If you are concerned that your dog is overheated and/ or dehydrated, here are some signs to look out for:

1. glassy eyes
   
2. frantic panting
   
3. discolored gums: Press your finger to his gums until they turn white. If gums don't return to normal color immediately, your dog could be dehydrated.
   
4. poor skin elasticity: Gently pull the skin at the back of your dog's neck, and release it. If it doesn't spring back into normal position right away, he could be dehydrated.
   
5. sunken eyes
   
6. dry mouth
   
7. vomiting
   
8. diarrhea
   
9. convulsing
   

This is all pretty nasty stuff, so if your dog has these symptoms, spray him down with water and get to the veterinarian.

Summer can be a great time to have a dog, especially for those who get lots of vacation time to enjoy playing with their fur babies. So have fun in the sun.....AND the shade! And keep water at the ready.

http://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/your-dogs-health/caring-for-your-dog/dehydration-and-overheating.htmlhttps://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/summer.aspxhttps://sciencing.com/what-is-the-hottest-time-of-the-day-12572821.html

“It was my pork chop. But that's okay. I ate his dog food.” – Bam Bam Bigelow

“I go out to the kitchen to feed the dog, but that's about as much cooking as I do.”  -- Betty White
 
​Does your dog counter surf? If he does, you probably know exactly what I'm talking about. If he doesn't....well, suffice it to say we're not talking “hang 10” here. I'm referring to that frustrating, infuriating, and let's face it-- expensive-- habit that some dogs have of putting their paws up on the counter and helping themselves to whatever they want. Naughty, naughty! I have heard several clients complain about their dogs counter surfing, so of course, I wanted to learn how to curb this mischievous behavior. NOTE: If you didn't read my previous blog on “leave it”, that is the precursor to this one. You can find it here: http://tailsuppetcare.com/tails-up-blog/leave-it

First and foremost, I think it's important that we understand why dogs counter surf. The obvious answer is: they want food. But it really goes deeper than that. It isn't that your dog is trying to misbehave, it's that getting food for a dog is instinctual. Anyone that owns a dog knows that, for most canines, food is THE #1 motivator, the prize of all prizes. Praise is nice, pets are excellent, but food is the ultimate reward. If a dog notices food routinely being left out on the counter, they have no idea that the food is not for them. They know it's going to be there, and their brain tells them to go for it! It's really evolution at work. Additionally, your wrath does not outweigh the satisfaction your dog gets from eating the food. But let's face it, we don't wanna share our steak or birthday cake with our pooch and, quite frankly, it would be so easy for your dog to eat something unsafe from the counter.

Never fear, there are solutions! Prevention is always a great idea. When at all possible, don't leave food out. Now, I personally realize this can be a challenge. Anyone else have a small kitchen? I bet a bunch of you are raising your hands right now. So, do keep food pushed back or off the counters as much as possible. But sometimes you have things cooling, your kids leave something out, your phone rings and you get distracted and forget, or just plain old human error comes into play. Boy, do I get it. Ding, ding, ding, insert the perfect opportunity for theft by canine! So we're not only going to reduce the temptation, we're going to teach your dog that items on the counter are not theirs for the taking.

As a side note, and before we talk about training, it's important that your dog knows that they are not human, and thus have no rights to your food. In other words, don't feed them from the dinner table.

According to my research, the best way to teach your dog not to counter surf is to first teach them to “leave it” (hence my previous blog). Now we're going to apply the “leave it” training and principles to counter surfing. Put a small piece of food on the counter; this is your “teaser”. If your dog goes for it, say “leave it”. When the dog leaves it, give them a treat, but not the one from the counter. Always give your dog a treat from your hand. This is their reward for ignoring the food on the counter, so make it a good one. If the naughty pooch doesn't stop at “leave it”, be sure to cover the teaser with your hand. Not for him! If your dog accidentally gets some food from the counter during training, don't get discouraged. Mistakes happen. You'll need to work with different food items in varied areas of the kitchen, but remember to keep your practices short. Like kids, dogs have short attention spans. After your dog has learned to “leave it” on the counter when you are close by, you're going to up the ante. Start out by putting the teaser on the counter and then turning your back on your dog. Scary, I know! If your dog doesn't jump on the counter, give him a treat and lots of praise. The next step in the training is even more frightening. Put the teaser on the counter and walk away, pretending to look distracted. Read a magazine, file your nails, text your dog handler to brag about your success....but keep one eye on the dog. If your dog ignores the teaser, then a treat and LOTS of praise are definitely in order. If they jump but react to you saying “leave it” (surprised that you are actually paying attention!), you're definitely getting somewhere, right? Remember, that this is all going to take some time and lots and lots of patience. Don't try to go too fast in your training; this is a marathon not a sprint.

