5 Ways to Help Your Pup Enjoy Halloween

It’s All Hallows’ Eve!  While humans may look forward to the fun ahead, Halloween can be a very stressful time for dogs.  Imagine having to wear a cumbersome costume while trying to be taken seriously as you attempt to protect the house – which is constantly under attack by strange, short creatures that sort of resemble humans. 

Help your dog prepare for tonight’s festivities by doing the following:

1.      First things first, Take your dog for a long walk or run before the trick-or-treating begins.  Your dog is less likely to be hyper, disobedient, or stressed out once strangers start coming to the door.

2.      You may consider putting your dog in his/her crate in a quiet room away from the front door, so he/she won’t be disturbed by guests coming to the door.  Give him/her a chew toy to work on and turn on some soothing music to keep your dog’s attention in the room.   You may also want to leave the front door open so no one rings the doorbell, just for good measure.

3.      Be sure your dog is secure inside the house. If your pup likes to bolt as soon as the door is open, make sure you have him/her on a leash, or behind a barrier, while answering the door.  You do not want to spend your Halloween night chasing after your dog.

4.      If you are taking your dog out trick-or-treating with you, put a glow stick or some sort of light on him/her (or the leash), to ensure drivers can see your dog.

5.      Don’t let anyone feed the dog.  Watch children closely as they are usually ready and willing to share their plunder. No chocolate, candy, or anything with refined sugar in it.  

Additionally: If you have a black cat, try to keep him/her indoors tonight. 

Have a happy and safe Howl’oween!

Howlo-ween Tips for Treats

 

October is a busy month, full of weekly Halloween events for you and your pup.  Lots of contests, chances to win prizes, and goodies for everyone.

 

Interested in Competing in an upcoming costume contest?

While your dog is adorable all on his/her own, these contests do require a little more effort than just a cute face (or so I’m told).  So your pooch will need a costume.  The questions you may ask are:

Will it be Store-bought?

Or will it be Homemade?

Will I match my dog?

And what category will we compete in?

 

Most costume contest categories include: Best Look-Alike Costume; Cutest Costume; Most Original or Creative Costume; and Best Overall.

 

Keep in mind, just because your costume is store-bought, does not mean it can’t still be creative.  I usually use store bought costumes for my dogs, while adding my own twist.  For example, one year I bought my dogs the cutest monster costumes. So, I got my own monster costume, made a small prop bed with a girl in it, stuck that on top of an umbrella, and Voila! We were “Monsters under the Bed” (as pictured above).

 

And I am always surprised by the new costumes I see at events every year. So let your imagination go wild!

What about Howl-o-ween on a Budget?

 

If you still would like to compete but don’t want to spend money on a costume, you can put something together with things you find around the house.  If MacGyver can make wire cutters out of a stick of gum and a paperclip, surely you can put a costume together with items already available to you (assuming you, in fact, have more than a stick of gum and a paperclip).

 

The internet is full of ideas and How-To videos if you need a little help.

 

Examples you might try:

*Super Hero – Use an old pillow case or sheet to make a cape.  Secure it to the collar using safety pins

*Ballerina or Jazzercise-er – Use old socks or sweat bands around the legs and possibly a tutu (if you have one). Even better if you have a leotard.

*Celebrity Impersonator – Any celebrity you can think of has some signature look that you can probably duplicate with clothes you already own.  Again, safety pins will be your friend if your dog doesn’t exactly fit in your clothes. And hair piece can be made out of yarn, toilet paper, paper plates; you name it.   

*Box of Something - There is really no limit to the number of things you can create using a cardboard box. Even if you can’t find one around your home, you can find one in a dumpster nearby.  Your dog can be any product, from a box of Cereal to a box of Beers.  Or, with a little paint, you can create another object, like a car, Lego, Dog toy or product (like Puppy Surprise), etc.

Whatever the costume, just make sure your dog is comfortable and safe while wearing it.  

