kids and animals

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, GOOD FOR NATURE, HIKE, LESSONS, OUTDOOR SCHOOLS, WATER

    Discovering the Wonders of Salamanders with Kids

    Exploring nature with kids is always an adventure. There are so many things for them to discover and learn with their senses. Sometimes, they find new plants and creatures that even we parents know very little about. This can be unnerving because we don’t always know if it is safe for our children to explore. Salamanders, with their bright colors, potential toxicity, teeth, and generally strong ability to remain unseen, are one such creature many parents may be wary of when stumbling upon one in nature. Not to fear, Somer Pickel, Creative Team member, and nature-loving Tennessee mom shares everything you will ever need to know about discovering salamanders with kids.

    Discovering Salamanders with Kids
    Eastern newts, in the juvenile red eft stage, are strikingly red-orange.

    Teaching kids to love nature through sensory experiences

    The cognitive, emotional, and physical benefits for kids spending unstructured time outdoors are well documented. And I am guessing you wouldn’t be on this website if you didn’t already believe in the wonders of time spent outside. But how do we get our kids to defy the allure of screens and seek more time outdoors?

    What if we could help our children foster a personal relationship with the natural world? If our kids develop a passion for being outside, they’ll take more interest in leaving the screens behind. I’d argue the most long-lasting (and fun) way to encourage your child’s love for the outdoors is through complete and total immersive play. Our kids are sensory beings. They learn most easily when they’re having fun and allowed to explore.

    In less fragile areas (and where you have permission), let them venture off-trail to experience the thrill of wandering and independent discovery. Let’s encourage them to literally delve in and make their own connections. Mother nature is tough, surely she can handle a bit of child’s play.

    It may seem like it on the surface, however, I’m not promoting the abandonment of leave no trace (LNT) principles. LNT values have their place. But too, if all our kids are never granted the freedom to roam or learn as their little heart’s desire, how will they connect with the natural world? So, from time to time, seek balance. Let your child run wild and discover salamanders in their natural habitats.

    Why salamanders?

    I am sure some of you are wondering what any of this has to do with salamanders. Why should you discover salamanders with kids? Well, these adorable little creatures are a great means to actively engage and immerse your children in nature.  Salamanders are a mostly harmless, yet abundant, class of critters that your kids can explore safely (with supervision).

    They’re also quite elusive. To have any luck finding them, kids will have to put in effort learning about their habitat, behavior, and activity. They’ll need to get out and trek through the animals’ natural habitats if they are to have the honor of eyeing one of these guys up close. Discovering salamanders could be your child’s window into the wonders of nature. 

    discovering Salamanders with kids
    Salamanders love fresh pollution-free creeks under tree canopies.

    What are salamanders?

    Salamanders are in the amphibia class along with frogs. Within the amphibia class, they are members of the Caudata order, meaning “tail” in Latin. Like other amphibians they are cold-blooded critters who (mostly) remain tied to water.

    Salamanders either live wholly aquatic lives and/or lay their shell-less eggs in it. Their eggs hatch into larvae, which resemble tadpoles, and stay in the water until they metamorphosize weeks or months later. During this process, they grow limbs and tails.

    Once mature, most salamanders are like lizards in shape. They tend to have elongated necks and bodies with lengthy tails. But unlike lizards, they lack claws and scales. In lieu of scales, they sport thin permeable skin. And instead of claws, most have adorable little toes. Though, some species lack legs altogether and tend to look more like eels.

    discovering a White spotted slimy salamander.
    Discovering salamanders can be a great introduction to your area’s local fauna.

    Where do salamanders live?

    Salamanders can be found all over the world, with Australia and Antarctica being the exceptions. But, they are most abundant in the northern hemispheres. Those found in the southern hemisphere tend to be in mountainous regions or the Amazon basin.

    Like all amphibians, salamanders’ permeable skin makes them unable to survive saltwater. So, while salamanders do boast quite an impressive range (from nearly the arctic circle of Russia to Bolivia’s Andean Mountains!) they aren’t found in oceans, salt marshes, estuaries, or tidal creeks.

    Discovering a Terrestrial white spotted slimy salamander
    When teaching kids where and how to find these critters, they learn and discover about salamanders’ habitats.

