Going to the dogs in Alameda

Alameda, California is known for its beautiful, tree-lined streets, its dedication to earth-friendly living, and for being one of the most pet-friendly places in the nation. Fido is a member of your family, and in Alameda, pets are allowed in many places, as long as they’re well behaved.

So how can you ensure your pet will be welcome wherever you go? Some simple training tips can put Fluffy at the top of her canine charm-school class and help keep Alameda pet-friendly for dogs all over the county.

First and foremost, dogs must be socialized. Early and frequent controlled exposure to a variety of situations and people can help reduce a pet’s tendency to lunge, bark and snap at other dogs and people. Start early by taking your puppy to one of Alameda’s many dog parks and allowing him to sniff noses with some of Alameda’s four-legged residents.

Encourage other dog-lovers to approach your pup slowly and gently. Teach your dog to allow people to come to him by keeping him in a firm sit as they pet him. You may need to keep a hand on his collar at first, as most puppies are excited to meet new people and will try to lick every inch of skin they can reach. Discourage this behavior by speaking gently and calmly to your dog while he’s being petted, and be sure to reward him with a tasty treat for good behavior.

Expose your pup to as many new and varied experiences as possible. The more experience a dog has with new situations, the less likely he or she will be to become nervous and panicky when faced with noise, crowds and chaos.

Of course, some breeds tend to be more high-strung than others. Labrador retrievers, for example, tend to be a more outgoing and adaptable breed. However, the most nervous dog can become more social with calm, gentle handling and exposure to new situations.

If your dog is simply too excitable in company, consider obedience classes. Meanwhile, a gentle muzzle-lead, properly applied, can stop your dog from lunging. Be sure to spend some time learning how to use dog training aids, to avoid serious physical or psychological injury to your pet.

Traveling around Alameda, you’ll find many places are open and welcoming to dogs and their owners. Tomatina restaurant on Park Street has an open-air patio where dog lovers can enjoy their lunch with their pets. After lunch, Fido and Fluffy may be ready to run off some of those calories with a walk along the ocean. Alameda’s beaches and parks are nearly all dog-friendly, or at least have dog-friendly areas.

Want to create a memorial to your day out with your pet? Head on over to Color Me Mine, where pets and kids are welcome, and create a craft worthy of a day’s worth of memories.