafting trip from one of the licensed river companies at RaftNewMexico.org.
Rafts on the river
Get your dog ready for a great time in the woods!
10 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in adventures with dogs, dog booties, dog coats, dog culture, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog life jackets, dog packs, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs, Dogs Rafting, mushers wax, Singing Dog, the singing dog
Ben Swan | For The New Mexican
Posted: Thursday, June 09, 2011
Rio’s an aptly named yellow Labrador retriever. He loves the water — maybe just a little too much.
“He’s the worst of the lot,” said outdoor enthusiast and former river guide Jon Asher. “He wouldn’t stay in the raft.”
But that doesn’t stop Rio from being a spokesdog for Asher’s ecommerce retail store, Wild Mountain Online, which specializes in outdoor gear for dogs and people. And it doesn’t stop Rio from joining Asher on hikes or overnight camping trips during any season, along with the family’s other yellow Labrador retriever mix, Lilly.
Asher said he loves the companionship of his canines as he explores New Mexico’s outdoor spaces. But just like humans, dogs can’t just dash into the woods and expect to have a good time. They have to be prepared: “It’s nice to bring them along safely, especially if they aren’t used to the rigors of the outdoors,” Asher said. “You have to keep them comfortable.”
When planning a hike or camping trip, consider giving the dog a job, Asher said, which includes carrying his or her food and water — not all natural water is safe for dogs to drink, and in many places there are no water sources.
In Rio’s inexpensive but durable backpack, Asher packs water and food in separate bags, along with a portable water bowl. The waterproof bags help protect the food from damage, especially if the dog, like Rio, loves to roll in the mud.
Some dogs might need a few days to get used to wearing a pack, Asher said, although many dogs, like Rio, take to wearing the gear right away. The backpack sometimes acts a calming device for nervous canines.
Through the years, Asher has found many products that help make an outdoor trip easier for canine and human companions. Aside from water and food, essentials include basic first-aid supplies, collar, leash and identification tags. A collar identification tag that contains a cell-phone number or other information is essential in case a dog gets lost.
Asher has tested all of the products he offers online, and most are from small or local companies. Many of the same products he uses on himself — like natural inspect repellent and first-aid items — can be used on the dogs.
Asher also includes plastic bags for waste disposal in his supplies, along with dog booties and bandages in case a dog injures a paw. Dog waste along many of the area’s popular trails is a pet peeve of Asher’s. His website carries biodegradable bags called Scoopies.
“There are a few people in Santa Fe who pick up after their dogs,” he said. “People don’t realize how much animal fecal matter goes into our watershed. If you’re going to take your dog out hiking, pick up after them.”
In the wilderness, Asher believes animal companions should have the same protocol as humans: Leave no trace.
Rocks, stickers and cacti make hiking on area trails hazardous for many dogs. One product that fuels Asher’s website is Musher’s Secret, a natural wax product that helps protect canine pads. He discovered the Canadian-made product while cross-country skiing with his border collie, Bo, many years ago near the Santa Fe Ski Basin.
The product, which also helps protect paws from hot asphalt and sand, also is available at several local pet stores. The product forms a semipermeable membrane that helps maintain the health of canine pads.
A similar locally made product, Heal My Paws, provides a natural protective moisturizer and conditioner for the pads. The conditioning balm helps keep the pads soft and supple and isn’t harmful if licked and ingested.
Other products hikers might consider include a quick-draw leash, microfiber gloves and towels, toys and lightweight jackets for cold mountain evenings.
Asher calls Just a Cinch Leash from Ruffwear one of the best leashes he’s every owned. The slip-adjustment collar fits virtually every size dog and the friction tab prevents collar slip-offs and escapes.
Reflective strands are woven into it for good visibility. Asher said his Labradors, which by nature can be prey-driven, quit pulling on a walk. And that leaves neighbor cats safe.
Another handy leash, also made by Ruffwear, is called the Quick Draw. The Velcro collar becomes a leash when needed. That’s helpful on hiking trails if you encounter leashed dogs or wildlife, Asher said.
