Take your dog with you to the beach and you could pay $54 – $160 in fines.

The city of Seattle has decided to start aggressively enforcing a long-standing, but un-enforced law, of not allowing dogs onto sandy salt water beaches. The reason – to protect new seal pups coming ashore.

Seattle Animal Shelter has already begun twice-daily patrols on these beaches handing out fines from $54 for a first time “offender” to $160 if your dog was off-leash.

As dog owners, we can view this in various ways.

The simplest – this is the law, so we should set an example and not break it. And if we do, we should be prepared to face the consequences and pay the fines.

The second might be to take a positive view – Seals can be vicious animals (although they look adorable). They have large sharp teach and can be very protective of their young. The last thing any of us want is for a mama seal to think your dog is a threat to her young, and go after it and injure it, or you. So this law, especially this time of year, can be viewed as one to help protect your and your pets’ safety.

Whichever way you choose to view the law, note – it is in place and is now being enforced.

But don’t feel like your dog will not miss out as alternatives exist.

If you want to let your dog feel the sand beneath its paws, take a dip in the shallows, or better yet, run free on the beach, there are off-leash dog parks where you can do just that – legally and safely. Moreover, the off-leash parks are all on lake beaches meaning freshwater, which can be less irritating for your dog’s eyes.

In the city of Seattle itself, Warren G. Magnuson Park Off-Leash Area is a great location. Over 8 acres in size, the off-leash area offers both dog and owner some great roaming and beach time. We ourselves take dogs there on a daily basis and it is fantastic.

A short drive from Seattle, on Mercer Island, is Luther Burbank Park. The park off leash area is over an acre of fully fenced area at the north end of the park with 3 access points to Lake Washington.  Amenities include a separate area for ‘small, shy and recuperating dogs’, and a doggie hose down area.

And if you really want to have fun, roam, and get some splash time, you can’t beat “Doggy Disneyland“, as it is locally known – the Marymoor Park off-leash area in Redmond. Coming in at over 40 acres – yes, over 40 acres! This park has it all. From multiple water beaches to rolling lawns, woods, prairies, and more. It is well worth the drive and both you and your pooch will return home tired and happy.

Whatever you decide to do – stay legal, stay safe, and have fun.

If you’d like to learn more about Seattle dog walking and off-leash park adventures, give us a call!

January is Walk Your Dog month….and there is a good reason to start off the year on the right foot (and paw).

After spending the last part of the year partying, feasting and enjoying the end of yet another hard earned year, it is time to start the new year fresh and on a good note.

Here in Seattle January is cold and wet, and this year started off colder than usual. It might be tempting to skip the first or last dog walk of the day. DON’T.

Both you and your favorite pooch will enjoy some fresh brisk air, working out those muscles, and burning off some of those calories. According to Pet Obesity Prevention, 57.9% of American pets are overweight or obese. Even an extra two pounds on your cat (or five on dogs) is associated with greater risk for disease. So dog walking has multiple benefits.

And don’t forget to drink. That fact that it is cold and you may not feel it, doesn’t mean you and your pooch don’t need rehydration.

Furthermore, the dry cold weather we have been having here lately can cause your dog to have itchy skin and/or cracked paw cushions and noses. Our sidewalks are also covered with anti-icing chemicals that could cause some harm too.

To that end, you will want to make sure to clean those paws after a walk outdoors. You should also consider trimming the hair off your dog’s paws, specifically in between and around the pads, assuming it is a longer haired breed. Doing this will help minimize chemicals getting picked up and collected. It also helps lessen the ice built up there, which could be painful.

Brushing your pup will help with the dry skin, removing old hair and distributing the natural oils throughout their coat.

So Trim, Walk, Clean, and Brush on a regular basis and you and your pooch will have enjoyed this start to the new year together.

Happy New Year, Stay Safe and Warm and Go Walk Your Dog.

Your favorite furry friend needs daily exercise in order to stay physically and mentally healthy. If you work during the day or simply find yourself very busy and your schedule doesn’t allow you to regularly give your dog the walks he/she needs, you may need and want to consider a dog walker.

However, this isn’t a decision to be made lightly: who you choose to enter your home and walk your dog on a regular basis matters. Anybody can advertise themselves as a dog walker and in fact, many people do. That doesn’t mean they have the experience, training, or set-up necessary to keep your dog safe and happy.

Here are some steps you will want to take to make sure you find the right company and the right dog walker for your pup

1) Ask for recommendations

A good way to start looking for a dog walker is to ask other dog owners who they use, if they trust them, and if they recommend them.

2) Invite potential walkers to meet you and your dog 

A key consideration when choosing a walker is whether or not your dog is comfortable around them and vis versa. A walker that may be great for and with one dog, may not be with another. Before hiring a walker, you should introduce them to your dog and see how they get along. Look for a walker who acts calm and assertive towards your dog and pays attention to body language and behavior.

3) Ask questions

• Where will you walk my dog?
• Do you walk a large group or is it a private walk?
• Can you accommodate special needs?
  Do you have professional experience working with dogs and is this your main job? (Don’t settle for someone that just wants to make some extra cash on the side as a part-time gig).
• How long have you been walking dogs?
• What are your training and discipline methods? You want to hire someone who uses methods that you agree with.
• Are you licensed and insured? (Don’t proceed if they can’t show you a business license and proof of dog-walking insurance).
• Are you certified to provide canine first aid? How will you respond to emergency situations?
• What happens if you are sick or can’t do the walk on a certain day?

Take your time, and don’t compromise because your dog deserves to be safe, comfortable, and happy on his walks.

At Strut The Pup, our dog walkers are employees of the company. It is their main job and they are trained and certified to do it well. Our walks are private 1-1 walks and it is always with the same walker who you will meet ahead of time. We are of course licensed and insured including commercial insurance for our company vans that are used to take dogs to the off-leash dog park.

If you are looking for the last Seattle area dog walker you will ever need, give us a call!