Dogs are clearly welcome inside southwest Minneapolis' Marathon Sports.

Business: Marathon Sports

Neighborhood: Lynnhurst in Southwest Minneapolis

For you: Shoes, apparel, and accessories for runners and walkers, including Minnesota-based Stunt Puppy’s hands-free running leashes.

For dogs: Water bowl when the weather’s warm.

It’s official: The season of the dog is upon us. That means the reemergence of swimming, running, walking, patio dining, ball-chasing, picnic-mooching and more in your dog’s life. And since we all get a little couch-potatoey during those cold winter months, we at Sidewalk Dog wondered, “Do dogs need tune-ups to get back into shape for summer?”

No one’s comparing your Shih Tzu to your Schwinn, but … OK, we are. Just like your favorite bike, Spot might need to have his wheels greased, so to speak, to get back into the summer spirit.

Pet Crossing's Dr. Cheryl Roth with two of her fur kids.

“After six long months of hibernating, a spring physical is an excellent idea,” says Dr. Cheryl Roth, a vet with Pet Crossing Animal Hospital & Dental Clinic who’s credentialed in pain management (and one of only a handful of vets in the country to hold this distinction, though the field of pain management is growing.) “Let your veterinarian know about any changes you noticed over the winter—weight gain/loss, energy/activity, appetite, behavior—these may be related to medical problems and not just a change in the seasons.”

Adds Betty Waalk of Twin Cities Animal Rehabilitation Clinic (TCARC), which works with post-surgical, injured, old, arthritic, and physically weak animals to help them gain or regain strength: “Depending on the level of activity during the winter, spring can make us all a little crazy to be out and overdoing things. Warm seasons tend to offer more opportunity for the average pet—outdoor wildlife, hunting, Frisbee, games of fetch, long walks with owners, and playtime in the dog park, to name a few.” TCARC, headed up by the lovely and talented Dr. Julia Tomlinson, worked with Original Sidewalk Dog Luc to strengthen his back legs.

Dr. Julia Tomlinson of Twin Cities Animal Rehab Clinic

Waalk advises that pets, just like their people, need to slowly work up to full, exuberant exercise after a winter of sluggishness (though TCARC does offer a winter exercise program to prevent that in the first place). “Canine exercise should include warm-up and cool-down periods,” Waalk says. “We generally recommend a 10-minute warm-up period of a walk or slow jog, and a five-minute cool-down walk after exercise is complete. This applies to all strenuous activities.”

And remember that swimming is a strenuous activity for your pooch, Waalk says—no matter how easy and free Fido looks while paddling after a stick. Slowly work your way into the activity, being careful to look for signs that your dog’s tired.

Dr. Roth, who was part of the team that took such compassionate care of Luc toward the end of his life, also cautions against a legion of potential summertime hazards, including heartworm. “’Heartworm season,’ as it’s known in the biz, is notoriously busy for northern U.S. vets for a reason,” Dr. Roth says. “Heartworm testing is best done at this time of year, approximately five to six months after the end of mosquitoes the year before. Heartworm is spread from one infected dog to another by mosquitoes, and treatment of heartworm positive dogs is painful, expensive, dangerous, and potentially deadly.”

Sidewalk Dog loves Minnesota-based Stunt Puppy's hands-free leashes. This duo is sporting the Stunt Runner™.

During the warm season, she runs into a greater number of “sports” injuries—ACL ruptures and sprains, for instance—as well as eye injuries, bite wounds from other dogs or wildlife, poisonings from newly lush gardens and the fertilizers that make them that way, and curiously enough, allergies, which are often spread through contact with their paw pads. “Seasonal allergies plague our four-legged friends as much as they annoy those of us on two legs,” Dr. Roth says. “Licking, chewing, or scratching could mean anything from fleas to a bacterial infection to allergies to pain.”