(I'm a visual learner, and I think this video is very helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYsdozy4fVc )

Call me crazy, but I'm actually chomping at the bit (no pun intended) to start teaching “leave it” to a certain naughty but oh-so-sweet pooch I love. Pass the dog treats.

http://www.training-your-dog-and-you.com/Counter-Surfing.html
http://www.petexpertise.com/dog-training-article-counter-surfing-stealing-food.html
https://bestfriends.org/resources/counter-surfing-dogs-how-keep-dog-kitchen-counter
https://www.thesprucepets.com/stop-dog-from-counter-surfing-1118233

“People say I train dogs, but in many ways I train people.” -- Cesar Millan

How annoying is it when your dog picks up something in their mouth that doesn't belong to them, and then proceeds to taunt you with it?! Uugggghhhh! It's aggravating, especially when your pooch decides your favorite shoes are a chew toy. And no one buys the “dog ate my homework” business anymore, although dog owners know that can still be a thing. Whether it be shoes, toys, your report for work, food, or most importantly, something hazardous, it's critical to teach your dog to “leave it”. And if your dog counter surfs for food, well, you're in luck! This is the first in a series of two related blogs that will explore how to curb all of the naughtiness.

We all know that dogs love food, but why do they torment us by grabbing non-food items? These are attention seeking behaviors for dogs and, believe me, they get satisfaction out of it. Your attention, positive or negative, is a reward for them.

Attention seeking behaviors are triggered by boredom, lack of physical activity and mental stimulation, and nervousness. One of our clients has a beautiful husky, but when he gets bored, hasn't had enough exercise, and is left to his own devices for too long, that spells trouble! He counter surfs, gets into the trash, etc. Of course, his owner has found the solution in daily play groups. He once told me, “A tired husky is a good husky.” Truer words have never been spoken. So make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Believe it or not, mental stimulation is good for dogs, so teach them tricks, even if they are simple and just for fun. Occupy those minds so they don't have time to think about being mischievous! You can get started with a few tricks from my blog here: http://tailsuppetcare.com/tails-up-blog/category/dog-tricks

So now, down to the nitty gritty: teaching “leave it”. The first approach is also the most painful one: if you can ignore a dog's bad behavior, then do so. When they stop the behavior, reward them. I know, I know, I'm cringing too. But it's worth a shot, right? Just buy cheap shoes until your dog learns “leave it”.

For us mere mortals without god-like patience, I suggest the following approach: you're going to need a “lure” treat and a “high value” treat. The lure treat can be something that your dog would eat if you dropped it, such as bread, but not as great as a little piece of ham or turkey, which would be an example of a high value treat. Put the lure in your fist, let your dog smell it. Undoubtedly, he will try to lick your hand and get the treat. When he gives up, give him the high value treat with your other hand. And repeat. A lot. It will take time, but once he has the closed fist down, try an open palm. Hold the lure in an open palm and say “leave it”. When your pooch complies, a high value treat from your other hand. For the most difficult scenario, we are going to move the treats to the floor. In the first stage, you can place a treat on the floor in front of them and say “leave it”, covering it with your cupped hand. When the dog stops trying to get the treat, reward him. Finally, put a treat out on the floor without covering it and say, “leave it”. Each step will take some time to achieve, so be patient! Work with your dog for 10-15 minutes a day, be consistent, and you will be successful. When your dog understands “leave it”, you can apply the command to food, household items, and other hazards. Always reward your pup with a treat or praise and love when they “leave it”.