    Salamander diversity in the US

    The United States is home to 186 distinct species of salamanders, which is about a third of the world’s salamanders! Though salamanders can be found almost anywhere in the U.S., four regions contain particularly high concentrations and diversity. The areas are the Pacific Coast; Edwards Plateau region in Texas; Ozark and Ouachita mountains in AR, MO, and OK; and the Southeast.

    As a fourth-generation Tennessean, I was shocked to learn the American Southeast has the highest genetic diversity of salamanders in the world (who knew?!). On that note, all photos in this article are of salamanders native to the southern Appalachian region.

    Discovering an aquatic salamander in souther Appalachia
    Salamanders come in all shapes and sizes, making each species a fun new discovery for children.

    Salamander habitat

    Salamanders are extremely diverse across species, including the habitats they call home. Some salamander species are aquatic and spend their whole lives submerged in creeks, bogs, swamps, ponds, rivers, or lakes. Others live in caves, freshwater seeps, terrestrially in forests, or burrowed within moist forest soil.

    Many terrestrial species tend to return to the same water source each breeding season.  Some salamander species have been known to travel up to nine miles back to the vernal pond where they were born. Imagine traveling that far on teeny legs! After breeding, the new generation hatches and metamorphosizes within the water source. Then they find their way onto land.

    Kid discovering salamanders in nature
    Teaching kids about salamanders in their natural habitats gets them outdoors exploring and discovering.

    Salamander size

    In case you weren’t already thoroughly impressed with these under-rated amphibians, they also have huge variants in size. And I am not talking about a pound or two’s difference. While some salamanders only ring in at a couple of inches, others grow upwards of 6 feet and >60lbs! (I know, crazy right?!)

    The Southeastern U.S. has a species called the Hellbender that can grow up to a couple of feet long (though unfortunately, they’ve become quite rare). The largest terrestrial species are members of the mole salamander suborder and endemic to North America. Some of these species, such as the tiger salamander, can be more than 8 inches long. However, most salamanders that you’re likely to find on your adventures will be less than 6 inches.

    Discovering how small salamanders can be with kids
    Salamanders come in all shapes and sizes. Discovering just how teeny they can be is fun! 

    Salamanders are carnivores

    Salamanders are carnivores from the larval stage through adulthood. Adult terrestrial species tend to consume a wide variety of invertebrates including millipedes, centipedes, insects and their larvae, snails, and earthworms. But large mole salamanders may go as far as to eat small mice, shrews, and snakes. Aquatic species feed on fish, crawdads, zooplankton, mosquito larvae, and even other salamanders.

    Some North American mole salamander species, such as the tiger salamander, require only a few meals a year. Uniquely for cold-blooded animals, they tend to function better at lower temperatures. They’re able to conserve energy and go long periods between meals because they’re more active in colder temperatures. Some species go into a mostly dormant state in their burrows during the hot summer months.

    Toddlers exploring
    Don’t discount toddlers! Kids of any age can explore their surroundings.

    Salamander color diversity

    There’s an incredible amount of body coloration diversity within the >575 known species of salamanders. They come in a myriad of colors, ranging from camouflaging browns, dramatic neons, and even translucent in some cave-dwelling species.

    Biologists who study reptiles and amphibians believe the brightly colored salamanders evolved their beautiful tones as a toxicity warning to their potential predators. As shown in some of the photos within this article, the Eastern U.S. has some strikingly bright species.

    discovering Eastern newt salamander in the juvenile red eft phase.
    Some eastern newts, in their juvenile red eft phase, are so bright they seriously do not look real.

    Salamander toxicity

    On that note, yes, some salamanders are poisonous. However, you must ingest the salamander for it to be of any harm. I don’t think this article will lead folks to run off into the forests to catch and eat salamanders, but let’s just throw it out there, *salamanders are not safe for human consumption*.

    For all practical purposes, if your kids wash their hands after handling, they’ll be alright. However, it’s worth noting some of the larger species, namely Hellbenders, pack a mouth full of teeth and can bite. If you and your kids find the motivation to explore and discover these critters, you may want to stick to the smaller species.

