Carolina Mountain Dog

POOCH PATHS: Lake Powhatan, Asheville, NC

Lake Powhatan is a small lake with a sandy beach within Bent Creek Experimental Forest. The lake is a particularly great spot for the month of March because the lake and accompanying overnight camping area is closed until April 1. That means you and your doggies have the run of the place (including the beach) since cars, campers, and swimmers aren't around. You also don't have to pay any fee, which is required after the lake opens.

The lake and the surrounding roads and trails make for a great outing. You can walk, jog, or bike ride on the paved roads (it's moderately hilly but not too bad), or you can hike on the many trails near the lake and in Bent Creek. Your dog will love splashing around on the bank or running in the sand. During the off-season, many people let their dogs run free, although when the lake is open, dogs must be leashed.

The lake is easily accessible via the entrance to Bent Creek, which is right off the Blue Ridge Parkway at the North Carolina Arboretum exit, Route 191 (Brevard Road towards Asheville). Follow the signs to Bent Creek/Lake Powhatan. Go past the Hard Times Trailhead on the left (which itself is a great spot to pick up numerous trails). The road then forks and the entrance to Lake Powhatan is on the left. You can park outside the gate to the right and walk up the hill. Follow the signs for swimming and fishing to get to the lake. Walking around the empty campground, which is largely shaded, is also a nice stroll. During the off-season, the gates are closed to vehicles but foot traffic is allowed.

Visit the POOCH PATHS page for additional information and directions from I-26.

Everything for Dogs in Asheville and Hendersonville

Know where the dog parks are in Asheville? Is there anyone who can scoop the poop in your yard? Do any vets offer alternative medicine? Where are the best places to hike with your dog in the Asheville/Hendersonville area? Where is there a campground that actually caters to dogs? 

You'll get the answers to these questions in the new 2010 Edition of the Asheville Doggie Guide -- everything for dogs in the Asheville, Hendersonville, and Black Mountain, NC area!

This handy pocket-size guide includes adoption organizations, animal services, dog bakeries and boutiques, boarding facilities, dog-friendly campgrounds, doggie daycare, dog parks, grooming services, dog photographers, poop pick-up services, dog therapy, hiking trails, dog training, sitters, vets, and more, plus adoption information, safety tips, and pet rules and regulations for Buncombe and Henderson Counties. It has hundreds of listings -- names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and websites -- saving hours and hours of research time! You will refer to it often. There is no other resource available like the Asheville Doggie Guide.

Pick up your copy today at Three Dog Bakery, 21 Battery Park in Asheville (a block away from the Grove Arcade). Or order the guide online via this special offer:

The publisher's list price for the Asheville Doggie Guide is $19.95, but you can get your copy of the guide for $13.95, a savings of $6! You'll get a $6 rebate when you purchase the Asheville Doggie Guide directly from the publisher! Learn about this special offer here.

Your Own "PetCast"

If the weather's been driving you crazy, take heart. Spring is coming soon (not soon enough!). In the mean time, you can rely on an online service that will not only provide you with the local weather, but also with a page of useful information that's customized to your pet.

Go to www.weather.com/pets, enter some brief information, and get your own "PetCast" with the local weather, as well as a dog "comfort index," a report of mosquito activity in your area, tips from the "dog care clinic," a park locator, a dog walking calculator, a list of local pet events, videos, and more.

Driving Dogs

You've got to see the new Subaru commercials that just started appearing on TV: They feature dogs driving a Subaru Forester! You can watch the ads on National Geographic Channel's "Dog Whisperer Marathon" on February 15, and during the Westiminster Dog Show (Feb. 15 and 16 on the USA cable network.) One of the best of the bunch is included below.

Subaru reports that half of Subaru drivers own a pet, so why not appeal directly to the dog-owning audience? Subaru also has a relationship with the ASPCA, one of several charities the carmaker supported during its "Share the Love" sales event.

Subaru isn't the only auto company that recognizes the power of the pack. Honda offers the Element with a special "dog-friendly package" that includes a rear car kennel, pet bed, stowable ramp, and more. There's even a website that rates dog-friendly cars: www.dogcars.com.

