Come Check out Lure Coursing at the Bark Park

Bark Park Lure Coursing Fun Day 

If your dog loves to run and chase, lure coursing may be the perfect sport.  To find out, come to our fun day sponsored by the Akron/Canton Terrier Club on Sunday June 22nd starting at 9am. For more event details visit the event on our website or the  Event flyer.

Find the Akron/ Canton Terrier Club on Facebook






Lure coursing began as a humane alternative to live game coursing in which dogs hunted live animals, like rabbits, by sight and not by scent.  In present day lure coursing, dogs chase an artificial lure pulled by a mechanical pulley around a course designed to mimic the zig zag movement of a fleeing rabbit.

Spring Dog Gone Fun Day

Extended Hours for Doggie Day Care and Pet Sitting Now at the Bark Park

Extended Hours for Doggie Day Care and Pet Sitting Now at the Bark Park

As of April 1^st, Conneaut Lake Bark Park has extended its Doggie Day Care program to include Saturdays from 7am – 9 pm and  Sunday  from 9am – 5pm.  Weekdays remain available from 7am – 7pm.  Doggie day care can provide an alternative to pet owners who like to spend extended hours participating in various spring and summer activities including boating, swimming, golfing, taking a short day trip, etc.  Instead of stopping activities to go home and let the dog out, simply drop off the dog in the morning and pick them up in the early evening. And, there is no need to worry about the family dog left at home alone, confined, crated or roaming free through-out the house.  When friends travelling with dogs come to visit, don’t  worry about leaving all of the dogs together to rough house or get into trouble Just drop off any or all of the dogs at doggie day care. Contact Melanie, the Dog House/Bark Park Manager at 814-382-2267 and make arrangements for a worry free summer when friends and relatives are visiting or you are enjoying a relaxing day at the lake.

Pet sitting is another alternative caring program for your pet?  Pet sitting allows the dog (or cat) to stay in a familiar setting and have someone stop by the home and take care of them during the time their owner is away at work or when the dog needs special care when the owner is not available.  Most pet sitting services are scheduled  between 7 am in the morning until  9 pm in the evening but some pet sitting services can include staying overnight in the pet owner’s home. For some pets and especially the older/geriatric pet, moving out of the house to an unfamiliar setting such as a boarding kennel or a doggie day care facility can be traumatic. Before making any arrangements for your pet, be sure to consider all of the possibilities, including cost, convenience, services available and most importantly, the individual needs of the dog. The Bark Park is now offering pet sitting services designed especially for the comfort of your dog.  Call the Dog House at 814-382-2267 to make the necessary arrangements.

Our Happy Dogs!

Hi there, Maria here.  I help out the Bark Park by posting to the page on Facebook and monitoring the Instagram hashtag #clbarkpark.  I also stop by on occasion to snap some photos when a play group gets together.  Here are some photos from May/June 

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Spring Seminars: The All Natural Dog

April 2oth

"The All Natural Dog": Christine McCallum from Aivilas Dog Food will discuss the advantages and concerns surrounding all natural food for dogs. She will also provide details on how to evaluate dog food ingredients when purchasing food, treats or supplements for your dog.

Our seminars are held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Station 2 Fire Hall, Route 18N, Conneaut Lake. Seminar cost is $12.00 and includes coffee and doughnuts. Pre-registration is requested. You may call Sue Anderson at (814)382-2478 or send her an email at petcem23@windstream.net

The mission of the Bark Park is to promote responsible pet ownership while providing an opportunity for dog owners to be better informed on issues surrounding the health and welfare of their dog. Each winter the Bark Park provides Saturday seminars covering a variety of topics ot interest to pet owners.

Spring Seminars: Yoga and Massage for Dogs

Okay so your dog will not be doing Yoga on their own.
Fun photo found on Pinterest. 

April 13, 2013

Yoga and Massage for Dogs: Carol Redlawsk will introduce the relaxing practice of pet massage. It is known to help pets with circulatory mobility, overall wellness and even behavioral issues. Puppies learn that all parts of their bodies are ok for touching. Older pets  benefit from the warm touch and increased muscle flexibility.

Doga is exercise with your dog. We will stretch our bodies and learn yoga postures that pets can do too. You do not have to be a YOGA MASTER TO BE A GREAT DOGA MASTER.

