Happiness is.....the annual Bayview NSW Vizsla Picnic Day!

Rowland Reserve at Bayview remains one of my favourite off-leash, water access areas in Sydney. The people are courteous, the dogs playful and there's even a mobile cafe and a dog wash so your car doesn't have to wear the beach!

Stella, despite not being a Vizsla, had a wonderful time. She was very happy with her muzzle, although some of the other dogs were quite intimidated - I really believe that they see the muzzle as some very large teeth! She even made a new friend - a greyhound/shepherd/something enormous cross - that was faster and bigger than her.

Rocky of course, was in his element. A little miffed at first that perhaps he wasn't the most outstandingly handsome dog at the park,  but the promise of thirty other new friends of similar temperament, plus their owners a never ending supply of treats made it feel like Christmas!

And of course, they both slept for the next two days.

It must be hard for dogs when their den is demolished, their hunting grounds taken away from them, and they are suddenly thrust into the chaos of a brand new pack and territory.

Such has been the life of Rocky and Stella over the last 6 weeks.

We’ve knocked down our house and moved in to my brother’s stand alone accommodation. But with the move – aside from having the experience of living in a semi-kibbutz environment with my brother’s famil, which makes four adults, three kids, four dogs, and one cat (who has been suprisingly unaffected by the move!)- also involves two insane (did I say that?) dogs.  Who, in order to protect their reputations, I shall call Mork and Mindy.

 Rocky loves all other dogs - unless they are substantially bigger than him and have a louder bark! – So he initially saw these two as fabulous playmates were up for a tireless game of chasing. So for the first week, Rocky was generally okay with the new Den arrangement.

Stella’s first interaction was far from playful. Within two seconds she had both Mork and Mindy on their backs, whimpering while she stood growling above them....for about ten minutes. Then everyone just relaxed and ran about the world sniffing and laying their scent down.

But still every morning, every afternoon, returning from a walk, there was the ten minutes of dominance by Stella. You could practically see Mork and Mindy rolling their eyes in boredom as they “assumed the position”.

But for the last two weeks, finally Stella has got it through her loyal, fabulous and slightly thick skull that yes, she is indeed The Boss of Everyone Ever and all her minions throw the dog equivalent of rose petals down at her paws as she passes in all her glory and magnificence.  In her mind, appropriate order in the pack has been restored.

So the next worst problem has become Rocky.

While we have many, many training issues (that would be our fault due to lacking consistency rather than our dogs being bad!) what we have done well is ensure our dogs have excellent food manners.  

The dinner procedure is this. Humans eat undisturbed by the lesser pack members (much to her chagrin this included Stella the Magnificent). Dog’s food is prepared. Dogs must come when called and sit quietly. Food is placed in front of them. They are given the signal to eat. Naturally Stella eats first. Rocky just waits, doesn’t move a muscle, until Stella has finished. She never eats more than what’s in her bowl, then walks away. Then Rocky eats his food and generally, he never finishes what’s in his bowl. So Stella returns, finishes the remains and the two of them enter what we call “the Witching Hour” with much gambolling and dog merriment in celebration of a full belly.

But the new den has created issues for the calm, quiet world of Rocky’s eating habits. The first day, while we fed Mork and Mindy and Rocky and Stella in separate areas (we’re talking about living of 5 acres here, there is plenty of space). However, when it came time to feeding our dogs, the food was placed, the signal was given and.....like the Tasmanian Devil in those old Bugs Bunny cartoons, there was a whirl of blue, some painful sounding sucking noises, and the food in Rocky’s bowl was gone. 

Blue Heelers are clearly bred never to expect another meal in their lives!

Of course we quickly moved to feeding our guys inside, and the problem seemed to stop. Except, Mork and Mindy like to visit us sometimes (or rather the little tricksters manage to break in!) and when they do, they head straight to the glorious food bowls.

And Rocky rips into them.

I’m always cautious with Stella and other dogs, but Rocky is now like a long term prison inmate when it comes to protecting his food. And at last the other dogs know it! Maybe Mork and Mindy expected dominance from Stella, but now they will not even LOOK at Rocky when he’s near his food bowl (even when it is empty).

So at present, Stella now loves curling up with Mork and Mindy in the sun likes they’ve been BFF, while Rocky is the lone wolf. At least he’s eating well.

So I’ve overcome the biggest challenges of change management with the dogs moving into the Kibbutz....but now my seven year old nephew wants me to play soccer and do the 5, 4, 2, 1 move he learnt at soccer camp (even though there’s only two of us....and no, I have no idea what this is), the two year old is busy explaining the contents of her nappy, the five year old wants me to watch her latest back flip moves and my sister in-law is upset because apparently I made some comment that the Kibbutz isn’t the temple of tranquillity I was expecting.