    Child discovering eastern newt salamander in red eft phase.
    Kids love hands-on discovery. As long as you and the kids are careful it can be a safe learning experience for all involved.

    Salamander lifespans

    If you’re anything like me, then you may equate a critter’s small size with a short life span. That’s not the case with salamanders. These typically small vertebrates have uncharacteristically long lives. Some span decades.

    Hellbender lifespans can be upwards of 30 years, and spotted mole salamanders can live up to 20 years. There are accounts of giant salamander specimens in Japan and China living 60-70 years! With such long lives, I guess it’s not surprising that some species, like the eastern newt, spend years in their juvenile stages before metamorphosizing into their adult forms.

    discovering an Aquatic salamander native to the southern Appalachian region.
    Aquatic salamanders are typically less brightly colored than their terrestrial cousins.

    Salamander skin

    Another distinctly amphibian characteristic is the salamanders’ skin. They sport thin permeable skin that must be kept moist. Even so, there’s a lot of diversity in how a salamander’s skin can feel. Some are mucous-covered and slimy. Others (especially juvenile newts called efts) feel more dry, bumpy, and granular.

    Salamanders also differ across species in how they breathe or participate in gas exchange. Some oxygenate through their permeable skin, others through gills or lungs, and still others using a combination thereof.

    Small child discovering salamander
    Children love discovering and learning about the world around them.

    Where to look for salamanders

    One thing that all salamanders seem to have in common, is that they are very sneaky. Depending on species, they may burrow under the ground, logs, rocks, boulders, or leaf litter. With such a wide range, while you are out discovering salamanders with your kids it’s probably best to look up what species are native to your area and where they tend to reside.

    Terrestrial salamanders

    If your local salamanders are terrestrial, take to forests, especially on wet days. Once under the tree canopy, very slowly and carefully look under rocks, fallen logs, or freshwater seepage areas. Just take care to return whatever rocks or logs are moved. You may also want to research your native salamanders’ breeding seasons and seek out seasonal/vernal ponds.

    If you do find a salamander, be mindful to not return the log or rock on top of the creature, as they can be easily crushed. One tactic is to return the rock or log first, then gently release the salamander next to where you found it. You’ll be amazed at how quickly their short legs can get them back undercover! If you and the kids are up for it, you can also go forest exploring on a rainy night when salamanders tend to be more active.

    Aquatic salamanders

    If your area has native aquatic species, go exploring creek beds, bogs, swamps, springs, and ponds. Aquatic salamanders are often easier to find, but harder to catch. They are faster than their land-dwelling cousins. The aquatic salamanders use their tails to propel themselves through the water like little missiles. They also tend to be more camouflaged as compared to the brighter colored terrestrial counterparts.

    If you go searching in freshwater habitats, look under rocks near the bank or in creek beds. Lift the rocks slowly and carefully to limit siltation (murky water), which decreases water visibility. And just like you do for terrestrial species, take care to replace all potential cover back into place prior to leaving. Salamanders may be stealthy, but they need the natural cover of rocks, logs, of organic debris for protection and hunting.

    Discovering salamanders with kids
    Teaching kids from an early age about the environment gets them to care about conservation as they grow.

    How to handle salamanders

    When you are lucky enough to find salamanders, please take care in handling them. Their permeable skin makes them delicate and quite sensitive. Try to remember to wash your hands with soap and water before going out. Make an extra effort to not have any chemicals on your hands including sunblock, bug spray, sanitizer, scented lotions, or any other substances that could be potentially harmful to the amphibians. Many species breathe through their skin and need to stay moist. So, it may be beneficial to wet your hands before touching them.

    When attempting to hold them, keep in mind that they can also be very fast. They will squirm and squiggle right out of kids’ paws if given the opportunity. Try to prepare your kids. You don’t want them to clamp down on the fragile critters should they make for an escape. A gentle loose grip is best.

    For smaller kids, who may not have the dexterity to safely hold small salamanders, bring along a small cup to put them in temporarily. That way your child can see them up close without harming or overstressing them. After you all have gotten a good look, help empower your kiddos to be good nature stewards by releasing the salamanders right where they were found.

    Of note: Some terrestrial species secrete a very sticky mucus when handled as a defense mechanism. The mucus tends to not wash off for a day or two, although in my experience it lost the stickiness within a couple of hours.

