New dog park in Dublin 15

A couple of weeks ago I suddenly found a new enclosed area in Harstown Park




It is quite big and there is a big population of dog owners in the area so I believe it will have a lot of dogs in there soon!
Jago and Buddy are not really interested in playing with other dogs, but Jago will join if there is a group of crazy running dogs!
Otherwise they will keep asking me for the tennisball.

So it won't be great for socialization for my dogs, but it's great for owners socialization!

What is your opinion about dog parks?

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Canicross event in Monaghan

Have you ever run with your dog?
Have you ever tried CaniCross?

Last weekend I went with Jago to a Canicross event in Monaghan.

Canicross can be defined as "running with your dog attached to a belt".

But it is much more than that. At the event there was bikejoring (dog attached to the bike) and also scooter.

I was supposed to run as Jago and I went for a bit of training in the last few months, but unfortunately I am injured at the moment.. so we went only to check the event!

I have to admit that usually I prefer to run with Jago off lead... well he prefers that way.
There is a lot of polemic about off lead dogs and less places where it is possible to let your dog run free.. but I am not entering in that discussion now.

So we got used also to run together with a belt.. I don't have serious harness and belt but just a cheap one bought on ZooPlus.

When we arrived at the event Jago was seriously scared and stressed. He could hear dogs barking and howling in the vans (a lot of huskies, so a lot of talking there :D ). He felt the excitement I guess and didn't really understand what was going on.
But he has been a great dog.. on the lead for hours, just being around, watching other dogs+people running and being friendly with everyone.
Unfortunately he wanted to play with some dogs and he couldn't, because they were "working".

I posted some pictures of the weekend on the other blog but you will find more info about CaniCross on their website

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Dog Day Trips around Dublin

Hi everyone,

maybe it is the same as dog walks, but actually I will be posting about day-trips around Dublin with dogs.

What I personally need is a place where I can park my car-van-carcamper (not sure how to call it), stay inside a write my thesis and let the dogs have fun!

I posted about Bettystown Beach few days ago.
The weather was terrible, but maybe that's why it has been a success for me: not many people!

I will put another post soon for another place where I have been last Sunday... and I guess I will write many others..

If you know of other spots Please Do let me know! Here or on caninecampersireland !

Thanks!

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Dog walks: Portmarnock beach

Another beach where we started to go often is Portmarnock beach.
Portmarnock is on the coast between Malahide and Baldoyle, approx 15 km from Dublin city centre.
There is a big public car park and the town is served by the No. 32B and No. 42 bus service from Dublin City Centre, with a bus stop right at the beach!

The beach is very big as  you can see on the map so if it's a sunny day and there are too many people it's not difficult to find a spot where you can let the dog off leash and don't annoy children or people walking there.

The Velvet Strand is a long sandy beach, approximately 5 km in length, consisting of a large sandy dune area.
It would be better to let the dog play on the beach and not on the dunes as I read we should protect the dunes from erosion.

Here the photos of yesterday walk with Buddy and Jago.
They met few friendly dogs and they had a lot of fun running in the water and playing with the ball!

Here the rules of dogs on Fingal beaches:

Dogs On Beaches - http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Environment/BeachesinFingal/DogsOnBeaches/
During the period 1st June to 31st August in any year persons shall be allowed bring a dog onto, or allow a dog under his or her control to remain on the beach/foreshore

(i) under adequate personal control, before the hours of 11.00am and after the hours of 6.00pm
(ii) to be on a leash in all Reserved Bathing Areas (as defined in Schedule 2) between the hours of 11.00am and 6.00pm.

Persons in charge of a dog on the beach shall ensure the following:
- It is on a leash or under adequate control
- It is not causing annoyance to any person using the beach or worrying, chasing, injuring or disturbing any animals, birds or other creatures on the beach
- Removal of its faeces and depositing it in a litter bin or other receptacle which may be designated for this purpose. (Guide dogs for the blind are exempt from this bye-law as also are dogs kept by An Garda Siochana and wholly used by a member of An Garda Siochana in the execution of his/her duty).
-  Every person bringing a dog onto the beach area shall be responsible and liable for any damage or injury to property or persons which may be caused by it.


