Calling all dog lovers!

Help wikiFido build the best resource for dog owners! It's easy -- just click EasyEdit and add your own resources and recommendations for your area. Add links, phone numbers, addresses and other useful information.

___________________________________

While Albuquerque, New Mexico has many wonderful things for dogs-the area seems to have more than its share of animal haters and many of the laws are Draconian or frivolous with serious penalties. It is illegal for a cat to sit in an open door way, while the owner putters around on the porch. A friend had to pay for the fine-take her cat to the vet to get a statement that the cat was too old to be spayed and micro-chipped. The poor cat died from stress after the vet visit. The city demanded that an autopsy be performed or face charges of animal cruelty. Because she had to take it back to the vet for the catopsy, she also had to pay for the cat to be legally disposed of. That was about $700 for an elderly music teacher. l believe that many people think that if they come to the Southwest or Rocky Mt area that they will not be bothered by anything. If anything bothers them, it can be like a gun fight-overkill to bring civilization to the Wild West.

Best walks: There are organized dog walks and dog costume events to raise money for animal rescue. The City of Albuquerque has an Internet site that lists these events and dog parks.

• Wonderful dog walking areas. The city has open space areas that run from river bottom walks-high desert-forested mountains.
• Albuquerque is a mile high +. In the city and crowded suburb areas, there are nice walking areas along arroyos-dry creeks- that have flash floods when it rains in the mountains, so never get off the safe walkway. A certain amount of druggies can be on these walkways-so be cautious.
• The river walk has huge cottonwoods, water fountains, trash cans and benches. It also has several parking lots. It's well patrolled by the city police. The Open Spaces are on the east side of Albuquerque. The paths run from almost level to rolling hills to rock scrambles that hunting and herding breeds can easily navigate to forested mountain tops. The paths are of granite grit-so check your dog's paws after a hike. I buy a paw healing and conditioning cream from Internet hunting dog supply stores.

Get a rattlesnake venom shot for your dog. The Albuquerque Open spaces have the plague and and wild life. It is not a good idea to let your dog run. Dogs get infected fleas from small dead wild mice, etc.

• Carry water-no water is available. I carry several collapsible water dishes.
• Open spaces are run by the city, county, state and federal agencies-so some are free-the river walks-the south end of the mountains or if you have a federal parking permit. So carry a few dollars with you for parking. There aren't any vendors in these areas.
• There is an awful lot of vehicle break-ins, so don't leave things in sight and pack things in your trunk or whatever before you load your dog up-
• Some people just don't leash their dogs and they say, "It's just being friendly", so carry some Spray Shield-Animal Deterrent Spray to protect yourself and your dog. It works really well.
• The cabanas for picnics seem to be a place for illicit sexual encounters-if you hear noises-go the opposite way. The city doesn't want to admit it-but the TV and newspapers carry stories about this on going problem.
• Guns are illegal-so you have to use your dog repellent or pepper spray on a threatening person-Note: They try to run away and hide most of the time.
• Clean up after your self and your dog, if you have to squat over a cactus. It's quite open-Open Spaces.
• Is it worth it? Yes, it really is

Best dog parks: I've had vets tell me that these are a prime source of infections and emergency care. We have rattlesnakes here.

• All dogs in the park must be off the leash-city ordinance.
• The parks are small and some are overcrowded.
• They have low fences and most are near freeways or fast moving major streets.
• Many don't have water, shade or benches
• Bloggers complain about dog maulings
• Bloggers complain that the regulars are snobbish and won't help a mauled dog in any way.
• There is one dog park that has an agility course. It has a low fence, is next to the dump, where everyone speeds. It's way out in the boonies. Police departments use it to train their dogs. Hey they have a few dozen cops to keep the K-9 from jumping the low fence if they take the leash off. It's also in prime rattlesnake territory.
• Some of our dog parks just had a few strands of rusty tangled barbed wire for fences. Then moths after a national magazine listed Albuquerque as being dog friendly, the city removed the barbed wire and cleaned these parks up. I guess some one complained.
• Probably my hounds would jump the fence, get run over and break out with some type of skin ulcer that I've seen on dogs.