    Child discovering Eastern newt salamanders in red eft stage
    Bringing a small cup ca help small children explore salamanders more safely.

    Salamander conservation

    Scientists consider all amphibians, including salamanders, as sentinels or bio-indicators. This means that the health of an area’s species, or group of species, is considered an indicator of the overall wellbeing of that habitat or environment. This is because amphibians are extremely sensitive to environmental change. Due to this sensitivity, amphibian populations seem to be declining globally.

    discovering Aquatic shovel nosed salamander
    Note how camouflaged its skin is with its environment.

    Salamander vulnerability

    Salamanders, like frogs, lay unshelled eggs in water. Without outer shells, the eggs are easily damaged by pollutants, ultraviolet radiation, and other disturbing factors. It’s more complicated for terrestrial species who depend on vernal ponds to lay eggs, as seasonal water sources are being increasingly affected by climate change. And as mentioned earlier, salamander’s permeable skin also makes them quite fragile to chemical pollutants. They can’t survive in polluted waterways.

    Child discovering eastern newt salamander in red eft stage.
    Even very young children can learn how to be gentle and respectful of small critters.

    How to help salamanders

    All is not lost; we can help protect these amazing creatures. There are simple things we can do to benefit salamanders no matter where we are.

    • We can help by ensuring they have shelter. When you see rocks stacked into (unnecessary) “cairns”, dismantle them by gently dispersing the rocks. Removing rocks from creeks and streams to form stacks, causes over-siltation of the waterway and loss of protective shelter for salamanders and other little beasties like crawdads.
    • Advocate against using salamanders for fishing bait, and for the humane release of Hellbenders caught by anglers.
    • Collect litter we come across while out adventuring, especially trash you can reach at the edges of water sources.
    • And if your family is really looking to be a force of change, investigate how you can engage in local habitat restoration efforts in your community.
    • Last but certainly not least, help us spread the joy and wonder of these clandestine critters! The more folks know about them, the more folks will care, and the more likely we’ll be able to make a difference.
    child discovering a salamander
    The more you expose kids to nature the more they learn about the interconnectedness of the world around them.

    Cool salamander facts for kids

    • Salamanders are older than dinosaurs! The earliest found fossil records of salamanders are more than 250 million years old. That’s 40 million years older than the first fossil records of dinos. That means these incredible creatures survived the great extinction events that killed the dinosaurs. No wonder some species (particularly in the cryptobranchidae family) look so prehistoric.
    • “Salamander” is Greek for “fire lizard”. The name has its origin in the myth that salamanders can walk through fire. This myth came about in ancient times. People would often see salamanders as they crawled out from logs that had been thrown onto the fire.
    • A group of salamanders is referred to as a herd or a congress.
    • The axolotl, a native Mexican species, can regenerate missing limbs, eyes, gills, and some organs (cool, right!).
    • Colloquial names for salamanders include snot otter, devil dog, lasagna lizard, walking fish, fire lizards, Allegheny alligators, mudpuppies, waterdogs, and baby dragons.
    • The biomass of salamanders in America’s southeastern Appalachian forests is greater than all mammals and birds combined.
    Child discovering a red eft salamander.
    Teaching children about small creatures is also extremely adorable. Did I mention that yet?

    Salamander fun for young children

    Bring the outdoors in with salamander toys and books!

    Salamander toys

    • Beautiful handmade salamander toys by OutsideEverywhere.
    • Salamander puppets are a good option too. Folkmanis has a couple options; a mud salamander finger puppet and axolotl.
    Kids handmade salamander toy. Discovering salamanders with kids.
    Kids learn through play. So bring the outdoors in through toys!
    child discovering salamander
    Salamanders are beautiful creatures that can teach kids and parents alike so much about our local environments.

    Children’s books about salamanders

    References

    How are your kids developing a passion for the outdoors?

    About the author

    Somer is a mama living in southern Appalachia. Somer’s motherhood journey began when her oldest daughter was born with severe congenital heart disease. Avelyn spent the majority of her 18 months of life within a pediatric ICU. Though she lived her life chronically critically ill, Avie was an incredibly loving and joyous child. After her death, Somer and her husband sought solace backpacking a section of the Appalachian Trail. Before long, they discovered their ability to cope seemed to correspond with time spent outdoors.