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Photo competition with prize!

The first photo contest is Live now on the facebook page!

I have decided to run this photo contest to give you the opportunity to share your dog's photos and to win a small prize that I will buy from a dog charity.
If the contest will be successful I will run the contest regularly so we can give a small help to other charities / rescues!

You will find all the info here:
http://www.facebook.com/adogpaw

"1st A dog's Paw Photo Contest - Bow Wow Beef Dog Treats DSPCA

A great way to win treats to train your dog and support DSPCA!!

RULES:
Upload an original photo of your dog / dogs / friend's dog on the facebook page.
Wait to see the photo in the Contest Folder.
Share the photo if you want to have more opportunities to get a like.
The photo with more likes will win!
The prize is a pack of Bow Wow Beef Dog Treats from DSPCA shop. (200g - 100% Irish Beef - just cured and seasoned. Made in Wicklow)
Only for residents in the Republic of Ireland.

CONTEST CLOSES next Sunday September 15th at 22:00

Let me know for any question or issues."

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Puppy classes - video :)

I found this "old" video today of Jago puppy classes last January.
They were all less than 5 months old and this was the play and recall training

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Fostering experience - Buddy - day 1!

Everything is happening quickly these days.
Two days ago I found a dog and in 12 hours I found the owner thanks to the facebook page Lors Lost dogs.

In the afternoon I saw on Dog in Distress webpage that there were few dogs in the pound that would need urgent fostering.
I applied months ago for fostering, but I never had the real chance to take a dog.

So I called and yesterday Buddy came at home with me!
He is an 8 years old border collie, that has been surrendered by the owner because he couldn't take care of him due to an illness.
When I first took him he was scared and stressed and he didn't want to go out from the car.
He is not aggressive at all, and he let me pet him and bring him out.

I took my dog Jago and we went all three for a first walk outside!
Jago and him are not playing a lot at the moment, but they are fine together!

Buddy is a very sweet dog, he ate food and slept quiet last night.
Today I had to go to work, so I brought Jago to daycare as I didn't want to leave them unsupervised for the first day.
Unfortunately my flatmate just called me to let me know that Buddy started crying as soon as I left home.
:(
I will go home in a hour during my lunch time to check him, I have toys and a very nice bone.
Hopefully he will settle down a bit.
With me he was very nice and quiet yesterday, but I can understand that he is stressed and needs to adapt to the new situation.
I will be home all these evenings and weekend and I really hope that next week the company of Jago will help him to not feel alone!


You can see here some photos..
As you can see my rule of "no dogs on my bed" had some problems last night :P

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Petition: Wicklow County Council and the ISPCA

I am sharing this petition found online because I heard that the situation in Wicklow Pound is a bit difficult.

All dogs entering the pound should be photograhed and given the opportunity to be reunited with their owners, rehomed or offered rescue help. Currently only dogs deemed fit for rehoming by the wardens are allowed to be photographed and dogs are regularly withheld from volunteer’s sight at Wicklow Pound. There should be no hidden dogs.

Stray and surrender information is information in the public domain and can help reunite a dog with an owner (specific areas can be targeted via social media and poster campaigns) and in the case of surrenders ensure that a dog appears on our page as an urgent case. This is vital to saving lives and positive outcomes for the dogs.

Confirmation of availability date is also vital to ensuring a dog is effectively promoted and profiled for rehoming.

Currently opening hours are not conducive to reclamation and rehoming and there is no service to leave a message when you telephone as recommended during opening hours.

https://www.change.org/petitions/wicklow-county-council-and-the-ispca-provide-improved-public-records-accountability-and-service-at-wicklow-pound

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What to do if you find a lost dog?

For the second time I found a dog in Dublin and I found the owner as well, so I am becoming expert?
:)

Please feel free to add in the comments if you know more resources or if you have any tip or experience to share.

So what to do if you find a dog?

