How To Keep a husky busy

Huskies are an amazing dog breed. Strong, smart, playful, and energetic, these dogs truly embody the working dog spirit that their ancestors earned. However, if you are a first-time husky owner, it can be overwhelming to find an outlet for their seemingly endless energy.

So, how can you keep your husky entertained? The first thing that can be done is ensuring that your husky gets lots of exercise. Working dogs have been bred for strength, intelligence, and energy, so it is not surprising that huskies required a lot of exercise to keep them happy. Activities such as training, fetch, or tug of war are always good, along with ensuring that you provide toys for play and recreational chewing to keep your husky entertained. For those who have the facilities or the nice weather to do it, having your husky pull you on a bike or skateboard, or taking them to doggie daycare for an afternoon of socializing is always sure to put that trademark Siberian smile on your husky’s face. In a pinch, you can also set up simple puzzles for your husky to figure out while you are away.

Huskies were bred for pulling heavy sleds over long distances in freezing temperatures. As such, you may be surprised at just how much exercise or interactive tasks it takes to keep your husky entertained. However, it is very important, as a bored husky can quickly become difficult to manage as they try to entertain themselves.

How To Keep Your Husky Entertained

Walk It

The most important thing to keep in mind when you own a husky, is the amount of exercise they need. Without appropriate exercise throughout the day, your husky will quickly lose interest in low energy tasks or training, which can result in disobedient behavior and hyperactivity. Most veterinarians recommend that you give your husky at least one full hour of exercise per day. As a husky owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your husky receives at least this amount to help curb their destructive or escapist tendencies and to make sure that your husky is getting the best care to keep them happy and healthy.

One of the most obvious ways to give your husky the exercise it needs is to simply walk it every day. Since huskies were bred to pull heavy sleds laden with supplies and sometimes multiple human passengers you may find that a one hour walk around your neighborhood just isn’t enough for your husky. If this is the case, you can try adding obstacles to your route. Take your husky through hilly areas, take them to a dog park where your husky can run freely to their heart’s content, or purchase a weighted vest specifically designed to give your husky more exercise over a shorter distance.

Play Fetch

Another way to help your husky exercise and to give them attention is the game of fetch. It may take your husky a bit longer than some other dog breeds to figure out the game, but when they do it can keep them entertained for hours. I go through a step-by-step method of teaching your husky this amazing game in the link above.

Fetch is a great game because your husky gets to engage in near continuous sprints with very short periods of rest, helping to wear them out quicker.

In addition, fetch helps your husky engage with you in a positive way, encouraging them to listen more attentively to your commands.

Here are some great options for playing fetch with your dog — even when you’re not around! Click ‘shop now’ below to get yours.

Teach It To Swim

Swimming is a great way for you to help your husky exercise and keep them entertained. It may take a few tries, but teaching them to love the water is a benefit for you and for your husky.

Swimming provides a full body work out for your husky. Just as we need to keep our feet and arms moving to stay afloat, your husky will expend a lot of energy over a short period of time to keep it aloft in the water.

Some huskies can be nervous to go into the water by nature, but there are many ways to teach your snow dog to love swimming that I talk about here.

Give It Toys

We lead busy lives and unfortunately cannot always be home with our huskies. However, while we are away at work, or out with friends, we can help keep our husky entertained by ensuring that we give our huskies enough toys to keep it entertained.

By providing your husky with safe and entertaining toys, you will be able to keep your dog occupied with an object that you have approved. This means that your husky’s attention will be diverted away from destroying objects or things in your absence.

Give It Lots Of Training

Giving your husky a lot of exercise is a great way to keep your husky entertained, but an important part of owning any dog is training.

When you spend time training your husky, they will naturally focus on you. This focus builds your relationship with your husky and the time spent training will help tire it out. In addition, this time spent with your husky will help make it more responsive to your commands and will help you to keep your husky under control.

When your first start training your husky, you should begin by teaching it the basics. These include sit, stay, and lay down, and should initially be done in an environment where there are very few distractions to help your husky focus. Once your husky listens to these basic commands in a low distraction environment, you should work with your husky in more difficult environments where there are several distractions vying for their attention. If your husky responds to your commands in these difficult environments, you know it is time to advance to harder tasks, such as teaching them to come to you on command.

Give It Puzzles

Huskies are incredibly intelligent animals, which is why it is easy to understand how quickly that they grow bored without a stimulating environment. To help keep them entertained, there are a number of puzzle games that you can buy that are designed to make your husky think in order to receive a reward. I would recommend to get one that is slightly more challenging, knowing that huskies are already quite skilled due to generations of strong working dog breeding.

Click here for a course that will turn your dog into a genius!

Play Tug Of War With It

Tug of war is a fantastic game to play with your husky. As a working breed, they are known to have a strong prey drive that can be used during play. You will likely find that your husky loves to play tug of war, as the action required to play the game is very similar to your husky’s natural instincts as a hunter, and it is a great way to keep their focus.

Use A Dog Walker

If your day is packed and you know you won’t have the time to keep your husky properly entertained, or to give it enough exercise, an alternative is to consider paying a dog walker to do it for you. There are now several apps that you can download that let you book a local dog walker directly on the app. You have the freedom to ensure that your dog is being cared for by a responsible and knowledgeable person, and your husky gets to burn their energy while you work.

Walk It With Other Dogs

Huskies, like most dogs, love to socialize. Going for long walks with your dog can be great, but this activity can be even better if you have a walking partner, or even just another dog to walk alongside them.

By walking it with other dogs, you will find that your husky tires out faster. This is due to their increased excitement and their drive to play and compete with their fellow canines. Though, the most obvious benefit of this activity is helping your husky socialize with other dogs in a productive and energetic environment, which can also encourage your dog to listen more attentively to your commands.

Give It Chew Toys

Many breeds of dog engage in something called recreation chewing. Without a proper toy to focus on, your husky could end up chewing anything from your couch to the wall. There are even some toys that are designed to calm your husky down that you could use to help your dog avoid destructive behaviors and curb their hyperactivity.

Have It Pull You

You can use your husky’s natural desire to pull when you take them out for exercise. Grab a skateboard, roller blades, or a bike and let your husky pull you along on a sidewalk or trail. You will likely find that your husky has far better endurance than you ever could on two feet, so this method of exercise will give them a great work out, and will wear them out much more effectively than a simple walk around the block.

