Ang T: We took our pug Thor along to Wilmington, NC last fall; he LOVED playing in the ocean!

Merissa & Joe E: Michigan is nice, especially the UP. If you have dogs that love to swim, Michigan is great. There are also hiking trails available as well.

Britt A: Tucson, AZ is so dog friendly! Tons of dog parks and restaurants that let you bring your dogs and sit outside with them. I’m very lucky that I can bring my dog pretty much anywhere here.

Susann B: Seattle, Washington = went to a festival up there and a lot of people had all different kinds of dogs walking around. Everyone was respectful of the animals, and the dogs and owners were great about stopping to talk with people about them as well as letting people pet them. It was great to see how loved these animals were!

Aisha M: Philadelphia, PA!!! Pit Bull-friendly city with plenty of dog-friendly places to eat…with a dog menu! Also OBX dog-friendly beaches with off-leash allowance any time of day!

Barbara B: We go to Venice, Florida with our dogs and take them to the Brohard dog beach. They won’t go in the water, but they love to run with the other dogs. There are a lot of restaurants where we can sit out on the patio to eat, and the servers always bring a bowl of water for the dogs when they bring our waters.

Pamela F: Colorado, as a whole, is actually VERY dog friendly. It’s true that Denver has the Pit Bull ban, but even there, there are lots of dog parks and some restaurants where you can sit outside with your dog. The western half of the state is a doggy paradise, tons of trails, lots of open space, places for them to take a dip and cool off, and lots of stores in the smaller towns (not just pet stores) will let you bring your well-behaved, leashed dogs inside.

Pam P: We have been on two trips with our little Toy Poodle, Topaz, so far this year. We went to Baton Rouge, LA and the motel not only accommodated dogs, she was FREE!!! Second place we went was Springfield, MO and the hotel only charges $10 per night, but we stayed at an extended-stay hotel with a full kitchen. Had a wonderful time at both locations. Vacations are too short.

Sheila P: San Diego is the most dog-friendly, from the restaurants to hotels to dog beaches. We’ve driven across the country with our Border Collies and there’s pockets of dog-friendly places everywhere—you just have to do your research first.

Now that the weather has become warmer and the days are getting longer, it’s baseball season! And unlike most other sports, Major League Baseball welcomes dogs to attend select games around the country.

If you’d like to bring your dog to the ballpark, first determine if he’s ready by answering the following questions:

• Is my dog well socialized? If so, he should get along well with other dogs and people, and crowds should not frighten him.
• Is my dog leash trained? A leashed-trained dog does not pull at the lead or lunge at other dogs or people.
• Is my dog okay with loud noises? Baseball games can be rowdy events, so dogs who attend should not be sound sensitive.

If you’ve answered the previous questions in the affirmative, you’re almost there! To ensure your dog’s safety—and the well-being of other spectators—while at the ballpark:

• Use a 4- to 6-foot leather or nylon leash to help keep him under control around other people and their dogs.
• Bring along plenty of fresh water to keep him hydrated.
• Apply sunscreen to protect him from sunburn; light-colored and shorthaired dogs are especially prone to sunburn.
• Watch carefully for signs of overheating, such as excessive panting.
• Take frequent potty breaks, and dispose of waste properly.
• Keep him from eating inappropriate items, such as human food debris.
• Never leave him unattended.
• Reward him for good behavior with treats, like Nylabones.

Even with just a team of two, you and your dog can hit a home run at the ballpark when you make safety a priority! Here is a listing of 2012 Major League Baseball Dog-Friendly Events

Dog parks allow unleashed animals to romp and play in the open air not only with their owners but also with other dogs. Visiting the dog park can be a fun experience as long as it is filled with well-socialized dogs and dog-savvy owners. The best parks are large enough to allow unlimited running but are also strongly fenced to prevent overexcited dogs from dashing away, even if previously recall-perfect. However, the park can be dangerous (and unhealthy) if owners do not supervise their charges or pick up after them carefully. (Fortunately, many do provide poop bags!) For a partial list of parks around the country, visit the Nylabone dog park locator.

Your dog’s first few experiences at a dog park are extremely important. If he’s attacked or even hit accidentally by another dog, he won’t easily forget it. This means that you must be very careful. A popular dog park can be like a popular playground or soccer field—the fun can get out of control quickly, and someone could get hurt. It needs “yard monitors,” and often dog owners don’t see themselves as such. Many people tend to stand in one area, letting the dogs play with abandon. However, it’s our responsibility to watch our dogs, to learn to recognize canine body language, and to stop problems before they become serous.

The following are some additional pointers on dog park etiquette:

• Make sure that your dog is healthy and current on all vaccinations and has any licenses required.
• Don’t bring more dogs than you can handle.
• Don’t allow your dog to engage in inappropriate behaviors, such as bullying/aggressive play, jumping on people, or excessive barking. If you are unable to control these behaviors, you and your dog should leave.
• Use your best judgment when it comes to other dogs. If you or your dog feels uncomfortable with another dog in the park, leave.
• Do not bring a female dog in heat. If you have an intact male, be sure that he is social and nonaggressive before bringing him to the park.
• Always clean up after your dog.
• Although it may sound like a good idea, leave your dog’s toys at home. Dogs can be very possessive over their toys, which could start a fight.

Adapted from Top Tips from Top Trainers (© TFH Publications, Inc. 2010) and Parenting Your Dog (© TFH Publications, Inc. and Trish King, 2004, 2010). Used by permission.

Is your dog still going through the “puppy terrors,” or is he well behaved?

Even a well-behaved dog might get nervous around a scenery change and large crowds. Test out his socialization skills at a large family gathering before bringing him to the big day. Typically, a quiet, smaller dog will have an easier time acclimating than a larger, high-energy dog.

Will the dog frighten your guests?

Unbelievable as it may seem, not everyone is a dog lover. You may think slobbery kisses are adorable, but your cousin in her brand-new dress may not agree.

Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?

If you’re having an outdoor event, is it gated or secluded to keep your dog safe? If indoors, is the venue dog-friendly?

Will you leash your dog?

If so, who will be responsible for holding onto him throughout the wedding? The person should be someone both you and your dog trust. Some weddings run for several hours, so make sure that the person holding your dog has a conveniently located seat from which to take your dog for a walk if he gets restless.

Will your dog have a job?

Many people find it cute to enlist their dog as the ring bearer. This is a great way to include him in the wedding if he can behave well enough. Fasten the rings to the collar with a festive ribbon, and have someone walk him down the aisle. Just be sure to put the rings on right before he walks down the aisle or you risk losing them.
 
If your fur-baby is part of the wedding, pay him plenty of attention. Carry some treats around to reward his good behavior, and give your guests treats with which to reward him as well. Remind your guests that they should not feed your dog table food because it can make him sick. And always keep a bowl of fresh water close, especially for those hot summer outdoor weddings! It may be a good idea to prepare a package for your dog that includes his bed and favorite toys to provide a sense of comfort and security.
 
If you ultimately decide not to have your dog in the wedding, it’s not the end of the world. You can still have your photographer snap some photos of your family at home before the ceremony! Just be sure to find your pup a safe, comfortable place to stay while you’re gone for your wedding and honeymoon.