Best Stores:

• Dogs are welcome at home improvement stores. There are several restaurants with patios that welcome dogs-call ahead, as managers and policies change-also-some have gone out of business. Some restaurants say dogs are welcome, but they have to stay in the patio area. Problem-you have to heave the dog over a high wall or fence for the dog to get in and out of the patio area- I'm used to Spain, where dogs lie under the tables inside the eatery-

• Best veterinarians:

Best daycare/pet sitters:

• 
  Camp Bow Wow Albuquerque Dog Daycare

Dogs are seperated into indoor / outdoor play yards where the socialize and play with other dogs all day long. A high staff to dog ratio and certified camp counselours help keep camp safe. Web cams so you can wath your dog play

Albuquerque Dog Daycare Prices

3228 Los Arboles NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Phone: 505-881-3647

www.campbowwow.com/Albuquerque

Best boarding/kennels:

• 
  Camp Bow Wow Albuquerque Dog Boarding

Unlike a tradition dog kennel, offering dog boarding with a social play all day environment. Dogs are separated into indoor / outdoor play areas based on their size, temperament and play styles where they socialize and play all day. A high staff to dog ratio and have web cams so you can watch your dog play while you are away. Boarding dogs are only in their cabins for meals and bedtime. At night, they are tucked in with a treat and soothing music. The cabins are large and come complete with cots and comfy bedding.
Albuquerque Dog Boarding Prices
3228 Los Arboles NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107

Phone: 505-881-3647

www.campbowwow.com/Albuquerque

Best groomers:

• 
  

• Best dog supplies:

• Pet Vet @11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE Ph. (505)_296-7200; URL: www.petvetmarket.com
• 1. Pets are really welcome and patrons control their dogs. I hate having a dog on a real long leash or no leash run out from an aisle and trip me.
• 2. They have lots of herbal suppliments to help your animal. Missy gets car sick and they gave me information on products that should help her on the phone.
• 3. They are set up with baths, so you can wash your dog there at a reasonable fee.
• 4. They have home delivery for their goods. They are very friendly and helpful.
• 5. They have convenient parking-It's not a mall-so you can park within a few feet of the entrance and not worry about being run over trying to get to the door.
• 6. Their prices are reasonable.
• 7. Low price shot clinics. I was trying to get a fly repellent for my dogs-we live near a race track-and this was the only place that carried something safe for dogs. I do clean my yard every day and my neighbors are clean.
• Petsmart at Academy & Wyoming NE. 8070 Academy NE Albuquerque; Ph. (505) 796-0561;
• 1. It's at the east end of the shopping center, so parking is easy.
• 2. Staff is friendly.
• 3. Large supply of dog repellent sprays, topical antibiotics, etc. that other Petsmarts don't carry.
• 4. If you arrive late, they'll still let you shop.
• 5. Dog grooming and shot clinic.
• 6. Long hours. My neighbor's little dog thinks that my front yard is it's turf. It came running, growling and tried to attack my pit bull and the 2 80 lb hounds when we stepped out for a pack walk. Then I was able to find the spray at the Academy store and used it. Later I was able to video tape the little monster attacking a WW II vet. The vet promised to kill it next time & I told the owner that I'd give the tape to animal control the next time there was an incident. Problem seems solved. This is one of the problems that make Alb. problematic-inconsistency and focusing on minor problems like blind cats.

I can't really recommend other pet stores, as I've had to complain about loose dogs, as I picked myself up from the deck, couldn't get help in buying electronic fences, etc.. The staffs were unsympathetic about needing to repell a dog, they have limited merchansdise or they are so far away, i.g. Rio Rancho and the Westside.

Positive Rewards Dog Training and Pet Services
505-697-1469
positiverewards.net
pets@positiverewards.net

Best breeders, rescue, and shelters:

• 
  

Best dog services (e.g. walkers):

•