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Category: Dog Tips

Unleash the Benefits: Why Basic Obedience Training is a Must for Your New Puppy

Posted on April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 by Kirsten Barnhart

One of the most exciting aspects of getting a new puppy is the training you embark on together. Before I even brought Gatsby home, I knew that I wanted to enroll him in professional dog obedience training. Right here in Van Wert, we have Hawk Haven “Good Dog” Obedience Training with instructor Marianne Frederick. Marianne…

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How to introduce a puppy to a senior dog

Posted on September 15, 2022September 15, 2022 by Kirsten Barnhart

Bringing home a new puppy to a senior dog can be a lot. Not all meetings go as we hope. But you can do a lot of things to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Three things, above all else, are the most important. Take It Slow Reward Good Behavior Correct Unwanted…

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3 Things To Consider When Planning An Unplanned Trip With Your Dog

Posted on July 27, 2020April 14, 2023 by Kirsten Barnhart

Every year since I’ve worked at the newspaper I have taken the week of my birthday off (whatever week August 11th falls in). In 2018, I left the dogs at home and went to Portland, Oregon. I realized I missed them too much to do that again. In 2019, I spent the week at home…

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Breed Matters – Choose The Right Dog For Your Lifestyle

Posted on July 18, 2020July 18, 2020 by Kirsten Barnhart

We all see it on Facebook — the “I hate do to this but I need to rehome my dog” post. It’s usually accompanied by an explanation about how the dog is “too hyper” and is “tearing things up.” These owners often state that they “just don’t have time.” According to an ASPCA survey, 47…

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3 Ways To Beat The Heat With Your Dog

Posted on July 5, 2020July 5, 2020 by Kirsten Barnhart

Ohio – it’s hot, really hot. It’s so hot that it can be dangerous to take your dog outside in the middle of the day without proper precautions. Caesar and I are use to daily walks, but when it gets this hot out, I have to be careful where I take him and how much…

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How To Be A Good Advocate (For Animals And Humans)

Posted on June 7, 2020April 14, 2023 by Kirsten Barnhart

Not long ago I wrote a blog about what it means to be a good advocate for your dog. After what happened to Carl and what has been happening around the nation in response to the murder of George Floyd, I began to think about that blog. While that blog is less that a few…

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How To Enjoy Quarantine With Your Dog

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Kirsten Barnhart

These days, many of us are working from home or are at least spending more time at home than normal due to the coronavirus, which has led many states to enact “stay at home” orders. While the world can be a scary place, there is at least one good thing about the quarantine – we’re…

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Caesar’s Diagnosis of Cushing’s Disease (Explained)

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Kirsten Barnhart

Last Friday (March 20), I got the call from the vet telling me that Caesar has Cushing’s Disease. This is something I was preparing myself for. All the things he has been going through, all of the symptoms – they all fit. It’s been about a week now, and due to the coronavirus, I don’t…

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How To Plan A Dog-Friendly Trip To CVNP

Posted on March 1, 2020March 1, 2020 by Kirsten Barnhart

After months of telling myself that I should just take Caesar and drive three hours north to one of our favorite spots, we are finally going to do it this weekend. To kick off spring break, I have booked a two night stay in Macedonia, Ohio so we can spend two full days hiking Cuyahoga…

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How To Be A Good Advocate For Your Dog

Posted on February 9, 2020February 16, 2020 by Kirsten Barnhart

My purpose when starting Take Paws And Relax was to have a concentrated place where people could see into a piece of my life with Caesar and Jeter. I wanted to show people that it’s important to treat other living things with respect and to always show them kindness and love. Take Paws And Relax…

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About

I am Kirsten and this is a space where I share the adventures I have with my dogs.

TPAR started as a blog about my life with Caesar and Jeter. It’s developed into a place where I can share hidden gems in local communities to take your dog, advice and tips I’ve learned along the way, and a space where sometimes I just get the things in my head out.

Since I began this blog, Jeter has passed and Gatsby has entered my life. Today, I continue to tell the stories of the dogs in my life. I hope you’ll find something useful here and grow to love taking your dogs on adventures too.

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“People love dogs. You can never go wrong adding a dog to the story.” – Jim Butcher

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    A Dog-Friendly Trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula

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Take Paws and Relax is a place for dog-lovers, adventurers, thrill-seekers, and those looking to include their furry four legged family members into every aspect of their lives.

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