    When it came time to add another kiddo to the mix, bringing the baby along was never a question. In an effort to celebrate the freedom provided by healthy bodies, Somer has hiked her second-born 2k+ miles. Even so, she doesn’t believe grand adventures are necessary to reap nature’s wonder. They just as often revel in mundane evenings in their backyard. The family believes it’s prioritizing time spent outdoors that’s important.

    Professionally, Somer has spent the last decade caring for veterans on an acute psychiatric unit as a clinical nurse educator. Over the years she’s become a passionate advocate within the intersectional relationships of mental health, wellness, and the natural world. She truly believes there’s healing and strength to be found outdoors for those who seek it.

    You can find Somer online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @somerpickel

  • ANIMALS/WILDLIFE, INFORMATION, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WATER

    Dog Training Tips for Children

    Having a dog is a great way to get outside, stay active, and learn about loyalty and companionship. Training a dog for basic obedience and to play games can improve the relationship between a dog and a child. However, with everything that goes along with getting a puppy or an older dog, it’s hard to know where to start and what to do when it comes to training. Our Creative Team member and Illinois mom of two, Meghan Garriott, took her son along on a fun-filled morning with a dog training family. They learned some great tips and tricks and even found some unexpected benefits that came along with the training process. Read along to learn the best ways to get children involved in the dog training process. 

    Dog training tips for children

    A dog training family

    My son Emmett (5), and I spent a morning outside, learning all the ends and outs of dog training with the Houk family, Avery (5) and her parents, Justine and T.W.  The Houk’s run Round 2 Retrievers in Bethany, Illinois, where they train dogs for hunting, hunt testing, obedience, and puppy preschool. Avery spends most of her days, when not in school, outside training alongside her dad, or inside getting dogs socialized. Her confidence and control when handling the dogs can be recognized immediately and is amazing to watch. 

    Avery training dogs at 2 years old

    Setting up the training session

    Our morning started with setting up the training activities. The kids helped TW by bringing bumpers to the tree line, which was approximately 160 yards away. These bumpers are for the dogs find later in the training.  Bumpers are durable plastic dummies that the dogs can carry in their mouths. When training for hunting the bumpers are used in place of what the animal is trained to retrieve for the hunter (e.g. ducks and other birds).

    Setting up for dog training
    Setting up the field for training

    Taking to the training field

    The first dog to take to the training field was an advanced black lab named Stoger. We watched as Stoger was released from the sitting position by use of his name. With ease, Stoger was guided with hand signals and whistleblows to where the bumpers were.  

    T.W. signaled right or left with hand signals and called “back in” or “to attention” with whistleblows. Because of the uneven terrain, the dogs can’t see the bumpers until they are within a few feet of them. The dogs must rely on the hand signals and the whistle blows in order to get them to the right place to find the prize.

    TW giving hand signals to direct hunting dog
    T.W. gives hand signals to the dog

    Age of dog for training 

    We met a large variety of dog breeds and dogs of various ages while visiting Round 2 Retrievers. Some of these dogs were in various stages of hunt training, while others were there just for obedience training. T.W. says dogs can begin any type of training as young as 8 weeks. And while you can certainly teach an old dog new tricks, it is easier when you start with simple commands from a young age.  It is easier to train a dog to properly do tasks than to have to correct old habits first. 

    Petting a young dog with long lead
    T.W. rewards with praise and affection

    Puppy training 

    With puppies, it is helpful to get them used to a collar and a leash early on. This is a great task for children to get involved with from the beginning. One of the younger dogs we observed that was being trained wore a long rope leash. The leash was not used to direct the dog anywhere (verbal commands and hand signals were used for that). The leash was there so he could get used to it and as a safety precaution in case they needed to use it.

    T.W. says it is important for a puppy to be properly socialized and get them used to being touched in order to prevent future problems, especially around children. To do this, he suggests often touching their paws, opening their mouths to look at their teeth, rubbing their bellies, and lifting and checking their ears. This makes the dog more comfortable being touched by their owners, groomers, and veterinary staff in the future.