 

Costume Rules:

  *Dogs should be able to move properly in their costumes – such as walk, sit, lay, and go potty.

  *Dogs should be able to breathe regularly and drink water (i.e. No masks or boxes over the head/face)

  *Dogs should not be able to chew on their costume or be choked by it. 

13 Weeks of Summer... An Adventure Every Week!

Summer is here, but it won't last long! Celebrate each week by going on a dog-friendly outing. 

Adventure #4 of Summer...

Doggie Date Night @ Fred's Mexican Cafe

"Its a Patio Party for your Pup"

Cool down, and cheer up after a long day at work, with a nice meal down in Huntington Beach. At Fred's Mexican Cafe, every Monday is Doggie Date Night; and your pups gets a free doggie dinner when you buy an entree. 

The chance for some doggone good eats begins at 6 p.m. and goes until Midnight. 

Fred's Mexican Cafe

300 Pacific Coast Highway

Huntington Beach, Ca

Doggie Date Night: 6:00p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Adventure #5 of Summer...

Visit L.A. for a day!

There is lots to see and do in Los Angeles. And despite the popular belief that 'No Body Walks in L.A.', there are plenty of pedestrian-friendly excursions for you and your dog. 

Be a Tourist - Take a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and see if you can spot any stars belonging to famous dogs. Then, stop at the Chinese Theatre and see if your paws fit anyone famous (there are famous animal prints there too). 

Be Active - Hike to the Hollywood sign. There are a few trail options, ranging from easy to difficult, depending on your comfort level. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset, same hours as the Griffith Park (since they are all part of the park).

Be a Foodie - Find a food truck or an outdoor patio at a restaurant and grab some grub with your pup. You can enjoy some people watching and take in the sounds of L.A.

Adventure #6 of Summer...

Enjoy Some Sweet Sounds

With summer in full swing, it’s hard to keep cool during the day, which makes you want to stay inside. But there is an upside to these hot days, which are those perfect summer nights. 

If it’s too hot to enjoy the day with your pup, spend an evening with him or her instead.  Most cities have a free summer concert series in the park, during the week.

From classical to classic rock, country and more; you and your pup are bound to find music that you enjoy.

Some of the local parks and line ups include:

Anaheim

Ronald Reagan Park

945 S. Weir Canyon Rd. 

Concerts in the Canyon Held on Thursdays 6:30 p.m.

Band Line-up: 

July 14: 80z All Stars (Complete tribute act)

July 21: Born Jovi (Tribute to Bon Jovi)

July 28: The Petty Breakers (Tribute to Tom Petty)

August 4: DSB (Don't Stop Believin')(Tribute to Journey)

Fullerton

Fullerton Sports Complex

560 E. Silver Pine

Concerts are Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Band Line-up:

July 13: U2Experience (U2 Tribute)

July 20: Jann Browne Band (Country)

July 27: Skynyrd Reloaded (Leonard Skynyrd tribute)

August 3 : Stone Soul (Motown & Soul)

August 10: The Answer (Classic Rock)

Placentia

Tri City Park

2301 N Kraemer BLvd.

Concerts are Thursdays at 6:30p 

Band Line-up:

July 7: Diamond is Forever (Neil Diamond Tribute)

July 14: Upstream (Steel Drum, Reggae, Calypso)

July 21: The Fenians (Traditional Irish Folk & Rock n Roll)

July 28: Darden Sisters (Variety - Country, Swing, Jazz, Western)

August 4: Smokin’ Cobras (Rocking Oldies)

August 11: Mariachi Divas (Award Winning All Female Mariachi)

Orange

Hart Park Bandshell

701 S Glassell St.

Concerts are Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Band Line-up:

July 6: Stone Soul (Motown & Soul)

July 13: The trip (Classic & Modern Rock)

July 20: Kelly Rae Band (Country)

July 27: Tom Nolan Band (R&B & Soul)

August 3: Wiseguys (Big Band)

August 10: Cold Duck (R&B & Dance Favorites)

When you go, don’t forget a blanket and or lawn chair for you and your pup to sit on.  And most importantly, don’t forget your petiquette while enjoying the concert.  Remind your pup to be on his best doggy behavior at all times.  Keep him on his leash, be sure to pick up any messes he leaves, and bring plenty of fresh water for him.  