“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” Dr. Roth says. “This applies to all sorts of things in life, including muscle. The lazy lab who slept in front of the fireplace all winter is no more ready to run in his favorite 5K without working back into it, than I am …  well, maybe he is, but you get the idea. Start with some slow neighborhood walks, and work back into the crazy marathon season slowly. Some dogs know when they’ve had enough and will sit down and quit, but sadly, some just keep going and going to please us, and end up paying for it for days with bloody pads, aching joints, and sore muscles.”

So as you’re digging the running harness and the floatable bone out from storage, remember to take it slow.

Sidebar: Is your dog trying to tell you she’s in pain?

Did you know pain can even change your dog’s behavior? Dr. Roth told us a story about a Yorkie she treated who, due to pain in his spine, became “mean and bitey.” Once his illness was treated and his pain was gone, he became a happy, sweet dog again.

As an expert in pain management, Dr. Roth points out that it’s important to listen any signals your dog might use to indicate she’s in pain, such as:

• Being unusually quiet, listless, restless, or unresponsive
• Limping, stiff gait, shifting weight away from one limb
• Biting
• Constantly licking or chewing at a particular part of the body
• Acting funny and out of character, either aggressively or submissively
• Flattening ears against the head
• Having trouble sleeping or eating
• Seeking a lot more affection than usual
• Unable to get comfortable (constantly changes positions to find the most comfortable position)

If you notice any of these traits in your dog, it’s time for a visit to the vet.

The crocuses are out, the trees are budding, the dog-friendly patios have once again placed water bowls outside—these signs can only mean one thing: It’s walk-a-thon fundraiser season, and Animal Humane Society’s Walk for Animals is poised to get things started with a “woof” on Saturday, May 1.

A past Walk for Animals participant gets festive.

The folks at AHS have been doing this for 36 years now, and they’ve got the whole camaraderie/pledge-raising/pet-loving thing down to a science by now. The largest Minnesota animal fundraiser and the nation’s largest human/pet walk was created as a way for the community to get more involved in AHS’s work and support the animals that need their help, says AHS’ Carrie Libera. “And, of course, to celebrate the animals in our own lives!” she adds.

If you like numbers, here are some stats from last year: Roughly 8,000 walkers and 4,000 animals participated in last year’s walk, raising more than $1 million to support adoption, rescue, outreach and training efforts at AHS.

This year, AHS’ goal is to raise $1.1 million to support the nearly 35,000 unwanted, homeless, and neglected animals AHS cares for each year at their five Twin Cities locations. Seventy percent of AHS’ operating budget comes from donations, which means the public’s generosity is crucial to the organization’s success.

There will be plenty of diversions for both you and Rover, including a “Flealess Market” of pet and people vendors, games for you and your dog, the fabulous Radio Disney Dancers, a pet microchip and nail trim clinic, pet contests, recognition awards and more. Plus, you’ll get to mingle with all the other pet-lovers and critters at the event—Carrie says creatures of all stripes attend, from parrots to pot-bellied pigs.

If you’ve procrastinated and think it’s too late to sign up, volunteer, or raise pledges, you’re just plain wrong. You can sign up as an individual or form a team, and you can raise pledges in person or online. “Also, for those people who don’t want to raise pledges and walk, but still want to help out, we also have some volunteer opportunities still available for this year’s walk. We are especially looking for people who are interested in helping out with traffic and crowd control,” Carrie says, pointing out that it takes more than 500 volunteers to organize and produce the Walk.

And if you’re curious (we, being nerdy and trivia-obsessed, certainly are): As of Monday, April 12, there were 2,331 walkers registered for this year’s event—734 more than had signed up at this point last year—with an average of 50 walkers registering each day.

The Deets:

Where: Animal Humane Society, 845 Meadow Lane North, Golden Valley

Route: Begins at AHS, walks north into Theodore Wirth Park and then back; approximately 5 miles, but walkers can turn back at any time.

When: Saturday, May 1, 2010

8:30 a.m.—Registration and activities begin

10 a.m.—Opening rally and walk begins

Post-walk activities run until 2 p.m.