While many trails require keeping dogs on leashes, some don’t. Common hiking etiquette, however, is to leash a dog if the hiker encounters another leashed dog. It’s also important to keep a dog leashed around areas where there might be snakes, bears or mountain lions.
A few dog toys can help to keep the attention on the human companion and not on wildlife.
Solid obedience lessons can also help protect a dog. Asher’s found success with simple but effective commands such as “leave it.”
“Dogs don’t understand,” he said. “They see movement and they’ll go after it. But if you voice-train them, it can be very important. We haven’t had any full-on confrontations with bears or mountain lions, but it does happen. You’ve got to be able to control or grab your dog. You don’t need an aggressive dog attacking a bear or any wildlife on the trail.”
Microfiber gloves — made with six fingers for use on either hand — are great for quick cleaning. In the winter, the gloves absorb water, mud, snow and ice and on camping trips are a great for muddy paws or wet fur.
Asher, who works as a web designer for Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works, focused on his online store after closing Wild Mountain Outfitters in 2007. The store carried some pet supplies, as does Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works now, but Asher said he decided to revise the online store to specialize mainly in dog gear. It’s what he enjoys the most.
“I’m only in it for the love of the dogs,” he said. “We have a couple of seasons where we make enough to keep it online and that’s about it. It’s not making anybody rich, but the dogs get to wear cool stuff.”
For more information about outdoor dog products, visit the website at wildmountainonline.com or read Asher’s blog at singingdogblog.com.
HEADING OUT
Love to hike and camp with your dog? Share your favorite tips and places to go with fellow Scoop readers. Email Ben Swan at santafescoop@gmail.com for a future article.
- 6/8/1
Please pick up your dog doody!
03 Jun 2011 1 Comment
in Dog Fun, Dogs, Singing Dog, Uncategorized
I know I have said it before. This was one of those dry winters in the West where dog poop not picked up is everywhere to be seen in various stages of decomposition. As I look at the disintegrating mounds daily in all parts of town, I wonder how someone can walk away leaving the proverbial steaming heap. My wife and the dogs even went out this year on Earth Day and picked up several large bags only to see the same amount along the trail just a few days later.
Here are some scary statistics about this problem:
According to recent research, non-human waste represents a significant source of bacterial contamination in urban watersheds. Genetic studies by Alderiso et al. (1996) and Trial et al. (1993) both concluded that 95 percent of the fecal coliform found in urban stormwater was of non-human origin. Bacterial source tracking studies in a watershed in the Seattle, Washington area also found that nearly 20% of the bacteria isolates that could be matched with host animals were matched with dogs. This bacteria can pose health risks to humans and other animals, and result in the spread of disease. It has been estimated that for watersheds of up to twenty-square miles draining to small coastal bays, two to three days of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria and nutrients to temporarily close a bay to swimming and shellfishing (US EPA, 1993).
Further:
Pet waste can also be a factor in eutrophication of lakes. The release of nutrients from the decay of pet waste promotes weed and algae growth, limiting light penetration and the growth of aquatic vegetation. This in turn can reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting fish and other aquatic organisms.
Source: Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet: Animal Waste Collection
Read the full article here if you dare!
and the famous Scoop the Poop Choir
Then after picking it up in your biodegradable bag what do you do with it?
Creative solutions are in the works. Most notable the Park Spark Project in Cambridge Massachusetts where conceptual artist Matthew Mazzotta is using dog feces to power lampposts!
Wired Magazine put it wisely: “Currently when organic material (including dog waste, food and plant matter) goes into landfill, it releases methane into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is approximately 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. When it’s burned in the presence of oxygen, it separates into carbon dioxide and water vapor, so businesses can actually earn carbon credits from burning off excess methane. As a result, the digesters are a good way to collect and use the volatile gas as a fuel.
So here in the West where water has become a critical commodity, to further influence the water quality by allowing dog feces to penetrate all of our water sources is just plain criminal! Oh by the way it is actually is punishable by a hefty fine. Happy dog walking!
Mushers Secret Wax Not Just For Winter
18 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in dog booties, dog coats, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs, mushers wax
Want to keep your dog’s paws healthy this summer and afford some protection to the hot asphalt and sand that can get to temperatures over 100 degrees?
