Categories
Homepage

Dog Walking Safety Tips for the New Dog Owner

Did you know that there are nearly 90 million dogs owned as pets throughout the United States? Adopting a furry new friend can be a big responsibility for a first-time dog owner. After all, your dog will need healthy food and water, plenty of love, and more than a little exercise.

One of the best ways to get your dog the exercise it needs it by taking them for walks. Most veterinarians and animal doctors recommend walking your dog around four times a day for at least 15 minutes at a time. On top of that, pet experts recommend larger dogs and more athletic breeds get even more time outside playing fetch or going on runs. For example, a small breed like a Shih Tzu should have no problem maintaining its weight with these short walks each day, so long as they’re also getting a healthy diet. But a large, athletic breed like a Doberman would need a much longer walk or run to maintain their health.

But don’t let the size of your dog fool you: active breeds need plenty of exercise, regardless of size. A terrier, for example, is a small breed dog that needs at least an hour and a half of playtime each day. Otherwise, their pent-up energy could result in anxiety. When this occurs, you might have to look for the best prices on carpets because you’ll experience accidents in the house, chewed up carpets and furniture, and other forms of self-soothing from your bored pup.

You don’t have to be the most athletic person in the world, but part of caring for your pooch means getting up and getting some exercise, even if it means throwing the ball in the backyard for an hour. In fact, some people looking to lose weight will adopt a new furry friend in the hopes of shedding a few pounds while they get a lifelong new pal. Of course, adopting a dog isn’t the only reason you should adopt a new pet, but it can certainly be a helpful nudge in the right direction if you’re trying to get your health on track.

As a dog owner, dog walking safety tips are essential. After all, every dog owner should walk their pet regularly. Here are some of the top dog walking safety tips that you should consider if you’re getting a pet of your own.

Always walk your dog on a leash

dog walking safety tips

When you’re walking your dog, your pet is your responsibility. You might have the best-behaved dog in the whole world, but an accident can lead to dire consequences. As such, it’s essential that you always walk your dog on a leash. This will keep you in control of your pet while ensuring it stays safe from passing cars, strangers, and, of course, other dogs.

Pet owners that walk their dogs off-leash are more likely to get smacked with charges from dog bite attorneys than pet owners who keep their dog tethered. Even if your dog is well-behaved, that doesn’t mean that another dog will lunge at your pet, causing panic. The same goes for a curious child who might step on your dog’s paw. If you have your pet on a leash, you will be able to tug your pet away from danger at the first sign of trouble.

It just goes to show that leashing your dog isn’t for the health of other people: it’s to protect your dog from harm, too.

Luckily, there are plenty of leashes to choose from when you want to give your dog more freedom. The typical cloth leash is great for the best control over your pet. You can also invest in a retractable leash if you’re alone in a park and want to give your dog more freedom. The only time that you should let your dog off the leash is at a dog park or if you’re completely alone in a secluded, safe area.

Avoid sewer grates and other harmful features

Dog walking safety tips are also essential for sewer grates and other harmful city features. Most dogs on a walk have the wherewithal to avoid sewer grates and manholes. Unfortunately, a distracted dog might still forget to watch their step and land a paw into the sewer grate.

This is harmful for a number of reasons: not only could this cause serious injury to your dog’s paws, legs, and ankles, but it can also make them wary of walks in the future. Of course, these features are necessary to support your city’s plumbing; without these grates, water buildup could lead to floods or worse. But when you’re walking your dog, watching their step is just as important as you watching your own steps.

If you live in the city, cigarette butts, broken glass, and stray bits of food could also put your dog at risk. Avoid these features and try to walk in safer areas if you find that this is a recurring problem. Walking your dog is an important part of dog care, but ensuring their safety needs are met is a top priority.

dog walking safety tips

Dog walking safety tips advise walking your dog in more dog-friendly areas, like public parks, waterside trails, and streets with ample sidewalk room. It might be worth it to look at some car deals online if you want to drive further out of the city to visit more scenic locations.

Above all else, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog while you go for walks. These helpful dog walking safety tips will help bolster your pet’s safety even when you’re looking at your phone to switch to another song while on your walk.

Footwear matters

Are you wearing the right footwear when you go for longer walks?

Slipping on a quick pair of sandals is fine if you’re going for a 15-minute walk around the block. But if you’re going on a longer walk or even a run, you want to ensure that your feet are well-supported. This is because dog walking safety tips aren’t just for your beloved pet: they’re for you, too.