Doggy Daycare

If you do not have the time during the day to entertain your husky, it may be a good idea to consider taking them to a doggy daycare, intended to look after your dog in a fun, social environment.

Things To Consider

Huskies Require A Lot Of Effort

Huskies have been bred to work alongside humans every day in harsh, unforgiving conditions. This means that you are not likely to get a lazy husky that just likes to lay around and watch television. It is important to remember this before taking on the responsibility of owning a husky or a energetic cross breed like a Huskypoo, and if you are unsure that you will be able to spend the amount of time and effort needed to properly care for a husky, you may want to consider a more laid-back breed.

Age

It is important to consider the age of your husky. If you have a young puppy, they will require a lot of attention, but the amount of exercise needed on a daily basis is much less than for an adult dog. Generally, it is recommended that your husky receives approximately 5 minutes of exercise every day per month of age. This limitation is because when puppies are young, their joints and bones are still developing and too much exercise could cause serious injury or even chronic pain for the rest of their lives.

Give It Attention Daily

Huskies are a breed that require daily exercise and attention. If you are determined to get a husky, be prepared to give them your attention and time every day.

How To Stop Your Dog from Barking When Home Alone

Dogs are supposed to bark, right?

Continuous barking can be an indication of an underlying issue. The barking can escalate issues, especially if you do not reside in a detached home in the countryside, and they are becoming a nuisance to your neighbors. When a dog repeatedly barks with incessant yapping, it’s advisable to establish the reason behind it as soon as possible.

The following are some tips to curb the habit:

• Get Rid of Separation Anxiety
• Provide a Comfortable Place for them
• Eliminate Boredom
• Familiar Sounds
• Citronella Collars

Get Rid of Separation Anxiety

Dogs are company pets and may get anxious if left alone and for the first time. Some dogs detest being separated from their owners even for a few minutes and will bark as much as they can to draw attention and communicate what they want. A dog with separation anxiety will bark with the slightest indication of being left and may not relent until they connect back with their owners.

Such dogs can, however, can undergo training though it takes much time and patience. You may also need to work closely with your dog and bond more to eliminate this anxiety when you are not in the vicinity.

Provide a Comfortable Place for them

Tired and uncomfortable dogs are more likely to be irritated and want to bark off these frustrations. While most people sleep with their dogs at night, they may not consider getting dog beds for day rests or when not available.

Dog beds are beneficial to the canine companions since they provide more comfort than the usual home furniture. They also make the dogs feel secure in their familiar grounds that are not shared with humans. The beds have washable covers besides protecting the furry pets from body injuries.

Eliminate Boredom

Dogs will want fun-filled interactions with their canine siblings and human beings. They will want to join us where we are and participate in our activities, and any trace of leaving them alone can frustrate them. This condition leads them to destructive behaviors such as whining, biting and trying to escape.

As a dog owner, it is wise to come up with ways of getting rid of the boredom like exercising the dog. Dog walking will leave a dog happy and with no extra energy to let out with barking. It would be wise to invest in durable toys that the dog can play with when alone, not to mention that the dog should always be kept clean and properly fed.

Familiar Sounds

Familiar sounds are the common ones that the dog associate with your presence, such as radio and television. When turned on, your dog may not realize that it is alone and thus will not feel lonely.

Citronella Collars

This is a mechanical method where citronella fitted dog collar. The collar sprays a burst of citronella whenever a dog barks. Citronella is a better substitute to shock back collars though it may not fit into tiny sized dogs. Some dogs sometimes learn to bark in frequencies that the collar cannot detect.

Keep in mind that a dog behaviorist will have to determine the cause of the barking to come up with the most effective solution.

“Should I be nervous about boarding my dog?”

Let’s face it. As a dog owner, it’s inevitable that at some point you will need to take your pooch to a boarding kennel.  The thought of your pooch spending all day with other dogs and possibly catching a bug is enough to create concerns. I’d also be nervous about boarding my dog if I thought about it that way. Boarding kennels can be compared to kids’ daycares. It’s like a daycare for your dog where it gets to spend the days that you can’t be at home with it. Depending on the dog’s personality, some dogs enjoy going to boarding kennels, especially the social ones. Others, especially the antisocial ones, don’t like it. Sort of how some kids love daycare while others start crying the moment they get to the gate. So, what are the situations that would lead you to take your dog to a boarding kennel?

When you’re traveling

Traveling is sometimes a complicated affair for most dog owners especially when they can’t take their dog with them. If you are traveling for a short while, you have the option of placing your dog in a boarding kennel. There’s also the option of having a friend come, and dog sit your pooch which would be the best option. Your friend might, however, have plans of their own and dropping off your dog at their place would inconvenience them. Hiring a professional dog sitter, on the other hand, might turn out to be too expensive because they charge by the hour. This leaves you with boarding as your only option.

When remodeling

Having your dog around when some work is being in your house is not a good idea. Dogs get easily upset when their schedules get disrupted. Some dogs get stressed when they keep seeing new faces and hearing loud, unfamiliar noises. Of course, when you’re remodeling there is going to be banging noises and many faces going in and out of the house. So what do you do to shield your dog from all that commotion? You take them to a boarding kennel. Another option is having your dog stay at a friend’s house, but you wouldn’t want to burden your friend with taking care of your pooch till you finish remodeling.

Kennels & separation anxiety

It’s essential to note that boarding a dog with separation anxiety doesn’t work on all dogs. There’s something about kennels and separation anxiety. The kennel will either alleviate your dog’s separation anxiety or magnify it. It all depends on your dog’s personality, and it gets treated in the boarding facility. To understand this fully, we need to first look at what causes separation anxiety in dogs. Dogs have different triggers for separation anxiety, but a significant schedule change plays a massive role in it. Losing a family member might also cause separation anxiety especially if it was someone who had a close relationship with the dog. Constant close companionship may also cause the dog to develop separation anxiety when the dog owner leaves the house.