Training your dog can seem daunting, but just take it slow and steady. When you both learn something new, it's really an amazing feeling of pride and accomplishment. Totally worth the time and effort....now go buy that pair of Jimmy Choos!​

http://www.training-your-dog-and-you.com/attention-seeking.html
http://www.training-your-dog-and-you.com/leave-it-command.html
http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/basic-training/teach-leave-it/
https://bestfriends.org/resources/how-teach-dog-leave-it
https://www.thespruce.com/stop-dog-from-counter-surfing-1118233

“Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like, never washed a dog.” — Franklin P. Jones

One look outside, and you know that Spring is finally here! Everything is greener-- or orange-r, purple-r, yellow-er.....you get my drift. Nature is blooming, and it's stunning! Now for a true Spring story: When I was at the dog park the other day, one of our dog handlers was admiring the amount of lush, green grass that was there, rather than the wide expanse of mainly dirt that we usually see. Add into that the blue, cloudless skies, the California sunshine, and it made for some beautiful dog photos and, more importantly, a perfect backdrop for playing outside. Fast forward a few minutes, and I was throwing a ball for a couple of our labradoodles, who expect that you will NOT keep them waiting. Suddenly, we spotted Bella, our sweet, very WHITE mini golden doodle, rolling around in grass. She was having the time of her life, but had found the one spot in the park with a tiny patch of wet grass. Can you guess what I'm going to say next? If you guessed that our Bella was now green, you are correct. Insert panicked dog handler here. A green dog? First, confess to clients with a text and photo: “Dear Mom and Dad-- I was naughty and rolled in the wet grass, so I'm a little green. Sorry! Shawn will try to clean me up.”​

Luckily, we have the sweetest and most understanding clients, and they were not worried about their precious fur baby being a little green. As a matter of fact, Bella's dad said that as a child, he'd wanted a green dog, so perhaps it was fate! Well, I'm happy to make a childhood dream come true, but I still took some baby wipes to Miss Bella. They do help, by the way. That bright green faded to pastel green. And with all of the rubbing down, Bella thought she was getting a doggy massage, so it was a win all around. But now on to the bigger question and the actual topic of this blog: Why do dogs like to roll in grass?

There are a number of reasons dogs have an affinity for grass-rolling, not the least of which is to get rid of an itch. Think about it: they have no ability to scratch their own backs, and they can't exactly ask a friend to do it. Grass can be a bit abrasive, so it can serve to give dogs that “aaaaaaahhhhh” moment of relief if they have an itch. So satisfying.

Dogs have a very keen sense of smell. If they are feeling disdain at their own smell, or the grass has a smell that they find especially pleasant, then rolling around in the grass is the solution. Stinky dog? No problem, now I smell like grass! Grass smells amazing? Good news, I now smell like this yummy grass! Makes total sense to a canine. I mean, who needs shampoo, right? Now, if your dog is obsessively rolling in grass, you should probably get him checked out to make sure he doesn't have a skin condition. Otherwise....you know, just keep the wet wipes handy.

Of course, dogs are sometimes just simple creatures-- grass just feels good. So, rolling around in the grass doesn't have to have some cosmic significance, but rather just a soft, cool place to relax in. I mean, how many times have I done that same thing? Well.....I don't roll in the grass. I'm not an animal! But laying back in the grass while soaking up the beautiful weather? Yeah. Love that.

We all came from somewhere, and dogs are descended from wolves, who-- you guessed it-- also roll in grass. Wolves find a new smell in the grass, and roll around in it to get the smell on their body. They can take the scent back to their pack, and can even find the spot again from the smell on their body. If they roll around in the smells of their prey, it can make it easier to get close to the prey and secure dinner. Hey, a wolf's gotta eat, right? Luckily, dogs are happy with kibble.​

Although it's a bit messy, rolling in grass makes dogs so happy. I say we let 'em, y'all, because their joy is contagious. That's what wet wipes and shampoo are for, right? Happy Spring!

