New dog park video!

Newsday has a new dog park video. It shows the dogs frolicking at Cedar Creek and Wantagh dog parks. It's too cute!

Click here to view it. And while you're at it, check out Newsday's dog park page full of dog-friendly parks and beaches on Long Island.

Woofs!

Dogs, Handlers Learn to Boogie and Disco

EAST TROY, Wis. - Ricky the Dalmatian spun across the floor with his 68-year-old handler, the high-stepping Mary Ann Coutley. The two were one of 23 pairs of handlers and pets participating in a three-day dog dancing class that ended Sunday at the Army Lake Camp and Retreat Center.

The handlers paid $275 each for a room, meals and lessons on everything from costumes to music and training tactics.

They learned twists, passes, cha-cha steps and other movements, slinking across the floor with their furry friends.

While "Dancers with Woofs K9 Freestyle Dance Camp" purported to be the first in the region, enthusiasts have been dancing with dogs since the 1980s. They formed the World Canine Freestyle Organization in 1999.

In freestyle dancing, the handlers and dogs work to be artistic and creative. Many also do Heelwork-to-Music, which combines obedience and dance.

"There's Olympic-style scoring up to 10," said instructor Linda Blanchard, 59, of Pontiac, Mich. "The goal for this sport is to become an Olympic sport."

The dogs are trained to follow verbal or hand commands. In freestyle, pretty much anything goes.

"You have to pick out music that goes with your dog," Blanchard says. "The dogs can do figure eights around your legs. They spin, and we spin. Sometimes they're on their hind legs. They can wave, do marching things, jump over things."

Coutley used to dance with a 12-year-old Dalmatian named Wynona, who died in April. She is grooming Ricky to be her new partner with daily workouts that include six miles on a treadmill.

"He's a chow hound," Coutley said, feeding 1-year-old Ricky some turkey hot dogs. "He'll work for anything."

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Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com

DockDogs Event Recap

Hey gang,

amNY has a great story on the DockDogs event I mentioned in an earlier post. Check out their report and photos.

Jumping dogs stop NYers in their tracks

New Yorkers who watched a dozen competitive canines perform acrobatic leaps into a giant pool in Bryant Park on Tuesday were surprised to learn that they were watching one of the fastest growing sports in America.

"Shut up, you're kidding," said one young woman who stopped to watch what she said she couldn't believe was even a sport.

But the DockDogs National Championship Series is no joke, said Grant Reeves, CEO of DockDogs, the sanctioning body for regional, national and international dog dock jumping.

"In 2002, there were 240 dogs competing," Reeves said. "Now there are 8,400."

The sport even has coverage on a cable network. The Outdoor Channel plans to broadcast both the Big Air event, which measures distance, and the Extreme Vertical event, which measures height, as a seven-part original series beginning Oct. 4.

Though many New Yorkers came and went throughout the day, there were always at least 200 people oohing and aahing as the dogs ran down a 40-foot dock and splashed into four feet of water.

Read the full article.

View the photo gallery.

Hey dog, wanna jump?

DockDogs to Make First Big Apple Splash

Nationwide Canine Dock Jumping Phenomenon Comes to Bryant Park Sept. 18

DockDogs, one of America's fastest growing sports and the subject of a new Outdoor Channel original series, will jump into New York City for the first time on Tuesday, September 18. Outdoor Channel, America's Leader in Outdoor TV, will bring 12 of the nation's top canine competitors to Bryant Park for five hours of thrill-packed action open to the public. Pet owners attending the event can also consult with experts from the Animal Cancer Foundation, who will be on hand to answer pet health questions.

"Outdoor Channel is not only bringing DockDogs to New York City for the first time, but is also the only network delivering DockDogs nationally to our viewers when the series debuts October 4," said Roger L. Werner, CEO of Outdoor Channel. "This is a very exciting sport. What better way to experience the leaps and bounds of these exciting pets than firsthand in Manhattan or on our network?"

Starting at 10 a.m., the DockDogs will show off their ability to jump into a 4-foot-deep, 40-foot-long pool of water after sprinting down a 40-foot dock -- both for length in the 'Big Air' category and for height in the 'Extreme Vertical' competition. Each dog's trainer throws a toy into the water, while his or her dog has 90 seconds to run down the dock and launch himself after it.

For more details on this cool dog sport, visit: www.dockdogs.com

Fitness with Fido!

Bideawee invites you to join us for the launch of FITNESS WITH FIDO!

Every Saturday, at 9:30am

Meet Location: Central Park Pedestrian Entrance at 66th St. & 5th Ave.

Meet other dogs and their pet parents while taking steps to a healthier lifestyle.

A free, weekly opportunity for you and your dog to exercise together along with Bideawee trainers, veterinarians, and adoptable dogs.

All welcome. Your pooch will thank you!

Info: 212-532-4986, info@bideawee.org

Pictured above: Woody and Benny playing at a NYC Schnauzers playdate.