First of all thanks for trying to help him!
- Usually I walk in the area and I try to ask people if they recognize him or can give me some information.

- Keep the dog safe at home and don't let him wander around or he can get injured or cause accidents!

- If he has no tag or written number anywhere bring him to a vet to check if he is  microchipped.

- Take a picture of the dog and post it with the details on the following websites:

Lors lost dog facebook page (I found the owner of the last dog found here)

www.lostdogs.ie (I found the owner of the first dog found here)
 www.lostandfoundpets.ie www.lostandfound.ie www.munsterlostandfound.com www.lostdogs.ie www.IrishDogs.ie www.irishanimals.com http://www.rescueanimalsireland.ie/lost-and-found

- Contact Dublin SPCA by emailing them at lost@dspca.ie with photo,details and contact no.
https://www.dspca.ie/LostAndFoundPetAdvice

- Put some posters with the photo in the area you found the dog.

- Contact the local pound and the nearest garda station and give them your details.

THE LAW STATES THE FOLLOWING- from Irish Control of Dogs Act 1986 Section 13.

(1) Any person, other than a dog warden or a member of the Garda Síochána, who finds and takes possession of a stray dog shall, forthwith—

( a ) return the dog to its owner, OR!!

( b ) deliver the dog to a dog warden, OR!!

( c ) IF YOU CAN KEEP the dog SAFE WITH YOU, give notice in writing containing a description of the dog, the address of the place where it was found, and the address of the place where it is detained to the member in charge at the nearest Garda Station to the place where the dog was found, or to a dog warden.

If you take the dog in you can keep it for 28 days without a licence, then the animal must be licenced and if you decide to keep/rehome the dog, ownership of the dog is not yours until a year and a day have passed. This does NOT apply to dogs adopted/rescued from pounds, only those taken in as strays

I found the owner of these two lovely dogs in 24 hours.

It's very good to be able to help and to see people and dogs happy reunited together!

With these experiences I learn more how important is microchipping our pets!

http://adogpaw.blogspot.ie/2013/09/national-chipping-month-competition.html

Please feel free to add in the comments if you know more resources or if you have any tip or experience to share.

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Bark in the Park - phoenix park - saturday 7th september

Next Saturday there will be the 4th and last Bark in the Park 2013.
Bark in the Park is a sponsored dog walk to raise funds in aid of the work of The Irish Blue Cross animal welfare charity.

There will be a walk (dog on leash) and a raffle, music, goody bags (sponsored by Maxi Zoo) and prizes for the dog with the Best Bark, Shiniest Coat, Happiest Smile and Waggiest Tail. 

I have been at the 1st Bark in the Park in St. Annes Park and it has been a very nice experience!
The sun was shining and a lot of dogs were there!
I met a lot of new people, new doggies and Jago had the chance to play with many new friends!

It's very good to know that we can have a nice day out and in the same time help a good organization like the Irish Blue Cross.
The Irish Blue Cross is an animal welfare charity that provides low-cost veterinary services for people on a low income around Dublin.

You can find more information here http://www.bluecross.ie/  and here http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Irish-Blue-Cross/159508547395141

More details about Bark in the Park and photogallery of the previous events are here
http://www.barkinthepark.ie/

Saturday 7h at 3pm - Phoenix park, Dublin
Starting point: At the junction of Chesterfield Avenue and Ordnance Survey Road, near the Castleknock Road entrance

The route will be a 4km walk, will start at 3pm and will take approximately 30 – 45 minutes.
At the end every person registered will receive a doggy bag!


Will you be there?
Spread the voice to help the Irish Blue Cross!

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National chipping month + competition!!!

I wrote few days ago an article about the compulsory microchipping in Ireland.

September is the Ireland's National chipping month

That means that there will be initiatives all around the country and there will be more opportunities to have your dog microchipped at reduced price or free of charge!

There are many sponsors and associations involved and you can find updated information here:
http://www.ncm.ie/ and here on the facebook page

There is also a competition  promoted by National Microchipping Month campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of microchipping pets and animals.