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-does-my-dog-like-to-roll-in-grass
https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/why-do-dogs-roll-in-grass
​

“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen”
--Orhan Pamuk

Sit. Stay. Lay down. Those all-important words for dogs sure do come in handy. Teaching a dog these “tricks”, will surely ingratiate your pet to other humans and make life with them more manageable for you. Heck, your dog can even learn from peers. What do I mean by this? Well, one of our clients recently shared a video of one dog teaching his younger “brother” how to sit for a treat. It was both impressive and hilarious. You can check it out here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myt6bStT2mA&sns=em

I personally think that's a trick in itself-- teaching your dog to train another dog. Take that, Cesar Milan! But I digress....what I really wanted to talk about today was some helpful and amusing tricks you could teach your dog. You know, because we all have so much extra time on our hands...

Let's start with some tricks that are really helpful, the first of which is “heel”. I guess “heel” is more of a command, but we'll call it a trick for this blog. My blog, my rules. I truly wish every dog was born knowing how to heel. I love ALL of our dogs, but the leash “pullers” have definitely given me “dog-walker-syndrome”-- you know, when your dominant arm hurts all the time from non-heelers. It's a thing, I can assure you, like carpal tunnel syndrome. Whether you are a dog walker or a dog owner, having your dog walk into the sunset right next to you, rather than tugging you toward it,  is definitely preferred. To learn “heel”, or “with me”, walk 10 steps with your dog on a leash. When they walk with their shoulder by your left leg, give them a treat. When they walk in another direction, do not follow. Stop, make them sit, and then move on. You can actually hold a treat in your hand to lure them. Praise, of course, for a good job is always a good idea. Every 10 steps, give a treat for heeling or correct your wandering or pulling dog with a sit. Practice several times a day for 10-15 minutes. Voila-- you saved your arm!

Another useful trick, is “get in your bed” or “get in your crate”. This is a command that a close friend always teaches her dogs, and it's especially good when you need your pup to calm down for the evening, or if they are being a bit of a nuisance and need a “time out”. First, coax your dog to their bed with a treat, and give it to him when he lays down on the bed (or in the crate, as the case may be). Then, lure the dog away from the bed, and repeat several times. Now try standing next to the bed and see if your dog will come without the offer of a treat, and if he does: 1.) You are lucky to have a very smart, well-behaved, quick learning, not-at-all-stubborn dog!, and 2.) Big reward for that! If you are in the more likely category of not having success the first time, try, try again. Once your dog starts figuring out the trick, then you can add in the name of the place (i.e. bed or crate). Really, don't you wish someone would command YOU to get in bed and take a nap? I know I do.

Now the fun begins: totally unnecessary tricks to teach your dog. One of my personal favorite is “give kisses”. I'm fully aware that this may gross some people out, but I personally find it endearing. Of course, when teaching to give kisses, I DO mean on the cheek. Let's keep your dog's not-so-clean mouth away from yours if you can avoid it. To teach “give kisses”, simply smear a little dab of peanut butter on your cheek, and let your dog lick it off. Then say, “good kisses”. To ensure you have enough peanut butter left for your lunch the next day, move on to small training treats. Put one in your fingers, point to your cheek, and when your dog licks the treat, again say “good kisses”. I think the entire process is made more fun if you make kissy noises. But that's just me. We all love dogs and kisses, right? Combining them just seems like a double win to me.

Everyone likes a friendly dog, so how about teaching them to “high five” or “shake”? It's simple, fun, and will impress your friends. Have your dog sit, and hold a treat in your open hand. Inevitably, your dog will paw at your hand when you don't just hand over the goods, and BOOM!-- the dog gets the treat for pawing at you. When they get the treat, add the “high five” command. If you prefer “shake”, take your dog's paw and shake it, then add the “shake” command. Repeat until Fido gets it. Be sure he knows that a firm handshake or a solid high five is the best way to be taken seriously!

If you want your dog to have some fancy moves, you can teach him to “spin”. This is obviously a totally useless trick, and is really for your own amusement! Hold a treat in your hand, and spin your hand in a circle. Of course, your dog will turn in a circle, because he is gonna follow that treat! At the end of the “spin”, the dog gets a treat. Try doing multiple directions, switching directions, and multiple turns. Maybe your dog could become a ballerina. Or a figure skater. Or a back-up dancer! Or maybe he will just become dizzy. Whatever happens, it's bound to be a hoot.