But if the dogs can see their way through the new lifestyle, I’m sure I’ll manage too.

I just don’t want to have to throw anyone on their back and yell at them for the next six weeks to make it happen.

It has been a few months but I have finally updated the March off-leash listing!

And there's good news - Blacktown council have added SIX new off-leash parks, and Parramatta Council have added a further two.

Check the full listing for all the details under the Sydney Off-Leash Parks tab.

And if you're on the Northern Beaches, don’t forget the continuing trail of the Off-leash Areas in Pittwater – the trial finishes on 30 September 2010 at which time the status of the park will be determined! The areas under trial are:-

Misty mountains, stone cabins, pot bellied stoves, mulled wine and very dog friendly surrounds.  Where am I?  I’ve ditched rainy Sydney for rainy Daylesford!

Daylesford is one of those fantastic Melbourne weekend destinations that will fulfil all your canine exercise, foodie and fresh air requirements.

We’re staying at the highly dog-friendly and cosy  Hollow Log Estate Stone Cottage. Its 4pm, it’s pouring with rain, and the dogs have just spent the last half hour dashing around the fully fenced half acre off-leash enclosure that forms part of the 28 acres here.

The dogs were great on the drive down. Stella did her usual “I’m in a car! It must be nap time”, while Rocky just stood up for the entire trip staring out the window. Aside from being well-behaved on the breaks, he gets to our destination, has a big drink of water, runs around like a fool then throws up.  Travelling with our dogs, at least it’s predictable!

They’re now both crashed out on their mats, snoozing...waiting for the witching hour at sundown.  There’s a mob of kangaroos a few hundred metres away which will be interesting to see how Stella reacts.  Just hope she doesn’t chase them – I’m not so much worried about the kangaroo than the damage it would do her!

Meanwhile, tomorrow we’re planning to walk the Tipperary Track which runs from the delightful Lake Daylesford to Hepburn Mineral Springs.  It’s a long walk – 16km, but it looks flat, well marked and I’m thinking of booking in a well deserved massage at one of the many spa’s in the area tomorrow night.

Tuesday we’ll be heading into town for a jaunt around Williamstown and the newly rehabilitated Jawbone Nature Reserve along Port Philip Bay.  Later in the week I’m keen to do a few walks in Lederderg State Park (not all the park allows dogs, but there appears to be some great dog-friendly walks in the north-west sections). And I’ll probably re-do Macedon Regional Park as I only did the short walk last time I was here.    

But right now, there’s a bottle of champagne and some brie waiting. The perfect nutritional requirements when preparing for a day’s walk.

Find that bucket and spade, grab a towel, call the dogs and get moving! Part of Wanda Beach in  Cronulla is about to be made available for your off-leash exercise and edification pleasure on weekends.

That means over one kilometre of Sydney beach side dog walking and frolicking early in the mornings and late in the evenings.

WOHOO!!!

Well....soon.... anyway.

Sutherland Shire Council has adopted a trial policy for allowing dogs off-leash 4pm to 10am on weekends and public holidays. The trial extends the current terms of the off-leash arrangement, which allows off-leash 4pm - 10am Monday to Friay .

This will be the first ocean-fronting beach in Sydney that you can take your dog off-leash on a weekend. (Well, the first since those "accidentally" restrictive LGA laws were introduce over 12 years ago....)

The trial comes into force once signage is established in the area.

Rocky and Stella will be waiting with baited breath.

Congratulations to all those who asked Sutherland Council to increase access for dog owners. Make sure we all take advantage of this opportunity, pay attention to the signage (dogs aren't allowed in the dunes for example as these are highly sensitive areas), and a quick email to Sutherland Council showing your support will go a long way in making this trail permanent!

For all the details, I've attached the link to the Sutherland Shire Website.

http://www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au/ssc/home.nsf/AllDocs/RWP81766037ACA16CBFCA25739B0019F01F?OpenDocument

If you do venture forth - send me a photo of your dogs enjoying themselves to mail@greatdogwalks.com.au and I will post it in the gallery!

Malabar to Maroubra Headland

I didn’t include this walk in GSDW because for two reasons - superstition and access.  First, I had a “moment” when I arrived at Maroubra and realised despite previous information,  that to make this walk a nice circuit I’d have to cross the beach at Maroubra and incur a $250 penalty (as dogs aren’t allowed on beaches) or trespass through a fence onto private land. Then as I was doing the walk, I saw a dog (off-leash) chase after a seagull over the cliff ledge. I’m not joking.  There were only a few of us who saw it and we rushed over only to find the dog safely on the ledge below.  The owner was less well after nearly having a heart attack. And then one of the ladies who’d seen all the action, related the story of the dog who ran away near the rifle range....well, let’s just say at that point I decided that for me these were all signs,  the walk was cursed.

