K9 Coach

The tragedy of Chelsea King's death in San Diego last week brought light to taking safety measures for runners and walkers on trails and in parks. She had gone for a run on a trail system not far from her home by herself.

Dog owners could name several benefits to having a dog as part of their lives. Dogs have become one of our most beloved family members. Statistically they have made our homes safer. The facts are you are less likely to be targeted by an intruder if you have a dog living in your home.

Chelsea’s life may have been saved had she been running with a dog on the trail when she was abducted by a registered sex offender.

If you are a dog owner and frequent parks and trails often please take heed and take your dog with you for your own safety. Fitness and exercise are important for you and just as important for your dog.

As a professional dog trainer and a life long runner, this story hit me hard. The trails Chelsea was running on when she was abducted are trails I have frequented myself many, many times. I always have my dog with with me, never the less, the story was incredibly disturbing.

March 20, 2010 I will be attending: Run For Chelsea - Take Back our Parks with my dog. Become aware of safety tips when frequenting parks and trails in the great outdoors no matter where you live or how protected the area has been known to be in the past.

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