In my search for dog tricks, I came across some that I'm going to put in the “you have got to be kidding me” category. Now, by that I don't mean that it's too silly, because far be it from me to rain on anyone's parade (and there definitely were some silly ones out there). No, these are in the, “why in the world would you WANT to teach your dog to do these terrible things?” category. Let me give you some examples. One web site suggested that you can teach your dog to “talk”. You guys, there are days I wish that my kids couldn't even talk! But seriously, there's enough barking with dogs already. Teaching them to do more? No thanks. Another that falls into this category for me is “open the door”. I guess this really makes no sense to me. I can see where it might be convenient if your hands are full, but think about this: if your dog can open a door, they can wander the neighborhood at will, and get into trouble inside the house. Nothing will be sacred in your house, people! And dogs don't have in and out privileges, am I right? Finally-- and this takes the cake-- “carry the groceries”. I don't even have words for this one. As someone who plays with dogs all the time, I do not ever want a dog to touch my groceries! I LOVE dogs, but they get very dirty, and put strange and gross things in their mouths. The thought of my dog carrying grocery bags in his mouth is definitely high on my ick-o-meter.

So, are you inspired now to teach your fur baby some new things? One the one hand, you'll be the envy of all the other dog owners at the park. Plus, there's definitely the amusement factor to consider. I'd definitely enjoy seeing a good dog “spin” now and then. But then again, you could just forget about the tricks, cuddle up on the couch with your pooch, the remote, and a nice cup of hot cocoa. Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions......
​
​http://www.trickstoteachdogs.com/30-uncommon-tricks-to-teach-your-dog/
https://www.sitstay.com/blogs/good-dog-blog/teach-dog-to-heel
http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/basic-training/teaching-your-dog-to-go-to-his-bed/
https://doggiebuddy.com/topics/Trainingtopics/traintopic3.html

“The dog lives for the day, the hour, even the moment.” -- Robert Falcon Scott

What did you do this weekend? You know I asked because I really wanna tell you what I did! I was lucky enough to visit an off-leash dog beach in Santa Cruz. I had business down there, and took my doggy friend, Lucie, with me for the drive. I've said it before, but it bears repeating: we live in an amazingly gorgeous place, and we are also within easy driving distance of beautiful beaches. Lucie and I had such a good time that I was inspired to put aside the other blog I was writing (don't worry, it will come later), and share the best places to enjoy beach life with your pooch. You're welcome!

Lucie and I went to Mitchell's Cove Beach in Santa Cruz. Located on West Cliff Drive, it's just a few minutes drive from the wharf and the boardwalk, but civilization is the furthest thing from your mind when you are there. There is a set of tall stairs that leads down to a perfect little area of dog paradise. Surrounded by boulders, rock walls, and water, there's a natural “fence”, if you will. Lucie couldn't get off her leash fast enough! She was thrilled to find other dog friends to chase. She climbed boulders, dug in the sand and laid in it, chased dog friends, and chased my kids. Epic fun. I was happily surprised that she didn't get in the water, but there were certainly pups that decided getting wet was a good idea! By the time we left an hour later, I had one happy, tired dog, and a big smile on my face. One thing to remember about Mitchell's Cove is that there are specific off-leash hours for dogs; before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. I confess that 10 o'clock came and went, and dogs were still romping off their leashes. The dog owners were the only ones on that stretch of beach, and no one was being disturbed. That being said, I am not condoning breaking the rules. Let it be known that I am a law-abiding citizen! My research on Mitchell's Cove also revealed that the off leash hours are not always followed by visitors. My suggestion? Get there during the off leash hours, and use your best judgment and consideration during your visit. But definitely visit Mitchell's Cove Beach.

One of the most well-known hiking and off-leash beaches in the area is at Fort Funston in San Francisco. This natural gem is located on Fort Funston Road, with parking on Skyline Boulevard. They have a 12 acre off-leash area for dogs, a long trail that requires a leash, and the best part.....an off-leash dog beach! Because of the 200-foot sandy cliffs, you will also see hang gliders, and the trails and beaches attract horseback riders. If you go to Fort Funston, be sure to bring your energy, because it's a long, strenuous hike down to the beach. Of course, on the upside, after you are done playing and taking in the scenery at this gorgeous place, you will surely have a tired dog! .