Currently the land is owned by the Commonwealth Government. There was talk a few years ago that they would hand the land over the NSW government for residential development, or to create a National Park.  In the meantime, improving the track around the headland in line with the standard of the Coastal Walk on the northerly beaches, appears to have been stalled.  

The lack of easy access and poor signage, coupled with my superstition, meant I didn’t include the walk in the book.

But I did this walk again on the long weekend and it was just so beautiful I now deeply regret not putting it in!

The best place to start is Malabar Beach, parking (free) along Fishermans Road.  Walk east along Fishermans road until you come to the car park. Head north to the fence- line, and the track from here winds along the southern side of the headland with views south over Long Bay and Randwick Golf Course.

You arrive at Boora Point – and will notice the first of over 40 old battery towers. These are scattered all over the headland. (The one just behind Boora Point has dark tunnels underneath it, but I wasn’t brave enough to go down there...even with a 35kg dog. )

The trail from here can get a bit confusing as there’s no specific trail markers(despite being part of the Sydney Coastal Track) and numerous divergent paths. Keep to the right (north) for most of the tracks, while this is through quite a bit of banksias and scrubland, there are wonderful cliff top views to be had! After less than a kilometre you will come to a small path north that will take you up to Magic Point, and the views are indeed magic! Head back along the small sandy path and turn right to take you down passed the rifle range.

Personally, I would end the walk at Magic Point, and head back the way you came.

All together, the walk is around 4 km. There’s a nice cafe on the south side of Malabar beach with outside seating that allows dogs.

But for my superstitions sake,  please ensure your dog is on a lead around those cliffs and enticing seagulls, and stay well away from the rifle range when the red flags are up

Happy superstitious- free walking!

I've just returned from my fourth fact finding trip to Melbourne, for Great Melbourne Dog Walks.

While Sydney is certainly the more spectacular city when it comes to views, Melbourne wins hands down for dog-friendliness.

I don't want to slag the NSW State Government for its lack of planning and action for the last 15 years (which is a very long time - 105 dog years) but its really hard not to when you look at not just the Victorian roadworks and other "big" infrastructure development, but the smaller things such as the network of shared pathways throughout the city that make dog-walking (and cycling) safe, accessible and fun.

I don't think I could drag myself away from life in Sydney, but from a dog-owner perspective - I'm tempted!
For example, off-leash beaches 15 minutes from the city, a Victorian Parks website that encourages and directs dog owners to areas where they are welcome....and they have even been trialling allowing dog walking along 75% of the coastal area of Mornington Peninsula National Park.

Perhaps this is because councils and the Victorian government are more forward thinking, or perhaps the Melbourne residents are a little more politically active than their northern neighbours. With three Sydney councils recently announcing trails of more off-leash parks (Ashfield, Warringah and Sutherland shire) the activities of the locals in using and providing feedback will be critical to the success of having more open spaces available for ourselves and our dogs. So if you live in or near these council areas - get active! Go to these trial parks to show your support (and of course to enjoy yourself!) , and ensure you write and ring council with your feedback.

 Who knows - if Sutherland Shire residents back it, Sydney could have it's first ocean beach where you can take your dog on a weekend!



 

Off-Leash Beach Mackerel

Off-Leash Times:   Sunrise to 9:30 am and 5pm to Sunset.

Features: Beach access!!

Council: Pittwater

Mackerel Beach is a secluded, east facing beach fronting Pittwater in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Surrounded by National Park, Mackerel Beach itself is a small community with the only access being by boat.

While it’s always exciting to have another off-leash park – particularly a beach – this one is hard to access but would make a great all day or weekend adventure.

The best way to do this is by ferry, and Mackerel Beach is serviced by www.palmbeachferries.com.au.   For a return fare its $13.60 for adults and $6.80 children. Palm Beach Ferries are more than happy to have dogs on board their ferries as long as the dog is on a lead, well-behaved, stays outside the main cabin and doesn’t sit on the bench seats (these are for the people!)

Monday to Friday the earliest Ferry leaves Palm Beach   at 7:45 and on weekends at 9am, so this means you’ll only just make   the stated morning off-leash times.   However, of an evening,   the last return ferry is 7:10pm during the week, and 6:30pm on Weekends, so your dog can enjoy some serious beach fun in the afternoon!

This beach would make a lovely all day  picnic adventure. If you want to take greater advantage of the beach access in the mornings and evenings, stay overnight or make a weekend of it.   The only dog-friendly accommodation I could find was Aub and Ethels at Great Mackeral Beach http://www.stayz.com.au/14410.

Happy Walking! (or in this case splashing!)

Katie, Rocky and Stella

www.greatdogwalks.com.au