Bring your pet and a soft mat or blanket to sit on. All pets should be on a leash and under control.

Our seminars are held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Station 2 Fire Hall, Route 18N, Conneaut Lake. Seminar cost is $12.00 and includes coffee and doughnuts. Pre-registration is requested. You may call Sue Anderson at (814)382-2478 or send her an email at petcem23@windstream.net

Spring Seminars: Chiropractic Treatment and Physical Therapy for your Dog

  On March 23^rd, the seminar will include Chiropractic Treatment for Dogs and Physical Therapy for your Canine Companion.  Both topics are alternative treatments for the traditional treatment most often used with our canine companions.  Edie Steider from Greener Pastures will conduct the first half of the seminar and will explain how rehabilitation, including laser therapy, can help both the arthritic dog and your athletic dog.  Dr. James Bertram from Saegertown will demonstrate the use of chiropractic methods to help relieve pain and discomfort for your dog. 

Our seminars are held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Station 2 Fire Hall, Route 18N, East Side, Conneaut Lake.  Seminar cost is $12.00 and includes coffee and doughnuts. Pre-registration is requested. You may call Sue Anderson at (814)382-2478 to register or to get additional information on the seminar.

The previously scheduled presentation on doggie yoga and doggie massage will be rescheduled at a later date.  Check our web site atwww.conneautlakebarkpark.com for updates on all seminars.

Tamarack Agility Trials 2012

Public Welcome!

The Tamarack Dog  Agility Trials will be at the bark park facility from July 27-29, Friday until Sunday afternoon.  

•  Friday 9:00-12:30
•  Saturday 9:00 – 4:30
•  Sunday 9:00 – 1:30

Entrance and parking are FREE!  Leashed, well behaved dogs welcome.  There are bleachers, but it might be a good idea to bring a chair.

Bark Park Members

The trials will be set up on the old softball field area, behind the trailer.  A food concession area will probably be set up near the port-o-john.  During the weekend, please follow the guidelines listed below.

1. The small dog area/puppy area will be for use by the agility trial people the entire weekend and will be totally closed to bark park individuals.
2.  Therefore, the large dog area and the training area will be for use ONLY by bark park members.
3.  Since some of the members use the area exclusively for their dogs, please try to be considerate of other members and do not stay in the area for over 20-30 total minutes during a visit.
4.   If you are walking on the property, I suggest you keep your dog on a leash when you are near any of the campers, motor homes, etc. 
5.  On Saturday afternoon, from 2-4:00 Mary Knierman is having a birthday party in the training area for Pumpkin.
6.  Other than that, most of the agility people will be gone by late Sunday afternoon.
7.   If you come to watch the trials, remember, dogs MUST be on a leash.
8.   Refreshments will be available for spectators and people competing.

Any questions, post a comment. Sue should be on the property the entire weekend, so if you have a concern, look for her on the grounds at the trials or call her at 814-671-2809.

Sadie, the Therapy Dog

Sadie

People seem to come to Therapy Dog work through different channels and for different reasons.

When my husband and I married 36 years ago, our wedding gift to each other was a Cocker Spaniel puppy that we named "Gus". It didn't take long until we were a multi-dog household. All I had ever known as a kid was having dogs as pets. Jim and I had wonderful dogs with great personalities.

About 15 years ago, we were given a yellow Labrador puppy. Her owners couldn't handle her so they decided to "give her to Deb and Jim". Her name was Sadie. She was the most difficult dog we have ever owned.

Sadie and Debbie Ski Jorring

Her biggest problem was food aggression. Also, she was so hyperactive that her eyes were always dilated and I actually had to teach her that she could be still for a while. Of course, on the "up" side, she was never tired and could do things for a very long time. I taught her to Ski Jor, which is pulling a cross country skier. She loved it because she could run forever.

I looked for a dog training school and found Attaboy Dog Obedience in the yellow pages. I signed Sadie up and she excelled in obedience. The owner/operator told me about a local small therapy dog program called "Paws Hand Delivered". We tested for it and Sadie completed the test perfectly.

