PET OF THE WEEK: Lelani is a confident and sassy 4-year-old tortie who will greet you with chirps and headbumps. She happily accepts petting and treats and loves to play! Lelani would do best as the only cat in your life and is looking for an experienced home. Ask for Lelani ID# A533253. Other adoptable pets are available at Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA’s Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion, 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame. For information, call 650-340-7022 or visit www.phs-spca.org. (Thelma Andree / Peninsula Humane Society)
Dear Miss Behavin’: With warmer weather upon us, I’m looking for creative ways to exercise my dog (and myself). Any good tips besides the dog park?
Reply: The dog park is fine for some dogs (the social butterflies), but for other pups it can be overwhelming. Plus, some dogs can get burned out playing off leash with other dogs for too long. Think about a cranky, overstimulated child after a birthday party.
Of course, going on a scenic walk or hike in is a great way to exercise and explore your local community. If you’re going hiking, remember that not all trails allow dogs, so be sure to check online first. If you have a dog that barks on leash at other dogs or people, try to choose a trail that isn’t usually busy and has nice, wide pathways for an easy escape if necessary. If you have a senior dog, generally it’s best to avoid lots of hills. And remember to always bring extra water for your four-legged friend.
We are lucky to live in an area with a wide variety of dog training classes and activities, so don’t hesitate to get creative. I recommend seeing what classes your local animal shelter or Humane Society offers first, since the proceeds for those classes will directly help homeless animals in your community. For example, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA offers Agility classes in the summer (visit www.phs-spca.org for more info).
If you have a dog that shows some innate tendencies such as herding or retrieving, there are local clubs for various doggy sports. For example, if you have a dog that likes to herd your party guests into one room, consider getting him evaluated by a professional to see if he might be able to herd actual sheep. Or if you have a dog with a great sense of smell like a hound, look into “Noseworks,” where dogs learn to sniff out scents around obstacles. There are even swimming and diving classes for dogs. Once you start seeing what the Bay Area has to offer, the possibilities are endless.
Read more from Miss Behavin’ in the Mercury News.