That’s why it’s important to invest in a good pair of walking sneakers. If you happen to have some health issues, buying sneakers for foot problems in mind is another great tip. Plantar fasciitis is a common health issue among middle-aged and elderly folks who have spent a lifetime on their feet. If you’re trying to walk your dog in shoes that don’t support your health issues, your walks will be more painful than they should be. This can discourage you from taking your dogs on the longer walks that they deserve.

If you’re having picking which shoes are right for you, you can always visit your doctor or have a chat with a podiatrist. Investing in a new pair of expensive sneakers may not be ideal, but buying a pair of shoes that help your health is essential for your comfort.

Speaking of shoes, you shouldn’t hesitate to buy shoes for your dog if needed. Colder northern climates and excessively hot summers can make concrete damage your dog’s feet. Protect their paws with shoes. It will be easier to get into the habit of having your dog wear shoes if you start putting them on your pet at a younger age, even if the weather is mild. Speaking of weather…

Watch the weather

Everyone loves the idea of walking their dog on a nice, warm day. Unfortunately, noticing the signs of heat distress in your dog can be difficult. Dogs don’t show signs that they’re getting too hot like humans do. Here are some of the top signs of heat distress and exhaustion among dogs:

  • Excessive panting
  • Drooling or excessive salivating
  • Trouble breathing
  • Diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • Muscle tremors
  • Lethargy
  • Collapsing/lying down

The best dog walking safety tips recommend bringing water and food with you if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors. The water should be clean and you should have a bowl to put the water in for your dog’s convenience. Luckily, there are plenty of collapsible bowls on keychains available nowadays.

dog walking safety tips

If your dog shows any of these signs of heat exhaustion, it’s important to get them water and shelter right away. Find shade, or better yet, bring them inside where there’s air conditioning. If your home isn’t equipped for summer weather, don’t hesitate to call AC repair services to get this rectified. After months of disuse, it’s likely that your AC ducts will need to be cleaned and fan repairs should take place before you lower your thermostat for warm weather. Your pets will thank you when the hotter days finally arrive.

When you do walk your dog in the heat, watch out for these signs of heat exhaustion. To help prevent heat exhaustion in warm weather, avoid walking on hot concrete or asphalt and seek out shady areas whenever possible. You should also never leave your car in a hot car since temperatures can skyrocket in a matter of minutes. Follow these dog walking safety tips for a safer summer.

Don’t forget about social distancing

Times are tough right now, and social distancing is key when you go outside. This can be a huge change for dog owners that are used to interacting with people on your regular walks.

After all, your dog will want to touch noses with other dogs, excited college students will want to pet your pooch, and you might forget about social distancing when nicer weather hits. It’s important to remember that we need to keep six feet apart from other people to help flatten the curve. Since our dogs don’t know about social distancing guidelines, you should walk with your pet closer to your side now more than ever. On top of that, it’s vital that you always ask permission before letting your dog interact with others, including other dogs. This last point is an incredibly important piece of this dog walking safety tips list: permission is key. Even if a dog seems friendly, that doesn’t mean that it is. Even though your dog is friendly doesn’t mean that you can bring it up to whomever you please. Respect your neighbors’ autonomy by communicating effectively, even if you’re wearing a face mask that muffles your voice.

dog walking safety tips

Dog walking safety tips

Pet wellness should be a top priority for every dog owner. Dog walking safety tips are essential when you want to ensure your pet has a healthy lifestyle. The next time you’re ready to take your dog on a walk, consider these tips to help everyone stay a little bit safer.

Categories
Homepage

Four Great Options for Family Game Night

Family night activities

Though the definition of an American family has evolved from what it might have traditionally been, which, for the most part, is a good thing, more and more families are having trouble staying together. In fact, roughly half of all marriages in the U.S. today end in divorce. While there are lots of factors that play into that problem, one of the main issues is that, quite simply, families do not have enough fun together. What better way to remedy that issue and bond with your family than by finding some fun games for family nights. Planning games and family activities at home is a great way for parents and kids alike to relax, communicate, and just enjoy each other’s company.

Have a Fun Video Game Competition

Though video games might be commonly associated with kids who lock themselves up in their room and want nothing less than to hang out with their parents, there are actually lots of games that can be fun for every member of the family. Nowadays, there are games that challenge your mind with puzzles and even ones that require you to get up and dance that can be quite funny. The many options means that video games provide many fun games for family night.

Scavenger Hunts

One of the best ways for families to bond is by working together to solve puzzles or problems. Scavenger hunts – which can take place simply in the living room or even in the backyard – are a great option for that. If they are full of riddles and funny jokes, they can be a fun option for families who are looking for something different that allows them to have a bit of fun while hanging out together.