All beaches in Pacifica, California require a leash except for Esplanade Beach. Never been to Pacifica? That makes 2 of us, but it's southwest of San Francisco, and directly south of Daly City. The beach is located at 100 Esplanade Avenue, right near an apartment complex. I researched Esplanade Beach online and it is reminiscent of Mitchell's Cove where I took Lucie, with a staircase, boulders, and natural rock “walls”. Esplanade Beach would be a great place to go in the Spring and Summer months. During the Winter, it suffers from storms, apparently. The undertow is too strong for swimming, so if your dog is a swimmer, this is a beach to skip. However, if your dog likes to run and play on the sand and is happy with just dipping his feet in the water, Esplanade would be of great interest. Before you go, check to make sure it's not high tide, because then the entire beach will be under water or at least wet. I don't know about you, but cold water? Not for me! I'd like to sit on a blanket in the warm sand and soak up all the beauty that is California.

​If your dog is not good off-leash or you are not comfortable with letting your fur baby run around untethered, there are plenty of beaches that allow on-leash dogs. I'll list just a few, but you can check out the first link below for a full list. One of my favorite getaway cities in the area is Half Moon Bay, and there are several dog friendly beaches there, including Montara Beach and Poplar Beach. Reviews on Montara Beach boast of its beauty, but complain about the lack of trash cans for poop bags. That's a faux pas in my book. Poplar Beach is also beautiful, but if you don't like crowds, may not be for you. It's quite the happening place! If you're in Santa Cruz like I was, you can always hit up Twin Lakes State Beach with your dog on-leash. This is one of my favorite places to take the kids, and it's dog-friendly. Although popular, it's big enough to not be too crowded on the sand, although parking might be an issue. Getting there in the morning is a good idea. If you're up for a little longer drive, you can head out to Del Monte Beach in Monterey. This lovely beach features a boardwalk trail through the dunes, and a picnic area if you'd like to take lunch for you and your dog. New Brighton State Beach in Capitola not only allows on-leash dogs, but is a great place to go camping, picnicking, swimming, and fishing. Something for everyone! Like I said, you can't really throw a rock without it landing on a great California beach to take your dog.

After reading this, I'm sure you're planning your next day trip to the beach to include your dog, right? Tails Up Pet Care has been known to offer dog play groups to the beach during the warm season, as well. I mean, how could we resist? Maybe we'll see you there sometime...

​https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/beaches/state/california/
http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/fort-funston.html
https://dogtrekker.com/yp/fort-funston-san-francisco-94101
https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/esplanade-beach/
https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/del-monte-beach/
​http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=542

“In times of joy, all of us wished we possessed a tail we could wag.”
― W.H. Auden

So this blog is really a follow-up of my last one, if you will (Dog Park 101). If you haven't read that, it is a good introduction to dog park etiquette. After discussing some of the ins and outs of dog parks, I decided to reveal some of my favorite dog parks in the Tails Up Pet Care area. If you wanna see some of the best dog handlers and sweetest pooches around, these are the places to go:

​Hoover Park, 2901 Cowper Street, Palo Alto
Parking: Street
Rating: 4.5 paws
​   Hoover Park is in the heart of Palo Alto, right off Oregon Expressway. You wouldn't know it though, because it's a beautiful place. There are playscapes for kids, a baseball field, a shaded area with cool sculptures to climb and trees to lay under....and, of course, a dog park. Hoover dog park is a favorite for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that they have a built-in water bowl and faucet for the dogs. WINNING! If you've ever hauled water (necessary at most parks), then you'll appreciate this all the more. Dakota, along with several of his friends, can't wait for the water from the spigot to hit the bowl, and he just slurps it happily as it comes out of the faucet. Wet, drippy dog face equals dog joy! The park is quite large, which is perfect for running off all that energy, fetching balls thrown by Chuck-its, and finding the perfect place to do your business. There are several shady areas compliments of some mature trees, which is not all that common in a dog park. There are benches for humans to sit, and pooper scoopers for the inevitable messes. The ground is made up of some kind of sandy dirt, so when it's dry outside-- an let's face it, it usually is-- it's pretty easy to brush off your dog. The down side of this park is that the water bowl area tends to get muddy; all that joyful dog splashing makes a mess! As I've said before, at Tails Up we play in the rain, and Hoover definitely gets large puddles and “lakes” in rainy weather. But overall, this park has it all, including friendly dogs and humans.

