Tips for Fido's Snowy Vacation

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

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Orlando International Airport's
Pet Relief Area

Oliver and I took good notes while we were away on our snow adventure. Today we're here to share our tips for hiking with your toy-sized dog in fresh powder. This mode of getting around is very different from our usual--no worries about burning paw pads or overheating. We learned a lot on our trip that could be helpful to those of you who want to venture out without experience or a big dog to stick out over the snow banks. Here are our tips:

• On your way to snowville, be sure to stop at the pet relief area whether you need to or not! Most airports have at least a modicum of a Bowser Bathroom. Locate it in advance on the airport website and visit it before and after your flight.
• Get ready for the thinner air at high altitudes by hydrating well in advance. It will make the hiking easier and more enjoyable for both of you. Travel with a collapsible bowl and bottle of water.
• When venturing out to hike, be sure to bring along more water and a map of the trails in case you get lost. And don't forget to leash up! Toy-sized dogs can sink in snow banks, and become hard to locate when a leash is not attached. Oliver discovered the sinking part much to his surprise :(
• When boarding airport escalators, elevators, trams, trains, cabs, and ski lifts, always

  

  Which Way Now?

  pick up your diminutive pup. Paws can easily step into cracks in the landing area and injuries do happen. Backpacking your dog is a great way to keep him safe from these dangers as well as assure that he won't get stepped on in crowded airports or tourist shopping areas.
• When backpacking your dog, don't forget to tether him in for safety. Just as if you were in your car, your pint-sized woofer could jump out in excitement over the view ahead, getting injured. Take no risks!
• Layer up for warmth. Smaller dogs have less body mass and can get hypothermia more easily than larger dogs. Better to have an extra layer that can be removed while hiking, than to get chilled in higher elevations and have no way to warm up.

  

   Zzzzzz...

• When hiking with your service dog, skip the vest (it's uncomfortable over all those jackets!) and just bring along his identification in your pocket.
• Give your dog a chance to nap when you can in between hikes and outings. Vacations are exhausting and mountain air is thin.
• Don't forget a seatbelt for the drive into the higher elevations. Roads are slick in spots and inexperienced drivers may include you :)
• Do test out the local activities, if they are safe for your dog. We took a gondola (enclosed lift) to the top of the mountain for lunch, tried on a sled for size, and sat on some skis just to get the feel. Easier fun included enjoying the view and hiking up and down hills where our skills were put to the test.

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  Tethered for Safety

  When walking in fresh powder, at first I walked ahead, creating steps that were compacted for Oliver. Later we discovered that he could easily select spots to step on that had already been used. Oliver learned to traverse the uphill and downhill slopes without sliding, choosing his footing well.  
• Stick to the paths that others before you have created. Hopefully they know the route. If you don't, forging your own way on fresh powder could result in getting lost. Bring your GPS or iPhone along as a backup for help.
• Plan short hikes at first to test your tolerance for the temperatures, altitude and need for rest. Listen to your body and watch your dog for signs of fatique or hypothermia. By staying closeby, you can always return quickly for any help that may be needed.
• Finally, when you arrive, look up the local veterinary emergency room phone number and address. You can never be too prepared!

I hope we have encouraged some of you Southerners and Toy dog owners to venture out

and explore the fun to be had. Oliver and I enjoyed the adventure and want you to bond with your dog in new ways. What's your newest way to bond?

Weekly Wag Dog Bonding: Oliver Takes on Snow

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

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Heading to 11,000 Feet!

Oliver's first experience with snow was most certainly an adventure. I am so glad I was able to share it with him, helping him through the lessons, bumps and grinds. I'm proud to say he survived, and we're even more close as a result. 

Helping your dog take on a scary, new environment can be a richly rewarding experience for both of you when approached with confidence and a matter-of-fact attitude. And let me tell you, we did have a few opportunities to use this strategy. Like when Oliver jumped into a snow drift, not realizing he would sink to the bottom. All I could see were his ears and then there was a cute little yelp. Yikes! I scooped him up as quickly as possible, set him down and dusted off all the snow. Quickly saying "Let's go!", I took off walking, eager to send the message that this experience was business as usual when out in the white stuff.