Indoor Sports

Though you might have to move furniture and board up the windows, games like knee hockey and foot volleyball can be a lot of fun, and they aren’t so physical that the whole family can’t enjoy them. They are a nice alternative to games that require you to sit still and though there is always a chance that a lamp gets knocked over, kids don’t have to worry about getting yelled at by mom and dad if they are the ones who did it.

The Classics

Of course, though there are lots of new ideas that provide lots of fun games for family night, classic board games are always a hit. From Monopoly to Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit to Parcheesi, there are lots of great board games that families have enjoyed for decades. They let families not only compete and play together, but also take a break from the action and enjoy some healthy conversation.

Every family is different, so not all will enjoy the same fun games for family nights. However, finding some great family activity ideas can go a long way towards making sure that your loving family stays close and does not grow apart.

Categories
Homepage

Three Fun Board Games For Families!

Fall family activities

Fun board games for families are a timeless tradition, which can supplement children’s development, and make them into stronger, better adults. In fact, Armenia recently incorporated chess classes into their schools. Armen Ashtoya, Armenia’s education minister, spoke to Al Jazeera, saying that “Chess develops various skills – leadership capacities, decision-making, strategic planning, logical thinking and responsibility,”… The future of the world depends on such creative leaders who have the capacity to make the right decisions.”

Of course, games don’t have to be so heavy. There are tons of fun board games for families, which can bring them closer together! Here’s a short list of some great, fun board games for families!

1. Quelf.

Quelf summed up in word would be unpredictable. Players choose a silly character, and race towards the center of the board. Each colored square correlates to a card, which demands the player perform a task or answer questions. Quelf will make your friends stand on leg and hop up and down while they tell an embarrassing story, or your sister act like Dracula, or your Mom hide an egg somewhere.

2. Trivial Pursuit for Kids.

The latest edition to the Trivial Pursuit for Kids is jam packed with interesting facts and fun.Players race around the board to collect chips to fill their pie by answering amusing questions. Its categories include “All about Nature;” “Fun and Games;” “Today and Tomorrow;” “Whatever;” “Yesterday;” and “Music, Movies and More.” Kids will learn all sorts of interesting fun, new information, and can also help improve their test taking skills, too!

3. Cranium.

In Cranium, teams will have to work together around the board by performing zany stunts, sculpting with the clay, sketching and acting. Cranium is fast paced, and wonderful for teaching kids about teamwork. Cranium is truly the “whole brain game,” that’ll get kids thinking on their feet and flexing their creative muscles.

There are tons of good family activities and games to play with family out there! If you know of any fun board games for families or other kinds of games for the family, please suggest them in the comments! I’m sure people would love to learn about more fun board games for families! If you have any questions about these fun board games for families, please ask!

Categories
Homepage

Four Fun Games for Families

Family activity calendar

In the United States alone, more than 40 million kids play competitive sports, and over three million play an instrument. Both of those activities take time and require lots of practice during the week, and there are all sorts of other after school programs and activities that kids might participate in. While it is good for kids to have something that keeps them busy, and out of trouble, busy schedules mean that families do not always have a lot of time to spend together. Fortunately, there are several fun, easy ideas and family night activities that can keep families tight.

Egyptian War

A classic and easy-to-learn card game, Egyptian War, which is sometimes known as Egyptian Ratscrew, is a fun game because it only requires a deck of cards. Games could take as little as five minutes or go as long as five hours, and the uncertainty makes it quite fun. As a result, it is one of the best games to play with family members of all ages.

Charades

Charades was most likely invented in France during the 18th Century, but it is hard to tell exactly where it came from. However, one thing that is certain, it is one of the most fun family activities at home. Watching someone try to act out silly phrases or titles can be quite entertaining, so charades is a great option for families who want to share a laugh together.

Never Have I Ever

Nowadays, college-aged kids might know Never Have I Ever as a drinking game, but that doesn’t mean that families can’t enjoy it as well. Never have I ever requires no game pieces or even a deck of cards, just some chairs or even fingers for the easiest versions. There are lots of ways to play Never Have I Ever, but it is one of the most fun games to play with family members because, in addition to providing some laughs, they can learn quite a bit about each other.

Pickup Sports

The reality of many games to play with family members is that they could have trouble keeping kids entertained for more than a few minutes. While sports could take away from family time, that does not mean that a game of kickball or three-on-three basketball is not a good way for families to spend time together. Sports allow brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, and everyone else to get a bit of outdoor exercise while having fun.