And check out this nifty chart Carrie sent along breaking down your contributions’ impact:

Where a Walker’s Contribution Goes

$10,000—Supports the operating expenses of our Woodbury location for six days

$5,000—Helps fund a cruelty investigation and animal rescue

$2,500—Provides medical supplies and medications for 41 spay/neuter surgeries

$1,000—Gives housing and care to 67 animals in the shelter for one day

$500—Helps three dogs through the Adoption Preparation program which readies shyor fearful dogs for adoption

$250—Provides X-rays for two injured animals

$100—Provides sterilization surgery for two puppies

$50—Two stray cats receive full vaccinations

Sinco, one of Annelise's Aussies, tackles the tunnel. Photo by Jessie's Photography.

Ever happened upon a canine agility competition on TV? Those dogs can really move—and it takes more than just a few treats and a dog’s natural enthusiasm to get to that high level of athleticism. That’s where someone like canine agility expert Annelise Allan and her training school, Agile Canines, come in. Since 1993, Annelise has been teaching competitive canine agility—you know, those obstacle courses where Australian shepherds burst through tunnels and tiptoe over teeter-totters—but a couple of months ago, she moved into a fancy new 10,000-square-foot space next to Downtown Dogs in Minneapolis. (And about those Australian shepherds: Sleek, working breeds like Aussies are common in the sport, but Annelise says any properly trained, physically fit dog can learn agility.)

Agile Canines’ holistic approach to training reflects the sport’s serious nature. Sure, it’s a lot of fun, but Annelise says the dogs are required to run hard and fast, and to perform tight turns and tricky maneuvers. For this reason, they’re treated like professional athletes, with a canine massage therapist, a canine chiropractor and canine reiki and energy healer visiting the space regularly. They also host animal communication and TTouch sessions.** “I believe it is important to take care of the dogs physically and mentally first before addressing training issues. Many problems in agility that at first appear to be training problems are really underlying physical problems where the dog is in some degree of pain when doing agility. Dogs like agility a lot and can be very stoic when performing so it is important to take care of them physically,” Annelise says, adding, “The canine athletes are well taken care of and it is an investment on a lot of levels to be involved competitively in this sport. Competitive agility should not a weekend warrior sport for dogs but a lifestyle.”

Bayou, a student's Great Dane, exits the tunnel. Photo by Jessie's Photography.

Annelise’s own dogs participate in that lifestyle with her. She enjoys training and competing with her two Australian shepherds, a Pyrenean shepherd and a sheltie, and has won several national competitions with 12 of her own dogs.

The main objective is to make training a safe, fun, rewarding experience, Annelise says—and she means for the owners as well. “Teaching agility classes is about working with the people. I enjoy seeing them develop a better relationship with their dog and having fun with their dog. We strive to make the training a very positive experience for everyone.”

If you’re thinking of giving canine agility a whirl, Annelise recommends the Saturday afternoon “Agility Run for Fun,” which isn’t competition-oriented, but can give you an idea if you’d like to pursue the sport further. If you’ve got a pup with some potential, Jane Fallander runs her training school, A Great Dog Now, out of the same space, and offers classes to prepare puppies for entry into Agile Canines’ program, as well as regular training for less-than-agile dogs.

**Agile Canines works with Michelle Bame, certified canine sports massage therapist; Dr. Annie Seefeldt, human and animal chiropractor; Sage Lewis, level 3 certified Tellington TTouch practitioner; and Mary Stoffel, animal communicator and shamanic practitioner.

Jennifer Gibson showing Julius some love.

By Meredeth Barzen

The dog moms at Sidewalk Dog are always on the lookout for ways to make our pooches more relaxed, comfortable and happy, so when we heard about the pet massage movement, we decided to get the scoop from an insider—Jennifer Gibson, owner of Bits of Love Pet Massage.