When you do have a therapy dog, it is important that you know your dog. The most important thing during your visits is your dog, his/her comfort, and safety. Therapy Dogs are not robots. Some don't like certain facilities, some don't like children, and some only want to visit when they feel like it. Even though Sadie was a therapy dog, the food aggression didn't disappear. If we were visiting and a patient asked to feed the dogs, we left the room immediately.

Sadie was an exceptional therapy dog. She would carefully step among cords and tubes to let someone pet her and then cautiously back out, never making a misstep. She would approach people slowly and make sure that nothing was disturbed during her visit. She amazed me when we visited the skilled nursing areas where the patients are seriously ill.

Sophie

By now, I was totally hooked on therapy dog work so we also joined a hospice program. Again, Sadie was quiet and soft when visiting people. And I had my new dog, Sophie, a Brussels Griffon, tested. Now I had two therapy dogs.

I had worked for many years in Human Services. Now I was impressed by how much I could help people by working through my dogs. The patients could talk about dogs they used to have and happier times they remembered. The softness of the dogs eased sore hands and tiny dogs could be held like children. When holding Sophie one evening, a lady said that it had been many years since she had held a dog.

Therapy Dog work takes you out of yourself. It's not about you. It is about the patient and your dog and you are the facilitater. And in coming outside of yourself, you actually gain more than you ever thought you could.

If you have a dog with good manners that interacts nicely with people, you may want to consider having your dog tested to be a Therapy Dog. There will be testing on June 16, 2012, at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park. You can also contact the Bark Park for information on what the test is like and what you need to know beforehand.

Sadie and Sophie are no longer with us. Now Bunny and Abu are my therapy dogs and Opie and Isaac are "in the wings" to become therapy dogs. This is something I want to do for a very long time.

Sadie

Debbie Myers

You also might be interested in:

• www.skijornow.com
• Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Life with Opie: A Dock Diver!

Opie the Swimmer

Opie loves the water. He learned to swim in our little pond before our Newfoundland puppy did.

At the Hot Diggity Dog event at the Bark Park on May 19, I took Opie with me. Ron Oswald and his Doberman, Ruby, were going to the pond so we joined them. Ruby was running into the pond and jumping into the water and Opie, with his dramatics, was crying, touching the water, and fussing. Eventually, he stepped in.

I threw Opie's bumper into the water a few feet and again, after the dramatics, he went in and got it. Then I threw it about 5 feet, then 8 feet and finally, Opie just leapt off the side of the pond into the water.

He LOVED it!! He was so excited. I threw it several times and Opie jumped into the water each time with such joy.

Then Ron said that I should try him on the dock. The Bark Park has an official Dock Diving dock with classes for beginners and advanced dogs.

I wasn't sure about this but I took Opie up on the dock and showed him the end of it with the drop and then threw his bumper. Off he went! And then he jumped off 4 more times. Opie had a wonderful day.

When we got home, Opie came to me several times in the evening and put his head on my lap as if to say "Thanks Mom. I had a great day." Going to the Bark Park for Opie is like going to Doggy Disney World.

Tips for Camping with Your Dog

It's time for Summer get-a-ways and family vacations.  If your vacation plans include camping with your dog along, here are some tips and links that you might find helpful!

Safety First 

• Make sure your dog's vaccinations are current and that you have adequate supplies of any medications he may need.  It's the great outdoors and the Fleas, Ticks and other biting insects will be plentiful, so preventative applications are going to help.  
• Put together a Doggie First Aid Kit with items like: ear & eye drops, tick tweezers, bandages, antiseptic, rubbing alcohol and poison absorb gel for pets.
• Take precautions in case your dog gets lost, keep identification on him.  Make sure your dog is tagged with contact information. at the very least.  Micro chipping or tattooing is a much better method as collars and tags can become damaged and lost.

Keeping Tabs on Your Dog

• Consider a "Play Pen" for your dog.  There are many options for folding wire pens to give your pooch room to play, yet keep them away from campfires, etc.
• Bring extra leashes and ropes.  If you are in a campground, you will be required to keep you dog on a leash.  You can also make a zip line tying a rope between two trees and suspending a leash from it.  *It is recommended to use a harness with the zip line, as your dog may pull and choke. NEVER tie your dog up with a choke or pinch collar on.