There are probably thousands of games that families could play together, and trying to create original ones can be a fun way for a family to work together. But finding some fun things to do together is a good idea for any family that wants to bond and maintain strong, healthy relationships.

Categories
Homepage

Having Fun on the Road

Family activity idea

Long car rides with the family can go one of two ways. Either they can be the most boring thing since the invention of boredom itself, or they can be fun times that you and your children will remember forever. It all depends on what you do. With a little imagination, you can come up with lots of family activity ideas for long road trips… without ever having to resort to the portable DVD player.%3Cbr%3E

  • Predesigned Fun. Luckily, the danger of boring car rides has been around a long time. Long enough that capitalism has taken notice and tried to do something about it. So now there are many games, toys, and activities available in stores and online. Age appropriate audio books can be a fun shared experience. Or try your luck at one of the many interstate bingo games, whose cards include pictures of 18 wheelers, rest areas, and even cows.
  • %3Cbr%3E

  • DIY Activities. Not all road trip family activities need to come in a fancy box. Sometimes a pad of paper and pencil are all you need. Keeping track of state license plates has long been a favorite traveling game. In fact, tallying anything can be great way to involve everyone, increase observational skills, and ultimately pass the time.
  • %3Cbr%3E

  • No Props Required. Never forget the classics. Games like 20 Questions, I Spy, and The Movie Game (depending on the age of the players) have been keeping road warriors entertained for decades. And cap it all off with a carwide singalong, worthy of Clark W. Griswold himself.

How do you keep YOUR family entertained on the road? Share your best family activity ideas for road trips in the comments below. Safe and happy travels!

Categories
Homepage

Three Fun Family Activities You Can Do Right Now

Family activity ideas

In this busy world, family time is more important than ever. But many people mistakenly think that quality family time is limited to elaborately planned and expensive vacations. The fact is, you may not even have to leave the house to have a great family adventure, and the television can stay off the entire time. Here are a few family activity ideas that anyone can do, using only the things you can find around your own house.

1. “Indoor Camping Trip.” Got a table and chairs? Got a broom? Got blankets? Got sleeping bags and flashlights? Then you have everything you need to go camping, right in your own living room. Building a “tent” is easy enough, but you can even arrange for extensive tunnels and passageways from room to room. Run out of blankets? Use some sheets! Tell ghost stories, pop popcorn (in the nearby microwave, obviously), and sing silly songs well into the night, then cuddle up in your sleeping bags and drift off to sleep.

2. “Science Night.” If you can get your hands on some safety goggles, you can probably find everything else you would need for a fantastic foray in to the world of scientific experiments. Turn your kitchen into your laboratory. Experiments can be devised for any age, from “Does it float?” or “Different Sounds” for younger scientists, to a classic baking soda and vinegar volcano for your more adventurous older students. Adult supervision is obviously required, but that is hardly a drawback, since you get to participate in the fun too. This is one of those family activities that can entertain you just as easily as your young ones, and who knows what you might learn?

3. “Scavenger Hunt.” Test your clue leaving mettle using your own house as the backdrop! Expand problem solving skills, enhance creative thinking, and have an overall amazing time searching for items and clues in the comfort of your own home. The only limit is your own imagination. Take the time before the kids get home from school to plan out a doozy, then dive in after dinner!

There are many sources for fun family activity ideas online and in parenting magazines. But never doubt your own creativity, and always look to your immediate surroundings for ideas and activities that might stimulate young minds, spark new interests, and inspire creativity in that most comfortable of environments… your own home.

Categories
Homepage

Finding a Family Activity

Family activities

One of the many ways to bring a family closer together is through family activities. There are many different family activity ideas out there that finding a specific type of family activity can be difficult. On the other hand, the wide variety of family activities can make it even more enjoyable because trying to find a family activity means you can try a lot and have fun while doing so.

When trying to come up with a family activity idea you first must determine the likes and dislikes of all the family members that will be participating in the family activity. This will enable you to decide which family activity is the best one for everyone in your family. The easiest way to choose a family activity is to ask everyone what they would like to do and go from there.

A family activity can be one that takes place indoors or outdoors depending on what the members of your family like to do. Some outdoors activities could include hiking, bike riding, camping and fishing, or a good number of different sports. Some examples of an indoor family activity could be game night, movie night, reading or making arts and crafts.

Finding a family activity that is of little to no cost is also something you should be able to do. The idea is to have fun and enjoyment with your family not necessarily to have to spend money. One other thing to keep in mind is that while a family activity is to be fun and enjoyable for all involved, the main reason for it is to become closer to your family and to get caught up on what is going on with everyone.