How do boarding kennels help with separation anxiety? Most dogs that develop separation anxiety do so because they feel alone or lonely to some degree. It only makes sense then that you find a dog with separation anxiety some companionship. If your dog is the sociable type then taking it to a kennel would help with the separation anxiety. If your dog is not too social then throwing it in a kennel with other strange dogs would only make matters worse. If your dog is antisocial, you will have to condition it, so that it associates separation with a positive outcome such as getting a treat.

Why should you reconsider boarding your dog?

 So far we have only discussed the applicability of boarding kennels in your dog’s life. Now let’s look at the risks that come with boarding your dog.

Contagious diseases – How does a dog get kennel cough?

Boarding your dog involves having it spend the entire time with other dogs whose health history you’re unaware of. With all the highly infectious diseases floating around, you’re justified to worry. One of the most contagious dog diseases is kennel cough. It got its name because it tends to spread rapidly through a kennel or in a place where there are several dogs. How does a dog catch kennel cough, you’re wondering? Kennel cough spreads through the aerosols released by a dog when it coughs. Contaminated items such as food bowls and direct contact are other ways that a dog can get infected.

How do you know if your dog has kennel cough? The primary symptom of kennel cough is a strong and deep honking cough. The cough sounds like your dog is trying to clear its throat. Other symptoms include sneezing, fever, and a runny nose. An infected dog might also develop a low appetite and become lethargic. The best bet to prevent your dog from being infected is to have it vaccinated. If your dog does get infected, you should take it to the vet the moment you notice the symptoms. Treatment varies with the severity of the symptoms but it is mandatory to keep the infected dog quarantined from other dogs to prevent the disease from spreading. Besides kennel cough, your dog can pick other contagious diseases such as rabies, canine parvovirus, canine influenza, canine distemper, and others. Although most of the communicable canine diseases are preventable, they can be fatal to your dog if it gets infected. With such diseases out there, taking your dog to a boarding kennel seems like quite a huge gamble.

Kennel syndrome

Kennel syndrome, also known as “kennelosis,” is the behavior that a dog assumes when it’s in survival mode. It comes about when a dog spends most hours in the kennel. Yes, prolonged kenneling can drive your dog crazy. Kennel syndrome manifests in either extreme aggression or extreme submission. Dogs are highly adaptable animals which has enabled them to survive for thousands of years. A kenneled dog may become aggressive to establish dominance or submissive to try and survive. Boarding facilities differ in how they handle dogs and herein comes the problem. If your pooch is in a boarding facility that kennels them for long, then it stands a chance of developing kennel syndrome.

How do you know if your dog has kennel syndrome? The first telltale sign is a drastic behavioral change. If your dog was a quiet dog and is now suddenly aggressive after boarding, then it probably has kennel syndrome. Other symptoms include jumping and spinning around in the kennel. Some dogs may chew incessantly on the kennel cage or themselves resulting in self-mutilation. Others develop depression-like symptoms like lack of appetite and lethargy. Whenever a dog with kennel syndrome is left alone in the house, they may engage in destructive behavior like scratching and chewing on the furniture. If you have to take your pooch boarding facility, make sure that the facility exercises the dogs and doesn’t cage them for long. If your dog has kennel syndrome, you might need to see a vet and a dog trainer to offer your dog some behavioral training.

Dog Traumatized after boarding

Boarding facilities differ a lot in schedules and dog handling. Taking your dog to a boarding kennel might result in unforeseen behavioral changes depending on how they interact with other dogs and how the kennel staff treats it. However, what exactly makes a dog traumatized after boarding? When you take your dog to a boarding kennel, you’re introducing it to a new environment and new people. Building trust with these people is dependent on how they treat the dog. If your dog is in a boarding kennel that confines dogs to enclosures for long, then the dog might be exposed to immense stress. Mostly, the stress is a result of the dog being kenneled with other strange dogs and the noise from all the dogs’ barking.

Some tell-tale signs can indicate whether your dog is getting traumatized by the boarding kennel. The most common telltale sign is a drastic change in its behavior and personality. If your dog suddenly loses interest in its toys and feeding, then it’s a sign that it might be traumatized or at least stressed. Other symptoms include aggression, pacing, and lethargy. If you notice that your dog has trauma, it’s imperative that you take swift action and take it to the vet. After the assessment, the vet might decide to prescribe some medication or diet regiment. You can ease the dog’s trauma by offering plenty of opportunities to play and keeping it on a routine.

In conclusion

Boarding kennels are not equal. Some kennels may do your dog right by offering it the opportunity to interact with other dogs and make some friends. Other kennels might leave your dog worse than it was when you took it there. Boarding a dog has some serious downsides and should always be the last resort. Getting a pet sitter or letting your dog stay with a friend would be far much better to the dog and you.

A List Of Kelowna’s Best Dog Friendly Activities & Adventures

Kelowna is known as a haven for dogs and for good reason. With an abundance of off-leash dog parks, combined with a ton of trails and hikes that your dog will enjoy. With so many options, how is an owner to decide what adventure to take with your pet next? We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive list of dog friendly activities and adventures. In addition to our own personal experiences, we consulted local reviewers, Tourism Kelowna, local guides and more to determine the top activities that your dog is sure to love!

TRAILS AND HIKES

Have you ever asked yourself, “where can I go hiking with my dog?” Well this list was created for you!

Angel Springs

A gem amongst Kelowna hikers, your dog will love it. The hike is considered mild and takes pups through a variety of forestry and a running creek. Local groups do a good job of maintaining the trail (even in the winter) to ensure a clean path for you and your pet.

Dog owners will appreciate the interpretive signs with facts about the local ecology and geology.

Get directions by clicking HERE

Bear Creek

The hike has three well-marked loops that all begin at the common trail head. The routes range from a 15-minute loop trail to the 1.4 km Mid Canyon Trail and the longest is the Canyon Rim Trail at 2.5 km (Tourism Kelowna).

You and your pup will witness a great view. You get to see everything, from the highest peaks to down by the creek. Just try not to lose your footing while jumping from rock to rock. The water quickly gains speed. Oh, and bring water. You WILL get thirsty. Reviewers suggest going first left into the forest to begin for beginners, because it gets the steep incline out of the way before fatigue starts to set in.