This Golden Was Fun to Romp With

During our hikes, we met lots of other dogs and saw some beautiful sights. Everyone there was also on vacation, so we made many new friends. During our family mealtimes, Oliver was always ready to hang out in his Snoozer carrier, napping away lunch and dinner, as my family and I enjoyed a new restaurant. 

Oliver was curious about all the ski paraphernalia, so I let him explore when he could do so safely. He sat on a chair made out of skis, climbed aboard a child's sled, and generally enjoyed any experience that got his feet off the cold stuff. 

Where's the Gas Pedal?

While hiking, I found that I had to watch him carefully for shivering. That was my signal to pick him up and bundle him inside my coat for a while to warm up. Once he was warm, he was ready to hit the ground running again, although I had to stop him on a few occasions. I can only run so far these days, especially on slippery snow. The last thing I wanted to do was have to call 911 for a busted ankle. 

All in all, our trip was a huge success, enjoying family fun and outdoor adventures. We're eager to plan another trip, next time to the Florida Keys in our family's new set of wheels--the greenest RV yet! Watch for more on how we're making RV travel a greener form of vacation transportation.

Watch for my post this coming week sharing tips for hiking with your smaller dog in

Winter snow. We learned a great deal last week and can't miss a chance to share some of this new-found wisdom. 

While I'm preparing our list of tips, we'd love to hear from you. What are your thoughts for enjoying snow with your dog? Big or small, there is always a way. Have a great weekend.

All Things Dog Blog Hits the White Stuff!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

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Shouldn't I Bring Blue Dog?

Tanner and Oliver have never experienced snow. Strange, huh? Remember, we live in the deep South where snow has never, to my knowlege, appeared on the ground. A flurry or two, maybe, but certainly never an accumulation. Not even one flake. :(

We have a family event coming up that will take us to the mountains for some experience with the white stuff--at least for Oliver. Unfortunately, Tanner can't can't make this trip, so he'll have to wait for another opportunity. I know he'd be jealous of Oliver, so please don't tell him. Hopefully Tanner will get his chance soon enough.

I've probably been overthinking this whole trip and how to prepare without over-preparing. After all, I do want us to bond through this experience. Today is, after all, the Weekly Wag, when I love to share ideas and inspiration for bonding with your dog. 

Ready to Snooze

It seems that my best tool is going to be the Snoozer backpack. It converts to a rolling carrier, much like a rolling suitcase--telescoping handle and pockets. The exterior is made of mesh and two areas zip open for easy access so that Oliver's head can pop out to watch the scenery like he would if he were in a stroller. Oliver enjoys traveling this way and it gives me 2 free hands to deal with tickets and my own bags. So that's the plan.

I'm looking forward to photographing Oliver's first experiences with snow. I'm sure he'll be quite the girl, tip-toeing through the cold stuff as if it were foreign. And that it is. I have to give him the benefit of the doubt since he's never even seen snow before. I wonder what he'll think when he sees all that white, and no green. Hmmm, will he want to hold his bladder till we get home? Eeek! I guess we'll find out.

New adventures like this are a great way to bond with your dog, helping them work through any anxiety, while finding a way to enjoy the new scenery. I hardly think that Oliver will find snow a great playspace. He's not the water lover that Tanner is. Too bad the tides are not turned. Oliver is the service dog, so he'll be along to do his job. But we can sneak in a few minutes of fun too. At least I hope it will be fun.

What would you like your dog to experience that would be totally new to him? Do you think he would be curious, frightened, or excited? And do tell; how would this experience together help you bond more deeply?

I've been thinking about this part and my relationship with Oliver. Since his nose is definitely a key to our relationship (he's a Medical Alert Dog, providing early notice for oncoming medical issues by scent), I can't help but wonder if the cold, clear mountain air will give him an even better sense of impending change, or will the big chill impede his olfactory senses? I guess we'll find out. Watch for more on this as it unfolds.