    Dog with long lead retrieves bumper in water
    Retrieving the bumper with long lead

    Beginner-level dog training

    The first commands to learn when beginning dog training are: “sit,” “here,” and “heel.” T.W. says that when dogs that come to them already knowing these commands, they’re way ahead and are much easier to progress than dogs starting from scratch. The best way to implement these commands is to have the dog sit before completing activities like going outside and before being given food.

    Training a black lab
    T.W. instructs Emmett

    Kids can help with dog training from the start 

    For children involved in the training process, sit, heel, and stay are easy words to say and can be done many times throughout the day.  Early commands teach the dog to be alert for commands. “Sit” can be easily carried out by gently pushing their bottom to the floor to show them what you mean when you say sit. Do this every time to reinforce the command/action connection until the dog does it automatically. These first commands should be given along with a hand signal. As the dog advances, the verbal command can be dropped, and just hand signals can be given (or vice versa depending on the circumstances).

    Yellow lab holds bumper in mouth
    Avery and Emmett begin their training

    Consistency is key

    T.W. notes that the amount of time training each day does not have to be great, especially in the beginning. Consistency is what matters most. A lot of time does not need to be spent giving or carrying out the commands, but they should be done frequently and in different situations for the dog to learn. Be sure to give the same word and hand signal every time so that dog is not confused and knows what to expect.

    Boy and girl with dog
    Emmett’s turn to train with Avery’s assistance

    Training techniques

    There are many different techniques used to train dogs: (1) positive reinforcement with rewards such as treats or affection, (2) e-training with an electrical shock collar to alert or discourage the dog, (3) attrition, which is a technique of repeating a command until the dog gets it right, while also actively preventing the wrong action. With this technique, you don’t punish wrong behavior; you merely prevent it. At Round 2 Retrievers, Avery and T.W. use a combination of these techniques. For younger dogs or dogs just beginning their training, attrition is mainly used along with rewarding with affection.

    Dog returns bumper to trainer
    Emmett and Avery use hand signals to tell Yeti where to return

    Children excel at affection 

    A child’s love and affection are the best rewards for most dogs. Children give this affection easily. This easy affection was clearly observed as Avery and Emmett interacted with the dogs, petting them, scratching their ears, and talking sweetly to them. Loyalty and the drive to please are some of the dogs’ greatest traits and they should be utilized and embraced when training. Likewise, the ease with which children give praise and their love of free play should also be embraced when going through the training process. 

    Boy with dog at his side, girl stands behind them
    Emmett trying by himself under Avery’s supervision

    Dog breeds

    When it comes to dog breeds, T.W. says most dog breeds can be trained to do most things. However, different breeds may have different motivators and may excel at particular activities. Active breeds, such as labs, retrievers, and shepherds like to move, play, and complete tasks. They are easily motivated with affection and praise for a job well done. More sedentary breeds (like Saint Bernards or bulldogs) may be more motivated by foot or treats.

    If addressing general obedience or training the family dog to play games, all breeds are equally appropriate. For higher-level training like hunting dogs, working dogs, or service dogs, there are preferred breeds to suit the needs of those roles. 

    Black lab races with bumper in mouth
    This black lab was fast and excited to be training

    Safety while training 

    It is important to remember (and remind children) that dogs are animals and not people. As lovable and cute as they are, they still have protective instincts, and there are measures that should be taken to ensure children are safe around the dogs and vice versa.

    T.W. says that most dog bite incidents happen around a dog’s kennel or around food. Be sure to educate children not to put their hands in a kennel, which is supposed to be a dog’s safe place. Children should also be instructed not to play or bother a dog while it is eating. When approaching a new dog or a dog that is not your own, do not approach them from behind, which may surprise them, and always ask the owner’s permission first before petting or approaching. 

    Releasing the dog to fetch
    Avery releases Yeti to fetch from the pond

    Dog training games for home

    After seeing the hunting dogs train, we went up to the house and met a 9-month-old golden retriever named Lola. Lola was at Round 2 Retrievers for obedience training, but T.W. and Avery had also taught her a fun trick of finding his keys. T.W. said he started with a metal washer. He would put the metal washer on the ground with a treat in the middle and release her to find it. Once she got good at that, he stopped putting the treat in the middle and just placed the washer on the ground for her to find.