First, the question on everyone’s mind: How is pet massage different from the belly rubs, ear squeezes and bear hugs I give my dog at home?  “I hear a lot of ‘I pet/rub/massage my dog,’” Jennifer says. “Of course, I think this is fantastic. Everyone should touch their dogs. We are our dogs’ first line of defense. However, having someone specially trained in dog anatomy, with a special understanding of their bio mechanics and different massage techniques can help your dog in so many more ways. There are times when massage is inappropriate, places where dogs shouldn’t be massaged and a trained pet massage therapist knows all about the contraindications.”

Even more so than your own (though still very valuable) affection for your dog, pet massage by a trained therapist can have some clear health and mood benefits for elderly, injured or terminally ill dogs, Jennifer says. “Massage releases endorphins for pain relief, helps nutrient absorption into the blood, maintains muscle tone, boosts the immune system, and massage can even help your dog with a transition, like welcoming a new family member, losing a family member, and even letting go of themselves. Dogs aren’t afraid of death, but they hang on for the sake of their owners even when it means they are living a non-quality life. Massage helps encourage them to let go and transition on,” she says.

Jennifer got into pet massage a few years ago when her rat terrier, Julius, was injured after jumping out of a car window. “Needless to say, over the next couple of years, his mobility diminished,” Jennifer says. After his accident—which Jennifer says was motivated by jealousy over a new dog in the family—Julius was having trouble walking, and couldn’t go up stairs or jump up on the bed anymore. Jennifer took both dogs to the PetMassage™ school in Toledo, Ohio, where students practiced massage on them, “Massage made all the difference in Julius’ life. He’s been running around ever since like nothing was ever wrong with him,” Jennifer says.

Though there are currently no laws in place to regulate pet massage, Jennifer says it’s important to seek out a reputable, trained pet masseuse if you’re going to fork over your hard-earned cash for Fido’s well-being—there are a handful in Minnesota, she says.

And misconceptions still abound in this growing field. “I think many people just think about massage as being relaxing and de-stressing for people. I don’t think people have ever really thought about how beneficial it is for our pets and so many times they just blow off the idea as being frou-frou. In reality, massage for animals not only de-stresses them, but it boosts their immune system, restores range of motion and flexibility, maintains muscle tone, can correct behavior issues and much more,” Jennifer says.

Here’s a pet massage tip you can try at home, courtesy of Jennifer Gibson, Bits of Love Pet Massage:

“Just like humans, dogs have many acupressure points that send signals to the body. The ears contain a calming pressure point, usually near the tip. Massaging circles near the tips of the ears should get them nice and relaxed.”

Photo by Joy Green

By Meredeth Barzen

During the dog days of winter, it’s tempting to hibernate with your pooch, laying around on the couch all day and nodding off now and again to episodes of Animal Planet’s “Pet Star.”

NO! BAD DOG OWNER! Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you have license to turn into a slug. You owe it to yourself and your pet to get out into the world and take in some fun, some exercise and some fresh air, and one of the best ways to do that in a Minnesota winter is skijoring—or, as Kristine Zellmer of local group Skijor Now puts it, “dog-assisted cross country skiing.”

Zellmer points out that skijoring has actually been around for more than 100 years. “It started when some Norwegians went to Alaska during the gold rush,” she says. “They saw dog sledding and brought the idea home to Norway and adapted what they saw to skiing behind horses and reindeer. The actual term means ‘ski-driving.’ With time, dogs started to be used.”

To skijor, you’ll need a dog that’s at least 30 pounds and loves to run. For equipment, you’ll need a harness for the dog, a belt for you, and lines to connect you to your dog. Ultra Paws sells this gear as a package for $115.95. Then, you’ll need somewhere to go and someone to show you how to do it—you can find these in the resources listed below.

