Taking the dog for a walk is a wonderful experience pretty much wherever on the globe you happen to be. Right here in the Santa Barbara area, we have the best weather in the world, lots of nature nearby, and tons of great spots to go where the dog will be so happy he/she will probably take you for a walk with great enthusiasm and tail wagging.
I checked with someone who works part time as a dog walker for families. Her name is Heather Dunning (heather@wavewalker.com) and she said, “I like to walk dogs one-on-one, versus a group because I want to bond with the dog and build trust without distractions.”
Some of the spots where she likes to take her clients’ dogs for walks include: Loon Point, Bridge to Nowhere, Sheffield Reservoir, trails from Tucker’s Grove, Douglas Preserve, and the end of Walnut on the beach side. Other spots I’ve heard about are IV bluffs and Toro Canyon Park.
My own personal favorite place to walk my dogs is the San Jose Creek near Kellogg and Cathedral Oaks. There are lots of trails, and even though it is in the midst of a residential area, it is easy to lose sight of that while wandering through the natural recreational area.
Lake Los Carneros is another personal favorite area. Truthfully, there are tons of great spots to let the dog walk you.
Beaches are also wonderful places to walk or run with a dog. If your dog is like mine, you’ll almost be yanked off your feet when the dog wants to chase birds.
Doggies and people both get thirsty, so a canteen or bottle of water are important to bring along. A drink of cool water every 20 minutes or so makes the walk more pleasant for dog and walker alike.
When I’ve walked my own dogs, I like to bring a package of beef jerky. My dogs have shown a marked preference for my homemade beef jerky which I’ve written about recently in my Captain’s Log column. But when it comes to yummy jerky, most dogs aren’t particular.
Some folks prefer to bring standard doggy treats available from the store, but for me, I like the feeling of sharing the same snacks with my walking partner.
After a strenuous walk, it is always nice to sit down and have a cool-off period before getting back in the car. That is a good bonding time because the dog is usually feeling appreciative.
— Capt. David Bacon operates WaveWalker Charters and is president of SOFTIN Inc., a nonprofit organization providing seafaring opportunities for those in need. Visit softininc.blogspot.com to learn more about the organization and how you can help. Click here to read previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.