Crawford Falls/Canyon Falls Park

A difficult trail, you’ll want to make sure your dog is up to the challenge before undertaking this hike. For those strong hikers and their pups, result is well worth the trek! Your pup is sure to love the waterfalls. Be sure to keep an eye out for steep inclines and pack lots of water.

Tourism Kelowna provides the following directions

Look for the trail head and a small pathway that leads to Crawford Falls. To get to the lower falls takes about 20 minutes but is quite difficult. Once there, you will see 20 foot falls. If you continue about 10 more minutes you will see the larger falls (40 feet).

Crawford Falls is located on Bellevue Creek. It can be reached by the following: Gordon Drive to Dehart Road; Dehart Road to Crawford Road; Crawford road to Westridge Drive. Turn on to Canyon Ridge Crescent and finally to Canyon Falls Court, which is a dead end. You will see a Kelowna City Parks trail that you can follow to beautiful waterfalls.

Dilworth Mountain

Dilworth mountain can be seen from almost any location in Kelowna and offers some of the best views of the city (Tourism Kelowna).

From various points along the natural trail, you can see central or downtown Kelowna, the Kelowna Golf and Country Club directly below, and of course Okanagan Lake and mountains in the distance. Plus there’s a small playground for the kids. Explore the trails and see if you can spot Kelowna’s official flower the Arrowleaf Balsamroot along the way (Kelowna.ca). Dog owners who have reviewed the hike praise its proximity to the city and its ability to allow them to squeeze in a quick 40 minute workout with great views.

Fintry Provincial Park

Your dog is sure to test its endurance with the seemingly never-ending stairs at Fintry Provincial Park. Shorts Creek Gorge is a maintained trail that leads you through a gorge up about 400 stairs to a beautiful series of waterfalls (Tourism Kelowna).

Note: Pets/domestic animals must always be on a leash and are not allowed in beach areas (except for the designated pet beach) or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears (BC Parks).

Kalamoir Park

Kalamoir Park is known to be a great hike full of ups and downs, along with great views and a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Reviewers rave about: there being a swimming beach as well as a dog beach and a canoe/kayak launch. The facilities are always clean, and the park well maintained. In the spring there are hundreds of flowers blooming along the mountainside making it a must visit!

Knox Mountain

Knox is popular amongst locals due to its flexibility and pet friendly trails. With hikes ranging from easy to difficult and 1-5km in length, there really is a hike no matter the size of your pet.

Apex Trail @ Knox Mountain

Moderate to Difficult; 1 – 5 km

Dogs allowed on leash

Parking is at the bottom of the mountain, at mid point (crown lookout), and at the top. Most trails are accessible from the entrance on Ellis Street. Many of these trails have a steep incline. When you reach the top you will get some amazing views of the City and the valley.

Paul’s Tomb @ Knox Mountain

Easy to Moderate; 3 km (round trip)

Dogs allowed on leash

Paul’s Tomb is a beautiful hike with very little incline and gives you some extraordinary views of the lake. Paul was an Okanagan Pioneer who owned the land at Paul’s Tomb, this is a great area to have a picnic.

Take Ellis Street north all the way to the end to reach the park entrance. Parking is at the bottom of the mountain, at mid point (crown lookout), and at the top. Most trails are accessible from the entrance on Ellis Street. Many of these trails have a steep incline. When you reach the top you will get some amazing views of the City and the valley (Tourism Kelowna)

Kuiper’s Peak Mountain Park

In search of a quick hike for your dog that will provide spectacular views of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake? Then Kuiper’s Peak Mountain Park is the right choice for you. In addition to the exercise your dog will likely meet some new deer friends! Be sure to bundle up as it can get quite windy at times.

Mill Creek Regional Park

A beautiful cool and quiet trail system follows Mill Creek into the falls. Hikers and their dogs will enjoy the park on their daily walk and the ability to enjoy a picnic in the shade of the Black Cottonwood trees by the creek. Most of the trail is very flat and easy, parts are a little rougher with roots and rocky sections. Naturalists can enjoy the wildlife found searching for food and water or hiding in the underbrush (Tourism Kelowna).

Reviewers love that this spot is a hidden gem for their dog that provides an awesome waterfall finish. An excellent place to capture dog photos!

Mission Creek Greenway

The Greenway is perfect for cycling, jogging, running and walking. There are two phases of the trail. The first phase is the most used portion of the trail. While the second phase is great, there are portions of it that are not accessible by bike due to stairs, towards the end of the trail (Tourism Kelowna).

Considered a hidden treasure in the city that is a must-visit for dog owners seeking a leisurely stroll.

Mount Boucherie

Mount Boucherie in West Kelowna offers stunning 360-degree views of the Central Okanagan Valley that you can enjoy with your canine friends, and the drive is only about 15 minutes from downtown.

Don’t forget to bring your camera. There are several areas where you can take a break and enjoy the view, including at the halfway point. Bringing water is also a good idea for you and your furry friends, and there is a dog water dish at the summit for the public to use. (Tourism Kelowna).

Myra Canyon Trestles – Kettle Valley Railway

This highly scenic portion of the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) runs along a steep-walled canyon. Originally built by hand at the turn of the last century, this impressive landmark is highlighted by 2 tunnels and 18 trestle bridges that are too spectacular for words. You can hike it, or bike it (Tourism Kelowna).

Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park

The Crawford Trails area of Myra-Bellevue Park has over 100 km of trails and is a popular destination for hikers, runners, horse riders and mountain bikers (Tourism Kelowna).

Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park

There are several hiking trails and vast wetlands within the park. It is largely untouched by weeds and is pristine habitat for wildlife, including coyotes, as the name suggest, so do use caution (Tourism Kelowna).

Spion Kop Hiking Trails

The trail to the peak of the Spion Kop mountain is a moderate to difficult incline. If you are up for the challenge, follow a pathway through ponderosa pine and bunch grass to spectacular & unique views of the Okanagan Valley (Tourism Kelowna).

Shannon Lake Regional Park

The park is great for a leisurely stroll or an evening walk. The lake is great habitat for waterbirds and turtles that are frequently seen in the park (Tourism Kelowna).

Scenic Canyon Regional Park

Access to Scenic Canyon Regional Park is through Mission Creek Greenway, the fastest way to get to Scenic Canyon would be the Greenway access at Field Road. This park has many great features, including geological formations, cultural sites and rock ovens used by Chinese Labourers (Tourism Kelowna).