If you’d like to get a jump on your skijor training before you get out on skis, Zellmer recommends leash-training your dog to respond to the main commands one at a time. They are:

‘Whoa’ = Stop

‘Hike’ or ‘Let’s go’ = Go

‘Gee’ = Turn right

‘Haw’ = Turn left

‘On-By’ = “Keep going—do not stop to smell the tree, chase the rabbit or examine the passing dog.” When you think your dog is going to be distracted from the trail, say the command. When she passes the object by, praise her.

And remember: You don’t have to be a speedy, big-shot racer to enjoy skijoring. By working with their dog, anyone can enjoy the sport as a casual, fun wintertime activity.

Photo by Joy Green

Skijoring Resources:

Clubs:

—Skijor Now

—Midwest Skijorer’s Club

Information:

—”Ski Spot Run” by Matt Haakenstat and John Thompson

—Midwest Skijorer’s Club Instructional Power Point

Places to Get Gear:

—Ultra Paws

—Skijor Now

—Midwest Mountaineering

Events:

—Sat., February 6: Chuck & Don’s Skijoring Loppet. Uptown Minneapolis starting at 1 p.m. The world’s largest skijor race—last year there were 107 teams and more than 2000 spectators.

—Sat., February 13: Midwest Skijorer’s Club 10th annual winter skijor event, sponsored by Ultra Paws. Starting at 9 a.m. at Ham Lake Park, with clinics for beginner, intermediate and advanced skijorers, plus pro sport and novice classes.

Places to Skijor:

—Midwest Skijorer’s Club Trail Guide

Ben, a Home for Life dog who was blinded by abuse but now lives happily at the sanctuary.

By Meredeth Barzen

At 7 a.m. on Sunday, November 22, before shopping hours commence, the Mall of America will be taken over by hounds and their humans at the first annual Doggone Early Dog Walk, benefiting Home for Life Animal Sanctuary. Dog owners will be able to walk ’til they drop (or at least until they get to the refreshments table) to support the animals that Home for Life cares for and the community outreach programs it organizes.

Sponsored by yours truly and a host of other big names* in the Twin Cities dog world, the walk kicks off “The Art of the Dog,” Home for Life’s holiday display of dog statues and doghouses designed and adorned by local artists. For example, Jessie Marianiello of Stray Dog Arts will be creating a MoMDA—Museum of Modern Dog Art—doghouse, which will feature painted portraits of Marni Hughes’s and Keith Marler’s dogs from FOX 9 News. “This is a house for dogs with a refined sense of taste and an appreciation for art,” Marianiello says.

A decorated Art of the Dog statue from holidays past.

If you see a work of art that tickles your fancy, proceeds from the sale will benefit Home for Life. And given the talent that’s working on these pieces, chances are you will.

But back to the main event—walkers will be able to get Fido’s photo taken with Santa; enter contests for oldest, youngest, smallest, biggest, best-dressed and most owner-resembling dog and meet some of the Home for Life pooches and FOX 9 Morning News’ M.A. Rosko, the Grand Marshal of the dog walk.

M.A. Rosko with Munter, one of her two dogs.

Registration is $25 per four-legged accompanied by up to two two-leggeds. Each additional human is $25 and kids walk for free. Don’t miss this historic opportunity—this is the first-ever large-scale indoor dog walk—to support Home for Life, a truly compassionate organization that provides lifetime care to dogs and cats who have special needs and can’t find a traditional home.

You can build your own Doggone Early Dog Walk fundraising page here to e-mail others about the event and collect money for Home for Life. Or, if you’re just not an early bird and need to sleep in that Sunday, you can still support Home for Life by making a general donation here.

*In alphabetical order: Aloha Pet Care & Dog Training, Bark Busters, Bone Adventure, DoodyCalls, Fetch Delivers, Lena Swanson (animal communicator), MadDog Delivers, Pampered Pooch Playground, Personalized Pooch, Petcurean Pet Nutrition, Pets Are Inn, Sarah Beth Photography, Stray Dog Arts, and Stunt Puppy.

Attendees really got into the "spirit" of the event at last year's Monster Dash 5K-9.

