Have a Dog-Friendly Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day is almost here! There are so many fun, dog-friendly activities you can pack into this long weekend with your pooch. Whether you stay in or are planning on traveling, we have you covered with several suggestions in case you’re still in the planning stages. Your dogs will have an amazing Labor Day with you, but if you must travel without them please give us a call- 305.794.3733! Our pet sitters and dog walkers will keep your furry babies so entertained they may not even miss you. (;

Host a Labor Day Pooch Party:

Invite all of your friends and neighbors with well-behaved pooches to your home. They’ll especially love you if you have a pool. If you don’t (or if you prefer a fur-free pool), plastic kiddie pools and sprinklers are a great alternative. Set off the sprinklers and watch them play. Think up a fun dog goodie bag, such as grain-free treats or special dog-friendly ice cream (see below for recipe!).

Safety Tips: Keep the party short and sweet. Playing in the sun is tough for our furry friends. Keep them wet and hydrated, try to stay under the shade or out of direct sun, and watch for the signs of dehydration, including brick-red gums, excessive panting, and foamy saliva. Keep brachycephalic breeds safe by alternating AC and outdoor play.

Know Your Dogs: Are they food driven or possessive with toys? It’s important to invite well-behaved pups.

Avoid Human Food: You want to stay away from human, fatty foods. Our dogs are not used to the kind of food we eat and do not do well with rich, fatty steaks, ribs, burgers (not to mention the bones are dangerous). Keep the food situation simple: don’t give them any.

Going to a friend’s party? If you take your pet, keep them comfortable by bringing their crate, bedding, and toys with them. When travelling in the car remember to keep them in the crate or secured with a seatbelt harness. And always remember: never leave your dog locked in your car under any circumstance. Temperatures rise quickly in cars and your dog can die of heat exhaustion.

Take Your Dogs to the Beach

It may be very crowded on Labor Day, but your pups will love Key Biscayne’s dog beach off of the Rickenbacker Causeway. The only dog-friendly beach in Miami, this is a dog’s paradise that comes with a few important caveats. Dogs and their parents love that the water is shallow, making it easy to play fetch and keep track of their pooches. While dogs love it, most humans will not want to sit down and relax on the sand because there is not much of that and there are plenty of rocks. Dogs run around without leashes here, so it’s important to have good control of your dog; make sure to brush up on the “come” command before ever taking your pup out in public. Bring your own food, water, shade, and waste bags, as they are not offered there. The toll is $1.50, otherwise it’s free.

Pros: Easy and ample parking, lots of shallow water, dogs get to play with other (hopefully well-socialized) dogs, a beach for dog lovers

Cons: People don’t pick up after pets, there may be glass in the sand, no waste bags, close to the highway, lots of sea grass (although the dogs don’t seem to mind it).

Have a BBQ with Your Pooch!

How many times has your dog stared at you longingly while you tucked into a juicy steak? Labor Day weekend could be Christmas in September for your pup if you cook a great piece of boneless salmon or skinless chicken for him or her. Finish up with delicious dog-friendly ice cream!

Dog-Safe PB & B Ice Cream *

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup of peanut butter (make sure there is no Xylitol in the ingredients)
• 2 cups of natural plain yogurt

Instructions:

1. Mash up the banana and mix it with the yogurt.
2. Warm the cup of peanut butter using a microwave or stove until it’s easy to stir.
3. Add the banana and yogurt mixture to the softened peanut butter.
4. Combine all ingredients and pour into non-stick container
5. Freeze overnight.

You may add in strawberries, a drizzle of honey, carob chips (not chocolate, ever!) and top with a bully stick or yummy crunchy treats! (:

We hope these tips help! Let us know what YOU will be doing on Labor Day weekend in the comments section!

*Adapted from Dogington Post

Frankie Berti

A founding member of the Equipaws family, Frankie can mostly be found working behind the scenes, helping co-create online branding, managing several social media accounts, designing brand collateral, writing copy, and managing events. She also fills in for pet sitters and dog walkers when needed in Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, and South Miami. Her own small pack consists of Boots the Shih Tzu mix and Nutmeg the Chiweenie.