 

POOCH PATHS: Azalea Dog Park, Asheville, NC

Azalea Dog Park in Asheville is a great place for your dogs to work off their energy. It features two fenced-in areas, one for smaller dogs and one for larger dogs, separated by a gate, although small and big dogs can use either area, as long as they are well-behaved.

The big dog portion is quite a large area, with plenty of room for running and playing. It has a gazebo in the center -- useful to get out of the sun, since the trees that have been planted are not yet full-grown. On the downside, there is a ravine in this area that quickly fills up with water when it snows or rains, so be prepared for a muddy experience if you go soon after wet weather.

Poop bags are generally available, but you will need to bring your own water. The dog park adjoins a pond and a small grassy area with a few picnic tables, and there are a few hiking trails close by as well.

Insider tip: One of the good things about the location of the park is its proximity to the Swannanoa River. For a nice cool-down after romping at this dog park, exit the park and look for a gated pull-in near a dumpster, immediately on your left. Down a short path is a shallow river bed and gentle rapids where doggies love to splash.

Location: Use Exit 8 off of Route 240 and follow signs for the WNC Nature Center. The park is at 395 Azalea Road, a few miles past the WNC Nature Center. Continue on Azalea Road past all the soccer fields and the dog park will be on the left.

CANINE CRUISIN': Max Patch, NC

If you're looking for a little piece of heaven for both you and your doggie, cruise on up to Max Patch. True, it's in the middle of nowhere, close to the Tennessee border, more than an hour northwest of Asheville, NC. And as you drive up about seven miles of gravel-packed, winding road to reach Max Patch, you'll be thinking "This better be good."

It's worth it. Max Patch is a bald about 4200 feet high, and the road gets you pretty close to the top. A short hike and you reach a flat, open area that is breathtaking, to say the least. You'll love the 360-degree panoramic views. You'll feel as if you're on top of the world. Your dog will love cavorting on the large grassy hillsides. No one seems to mind well-behaved off-leash dogs up there. It'll be easy to spot your buddy from most any vantage point.

File this one away for a lovely spring day or, better yet, make it an outing on a hot summer day. The cool breezes and spectacular locale are guaranteed to help you chill out.

You can reach Max Patch off Route 40 West (Exit 7), but a recent rock slide may get in your way. The alternate route, not nearly as direct, is to wind your way through Hot Springs. (See the CANINE CRUISIN' page for detailed directions and additional information.)

CANINE CRUISIN': Montreat, NC

Montreat is a tiny, secluded town north of Black Mountain that is home to Montreat College and the Montreat Conference Center, which is surrounded by 2,500 acres of unspoiled wilderness. Montreat is a dog lover's paradise because it is an ideal destination for either a casual walk or a serious hike. There are numerous trails, many of which run alongside rushing creeks, set amidst dense trees in the mountains. If you're looking for a spot that gets you close to nature and elevates your spirits, Montreat is it.

While Montreat is typically a spring and summer destination, it is less crowded in the fall and winter. It is cool year-round, so dress appropriately.

For an easy, flat trail that runs alongside a creek, go through the Montreat stone gate and enter the gravel parking lot immediately on your right. There you'll find a memorial garden and a good walking trail that's shaded and cool and has plenty of opportunities for your dog to go into the rushing water of the creek.

For more vigorous hiking, go all the way up Assembly Drive until it becomes Grayhead Trail. Continue to the end until you reach the Trailhead. There are a number of trails there that lead through the forests, some more challenging than others.

You can find a link to a trail map and detailed trail descriptions on the Montreat Conference Center's website at: http://www.montreat.org/programs/wilderness. For more information about Montreat, visit the CANINE CRUISIN' page.

Herding Dogs, Listen Up!