Adventure #7 of Summer...
Dog Days at the Fullerton Market

The Fullerton Market is a favorite among locals, and rightly so.  Operating weekly, the market offers fresh produce, prepared foods, arts and crafts, jewelry, novelty and gift items, live entertainment, kid’s activities, and a beer garden.   

This Thursday, August 4^th, you and your dog can experience the market for yourself as the Fullerton Museum Center Association hosts Dog Days at the Fullerton Market. 

Dog Days at the Fullerton Market is a great opportunity to not only get a taste of the Fullerton Market, but also to join in the camaraderie of the dog community; giving you the chance to interact with other dog lovers and dogs alike.  You and your dog can join in the fun of one of the dog contests, like loudest bark or fastest eater, or simply enjoy a short dog show.  Whatever you decide to do, this special dog market will feature many dog-related vendors and activities to make sure you and your dog have a good time.    

The fun takes place this Thursday, August 4^th, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Downtown Fullerton Plaza located at 125 E. Wilshire Ave., in Fullerton.   

And even if you can’t make it to the market for this special event, you can add it to your list of adventures to try on a different week.  The market is open every Thursday from April to October.

Adventure #8 of Summer...

Cool off at Huntington Dog Beach

One of the best places for a dog to be a dog is romping through the sand and splashing in the water at the Huntington Dog Beach.  Even if your dog doesn’t like the water, playing on the sand is a better workout for him them walking on concrete.  

The dog beach can be found at the very end of Goldenwest Street in Huntington Beach (around lifeguard tower 24).  The dog beach stretches from Goldenwest Street to Seapoint Street (to the right of Goldenwest when facing the beach from PCH).  There is metered parking along PCH or free parking one to five blocks inland, among the homes.  Check out the Huntington Dog Beach website for a list of beach rules and other FAQs.  

Don’t forget to bring poop bags, a towel, fresh water for your dog, and sunblock if your dog requires it.  If it is your dog’s first time at the beach don’t be afraid to take it slow.  You want his first experience to be positive so you can come back again. 

Stop for a Bite at the Park Bench Café…

After a good run at the beach, your pup should be tired.  A tired dog is a good dog, so it’s the perfect time to stop in at the Park Bench Café for a bite to eat.  

Located at 17732 Goldenwest Street, in Huntington Beach, the Park Bench Café is a one of a kind stop for dog lovers who want to enjoy food and the beautiful outdoors with their four-legged friends.  

After you order one of their delicious menu items for yourself, be sure to get something for your dog off the dog menu.  Your pooch can get a hot dog (without the bun), chicken, ground beef, bacon, lean ground turkey, and even eggs.  Check out the Park Bench Café website for a complete menu and list of dog rules to make sure your first visit there goes smoothly.   And if you have the energy after eating, you and your pup can saunter around the beautiful surrounding park before heading home.

Adventure #9 of Summer... 

Watch a Movie under the Stars...
 
Enjoy the summer night air, under the stars, watching a movie in the park with your pup.   Find a nice spot on the grass, lay out a blanket and a lawn chair, and get cozy. A lot of different cities offer movies in the park from June through August.  In the 9^th week of summer, you can catch one in Yorba Linda, or one in Tustin, or both!

The Good Dinosaur

Friday, August 19, 2016: 7:45 PM - 9:45 PM

Location:

Hurless Barton Park

4601 Casa Loma Avenue

Yorba Linda, California, 92886

Kung Fu Panda 3

Thursday, August 18, 2016: 7:50 PM - 10:00 PM

Location:

Frontier Park

1400 Mitchell Avenue

Tustin, California, 92780

Don’t forget to bring snacks for the humans, and water for your dog.