So overall choosing a family activity is all about being able to share and spend time with your family and help make your lives a little better.

Categories
Homepage

Family Activities are an Integral Part of Your Relationship

Family activity idea

Studies show that getting together to do family activities makes for a healthier environment for adults and children alike, and leads to a more balanced atmosphere. Family activities can range from many different possibilities, from going on picnics to family game night, which is probably one of the most popular options.

Though it is sometimes difficult to get the all of the members together for a family activity, it is a very rewarding experience and will help to greatly strengthen the bond between you, your spouse, and your children.

It can also be difficult to come up with family activity ideas, but don’t worry. You don’t need to go outside or spend a lot of money to have a good time with your children, even if now a days it seems like they want you to think that you do. Go to a public place, an amusement park, a movie theater, or just play in your backyard. To get a family activity idea, you really only need to look outside and see what there is to see.

Family activities are anything you do to promote togetherness between you and your loved ones. So go on, plan a family game night, lay in the grass and watch the clouds. Do something that makes you focus on each other for a while instead of the internet or video games! You’ll be much happier for it, and it will promote a much stronger, healthier relationship between you all.

Categories
Homepage

Strengthen Family Bonds With A Family Activity Idea

Family activities

Finding a family activity idea that everyone in your family can get on board with can be challenging, to say the least. After all, everyone has their own thoughts on what makes something fun, so it often is quite hard to find one thing that everyone enjoys. But here are some ideas on how you can find such activities, and how everyone benefits once you begin implementing them too. After all, ideas are nothing without action.

For a fun family activity idea, why not explore family oriented websites? Perhaps the activity level of your family has fallen to an all time low, or maybe with summer letting schools out your kids already are bored to tears. Either way, knowing how to keep them entertained throughout the summer or with you on your travels to wherever you are headed this season can definitely make for better experiences. Here is how.

When you explore a family activity idea that the whole family can participate in, you encourage bonding with your kids and among your kids. They can find things to do together in their spare time, you can get work done around the house, or you could join in whenever you find the time. Either way, your kids will be kept entertained with family activity ideas, and you will have a breather here and there to enjoy adult time.

When you look into ideas for fun family activities, you find free ideas that can be shared with the other moms you know. These ideas mostly are gratis at least for you to discover, and nearly every family activity idea does not revolve around paying for anything. Some of course will include trips to the zoo and other things that will come at a cost, but most will involve you spending very little if any money on entertaining your kids and in bonding with them too.

When you begin exploring every possible family activity idea, you also become the mom that everyone else turns to as they look for their own ideas. Other moms will be green with envy, wondering how you were able to come up with all of these excellent ideas. They never need to know that you have obtained these ideas from outside sources. You can call them your own, as long as your kids enjoy what they are doing and you enjoy it as well. Everyone can be happy this way.

Categories
Homepage

Geocaching as a New Family Activity

Family activity ideas

Looking for a new family activity? There are unlimited family activity ideas that fit your family situation based on several factors such as ages of children, preferences on activity intensity and location among other factors, but we have found that geocaching has become our favorite event for a weekly family activity. For those unfamiliar with geocaching, it is like a treasure hunt that you can go on practically anywhere. Cachers, people that have hidden little boxes of trinkets or logbooks, hide their “cache” and upload the GPS coordinates to a number of websites. Then other individuals or families use a GPS device to search for the hidden items.

Geocaching makes a perfect family activity because you can search for easy or progressively difficult caches. If you have small children, even little ones in strollers, you can choose to search for a cache in an urban area or just off a gentle path in the park. For the more adventurous family activities, you can combine multiple searches across more rugged terrain if you have older kids that are up for a really challenging family activity.

The beauty in geocaching is that you can use almost any smartphone, and considering that so many people have a smart phone these days there is not much barrier to entry. Once you have selected some potential sites to look for, head out for them and let the gps steer your way. This in itself is something that kids will enjoy. If you have several kids, they can take turns with the phone or gps. Even though the gps will lead you right to the area, you still have to seek out the hiding place. Some caches can be as small as little film canisters, while some might be old ammo boxes purchased from an army surplus store. Either way, they will be hidden out of direct site. Again the kids have an opportunity to search for the exact location.

Once you have found the cache you still are not done with this family activity. Depending on the type of cache, it may have little trinkets inside that you can exchange with new items you bring along. Or it could just contain a logbook in which you can add your name to the list of those that found the cache. Geocaching is a unique family activity that can be adapted for most families.