If you have a dog that's a herding breed -- or you've noticed that your dog seems to like herding other dogs at the dog park -- you might want to consider taking your buddy to a herding clinic at Possum Hollow Farms in Rutherfordton, NC. Vicki Hughes and her team of trainers offer herding clinics just about every month on a drop-in basis, no reservation required. Your dog will get to experience what herding sheep is like in a controlled environment.

Possum Hollow trainers can also assess your dog's herding instinct, offer you private herding lessons, and even have your dog stay with them for a week or a month of training. For more information, visit: http://www.possumhollowfarms.com/stockdogservices.htm, email info@possumhollowfarms.com, or call 828-429-6388.

Local Getaways with Your Dog

If you're looking for a way to kick back and relax, how about a local getaway with your dog? Fall and Winter are good times to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Carolina mountains. The days are cooler, the evenings are crisp, and the area is less crowded. While there are numerous pet-friendly hotels and inns in WNC and the Upstate, it's hard to beat these two because they truly cater to dogs -- and pamper you as well.

Bed and Breakfast at Ponder Cove
Here you and your dog can romp on 91 acres and still be just 30 minutes north of Asheville. This sumptuous bed and breakfast inn features spectacular gardens and luxury accommodations. A two-bedroom 1938 fully restored bungalow is also available on the property. Amenities include a welcome doggy basket, complimentary treats, an off-leash play area, concierge service, and a gourmet breakfast.
1067 Ponder Creek Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754
866-689-7304, 828-689-7304
www.pondercove.com

Barkwells
This fully fenced mountain retreat has more than 8 acres of fenced meadows and a pond and is 20 minutes from Asheville and close to Hendersonville. Barkwells has a variety of dog-friendly luxury rental cabins with dog doors, gated porches, and fenced yards. Each cabin has a fully equipped kitchen and complete amenities, including such extras as charcoal grills and hot tubs. And your dog has the run of the place.
290 Lane Road, Mills River, NC 28759
828-891-8288
www.barkwells.com

POOCH PATHS: Carrier Park and French Broad River Park, Asheville, NC

The city of Asheville has some great venues for dog lovers. Two of them, Carrier Park and French Broad River Park, are along Amboy Road, close to each other, and include enough tree-lined paths by the French Broad River to make for a whole morning or afternoon of walking or biking with your four-legged friend.

Carrier Park attracts more of a crowd because of its facilities, but gently rolling paved and bark-mulched paths to the left of the picnic shelter lead away from the busy section, towards French Broad River Park. Walk along the sidewalk to reach the less populated area, and you'll notice a sign indicating the future home of "Karen Cragnolin Park." This is part of the ambitious "Wilma Dykeman Riverway Plan," named for a local writer/conservationist, and sponsored by the visionary organization, RiverLink. The plan calls for the eventual formation of a 17-mile continuous greenway linking the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers. It's an exciting and bold concept that encourages recreational use of the city's waterways.

French Broad River Park, beyond Carrier Park and to the left off Amboy Road, is a walker's delight. It has the added benefit of a fenced, 1-acre dog park on the premises. (However, there's a newer and larger dog park on the other side of town called the Azalea Road Dog Park, near the WNC Nature Center and not far from the Bleachery Boulevard shopping area.)

Walk or ride along the paths at either Carrier Park or French Broad River Park, stop to look at the water, and take time for you and your dog enjoy what Asheville has to offer.

For more information, visit the POOCH PATHS page.

POOCH PATHS: Fletcher Community Park, Fletcher, NC

There are lots of community parks, so what makes Fletcher Community Park worthy of selection as a Pooch Path? One word: FLAT! Well actually, it's more than that. Yes, this park is very flat, but it also has excellent facilities and natural beauty. And it's a great place for a dog walk or a bike ride with your dog.

Fletcher Community Park has a large central "campus" with a paved trail all around it that makes for easy walking or a great bike riding path. It also has a crushed stone path running along Cane Creek that is very picturesque. Follow the bark mulch path from the stone path (behind all the parking lots) and there is a great spot to take your dog down into the water. It's right before a small bridge that passes over the creek. Go over the bridge and you'll come to a big open field (again flat) that provides another walking/biking trail. This is part of the "Fletcher Park Greenway," which will eventually be expanded but, for now, makes for a nice, not-too long-outing.