Food & Water

• Avoid upset stomachs by bringing plenty of your dog's regular food.  Make sure you have packed enough clean drinking water for everyone, including your dog.  Our dogs can get sick from drinking lake, stream or puddle water, so don't encourage it.  Bring a container to pour bottled water into if you are out hiking or playing.  Also, if you are getting lots of exercise from hiking, etc., you are building up an appetite and so is your dog.  He may need extra food to make up for all the fun you are having!

Bring Familiar Items for Sleeping and Play

• Having familiar toys and blanket/sleeping pad will help your dog feel better about being in a strange place.

Plenty of Exercise

• Exercise is a stress reliever for all of us, including our dogs.  Plus, the bonus of a well exercised dog...he's tired!  Get out and explore.  If you are camping in Western Crawford County, PA..come visit us at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park!

Need more information? These links just might make your tail wag!

• Your Dog in America's Campgrounds
• How to Camp with Your Dog
• Instructions for a "Trolley" System Zip Line  I couldn't find a direct link to instructions using a leash but, just make sure you slip one of the ropes ends through the leashes looped end before securing the rope to the tree.  I don't agree with chaining up dogs for any extended period of time, but this method will keep your dog safe while providing him with some room to move and enjoy his immediate environment.
• Hiking or Backpacking with your dog

Do you have some "Camping with Your Dog" tips to share? Post them in the comments!

The Importance of Socializing Your Dog: Dogs Need Friends, Too

Copper & Henry at the
Conneaut Lake Bark Park 2012

Dogs need continued socialization throughout their lives.  Many dog owners, by attending training classes,  have taken the first step in socializing their dogs.  

With the Conneaut Lake Bark Park, owners have an opportunity to continue to provide opportunities for their dogs to socialize and play with other dogs of similar temperament and size, while providing a place where their canine companion can participate and play safely with other dogs. 

Conneaut Lake Bark Park Play Groups 

The Bark Park will work with pet owners and attempt to find groups of dogs that can play together.  The Bark Park encourages all owners to consider bringing their dog to the bark park and joining a play group. 

 At present we have a group that meets during the morning hours and another group that primarily meets in the late afternoon or week-ends.  Both of these groups regularly using the bark park have been the larger and sometimes the “crazier” dogs.  Dogs of all sizes and breeds can definitely benefit from regular play time with dogs of similar size and temperament. 

The Bark Park would like to work with all dog owners from puppies to older dogs to establish group play times at the park.  For more information about our Play Groups, contact Sue Anderson at petcem23@windstream.net

Need some help understanding how to socialize your dog?

Local Dog Trainer, Katara Peters, offers Puppy through Advanced Obedience Training.  Katara also  assists in Temperament Testing at the Bark Park.  We encourage you to enroll your dog in an obedience class in your area.  Interested in talking to Katara?  You can contact her at groovypooch@windstream.net.

Here are some helpful links:

• Socializing the Adult Dog
• Continuing Socialization for the Adolescent Dog
• Are They Having a Good Time
• Before You Go to the Dog Park

We welcome you and your dog to Come, Sit, Stay! at the Conneaut Lake Bark Park very soon!  Check out our 2012 Dog Friendly Events at our website http://www.conneautlakebarkpark.com/events.html.

~Sue Anderson

Come, Sit, Stay ... GO!

Conneaut Lake Park Dock Diving Meeting

Sometimes reaching a speed of just over 30 miles an hour while running for a distance of 35- 40 feet, the flying dock diving dogs  can provide a new sport for local pet owners and their canine companions. 

The  Conneaut Lake Bark Park Dock Diving Dogs Club will hold its first meeting of 2012 at Perkins Restaurant, Meadville, at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 22^nd, in the back room.   The dock diving instructor is Marty Schlossnagel from Grove City. The meeting will cover practice schedules, classes,  dock diving activities at the Bark Park, and plans for special events. 

Any dog and any breed could be a potential dock diving dog.    The most important item in dock diving is to find the toy or item your dog is absolutely crazy about and is willing to bring back to you.  Dogs are also permitted to wear a safety vest if necessary when dock diving.  

Come to the meeting and find out about this great, exciting canine activity. Additional information is online atwww.conneautlakebarkpark.com  or email Marty at mschlossnagel@gmail.com  or call Sue at 814-382-2478.