Rose Valley Regional Park

Great hiking with excellent locations for naturalist activities such as bird watching. Good viewpoints are at the pond or on the grassland plateau (Tourism Kelowna).

Waterfront Boardwalk

The waterfront area is a beautiful location to go for a short walk and enjoy the scenery of Okanagan Lake. The trail connects to the Rotary Marshes wildlife park where it is not uncommon to see a heron, beavers, or eagles flying over (Tourism Kelowna).

Dog Friendly Wineries

Ancient Hill Estate Winery

This dog friendly boutique winery is in the beautiful, rural, Ellison area of North Kelowna. Located directly across from the Kelowna Airport, on land originally planted to grapes more than 60 years ago.

They specialize in small lots of tasty wines. The wines are made entirely from grapes grown in our own vineyard and processed on-site in our European style winery.

Old-world charm. Travel along the scenic backroads of farmland and horse ranches to arrive at this new and enchanting European-style winery. Once here, you’ll be welcomed into a nouveau-rustic tasting room where wood is king and the wine noble – made entirely from grapes grown on the estate’s vineyard (Tourism Kelowna).

Arrowleaf Cellars

Arrowleaf Cellars is a boutique winery owned and operated by the Zuppigers, a Swiss-Canadian family. In the late nineties, with two decades of farming experience in both fruit growing and dairy operations, the Zuppigers made a career shift. In 1997 they moved to Suncrest Vineyard with the goal of starting a land-based winery. Winemaker Manuel Zuppiger completed his studies in Switzerland and returned with a keen interest to make quality wines in the fledgling Okanagan wine region.

Picnic Paradise. Nestled on a hillside with vineyards sloping down to the lake, family-owned Arrowleaf Cellars crafts award-winning wines from this grape-laden landscape. After your tasting, enjoy the great view while sharing your picnic lunch with friends or family and a glass of your favourite Arrowleaf wine. Does it get any better (Tourism Kelowna)?

Beaumont Family Estate Winery

This family estate winery has been growing 100% certified organic grapes since 1995. We now have releases of subtle finesse and balanced wines. Ingenuity, innovation, and modern winemaking techniques, along with flavourful grapes, mean a bright future for this new and exciting farm-gate winery. Come and enjoy the views, taste some delicious wines, hear the music and savour the experience of Beaumont (Tourism Kelowna)!

CedarCreek Estate Winery

Nestled amongst lush vineyards and panoramic lake views, CedarCreek Estate Winery is one of Kelowna’s oldest wineries. Purchased in 1986, CedarCreek released its first wines in 1987 and was one of the first eight pioneering wineries of BC. With four generations of agricultural heritage and more than three decades of experience, we have pursued perfection and produced some of the Okanagan valley’s best wines resulting in CedarCreek being twice recognized as “Canada’s Winery of the Year”. Today, we look proudly towards the future to further promote our region.

Gray Monk Estate Winery

Perched above Okanagan Lake with stunning panoramic views of mountains, vineyards and the lake, Gray Monk Estate Winery offers guests a true taste, or sip, of the Okanagan lifestyle. With a bustling wine boutique, a full service banquet facility and a world-class restaurant, the winery is equipped to host guests for all occasions (Tourism Kelowna).

House of Rose Winery

Feels just like home – Enjoy a true farm gate wine tasting experience in the rustic charm of an authentic grape picker’s cabin. Feel free to wander the beautiful orchards and vineyards or relax at the picnic area while sharing wine and cheese. Children are welcome as well – they’ll feel right at home (Tourism Kelowna).

Intrigue Wines

Some people like to know where the wine comes from. Others like to know who made it or how it will change with time. The foodies want to know what flavours they will find in their glass and how it will pair with a certain dish.

We’re all intrigued about wine. It’s constantly changing and evolving. That is part of the excitement and allure of winemaking (Tourism Kelowna).

You’ll love the wine and your dog will enjoy the pet friendly atmosphere!

Kalala Organic Estate Winery

Small winery – big awards. The Okanagan’s newest organic winery exhibits great taste. Hand-picked grapes and handcrafted wines have taken Kalala very quickly into the international winner’s circle. Their first-ever vintage of Chardonnay icewine was awarded gold at the prestigious 2010 Chardonnay du Monde competition in France (Tourism Kelowna).

Quails’ Gate Winery

Spoil your senses. Make sure to visit one of Canada’s culinary gems – Quails’ Gate Winery and Old Vines Restaurant. It is the meeting place for fresh, local ingredients, paired with the fruit-forward wines of Quails’ Gate. Enjoy the spectacular vineyard views while savouring flavours of the Okanagan (Tourism Kelowna).

Rollingdale Winery

Rollingdale Winery is a small farm gate winery located in Lakeview Heights, in West Kelowna. 100% family owned and operated. The focus is on producing fine wines using only premium grapes made from the most conscientiously cultivated vines they can find.

The wine shop is open every day. The picnic area is now open where you can bring a lunch and enjoy wine by the glass. Bookings are recommended for larger groups.

SpearHead Winery

SpierHead Winery and Vineyard is situated along Spiers Road on the benchlands of south east Kelowna, one of the newest wine regions in the Okanagan Valley and part of the East Kelowna Fab Five Wine Trail (Tourism Kelowna).

St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery

Stroll through the vineyard. Try identifying varieties as you wander the lakeview vineyard. Originally planted in 1928, sections of the vineyard, along with the winery, burned to the ground in a 2003 wildfire. But dedicated owners Andy and Leo replanted and rebuilt. Come enjoy the winery’s relaxed hospitality and terroir-influenced wines (Tourism Kelowna).

Tantalus Vineyards

Spectacular lake views, an historic old vineyard and our new state-of-the-art LEED Certified winery make visiting Tantalus a one-of-a-kind experience. Enjoy premium quality, single-vineyard wines in a stunning gallery-style tasting room, surrounded by works of art from some of Canada’s most highly acclaimed artists (Tourism Kelowna).

the hatch

‘the hatch’ is a tasting emporium, an emporium the likes not seen before here in The Okanagan. But on a meta-level, ‘the hatch’ is the culmination of dreams had by a group of eccentric grapeophiles who have lived and learned the way of the vine for countless years.