The overall winner will receive FREE pet insurance for their pet for one year and FREE pet food for the same animal for a year courtesy of our partners, Royal Canin and Allianz Pet Insurance.

You will find details about the competition here:
http://www.ncm.ie/rules/
It looks like a good opportunity!

If you are not sure about the microchip details you can check it for free at maxizoo stores:
http://www.maxizoo.ie/free-check-your-chip-service-to-help-dog-owners-protect-pets-2/

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Another dog friendly pub in Dublin

Another place to add to the list of dog friendly pubs
Tonight I've been in Schoolhouse pub / hotel in Ballsbridge Dublin 4 for the leaving party of a friend.


I brought Jago as I knew they have a big outdoor space.

There are tables and chairs and nobody was complaining that I was there with Jago.


So another dog friendly pub found! Finally in Dublin city!

He even met a dog, off leash, I suppose coming from the houses in the nearby and they have been playing for a while together!

This is the website: http://www.schoolhousehotel.com/

(I didn't ask anything to the staff to be honest, so I hope they don't mind I am writing this post :P maybe they won't be happy to have many dogs?)




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Dog walks: Tolka valley park

I found that there are so many dog walks near Dublin!
Enjoying the nice Irish summer I brought my dog to many different places in the last couple of months.
Tolka valley park is one of them.

It has been quite difficult to find where it was and where to park my car!
Actually I parked at the Blanchardstown shopping center and I had to walk toward the N3/M50 entrance to find the gate for Tolka Valley Park.
I am sure there will be other accesses but I didn't find them on any website.

If you know one of them please feel free to add it in the comments!



Tolka valley is a linear park that run alongside the Tolka river and incorporates 300 acres of grassland.
It was very nice to see the change of landscape, between the big shopping center, N3 the work in progress on the road with big machines... and the quiet paths along the river, the small animals, the dogs and people jogging.
It was a Sunday morning when Jago and me went discovering this place.

Obviously he had good fun in the river, he loves water and the fetch the ball in the water :)
He also loves running on small paths when he can go to discover the "forest", but also open areas are good for sniffing :)

We met other dog owners and he could have a good run and play time with them.

Unfortunately it started raining so we couldn't explore the whole park, only a small part, but I am planning to go back again.


From the fingal website:

" The park is home to a rich variety of animal and plant species such as otters, kingfishers, dippers, bats, cowslips and willows . 

* The park offers a diverse, natural and tranquil landscape which is great for walking and jogging and the river supports an abundance of brown trout, providing for some good fishing." 

How to get to Tolka Valley Park?

N3 from Dublin to Navan, exit Blanchardstown.
Car park at the Blanchardstown shopping centre.
I hope to find new car park and entrance.
By BUS, Busses 38 and 39 from O'Connell Street, Dublin to Blanchardstown.

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Compulsory microchipping in Ireland

I just read that it will be compulsory in Ireland to microchip your dog.
I had Jago microchipped few months ago and I believe that it's very important!

It's not an expensive procedure and not painful for the dog.

Unfortunately many dogs are microchipped but not registered to the actual owner.

Just beware that many vet will not register the dog to your name, so you must do it usually online.
And also remember to change online your contact details if you move or you change phone number.
Unfortunately the same thing happens with the breeder.
Often when I read of lost dogs, they are microchipped but registered only to the breeder, and often it's not possible to find the owner.

There are a lot of events to help get many dogs as possible microchipped.
I know at least two of them, Dublin DSPCA

http://www.dspca.ie/index.jsp?a=615&n=232&p=158

 

and Dog Trust Ireland


http://www.dogstrust.ie/az/m/microchipping/#.UhfWXH91uSo

"Dogs Trust are offering free microchipping for all dogs for the months of August and September. "









Some info from Dog Trust website:

1. What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small electronic device, which is the size of a grain of rice. The microchip is coded with a unique number that can be read by a scanner. A microchip works through radio wave frequency.

2. How is the microchip implanted?
Using a specially designed implanting device the microchip is injected through a sterile needle under the dog's skin.

