StarPup Solutions Inc. Cruisin' Canines Club

Every Saturday morning the Cruisin' Canines Club meets at different times at different locations for a one-hour dog walk. I formed this group in the hopes of resolving some dog behavior issues through socialization and exercise, and, as a result, keeping some dogs out of the shelters. If you satisfy a dog's mental and physical needs you will see a definite improvement in behavior. I will be available for any training questions you might have during all of the walks.

Walk Your Dog,

Make New Friends!

If there is rain (even a drizzle), snow, or if it's too hot (over 90 degrees) or cold (below 32 degrees), the walk is cancelled. Come on down and join us as we "cruise" past local businesses, through beautiful tree-lined side streets, and in local parks. All walks are free! All you have to do is show up. Don't forget to bring water for your dog and baggies! For more information call (516) 221-PUPS, or send an email to sj@starpupsolutions.com

You can also join the Cruisin' Canines Club on Meetup.com. This automatically informs you about scheduled walks by sending out reminder emails. Currently, we have almost 400 members!

Cruisin' Canines Club featured in the Bellmore Herald

It's a dog's world in downtowns

Locals and their pets exercise and socialize

by Nancy Hiler

Ironically, the idea for a dog walking group came to Suzanne Johnson of Bellmore during the "dog days" of summer.

One Saturday morning in July, she and a handful of others met for the first time at the veteran's monument by the Bellmore train station on Bedford Avenue to walk their dogs and socialize, owner and pet alike. The Cruisin' Canines Club was born. Now the informal group meets every Saturday at 9 a.m. at one of four rotating locations in Bellmore, Freeport, Merrick, and Wantagh.

Cruisin' Canines Club founder Suzanne Johnson leads the group as the walk through Bellmore Village begins on a recent Saturday morning.

A certified dog trainer and pet sitter, Johnson formed the group after hearing so many complaints about dog behavior. "The main problem usually is that the dog doesn't get enough exercise ," Johnson said. "Sitting in a yard is not enough."

Seven pet owners and 10 dogs gathered at the monument in Bellmore on an unusually temperate Saturday morning recently. Each of the dogs had signature red bandanas tied loosely around their necks to show that they belonged to the group.

"We always get people stopping and smiling," Johnson said, as she led the group for the walk on Bedford Avenue and through the village.

"This is a great thing," Johnson recounted. "People see that after the walk they have a different dog when they get home." She said the dogs get tired, behave better, and become more sociable. By extension, she believes that resolving dogs' behavior issues encourages people to hold onto their dogs, instead of giving them to shelters.

"I wanted her to meet other dogs," Sue Barell said of her West Highland Terrier, Zoey.

"Dogs should be with other dogs," Johnson said, adding that they need to get used to being with other dogs. "This way, if they see another dog, they won't go crazy. They run, chase, jump. It helps them mentally."

Johnson is certified in pet first aid by the Red Cross and is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

The socializing and exercising seemed to work for Johnson's newest dog, a miniature Australian Labradoodle called Kylie, which she adopted from a friend who couldn't cope with the pet's behavior: "She was very scared and skittish at first," Johnson said. "Now she is much better."

Bill McKenna of Bellmore, a vice-commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, said, "You make friends, socialize, get exercise, for people and dogs."

"All pet owners and their dogs are invited to join the Cruisin' Canines Club on Saturday mornings," Johnson said. "There is no membership fee. All you have to do is show up. Just bring water for your dog and baggies." The group walks from 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday, but only in nice weather; not if it rains or is too hot or cold.

Dogs get acquainted before a recent walk in Bellmore, including Suzanne Johnson's three dogs: Hunny, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever; Rocky, a Beagle; and Kylie, a Minature Australian Labradoodle.

June Schedule

5--Gardiner County Park, West Bayshore 10:00

Meet in the parking lot. Look for red bandanas.

12--Wantagh Train Station 9:30

Meet by the office in the shade.

19--Freeport Nautical Mile 9:30

Meet at the end of Woodcleft Ave. at the gazebo. (Park in the municipal lot.)

26--Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay 10:00

Meet in the parking lot. Look for red bandanas.