    As she did well with that, he progressed her to keys. We watched as we were in the kitchen of the house, and T.W. threw his keys into the living room. He told Lola to find them, and off she went. She put her nose down on the keys till he came to retrieve them. This is an easy hide-and-seek game children can play with their dog at home. Plus, it can usefun as well when you need to leave and can’t find your keys!

    Yellow lab jumps into pond
    Yeti eagerly jumps into the pond

    Outdoor games for kids and dogs 

    Dogs and children alike love to be outdoors and play games. Training dogs to play active games is a great way for the whole family to spend enjoyable time outdoors with their pet. Playing fetch with balls and frisbees is one of the better-known and easiest games to play.

    Teaching the dog to drop the ball when commanded, or having the dog sit before giving a command to retrieve a thrown ball are ways to advance these games. Agility games, such as having dogs jump through hula hoops or over hurdles, can be great exercise and lots of fun for the dogs and kids. Hide and seek, as mentioned above, can also provide endless hours of fun. 

    Boy training yellow lab by pond
    Emmett releasing Yeti into the pond

    Unexpected confidence boost 

    Going to our training session, I thought I knew all the benefits of training and the process of training. The dog would be well-behaved (obviously), and playing outside with our dogs is something we could all do together. But as our session progressed, I became aware of another unexpected benefit. As Avery showed us how she took command of her dog Yeti, she was so confident in her commands. She had no trouble explaining to Emmett what to do and how to do it. She was calm and decisive and assured. 

    Emmett was at first very timid. We have dogs at home and Emmett wasn’t scared of the dogs. But he was lacking confidence in his ability to command Yeti and for Yeti to listen to him. With a quiet voice and his hands in his pockets, he started out very timidly.  After a few tries with Avery by his side, he soon realized that Yeti would release when he so much as whispered “Yeti” and she would bring that bumper right to his hand if he held it out.

    As the training progressed, his hands came out of his pockets. His voice grew louder and more confident. In just the short time we were there, not only did he learn a new skill, but his confidence in himself and his abilities grew tremendously. By the end of the morning, he was confidently throwing the bumper into the pond and was overjoyed to watch Yeti retrieve it. Seeing that confidence bloom in your child is a beautiful sight.

    Check out our full post on all the benefits of raising kids around pets and animals. 

    Boy and girl watch as dog comes out of pond with bumper
    Emmet confidently accepts the bumper from Yeti

    Benefits of training with children

    Having a well-trained and obedient dog has obvious benefits. The dog is better behaved, listens better, and will be safer around children and in other situations. The process of training may seem difficult and time-consuming at first, but the benefits are immense and last a lifetime. Plus, when the whole family is involved in training, it can help build relationships and improve communication skills with each other and with the dog.

    Training a dog takes consistency, patience, and grace. But, the relationship your family will build with your dog (and companion for many years) will be worth it. Plus, training your dog to play games can help get everyone outside and more active, improving the physical health of the entire family.  Just remember to start small and have fun!

    What will you and your dog start learning today?

    About the author

    Meghan is a country living, mom of 2 boys in rural central Illinois. She is a Physical Therapist Assistant by trade but spends most of her time outside with her family. At home, she has large flower, herb, and vegetable gardens to tend and 3 large dogs to play with. As a family, they enjoy hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and helping her in-laws show and raise livestock. Photography became a hobby while in isolation after her oldest son’s bone marrow transplant. It has since become a passion to capture her family’s daily life. Throughout her family’s journey with rare disease and transplant, the outdoors have been a safe space for the whole family to grow, learn, and thrive.

    You can find more from Meghan online in the following locations:
    Instagram: @meghangarriott
    RWMC posts: Meghan Garriott

  • OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

    Lessons Learned from Adventure Cats

    I could not be more excited to share this story with you today about a family in England and their adventure cats! Yes, you read that correctly…cats! When you think of outdoor adventuring with animals, man’s best friend (the dog) usually comes to mind. However, this post goes to show that cats make wonderful adventure companions for kids and families. Cats can teach us all kinds of lessons about being curious, cautious and patient. They make us more aware of our surroundings and force us to slow down and take in the beauty of our natural world. Plus, they’re pretty funny!

    lessons learned from adventure cats

    Meet the family

    Hi! My name is Lynda and my family and I love the great outdoors. I live with my husband and son in a beautiful location called Devon in England. We are so lucky to call Devon home, as we’re surrounded by natural beauty. We enjoy going off exploring the wonderful scenery and countryside that is all around us, but we also enjoy spending time outdoors close to home.