3. Where is the microchip implanted?
In dogs, the microchip is implanted under the skin, between the shoulder blades.

4. Does it hurt?
No anaesthetic is required and the procedure should cause no more discomfort than a standard vaccination.

more info:
www.dogstrust.ie/az/m/microchipping

Here is 5 top reasons why you should Microchip your pet:

           1. Microchip identification is the most permanent way to identify your pet.
           2. Collars and pet tags are great but they can fall off or be removed.
           3. Microchipping is a safe, practical & excellent way to identify your pet.
           4. Your pets microchip is a unique 15 digit number that once registered online is linked to your details.
           5. Microchipping is a sure way to reunite you and your pet.


So remember, microchipping your dog will be compulsory, but even without a law we must know that is very important!
Unfortunately it happen quite often that a dog get lost.
A lot of times the tag could be lost as well, or the collar, so it would be very difficult to trace back the owner!
If you love your dog, please consider microchipping!

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Games to play with your dog: HIDE AND SEEK

Another way to play and train your dog!
It's a very nice game and it is a great mental exercise!
I've seen that Jago not only needs to release his energies, but also to feel engaged in something more "mental".
And Hide and seek it's also good fun!!

Your dog should already know the command "stay".
1. Show a treat to your dog or his favorite toy
2. Ask him to "stay".
3. Go to another room and hide somewhere.
4. Call your dog and wait until he finds you!
5. When he finally finds you praise him a lot and give him the treat / toy.

My house is not big, so Jago know salready  all my secrete places :)
One of the first times he took a long time to find me, I was hiding in the wardrobe!!
It was so funny to see him looking around, sniffing in the room but not able to understand where I was!

A different variant is "find it", where you will hide some treats or toys..
I will write about it later!

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Dog Walks - St. Catherine's Park

*** UPDATE ***
Now there is an enclosed area in the park!
Finally also dogs with no recall can run free and socialize with their friends!
***************

Another beautiful dog walk where I bring Jago often is St. Catherine's Park.


It is a very nice and big park between Lucan and Leixlip.

In the main entrance there is a public car park with enough spaces and toilette.

The park is 200 acres and has many different areas.
In the southern part there is a "woodland walk" that Jago really loves.
And after running he loves to stop for a swim in the river.
In the northern part there are more open grass areas and sport pitches.
I never had problems leaving Jago running free, obviously taking care if there are kids / dog on leash and cleaning after him!
There is a "dog run", but to be honest is very small and not well maintained.

It's a nice place for running / rollerblading / cycling.
There are also all the fitness outdoor equipment!

St. Catherine's Park Opening times
November, December January 9am –5pm

February, March 9am –6pm

April 9am –7pm

May 9am –8pm

June, July, August, 9am –9pm

September 9am –8pm

October 9am –7pm

I am going there few times a week now. I am bringing my bike and Jago is running after me.
We always meet friendly dogs, it's a good opportunity for exercising and socializing!

I will add more photos of the woodland area soon!


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Dog friendly pubs / bar in Dublin

I need your help!
I am trying to find where I can go to drink something with friends, without leaving Jago at home.
 

Obviously I am not talking about going to Pub on Friday night, but maybe an afternoon tea / drink in a quiet place.
I am quite sure that there aren't places that would allow dogs inside.
But I found difficult also to sit at the tables outside!
So I am starting my research!

I've been eating a couple of times in Malahide, sitting at the tables outside without issues.
Same thing in Donabate.
I had instead problems around St. Stephen Green, where even places with tables outside wouldn't allow me to have Jago with me on leash.
Another dog friendly pub is Schoolhouse hotel in Dublin 4. There is an outside area quite big and they didn't complain when I was there with Jago.



Today I have been in Dalkey. In front of the church car park there is a pub/restaurant with tables outside. We could not sit there but they have a patio at the back of the building with tables where dogs are allowed (unfortunately it just stopped raining and it was all wet)

There is an interesting thread here:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056882890

I will update this post when I will find more information, if you know any dog friendly place let me know!

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