That answers the ‘what’, but also asked is the ‘why’. Why ‘the hatch’? Because the time is long overdue for something like this to enter your life, and more-so; to make your life that much better. Now it’s time to shut-up and go drink some wine (Tourism Kelowna).

The View Winery

Set in a vintage 1922 apple packing house, The View Winery offers an authentic Okanagan experience. Featuring aromatic fresh, crisp whites, fruit-forward, spicy reds and handcrafted apple ciders. Nestled amid rolling orchards and vines, minutes from downtown Kelowna. Look for the Red Shoe (Tourism Kelowna)!

Volcanic Hills Estate Winery

60 million years to perfect. The beauty of being situated at the foot of a once active volcano lies in the dirt – pure gold for growing grapes. This new winery is already winning medals for wines that are erupting with flavour! When visiting the spacious wine shop, sign the List of Events so you don’t miss their new releases, promotions and events (Tourism Kelowna).

Dog Friendly Places To Eat In Kelowna

Looking to grab a quick bite to eat in downtown Kelowna but don’t want to leave your furry best friend at home? Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of well-known food options that allow dogs. Some of our favourites include:

• The Munkey’s Fist (Directions)
• El Taquero – Taqueria (Directions)
• Krafty Kitchen + Bar (Directions)
• The Grateful Fed (Directions)
• La Petite Maison (Directions)
• Sturgeon Hall (Directions)
• Doc Willoughby’s (Directions)
• Salted Brick (Directions)
• Bean Scene (Directions)
• Antico Pizza Napoletana (Directions)

Parks by area in Kelowna

OFF-LEASH PARKS:

Before we deep dive into the off-leash dog parks available to pups and their owners it is crucial that all owners understand the rules and responsibilities outlined by the City of Kelowna.

Rules and responsibilities

• Owners/handlers must pick-up after their dog(s). If they poop, you must scoop!
• Leashes must not be longer than two m (six ft.).
• Handlers must have possession of the dog leash at all times.
• Maximum of two dogs per handler.
• Handlers are responsible for any injuries caused by the dog(s) under their control.
• Handlers must ensure their dogs don’t bother other park users.
• Dogs on leash must stay at least 10 m. (30 ft.) away from playgrounds.

Off-leash dog park specific:

• Owners/handlers must pick-up after their dogs. If they poop, you must scoop!
• Users of the facility do so at their own risk. The City shall not be liable for any injury or damage caused by any dog in the off-leash area.
• The off-leash dog area is for dogs, their handlers and those accompanying them. No other use is allowed.
• Dogs must be under control of their handler and in view of their handler at all times.
• Dogs must be removed from the off-leash dog area at the first sign of aggression.
• All dogs must be legally licensed and shall wear a visible dog license.
• All dogs should be currently vaccinated.
• No animals other than dogs shall be permitted in the area.
• No dogs under four months of age.
• No female dogs in heat.
• Handlers must be 15 years of age or older.
• Children age 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the off-leash dog area.
• Dogs must be on a leash when entering and exiting the off-leash dog area.

– Cedar Creek Park @ 5200 Lakeshore Rd

Located on Lakeshore Road, near one of Kelowna’s long and narrow pebble beaches this dog friendly area provides owners with a nice walk on the trail along the lake. Well maintained, dogs will love playing fetch and going for a swim!

Get directions by clicking HERE

– Duggan Park @ 1494 Bernard Ave

Centrally located on Bernard Avenue, this on-leash and off-leash park provides downtown residents a wide-open space for your furry best friend to get its exercise in for the day. With a playground also on location it’s a great option for those with young children.

Get directions by clicking HERE

– Ellison Dog Park @ 4720 Old Vernon Rd

A huge area (7.02 ha) located just off of the 97 highway near the airport, Ellison Dog Park includes trails that your dog will love! Great for dog owners that don’t quite have the time to undertake a full hike. There are lots of little trails and a separate play area. The park is typically quiet making for a nice evening stroll.

Get directions by clicking HERE

– Enterprise Park @ 2500 Enterprise Way

Located between the BMW dealership and Shaw Cable around Enterprise, Leckie and Hunter court. A small (0.45 ha) enclosure with a place for your dog to swim and get a drink on that hot summer day. The terrain is completely flat. Mill creek is nearby and there are some trails and bridges in the area to do some exploring (on-leash only). Local reviewers have mentioned that there is potential for your dog to get bad burrs if they stray near the creek.

Get directions by clicking HERE

– Knox Mountain Park @ 450 Knox Mountain Dr

(Likely) Kelowna’s most well-known trail. It provides dogs and their owners with great flexibility due to its numerous trails ranging in difficulty. Along the way you’ll find lots of grassy areas with tall trees to cool off in the shade and tons of opportunities for photographs. For those owners only interested in spectacular city views can drive with their dog all the way to the top.

For more information on Knox Mountain Park, visit their official website.

Get directions by clicking HERE

– Mission Recreation Park @ 4105 Gordon Dr

A long trail that connects to others, a great sport for your dog to meet other animals including ducks, otters, horses and eagles. If you walk by during the summer, your dog might just be able to snag a homerun ball that clears the fence at the nearby softball diamonds.

Get directions by clicking HERE

– North Glenmore Dog Park @ 2150 Glenmore Rd N

This dog park comes pawsitively reviewed by its frequenters. It is beloved for its open, spacious landscape and water fountain great for combating the hot summers in the Okanagan.

Get directions by clicking HERE

OTHER OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS:

Black Mountain: 

– Bella Vista Park @ 2342 Loseth Rd
– Birkdale Park @ 363 Prestwick St
– Gallagher Community Park @ 1755 Gallagher Rd
– Gopher Creek Linear Park @ 1723 Lynrick Rd
– Lund Park @ 1250 Lund Rd
– Stockley Open Space @ 1035 Stockley St

Downtown: 

– Anchor Park @ 1691 Ellis St
– Cameron Park @ 2345 Richter St

A favorite park amongst locals. Clean, open space make it a go-to place for those with dogs and children. The trees make for useful shade on those hot summer days.

