Have dog, will travel? I mean, like, everywhere!

Dog goes to the store. Dog goes on vacation. Dog goes for a mani/pedi. Dog goes to Anthropologie, to Sephora, to boutiques, to all the upscale stores where nothing is affordable but at least you can look like you’re cool because you have a dog! In New York City.

But take your dog to “the country” for some R&R and Running. Running free, right? No strings attached for you. No leash attached to the dog.

WRONG! Rural and suburban recreational/conservation areas are becoming more and more rigid about where dogs are wanted, and not wanted. And leashes, the bondage tool of the human over the canine, are required.

As a world-class city, New York settled a hot topic in 2007, when Parks & Recreation decreed that dogs can be off leash from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. in many large parks, legalizing an already common practice. Dog haters and dog lovers seem to be co-existing under this plan. People have all day where they don’t run the risk of being slobbered or trampled on. In the evening or early-morning hours, dogs have an opportunity to run free — supervised, of course.

Born to Run

It’s a well-respected theory that dogs are less aggressive when allowed to socialize, run free and exercise. Dog bite reports in New York have plummeted in recent years.

Yeah! I am all in favor of tons of exercise for most dogs. A majority of my “behavior” cases in my clinic have to do with the dog in question not getting enough exercise. Many owners just don’t get it! A recent story I heard on NPR (“Wired to Run,” May 7) reported that dogs, like humans, can achieve “a runner’s high” from aerobic exercise. With long-distance running, our bodies actually make drugs called cannabinoids. When the researcher put dogs on a treadmill, they produced the drugs. Ferrets on a treadmill? They didn’t produce anything.

Conclusion? Dogs, like humans, can feel better and act happier, with exercise. Ferrets? Well, ferrets get pleasure in other ways.

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Best ground cover for dogs?

If you have a dog that loves to wander around outside — and you have a yard — you have probably wondered what is the best ground cover for a dog.

Lots of people choose mulch or a pea gravel mix for their personal “dog run.” True, the upkeep on these is minimal. Scooping up the poop and hosing down the cover are basically all that is needed. The downside is that the mulch or stones may cause your pet discomfort if they get caught between the paws. Also, mulch tends to get slimy after a while, especially if the sunlight is not good in the area. And splinters may be a concern when using mulch.

While some dog owners use patio stones to cover their dog’s running area, others use hay, which doesn’t hold up well in moist places. Meanwhile, concrete slabs are a top choice for outdoor kennels. Concrete provides a more permanent cover than gravel, and it is much better on those paws.

Best Ground Cover for Dogs

The best ground cover for dogs, however, is most likely plain old grass. After all, grass keeps the ground cool and is also gentle on the paws. Of course, it’s common knowledge that dog urine and feces are not exactly grass-friendly. These two things can cause burn spots and discolored grass. Also, foot traffic completely kills some types of grass.

Not all grass is appropriate for dogs. Either tall fescue grass or perennial ryegrass is ideal for dogs to run on. These grasses grow low, fill in fast, recover quickly, take a bit of foot traffic and tolerate a bit of shade. Plus, not only do these two types of grasses hold up well to foot traffic; they also withstand dog urine damage (which is more harmful than dog poop).

Brown Spots

To help with the urine spots on the grass, make sure your pet has access to plenty of drinking water. The more he drinks, the more diluted his urine will be. As for the brown spots on the grass, they will be around as long as your pet “does his business” there. But if your dog is happy with his not-so-green lawn, do a few brown spots really matter all that much to you?

There are several varieties of grassy ground covers available, besides planting fescue or ryegrass. On the website for Steppables, for example, there is a product search page where you just plug in options and it will suggest a good grass type for you. I entered in options for “heavy traffic area,” “part shade,” “normal water,” “fast growth” and “dog traffic,” and the website suggested a type of ground cover called Scotch Moss. It’s a lush carpet of moss for your dog play area.

Also, a product called Jeepers Creepers is known to offer quality ground cover grasses. You can buy either of these brands at most garden centers.