By Meredeth Barzen

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween with your dog? Team Ortho is holding its annual “Monster Dash” 5K-9 on the spookiest day of the year—this Saturday, October 31.

The 5K-9 is the dog- and costume-friendly (for people and their pets!) portion of the Monster Dash race, which also includes a half-marathon, a 10-mile race and a regular 5K race—more than 7,000 runners are expected to participate this year. The 5K-9 will take place around Lake Harriet, and for your noble exercising efforts, you’ll receive a long-sleeved tech shirt and a collar or leash from the event’s sponsor, Stunt Puppy. Sidewalk Dog will be enjoying the festivities from Stunt Puppy’s tent. Plus, Fetch Delivers will be there to refuel your dog with treats and free one-pound sample bags of Go! Natural Grain Free Endurance dog food (great for active dogs) and to hand out coupons for any food in the the Now!/Go! lines, which can be redeemed at any retailer. ScoopyPoo will take care of anything your dog—ahem—leaves behind, Bits of Love Pet Massage will be providing mini-massages for your four-legged athletes and Pampered Pooch Playground will be on hand to simply love up all the pups.

Registration is $47 for one adult and one dog. If you haven’t pre-registered, registration for the 5K-9 opens at 8:45 a.m. Saturday morning, and the race starts at 10:35 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

There will be three water/trick-or-treat stops along the way, and remember: There’s no shame in walking if you get tired—you can always blame it on your dog.

Here’s some important info from the pooch lovin’ people behind the race:

1. Race Guide: The entire guide can now be downloaded at www.teamortho.us. In the guide, you will find detailed schedules and start locations for runners, information on parking, great suggestions for spectators and where you can pick up awards for running and costumes. We encourage you to read this document.

2. Packet Pickup is Friday, October 30 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Please note that packet pickup has moved from Marathon Sports to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Time for packet pickup: 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. in Ballroom B. Please bring a valid ID and your confirmation card. If you didn’t receive a confirmation card yet, never fear; come to packet pickup with your photo ID and we’ll get your bib number for you. Note: There will be no packet pickup on race day for the Half Marathon and the 10 Mile.

3. Registration is still open for the 5K-9: Online registration (highly encouraged!) shuts down Wednesday night. You can register at packet pickup on Friday or on race day; registration fee will be $47.

Jump Into Spring hosted by Dogs and Drinks

When: May 30th, 7PM-10PM
Where: Now Boarding, the new state-of-the-art facility near MSP airport
What: Tours of the facility, complementary wine from Solo Vino and cheesecake from Muddy Paws Cheesecake, gourmet dog treats from Sojos, indoor off-leash play, ask-a-trainer/ask-a-groomer tables, photo booth and fab door prizes and gift bags.
For dogs under 15lbs (shy dogs, too!). All ages welcome; 21 to drink. Suggested donation: $10. More info.
This just in: Animal Planet is coming to film all the fun! Stay tuned to Sidewalk Dog for details.

Team Ortho’s 5K-9 sponsored by Stunt Puppy

When: May 31st, 8AM
Where: The Depot, Downtown Minneapolis
What: Run or walk with your furry friend! Then bring your pooch to the Stunt Puppy tent for some post-race TLC (treats, water, doggy massage and more). Participants receive Stunt Puppy 5K-9 tech shirt and leash. $47/person + one dog. More info.
Do some good: Run or walk the 5K-9 with Pet Haven’s team, The Fast and the Furballs! Have fun, exercise and raise awareness about homeless pets. More info.

Wine & Wag hosted by K9-Connection

When: June 4th, 6PM-9PM
Where: JJ’s Dry Dock Cafe, Downtown Minneapolis
What: A benefit for Homeward Bound Rescue. While you’re enjoying five courses of gourmet appetizers with wine pairings, your dog will also be served butler-style (grain-free Sojos courtesy of Bone Adventure)! Plus, live music, a raffle and goodie bags. $32/person. More info (including the mouthwatering menu).