– City Hall @ 1435 Water St
– City Park @ 1600 Abbott St

Highly reviewed and popular amongst locals and tourists alike. Your dog will run into a ton of friends here along your lakefront walk. The pathway is well-maintained, accessible by bike and a large lawn if you wish to sit down and have a peaceful picnic. Let your pup cool off with a swim in the lake on those hot summer days.

– Davie Park @ 300 Davie Rd
A beautiful park adorned with trees, annual and perennial flowers. On hot summer days you can find a perfect combination of areas for sun exposure and shade under the deciduous and evergreen trees. Want to bring the kids? There is a playground for children and benches for you to sit back, observe, and relax.
– Duggan Park @ 1494 Bernard Ave

With a great dog park section for little dogs, this is a popular spot for those living downtown. The community playground provides plenty of opportunity for your doggo to be interested to tons of young children.

– Enterprise Way Park @ 2500 Enterprise Way
– Kerry Park @ 1480 Mill St
– Knowles Park @ 865 Bernard Ave
– Knox Mountain Park @ 540 Broadway Ave
– Leckie Place @ 2135 Leckie Pl (Brents Mill Site)
– Millbridge Park @ 1999 Bowes St
– Pacific Court Park @ 1955 Pacific Crt
– Parkinson Recreation Park @ 1800 Parkinson Way
– Stuart Park @ 1420 Water St
– Sunset Drive Park @ 1055 Sunset Dr
– Sutherland Park @ 700 Ellis St
– Waterfront Park @ 1200 Water St

Glenmore, Dilworth and Clifton Areas: 

– Begbie Park @ 1410 Union Rd
– Blair Pond Park @ 333 Clifton Rd S
– Brants Creek Linear Park @ Glenmore Valley
– Calmels Park @1059 Calmels Cres
– Cross Glen Park @ 207 Biggar Rd
– Eagle View Trail @ 2105 Glenmore Rd
– Dilworth Mountain Park and Trails @ 2100 Chilcotin Ct
– Hidden Lake Park @ 1188 Long Ridge Dr
– Jack Robertson Park @ 1655 Willow Cres
– Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery @ 1991 Bernard Ave
– Matera Glen Park @ 250 Glen Park Dr
– Mill Creek Linear Park @ Various Access Points
– Millard Glen Park @ 1840 Millard Court W
– Newport Glen Park @ 130 Applebrooke Cres
– North Glenmore Park @ 2150 Glenmore Rd N
– Redlich Park @ 1646 Gillard Dr
– Selkirk Park @ 2500 Selkirk Dr
– Still Pond Park @ 550 Still Pond Pl
– Sutton Glen Park @ 464 Sutton Cres
– Terrace Hill Park @ 180 Terrace Hill Pl
– Valley Glen Wetland @ 530 Valley Rd
– Whitman Glen Park @ 308 Whitman Rd
– Wyndham Park @ 131 Wyndham Crt

North Mission and Crawford Area: 

– Bellevue Creek Greenway @ 4918 Silver Stag Crt
– Belmont Park @ 4444 Belmont Rd
– Canyon Falls Park @ 1856 Canyon Falls Crt
– Crawford Multi-Use Court @ 4770 Stewart Rd W
– Dehart Park @ 687 Dehart Rd
– Mission Recreation Park @ 3975 Gordon Dr
– Mission Ridge Park @ End of Bullock Rd
– Ponds Community Park @ 1213 Frost Rd
– Surtees Property @ 4629 Lakeshore Rd
– Thomson Creek Linear Park @ 4105 Gordon Dr
– Wilson Creek Linear Creek @ 4186 Lakeshore Rd

Rutland: 

– Ben Lee Park @ 900 Houghton Rd
– Chichester Wetland Park @ 250 Sumac Rd W
– Gerstmar Park @ 955 Gerstmar Rd
– Harris Park @ 280 Sumac Rd W
– Mission Creek Regional Park @ 2345 Springfield Rd
– Moraine Park @ 700 Moraine Crt
– Mugford Park @ 425 Stetson St
– Roxby Centennial Park @ 250 Hwy 33 W
– Rutland Bluff Linear Park @ 180 Froelich Rd
– Rutland Centennial Park @ 180 Rutland Rd
– Rutland Lions Park @ 205 Gray Rd
– Rutland Recreation Park @ 425 Hartman Rd

South Pandosy and KLO Area: 

– Fascieux Creek Park @ Richter St and Casorso Rd
– Mission Creek Greenway @ Lakeshore/Truswell to Ziprick Rd
– Wastewater Treatment Plant @ 951 Raymer Ave

South East Kelowna: 

– Fairhall Park @ 2448 Fairhall Rd
– Havard Rd Linear Park @ 4538 Gaspardone Rd
– KLO Creek Regional Park @3730 Field Rd
– Priest Creek Linear Park @ 315 Balldock Rd
– Scenic Canyon Regional Park @ 3801 Field Rd
– South Kelowna Centennial Park @ 4194 Spiers Rd
– Summerside Park @ 3858 Summerside Dr
– Tulameen Park @ 347 Quilchena Dr

South West Mission Area: 

– Cascia Linear Park @ 430 Cascia Dr
– Jewel Park @ 327 Providence Ave
– Main Street Park (Kettle Valley) @ 411 Providence Ave
– McCarren Park @ 347 McCarren Ave
– Mountainside Park @ 5437 Chute Lake Rd
– Powerline Linear Park @ 5056 Windsong Cres
– Providence Park @ 352 McCarren Ave
– Quarry Park @ 640 Southridge Dr
– Quilchena Park @ 347 Quilchena Dr
– Southwest Mission Powerline Park @ All Sections
– Southridge Open Space @ 5210 Southridge Dr
– Southridge Park @ 5045 Southridge Dr
– Winslow Park @ 5386 Winslow St

Quail and North End Areas: 

– Carney Park @ 1890 Capistrano Dr
– Ellison Centennial Park @ 4720 Old Vernon Rd
– Quail Ridge Linear Park @ 2985 Quail Cres

Conclusion:

And there you have it! Over 5000 words later we’ve finally reached the end of the extensive list of dog friendly activities in Kelowna.

Did we miss any spots? Contact the team at Tail Waggers Kelowna to have your pup’s favorite spot added!