Photo: andyjsw/Flickr

Labor Day is upon us. Although your idea of a fun summer holiday weekend might be drinking beer at a barbecue, consider planning an activity you can enjoy with your best friend. Try one of these six Labor Day weekend dog activities.

Visit the Dog Beach

If you live near a lake, a river or the ocean, there might be a dog beach in the vicinity. In California, we are blessed with lovely off-leash areas at Huntington Beach and Long Beach. Your dog will have the chance to investigate all the ocean smells — and roll in a stinky pile of kelp or, perhaps, some seagull poop. If he likes to swim, he’ll be in heaven. If he doesn’t like water, he can sunbathe on a warm stretch of sand. Meanwhile, you can check out hot guys or chicks in bikinis. See this list of dog beaches in your area.

Roxie on Moonstone Beach, across the road from the Cambria Shores Inn.

Host a Dog Party

If you have a large backyard, consider throwing a party for dogs. Short events that require fairly little preparation, dog parties are the ideal way to get to know other dog lovers. Invite the neighbors you run into again and again while you’re walking your dogs, the folks you talk to at the dog park, and your friends and family who own dogs. If you’re the kind of person who likes to help, consider inviting your dog sitter or dog walker and encourage her to bring a few pet-industry friends who are looking for new business. After the dogs leave, you can sit down and enjoy that beer.

Explore New Hiking Paths

If you and your dog hike regularly, make the weekend special by visiting a new area; if you’ve never hiked with your dog, it’s an excellent time to start. Hike with Your Dog seems like a great resource for finding new trails. Look for a trail that is only as challenging as one you’d normally hike. (You are encouraged to be lazy on holiday weekends.)

Go Camping

Going camping with your dog is an excellent way to enjoy the bond you share. You’ll be (relatively) alone in the wilderness, with new sights, sounds and smells to check out. At night, you’ll sleep in a tent together, and during the day you’ll go on adventures.

Keep in mind, though, that you’ll be responsible for your dog 24/7, which can be a pain. He must be on a leash and in your sight at all times or crated in the tent or in the car for short periods of time. You won’t be able to go anywhere without him, which might limit your options for fun. If he has any behavior issues, they’ll be amplified by the excitement, and he’ll be more prone to acting out.

Although not every campground allows dogs, a great many do. Visit ReserveAmerica for information about state parks and Recreation.gov for national parks. You should be able to find campgrounds in virtually any setting: forest, lake, mountains, beach and grasslands.

Stay at Dog-Friendly Inn

Dog-friendly hotels are convenient for travelers, but if you’d like to enjoy a relaxing weekend with your buddy, consider a small property, like an inn or bed and breakfast. In California, the Cambria Shores Inn near Hearst’s Castle caters to people vacationing with their dogs, providing all kinds of nice amenities, like a guide to dog-friendly restaurants, resources for dog-sitting and treats for your four-legged friend. To find a lovely spot near you, check out TripAdvisor for a list of properties near you.

Visit a Dog-Friendly Resort/Spa

If your idea of a vacation is languishing poolside after a massage, book a weekend at pet-friendly resort/spa, where your pup will be pampered as much as you are. You can both visit the salon for cuts, color, curls and a nice blow-out, or perhaps a pedicure for two? This type of adventure will be incredibly expensive, but aren’t you and Fifi worth it? Most of these properties provide pet sitting, so you can leave your pup in good hands while you enjoy a five-star dinner. See this list of resorts near you.

If you’re too busy, lazy, disorganized and/or financially strapped to try one of these activities, go ahead and enjoy your barbecue — but at least throw a steak on the grill for your best friend.

Roxie (10) and Roswell (8) keep each other fit and frisky during play dates.

The term “play date” has always seemed silly to me, probably because it didn’t exist when I was a kid. Back then, we didn’t have play dates. We just played at each other’s houses while our moms had coffee and gossiped.

But as much as I think the term is silly when it’s applied to humans, I think it’s invaluable applied to dogs.

Unfortunately, too many people think of doggie play dates the way that I think about human play dates. “Back then,” people didn’t make dates with other people so that their dogs could play together. Something like that would be considered foolish.

But “back then,” we also didn’t understand the importance of spaying/neutering, feeding our pets high-quality food or using positive reinforcement to train our dogs.