A pup and its people take in the scenery at a Minneapolis dog park

By Meredeth Barzen

Note: Be sure to let your fellow readers in on your favorite area dog parks in the comments section below. Better yet, go one further: We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stunt Puppy to create this super-snazzy interactive map of our choice dog spots in the area. Check it out and add (and review!) your own faves here.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that dogs just want to have fun. Yes, after months of standing on his hind legs to get a good look out of the window at the squirrels and birds roaming where they please, the sweet taste of freedom is on your dog’s lips. Now that spring is here, he dreams of that promised land where he can romp off-leash, sniff his salutations with other dogs and chase whatever catches his eye. That land of milk and honey, that utopia incarnate: The Dog Park. Here are a few of our favorites around the Twin Cities metro area–both urban and suburban–where you and your puppy pals can run free as a bird.

1. Minnehaha (South Minneapolis)- Long touted as the Taj Majal of Metro dog parks, Minnehaha reigns as King for good reason: Scenic trails? Check. River access and a big beach? Check. 4.3+ acres of romping room? Check. By the way, your dog’s in the car right now, ready to go.

2. Alimagnet (Burnsville) – Burnsville’s fanciest (and hardest to pronounce) park has luxuries to spare: A dog-washing station for your muddy buddies, a pond, a weather shelter, night lights and a special-needs dog run. Dog Fancy Magazine recently voted it the third best dog park in the country, for what it’s worth.

3. Dog Grounds (Downtown Minneapolis) – Urban dogs will relish the chance to let loose in one of these three new downtown off-leash play areas, with locations in Loring Park, the North Loop and Elliot Park.

4. Woodbury Dog Park (Woodbury) – East Side dogs can get a good runaround at this park, complete with a watering station, picinc tables, walking trails and 70 acres of doggie dominion.

5. Lake Minnewashta (Chanhassen) – With a water fountain, wooded walking trails and a fenced pond, this brand-new park is the spot to be for doggies from the western suburbs.

6. Crow-Hassan Park Reserve (Hanover) – For dogs who are used to wide-open spaces, Crow Hassan offers space–to the tune of 40 acres, that is. Dogs can swim in the Crow River or frolic in the forest at this underused (until now!) park.

Sally and Ginger patrol the pond at Battle Creek

7. Battle Creek (St. Paul) – Another choice park, with ponds to explore and plenty of walking trails. Bonus: The park is squeaky clean after an Earth Day community clean-up project in April.

8. Elm Creek Reserve (Maple Grove, Champlin and Dayton) – This park–so big, it straddles three towns–is a great choice for dogs that would rather walk with their owners than play with other dogs. And, it’s got trails, a field, a pond, a hill and some picnic tables for good measure.

9. Cleary Lake (Prior Lake) – For the wandering types, Cleary Lake has tons of twisty-turny trails, with strategically placed benches throughout. You can play fetch with your dog’s favorite ball in the meadow, or let your dog take a swim in the fenced pond–or not: It’s your prerogative!

Other parks to check out with your dog:

• Carver Park Reserve (Victoria)

• Egan Park (Plymouth)

• Otter Lake (White Bear Township)

• Bloomington (Bloomington)

• Kaposia Landing (South St. Paul)

• Arlington/Arkwright Park (St. Paul)

• Woodview (Roseville)

• Rice Creek (Shoreview)

• Dakota Woods (Coates)

• Lake of the Isles (Minneapolis)

• Airport Dog Park (Richfield)

• Staring Lake Park (Eden Prairie)

• Van Valkenburg (Edina)

• Trackside Park (Coon Rapids)

Be smart! Bone up on your dog park’s rules regarding permits, licenses, and regulations before you go so you don’t end up with an Irish Wolfhound-sized fine. And be sure to let your fellow readers in on your favorite area dog parks in the comments section below. Better yet, go one further: We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stunt Puppy to create this super-snazzy interactive map of our choice dog spots in the area. Check it out and add (and review!) your own faves here.