9 Dog Walking Skills To Look For When Choosing A Dog Walker

For those pet parents that just may not have the time or would prefer to find someone else to walk their dog for them, choosing a dog walker can be a strenuous effort. The following 9 dog walking skills should help ensure you have selected the best person for the responsibility of looking after your furry best friend(s). They are:

1. Stamina
2. Punctuality
3. Organizational
4. Flexible
5. Calm
6. Honest
7. Experienced
8. Great Customer Service
9. Relationship With Your Dog

Stamina

This may sound obvious – but we are going to stress it anyway. If you have enlisted a dog walkerthat is not going to be able to keep up with the energy of your dog, you are letting your pet down.

Advantages of a dog walker with stamina:

Willing to go the extra mile to make sure your dog receives the exercise it requires.

How to ensure your dog walker has stamina:

A consultation whereby the potential dog walker meets with you and your dog is the ideal time to ask any questions. Let your expectations be known before hiring. If you expect your dog to receive a long 30-minute hike, ask the potential dog walker if this is something they can commit to.

Punctuality

Ensuring your dog maintains a consistent schedule is great way to ensure their happiness from day to day. To do this, it is imperative that your potential dog walker understand the needs of your dog including the times they are to get some exercise at.

Advantages of punctual dog walkers:

The dog owner can ensure that their furry best friend maintains a regular routine.

How to ensure your dog walker is punctual:

Reviews are your best friend here. If possible, rely on those dog walkers that have been referred to you by people that you trust.

Organizational

Organizing is all about keeping things in proper order for the comfort of the pet and its owner. If the goal is for your dog to shed a few pounds it, an organizational dog walker should understand this and the necessary steps to take in achieving this goal. If a dog owner is hoping to reduce the mess it comes home to, an organizational dog walker would understand the purpose of their exercise or pet sitting service, should be to keep the dog occupied and entertained to the point that it no longer needs to rely on couch cushions or electrical wires as its source of enjoyment. Organization allows you to get the most out of your investment, giving you as the pet owner a sense of control and increased productivity.

Advantages of organizational dog walkers

Organizational people are more efficient, have better management skills, are more trustworthy, reduce the amount of stress you encounter and enable you to track progress easily.

How to ensure your dog walker is organizational

Most reputable dog walkers offer free consultations to meet your pet before agreeing to paid services. This is the time to ask these questions and get a better feel for their personality and skill set.

Flexible

Look, the last scenario you want as a dog owner is to run in to an emergency and not have someone to care for your furry best friend while you are away. A dog walker with a flexible schedule and adaptability is extremely useful when deciding which dog walking services provider to choose.

Advantages of flexible dog walkers

Dog walkers that are flexible reduce the stress you face as a dog owner as you know you can always count on them when you are in a pinch. This ensures your dog always has someone caring for them.

How to ensure your dog walker is flexible

Simply request their schedule when meeting them. Obviously, to ‘test’ their flexibility and adaptability it will require real life scenarios to occur and see how they react.

Calm

Some dogs are highly unpredictable. A calm dog owner realizes this and can examine the situation in is entirety to craft a successful solution. On the other hand, a less experienced, impatient dog walker may choose to react to a situation without fully understanding the entire situation. Rather than immediately disciplining a dog for barking, there might be underlying causes for its actions.

Advantages of calm dog walkers

A sense of calm for dog owners! Knowing that your dog is in good hands while you are away is a great feeling.

How to ensure your dog walker is calm

Reviews are useful here as well as asking qualifying questions during the consultation process with your dog.

Honest

Have you ever in your life preferred dishonest people when it comes to your own friends? No? Then why would you allow your dog to be left under the direct supervision of someone that you can’t trust is telling you the truth? News flash – you shouldn’t!

Advantages of honest dog walkers

You can trust them and what they are telling you. If your dog requires a certain level of exercise, say a 15-minute jog, rather than a walk at a snail’s pace, you are going to want to be assured this is happening. Not only for the sake of your dog’s health, but to ensure you are getting your money’s worth.

How to ensure your dog walker is honest

Test them! Unfortunately, unless you rely solely on word-of-mouth, there is going to be a bit of trial and error to determine whether your (potential) dog walker is honest.

Experienced

We all understand the idea of hiring your best friend’s teenaged daughter because they could use the extra ten bucks. However, is that really who you want to entrust the safety of your dog to (imagine if your puppy were to bite someone while on their walk!)? With such a huge number of dog walkers available for hire, why not seek out those who are experienced and positively reviewed. Doing so will be worth the extra dough!

Advantages of experienced dog walkers

They can show you their portfolio of happy pets. They can provide you with reference information. They know the best routes and how to deal with all kinds of dog temperaments and attitudes.

How to ensure your dog walker is experienced

It should be relatively apparent once your dog walker meets your pet. No two dogs are the same and an experienced dog walker will likely take little time to get to know your dog and build a relationship.

Great Customer Service

Every dog walker is essentially a business owner. As such, they should act in a professional manner when meeting you and your pet. Additionally, the service booking experience should be more than adequate right through the completion of services.

Advantages of dog walkers who provide great customer service

It leads to more repeat business. This might sound like it only benefits the dog walker, but that’s not the case. Those businesses that provide great customer service tend to do get more referrals and business overall. By utilizing a dog walker skilled in customer service, rather than you know….a bad pet sitter, you can feel confident that they are providing similar service to other dogs in your area.

How to ensure your dog walker provides great customer service

Reviews once again will be your friend here. Additionally, you will want to make sure you take full advantage of free consultations to gain a full understanding of your dog walker’s personality and customer service traits.

Relationship With Your Dog

This most likely the top skill you should be requiring from your dog walker. Their time should be spent with the dog, playing with them, at times providing subtle teaching moments and paying attention to their reactions. By the end of the consultation process there should be a good understanding of how the dog walker and the dog communicate.

Advantages of a dog walker with a great relationship with your dog

 A seamless transition from you (the dog owner) interacting and keeping your dog company, to the dog walker.

How to ensure your dog has a great relationship with your dog

This is mostly subjective, but in our opinion, if your potential dog walker isn’t on the floor getting to know them on their level, it may be tough to fully build that relationship.