    When we’re exploring around our home, we have two very sociable cats that love to join us on our outdoor adventures. They especially enjoy joining us on nature walks.

    cat walks with kidsadventure catscats in nature

    Meet the adventure cats

    Spike is the black and white cat with the enormous fluffy tail. He is very high energy (and quite high maintenance)! He seems to think he is a dog as he comes with us on a walk almost every day. If we aren’t available to take him on walks, he will go for a walk with our neighbor! He is also quite protective of us. He once attempted to defend us from a dog over twice his size that approached us and was being over-friendly!

    kids and cats

    Blossom is our little tabby cat and is more of a home bird. She loves the fire and spends most of the day sleeping by it. She will come for a walk with us if she is out and about, but often ends up hitching a lift back with one of us or making her way home early at her own pace.

    Both of the cats are very vocal and love their cuddles.

    benefits of having a catnature hikes with catshiking with catskids hiking with cats

    Cat walks

    My son Toby loves it when the cats take walks with us. Spike and Blossom have such wonderful personalities. Plus, it is great for Toby to have the extra company while out adventuring. Our cats are such curious and gentle souls, but of course, they can be quite funny too! We love it when they play chase with each other and run up trees after squirrels. Spike will climb just about anything, so the hay bales in the fields are a favorite location. Toby and the cats have great fun climbing and jumping from them, too.

    outdoor adventure catstoddlers and cats hiking

    The cats also love to chase Toby and he chases them! They have great fun (I think). They join in with games too, chasing sticks, battling leaves and pouncing on pieces of grass. And if Toby is “fishing” in the stream, they will sit and wait for his “catch” or they will investigate the stream. However, once water starts splashing around, they are out of there!

    outdoor catskids and cats outdoors

    Safe and slow

    The cats are very curious and love investigating with Toby. They help us all slow down and notice more around us, which is a wonderful lesson to learn in our fast-paced society. I’ve noticed that we pay more attention to our surroundings, the noises, animals, smells, and details of our environment when the cats are with us. They keep us curious by finding little things we may not have noticed, like a flower or animal track.

    lessons learned from having catsoutdoor hiking with cats

    Sometimes the cats like to stop and just sit and admire the view. And that’s a great activity for us to do as well. They will sit with us during our picnic breaks, especially if it means they get a little bit of sandwich (cheese for Blossom and cucumber for Spike).

    The cats also help teach Toby about the dangers of traffic. Occasionally, we walk a small distance on a quiet lane to the fields. Sometimes there are vehicles on the road and it makes Toby very aware of the dangers of traffic and mindful that he and the cats need to move in out of the way. 

    outdoor adventures with catskids and cats

    Cats and kids

    Spike and Blossom’s relationship with Toby changes all the time. We’ve had the cats longer than Toby, so having a baby was an adjustment for all of us together. At first, the cats were a little scared of the noise and paraphernalia that appeared when he did (so were we at times!).

    But, they quickly accepted him. They’ve taught him about love, patience, gentleness and caring for others. Although they are still a little wary (as he can be very excitable and loud…he is a kid after all), they love him as part of the family and he loves them back. I love watching their friendship grow and look forward to many more adventures together.

    lessons learned from adventure cats and kids

    I am Lynda, I live with my husband, our son, two cats and one chicken.

    We love going on adventures but also spend a lot of time outside in our garden.

    I recently changed careers, which means I have more time to focus on my love of the outdoors and photography and launch my business, Life’s Little Adventures Photography.

    I am really passionate about getting children out in nature and so lucky to live in the beautiful county of Devon (UK) where we are totally spoiled with so many wonderful places to explore.

    You can see some of our adventures (Toby and the cats) on Instagram at @ourlittleadventures.photo