Fletcher Community Park also has restrooms and picnic tables. It is conveniently located off Hendersonville Road in Fletcher. Coming from Asheville, make a left onto Howard Gap Road (at the light just before the Blue Sky Cafe). The park will be on your left. Visit the POOCH PATHS page for additional information and a trail map.

ReTail Scene: The All Important Walk

Taking your dog for a brisk walk is a great way for both of you to get exercise. Regular walks keep dogs balanced, happy, and calm. A walk can turn stressful, however, if your dog is constantly pulling. We've tried just about every kind of technique, collar and leash to reduce our large dogs from their natural desire to forge ahead. The best device we've found is the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness. Since the leash attaches to a martingale loop on the chest, the dog is not pulling at the neck. It is cleverly designed with a different color-coordinated belly strap so you can easily identify the right way to put it on. This harness almost instantly made walking our two big dogs a more enjoyable experience. The harness is available in various sizes and colors from Cherrybrook.

Doggie Adventures in the Upstate

Find out where to take your dog for a leisurely stroll in downtown parks and around lakes. Learn about the dog-friendly South Carolina Botanical Gardens. Find the best hiking trails in the Upstate. Visit a private dog park with three play yards. Discover which Upstate restaurants welcome dogs in their outdoor seating areas. All of this helpful information is in an issue of Discover Upstate South Carolina magazine, and we've provided a link to this great resource here. (Note: This is a PDF and the article about dogs in the Upstate begins on page 6.)

ReTail Scene: How to Take a Hike with Your Small Dog

We wanted to take our older small dog on a hike with our two big dogs, but we knew he couldn't handle the extended time on a trail. Luckily, we found this cool backpack made by Outward Hound. It accommodates dogs up to twenty pounds. They sit comfortably on the padded bottom and get a nice ride. The straps distribute the weight to make carrying your dog easy. This brings a whole new meaning to "walking the dog." The Outward Hound Backpack Pet Carrier is hard to find in stores, but it is available via the Internet from PetSmart. Use this link to learn more about it or to order.

Bike Riding with Your Dog

For a fun way to exercise yourself and your dog, consider a bike ride. It's an especially good activity during the Fall months. But keep in mind that your dog probably has no idea what a bike is, or what it does. That's why at least one training session is essential before you take off.

We trained our 9-year old black lab mix and our 6-year old cattle dog mix in an afternoon. These basic steps will get you started. (The following steps assume you are interested in a leashed ride on a flat surface. If you are planning to do mountain biking, your dog should not be leashed. He must be able to follow voice commands and stay near you.)

1. Orient your dog to the bike. Walk the bike and your dog on a loose leash until the dog becomes accustomed to walking beside the bike. Make a few turns and go in circles a few times so the dog has to follow you.
2. Get on the bike in a flat, protected area with little or no traffic. Keep your dog loosely leashed on the side most comfortable for you. Have your dog sit before you begin. Start riding very slowly and gently pull your dog to follow. Provide plenty of leash but keep your dog at your side or slightly behind you.
3. Keep riding very slowly and make some turns. See if your dog follows you. Use voice commands that your dog understands to control his movement as needed. 
4. Gradually increase your speed. Your dog should keep up. If the dog moves ahead of the bike, gently pull him back and use a voice command such as "easy" so he knows to stay by your side. Be alert. If your dog starts to go in a different direction and you can't correct him, drop the leash, stop your bike, and start over again with your dog sitting by your side.
5. Bike ride frequently so your dog gets used to it. Be sure to bring water and don't over-work your dog.
TIP: Look for flat, wide paved areas with minimal traffic to bike ride with your dog. Rail trails or greenways, such as the Boone, NC greenway and the Fletcher, NC greenway (in the Fletcher Community Park) are ideal places for bike riding.

More information about teaching your dog to bike ride with you, including valuable safety tips:
http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-activities/dog-exercise/article_2979.aspx