Puppy Paddlin' 101

"Let us learn knew things, so that we may become more helpful."

~ Dog Scout Motto

It's the Dog Days of Summer and Roger and I have been extremely busy little beavers. On Sunday, August 9, we attended our first Dog Scouts of America (DSA) meeting. We are proud, new members of Dog Scout Troop 161, the local DSA affiliate headed by Dog Scout Leader Ann Withun.

Dog Scouts of America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about responsible dog ownership and the important role of the human/canine bond. It's also all about having a great time bonding with your dog and using positive training to learn new things together.

Roger and I are extremely excited about our new venture. After my career on the show circuit came to a screeching halt, I felt that I could probably squeeze another activity into my busy social life, especially when it involves promoting responsible pet ownership.

Our first activity was Puppy Paddlin'. Seeing how neither one of us can swim, it was a much-needed lesson. And while neither Roger nor I will be trying out for the Olympics alongside Michael Phelps, Puppy Paddlin' provided the participants with a valuable lesson in getting used to the water and trusting our owners. Best of all, Dad learned to overcome his "sink or swim" mentality.

Before sharing some photos of my fellow dog scouts, I thought I'd show this video of how to NOT introduce your dog to swimming. Enjoy!

Photos from Puppy Paddlin'