Greer Park, 1098 Amarillo Ave, Palo Alto
Parking: Lot, near the dog park
Rating: 3 paws
     Greer Dog Park is nestled right next to 101 in Palo Alto, but is luckily blocked from the freeway noise by lots of trees. Gotta love California! As a whole, Greer Park is large and quite spread out, but does boast all the usual things: sports fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, picnic tables, and even a skateboarding bowl. The dog park itself has similar ground covering to Hoover, with little bits of grass along the sides. Greer dog park is essentially a long rectangular dog run, great for sprinting to get balls, or just running to your heart's content. There is a bench inside for the humans. The inside scoop from some of our handlers is that a doggy play group company brings large groups of dogs there on weekday mornings, and it can be a bit crowded. Having said that, after noon on a weekday the dog park is generally quiet....so you can take your pick! Speaking of a scoop, Greer has one of those for picking up the poop. But do bring your own water, as there is none in this dog park. Greer is a nice in a tucked-in-the-corner kinda way. And there's a walkway that runs right by the dog area, perfect for people to admire your pooch!

Willow Oaks Dog Park, 490 Willow Road, Menlo Park
Parking: Lot (limited spaces)
Rating: 4 paws
     Willow Oaks Dog park is one of my personal favorites, just for the sheer size alone....it's BIG! The park itself has a playground area, tennis courts, a large grassy area for soccer or frolicking, and water fountains. Willow Oaks is a combination of grass and dirt, which makes for some oh-so-happy dogs. So many of our dogs LOVE to dig in that dirt! Remy the Golden Retriever is quite fond of digging a shallow hole and laying in the cool dirt after chasing his ball. Some of our other furry friends just find it fun to make a dirty mess. In dry weather, this is pretty easy to brush off, but in the rain, Zoey the white cockapoo will become black here, so watch out! Because the dog area is so large, there is plenty of room for lots of dogs to play, run, and especially fetch. There is no way your dog can come home from Willow Oaks and not be tired! If your dog does his business, there are bags and scoops to help you clean up. There is no water at this park, so you do have to bring your own. But hey, you can fill your jug in that water fountain, conveniently located by the parking lot. And when you're at Willow, you're almost assured to have friendly dogs and humans to play with. It's a win for sure.

BONUS: Mary Avenue Dog Park, 10309 Mary Ave., Cupertino
Parking: Lot directly in front of park
​Rating: 5 paws
     So this dog park is outside of the Tails Up Pet Care area, but it is in MY 'hood, and let me tell you-- I love this place! First and foremost, it has something that a lot of dog owners love, but not a lot of parks have: a small dog area and a large dog area. Both sections are quite sizable, with trees and plenty of open space to run around. The fence is very high, so dogs have no shot at jumping it. Inside the leash removal area, there are several water fountains;: one for humans, one low one for dogs, and a spigot for filling up water bowls. This watering hole is the bomb, y'all! There's always a large bucket in the big dog area that someone has left there as a large water bowl. There are bags and scoops for dog waste, a table with bench seats, and 2 regular benches. But MY favorite thing about this park are the patrons. My first time there, several of the regulars introduced themselves to me. They all hang out together at the park daily (the best times to come are 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.), know about each other's lives, dogs, ailments, and triumphs. This dog park is like the “Mayberry” of dog parks; it's “Cheers”, where everybody knows your name, your dog's name, and....they're always glad you came. For real.

     Of course, there are more dog parks in the area that I haven't discussed, but as I said, these are my favorites, and the ones that Tails Up Pet Care frequents the most. Over the years, through trial, error, and visits, these parks are the ones that have proven, in our minds, and in the hearts of our dogs, to be the best. Happy dogs, happy humans, happy life!  Play on, friends. Play on.