Cross Country Skiing with Dogs

While there are very legitimate reasons that dogs shouldn't be allowed on cross-country ski trails, trekking along with your dog over freshly groomed tracks while snow flakes land softly on your face couldn't be more invigorating for you and for your dog.

Here are our favorite spots to cross country ski with our dogs:

Teton Canyon, Driggs, Idaho.
Groomed almost daily, this dog friendly, 13 kilometer out and back track will bring you views that won't let you down. The trailhead is off ski hill road at the end of Teton Canyon Road. See http://www.tvtap.org/skiing for updates on grooming.


Blacktail, Lakeside, Montana
Groomed about every other day, there are a few loops and and out and back that offers stunning views of Flathead Lake. There is a lower and an upper trailhead off the road to Blacktail ski area. See http://northshorenordic.org/Default.htm for updates.

As always, even when dogs are permitted on trails, if they are punching holes in the tracks, please take your dog back to the car.

Tell us your favorite place to ski with your dog.

Holiday Cookies - For The Dog

Ginger Bone Treats (courtesy of The BARK)

A quick and simple holiday cookie recipe for your dog (and maybe you).

Dogs love these yummy ginger flavored treats made especially for them! Use a cookie cutter shaped like a bone or your dogs favorite toy, get creative.

Makes 5 to 6 dozen cookies.
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup molasses
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 tablespoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions
Place all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine.
Roll out dough on floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut into desired shapes. Combine dough scraps and continue to roll out and cut into shapes until all dough has been used.
Place cookies on ungreased foil-lined baking sheets and bake in preheated 325º oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

Release N Run Top ?'s

Is that a shock collar? - Common questions about the Release N Run

We get a lot of questions and comments about the Release N Run when we are out doing shows, some of them a little crazy but nonetheless we thought we answer some of those questions here on our blog.

1. Q-Is that Collar/Leash strong enough to hold my dog? A- Absolutely, the collar has been extensively tested in both the field and in the lab with a break strength more than twice the maximum recommended weight, for example the collar rated for 110# dogs is tested to more than 220 pounds. See the last question for more info.
   
2. Q-Is that a shock collar? A-No we can assure you that there is no shock collar in the RNR!
   
3. Q-Will the handle get caught on something when my dog is running around? A-No the collar was designed so that all but 1/2" of the handle stows in the collar and that the 1/2" part that is exposed is at the top of the dogs neck making it safe from catching on anything.
4. Q-my dog will chew through the cord? A- yes if your dog chews the leash he will chew through this leash as well. Try sour apple spray to get your dog rid of this habit.
5. Q- Is the leash strong enough to hold my dog? A- yes this is a repeat of the first question, but we get asked it so much I thought I would address is again. The leash is made of ultrahigh strength Spectra Cord which is extremely strong, 10 times as strong as steel to be exact. This is the same cord that the hand-held retractable leashes use.

If you have any additional questions please feel free to ask through our contact us page.