One of the things I find fascinating about Musher’s Secret is that it has the ability to form a semi permeable membrane that can protect the paw from salt, ice, road chemicals, hot sand, rocks and a myriad of other trail hazards. Used regularly Musher’s Secret can be a tremendous asset to your pet’s paw health.
After all think about what it would be like to run barefoot on hot city sidewalks. We humans can barely make it 100 yards across the sand to the water on a hot day. Now realize why your dog is miserable walking on hot pavement during the summertime. Try just a little bit applied to the pads and between the toes. Your dog will THANK YOU for it!
Just a Cinch Leash from Ruffwear- the best leash ever owned.
17 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in dog culture, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, Dogs
The best leash that I have ever owned is a Just a Cinch leash from Ruffwear. Its a collar and leash all in one. By design it can be used as a correction collar by pulling upward. My Labs quit pulling on the walk using this leash. We had tried just about every device on the market. It seems to function as a conduit between human and dog. When the slip collar is relaxed. The dog seems to be more relaxed except when a cat is seen. Then it functions safely to hold back the charging dog or dogs in my case. Here are the features.
- 72″ Overall length
- 8.5″ Loop handle
- 10-millimeter rugged climbing rope with reflective strands woven in for excellent visibility
- 5-foot (1.5 meter) average length provides control while offering freedom
- Slip adjustment collar will fit virtually every size dog
- Friction tab prevents collar slip-offs and escapes
And here is what I really like about it. No more chasing a squirming dog around trying to hook a leash on the collar ring! That in itself is worth the price. For years I just looked at it but never tried it. Now walking the dog is easy and enjoyable.
Rio and Lily’s New Bed
06 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in dog culture, Dog Fun, Dogs
Rio and Lily have been sharing their WestPaw Organic Bumper Bed for some time. We decided to get them a new bed this winter. We decided on the Cozy Berber Bed by Westpaw Design since its easier for Rio to get out of. The Cozy Berber Bed is designed with the front open yet made with reinforced berber material for cozy warmth and stylish strength. This bed gives snuggling a whole new meaning! All in all both dogs give it a 5 star rating. As you can tell by the photos, no one is getting out of either bed anytime soon.
Heal My Paws-healing product for dog paws
15 Jan 2011 1 Comment
in dog booties, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs
Heal My Paws -Four Footed Formula
For rough, cracking pads.
Heal My Paws is a natural protective moisturizer and conditioner for the pads of your dog’s paws. It contains the finest natural waxes, emollients and essential oils. An excellent conditioning balm for all breeds.
Heal My Paws is particularly helpful for working and running dogs as well as dogs that spend a lot of time outside, particularly in inclement weather.
Daily use will keep pads soft and supple. During the winter months, the protective layer afforded by Heal My Paws helps seal out chemicals and salt on city sidewalks and guards exposed pads from ice and snow damage that leads to chapping, cracking and infection. Heal My Paws is quickly absorbed into dry pads.
The natural formula is not harmful if licked and ingested. And use it on your own paws too!
Get Warm Get Fuzzy!
02 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in dog booties, dog coats, dog culture, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs, mushers wax
Cold weather is coming fast and thinking about your canine companion’s health and well being this winter should be first and foremost. Here are the best products that we have found for winter health.
Paws- Musher’s Secret Wax and Heal My Paws are both products that use natural ingredients. Mushers creates a semi-permeable bond that keeps paws healthy, reduces ice balling, and salt burn.
Heal my Paws is a natural blend of ingredients that provides soothing relief and protection from the extreme weather and dryness.
Cold Weather- Warm Renitz recycled cotton sweaters from West Paw Design,
Warm Coats such as the Cloud Chaser Softshell, K9 Overcoats and Climate Changer Fleece coats from Ruffwear.
If your dogs spend a lot of time outdoors or even if your dog gets chilled easily then a warm coat is a must. Wrap it up and put it under the tree with a toy made from recycled fabrics and materials from Wild Mountain Online!