Now that we know more about the best ways to keep our dogs in optimum physical health, we’re also beginning to think about their mental health and selecting activities that enhance both. Doggie play dates meet both those criteria — and more.

Physical Health

Veterinary experts agree that dogs need about 30 minutes per day of brisk cardiovascular exercise. Although walks and hikes do the job, so does playing vigorously with another dog. If you have a young and/or high-energy dog that needs more exercise than you have the time to give him, regular play dates with another similarly active pet are the answer.

Mental Stimulation

A bored dog is a bad dog. Even if your pooch doesn’t like to play, visits with other dogs will keep him alert and expose him to new situations, which will further exercise his problem-solving skills (food? squirrels? what? where???). Older dogs will perk up when they have the chance to sniff out new yards, keeping their minds honed and sharp.

Manners

If your dog is young or isn’t well socialized for his age, interacting with other dogs will improve his doggie manners. A huge benefit of puppies spending more time with their mothers is that they learn manners not only from Mom but also from their interactions with their littermates. Play dates give your dog the opportunity to compare his skills with other dogs and perhaps learn a thing or two about sharing toys.

Socialization

The very best benefit of doggie play dates is the opportunity for socialization with other canines and humans. Although I don’t recommend taking a dog who hates kids and dogs to visit your friend who has kids and dogs, you can definitely use play dates as a tool for helping your “normal” dog become accustomed to other dogs and new people, especially if he’s shy or has had a sheltered life.

Of course, you can expose your dog to all these benefits by taking him to the park, but that wouldn’t give you the chance to sit with the other moms, have coffee and gossip!

Dog parks are a blast if you mind your manners.

Like clairvoyance, off-leash dog parks are a blessing and a curse. Between the hordes of strange dogs milling about and the inevitable clueless owners, the potential for disaster is high.

Many die-hard dog owners eschew dog parks because they’re tired of dealing with unpleasant situations, like toddlers running around with ice cream on their hands, dog-reactive dogs and cell-phone babblers who never seem to notice that their dogs have just gone Number 2 right next to them.

Visiting the park would be a lot more pleasant if people followed a few basic rules of etiquette.

Don’t Bring Your Dog-Reactive Dog

If your dogs don’t get along with other dogs, please don’t bring them to the park, where they can harass other dogs. If your normally polite pet begins acting up, leave the park immediately.

Leave the Kiddos at Home

Regular parks are for kids, and dog parks are for dogs. When you mix the two, bad things can happen. Not only will your baby stroller make a lovely target for every mutt in the park to pee on, but toddlers can easily be knocked over or inadvertently hurt by boisterous dogs getting their play on.

Pick Up Your Pet’s Poop

The signs are there for a reason: A park full of poop is no fun for anyone. When  you’re scooping up your own dog’s poop, take a quick scan of the area and pick up any other unclaimed poo you see. Not everyone is as polite as you.

In-Season Dogs Are NOT Welcome

Under no circumstances should you bring a bitch in heat to the dog park. Although most dogs are altered, there will always be at least one who isn’t. Dogs in heat encourage too much unwanted attention, and if you don’t think your sweet girl can get knocked up at the park, think again.

Keep Your Advice to Yourself

Unless someone specifically asks your opinion on a pets-related matter, don’t offer one. For some reason, people think that it’s perfectly okay to critique other people’s dog parenting. It’s really not. Would you like it if a stranger approached you and told you that your human child needs to behave differently?

Monitor Your Pet’s Behavior

Your dog might love to play rough, but not everyone’s dog will feel the same. If your dog is harassing, frightening or humping another pup, take yours to another area of the park or go home. Make sure he isn’t jumping on people, either, or otherwise being rude.

Use Common Sense

Don’t bring your pet to the park if he’s sick, un-vaccinated or under four months old, and use flea control during summer months. Don’t leave your dogs in the park unattended, with the assumption that other people will babysit them. Don’t keep your dogs on leash while you’re in an off-leash park, as other visitors might have leash-reactive dogs. Don’t take your rambunctious large-breed puppy to the small-dogs section of the park.

Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below!