Dog walks: enniskerry - woodland walk

Maybe is the best walk of the last few months! I went there with two friends and three dogs on a saturday morning. On the M50 it took us less than 30 minutes to get there. There are many walks in Enniskerry and we did the Woodland Walk. Some problems to find a parking space, as we were not familiar with the area, we parked in the town, but we discovered after that there is a parking space at the entrance of the walk. It is a beautiful...

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dog training: sit

***Please note that I am NOT a dog trainer, so I am just sharing my experience with my own dogs..  I may be doing wrong things and I am open to suggestions :) ***  Let's start the training series with a basic command: SIT With Jago has been very easy to teach him sit, but maybe not for all the dogs is so easy. First thing to remember is that the dog should have fun during the training and should be able to concentrate. So...

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Dog walks: Bull Island

Another beautiful place for a nice walk near Dublin is Bull Island, just 4 miles from the city center. The sandy beach is called Dollymount Strand and it's long approx 5 km!!! The island is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and is also classified as a Wetland of International importance under the Ramsar Convention. The island is connected to the mainland by the Bull Bridge at the southern (Clontarf/Dollymount) end, and...

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Walk for Greyhounds

Saturday 21st September in Merrion Square there will be the 3d walk for Greyhound. It is a walks organized to promote greyounds as pets and raise awareness of greyhound welfare issues. The meeting is at 12 in Merrion Square Park and the walk will begin at 1.15 and will take 1 and half hours. More information on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/grai.ie I will go with Jago and Buddy!! ...

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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...

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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...

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is it possible to train two dogs together?

***Please note that I am NOT a dog trainer, so I am just sharing my experience with my own dogs..  I may be doing wrong things and I am open to suggestions :) *** Well I am trying, just for fun :D I've read that is not possible because they are too distracted or for other reasons. I am not really trying to train them, but yesterday when they started to be bored / too much tennisball obsessed I started with Sit - Down command and it works really good! Now, Buddy doesn't give paw and I saw he doesn't like to be touched...

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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 2

The fostering experience is continuing and still great! Yesterday evening Buddy was tired after playing for hours with a 4 years old girl! He is so gentle! Today we went to Bark in the Park, a walk in aid for the Irish Blue Cross. Buddy had the chance to meet many other dogs, big and small, crazy and quiet, and he never had any problem! He didn't mind the confusion, all the people there, the kids approaching and he enjoyed the walk! The...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Fostering dogs - today experience

I have fostered a dog before and it has been a very nice experience. She was a 6 months old golden retriever and Jago was 6 months as well. Quite frantic weeks with two puppies but I could learn a lot and I am glad I helped her to find her new home! I will write about her soon :) Today I knew that a female german sheperd has been found alone, but unfortunately the owner could not keep her. She is in the restricted breed list, so she would have short life in the pound as far as I know. I went with Jago to meet her. Unfortunately...

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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....

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Jago being bad :)

The daycare where I leave Jago send always a lot of photos.I thought that this one was funny! Jago looking at the other dog with his tongue out like saying "prrrr" and the other dog face so sad! I am not the best in writing caption for photos but here an experiment :P ...

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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...

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