Dog-friendly Paw Press

Welcome to Paw Press, DogTrekker.com’s update on what’s happening in the dog world. We cover doggie events that we attend; provide updates on where we’ve been; inform you of new, dog-passionate lodging packages; and keep current with dog advocates’ on-going battles to maintain and grow access to dog-friendly areas.

Vet Buzz: Fireworks anxiety

Your dog's sense of hearing is one of his best strengths, but when it comes to those glorious loud kabooms on the fourth of July, his hearing is his greatest foe. To him, those explosions sound like a 747 landed in the front yard, and may send him hiding under the bed, urinating on the floor or chewing up the door frame to escape. Read more.

Mushrooms, ticks and foxtails, oh my!

Foxtails. Photo by Jessica Bay.

April showers bring spring flowers, and a new round of wild mushrooms. Please be mindful of mushrooms in your yards, parks or anywhere outside your dogs play. Read more.

It’s winter: Dogs and mushrooms alert

Photo credit: VIA FLICKR/EJBSF (CC)

DogTrekker.com recommends that if your dog eats any type of wild mushroom, you need to seek immediate veterinary care, even if your dog is not showing symptoms. Also, the ASPCA recommends bringing a mushroom sample in a moist paper towel or paper bag instead of putting the mushroom in a plastic bag. Read more.

Who gets to be well?

French bulldog puppy sits on exam table at vet office

Have you ever had to choose between your pet’s health and your own? This torturous decision is a reality for hundreds of Napa County residents who don’t have enough money to properly safeguard both. That’s why Napa Humane hosts free Wellness Clinics – giving underprivileged families the chance to have their furry loved ones examined, vaccinated, and treated for basic health needs. Read more.

Pets and your health

Photo by Delphine Beausoleil.

Amazon bestseller Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse: An Animal Lover's Guide to a Healthy, Happy & Extraordinary Life (April 18, 2017) shines a light on the many unique, unexpected, and priceless ways that our animal companions enhance every aspect of human health and well-being. Read more.

Traveling with a dog in Huntington Beach California

By Lauren Lloyd Voted as one of California’s dog-friendliest cities, Surf City USA welcomes four-legged kids with open arms at restaurants, parks, and hotels, along its paved beach path, and even dedicates a stretch of beach to salty pups. We don’t want you to leave your best friend at home any more than you do, so here’s a helpful guide to exploring town with your canine comp Read more.

Embrace pet insurance

Husky dog lying on vet table with doctor

Veterinary medicine has made leaps and bounds over the past few years, especially in diagnosing and treating difficult cases. Along with this knowledge and treatments comes a price. Read more.

Aragon’s story

Photo by Brennan Meinke.

For pet parents in California, snake bites are a real and serious danger. One snake bite is bad enough but Aragon got three in the span of eight months. Read more.

Surf City USA with your dog

Two long haired dachshunds running on the beach.

Photo by Kojirou Sasaki.

Voted one of California's dog-friendliest cities, Huntington Beach welcomes four-legged children with open arms at restaurants, parks, and hotels; along its paved beach path; and even dedicates a stretch of beach to salty pups. Read more.

SF SPCA veterinary hospitals are the bestest

SF SPCA has the second largest animal care facility in North America: SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital - Mission Campus. Read more.

Muttville’s Fospice Program shares the love

At Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, they sometimes take in elderly pooches who, for one reason or another, have a short life expectancy. Maybe an ultimately terminal medical condition, or maybe just reaching the twilight stage after many years. Read more.

Keep your dog safe this Halloween

French bulldog wearing pineapple costume

Photo by Karsten Winegeart.

Halloween is right around the corner, and so are potential dangers that could affect pets. Read more.

National Dog Day

4 dogs sit on a log in a grassy San Francisco park

Photo by Bruce Warrington.

Every dog has its day, and August 26 is it! National Dog Day celebrates all dogs, big, small, mixed or pure. Read more.

Fourth of July dog safety tips

Irish setter holds small American flag in mouth

Photo by Camylla Battani.

Keep your dogs safe this Fourth of July with these pet safety tips from The American Kennel Club: Read more.

Take your dog to work day!

Photo by Devn.

Created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) to celebrate the great companions dogs make and promote their adoptions, Take Your Dog to Work Day encourages employers to experience the joys of pets in the workplace for one day to support their local pet community. Read more.

Last minute gift ideas for tail-waggers

French bulldog puppy in Christmas stocking

Photo by Jakob Owens.

Does your dog have a Christmas stocking? Ours certainly do, and we delight in our dogs’ delight in seeing what Santa left when he squeezed down the chimney. Read more.

DogTrekkers go Santa Cruzin’

Wilder keeping it super cool in Santa Cruz. Photo by Celeste Cesena.

Santa Cruz County, located on California's Central Coast, 65 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles north of Monterey, is known for its sun-soaked beaches, famous Beach Boardwalk amusement park, redwoods, and eclectic community. Read more.

Service dog etiquette for pets and people

poodle mix wearing backpack that reads "service dog"

Photo by Ravi Kayden.

You probably know not to pet a service dog who’s working — the dog may even wear a sign that says so. But you may not realize that it’s just as important to make sure that your dog has good manners around working animals. Read more.

Sit. Stay. Dog-friendly vacation rentals

Man rests in indoor hammock with dog watching

Photo by Drew Coffman.

With all of the great hikes and fun places to play in the city by the bay, why not book a vacation rental as your base of operations? Read more.

Ways to snag prime reservations

Dog and family at Tenaya Explorer cabins

Tenaya Lodge. Photo by Tenaya at Yosemite.

Whether your heart is set on camping at Big Sur in July or spending a June week at dog-friendly Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, snagging a reservation, especially for a high-season weekend, requires a lot of persistence and a little luck. Tenaya, for example, begins accepting reservations a year and a day in advance, while the window for state parks is six months (which means moving now to secure a site Read more.