Somerville Dog Festival!

It's that time of year again - we say goodbye to summer and greet another New England Autumn with the annual Somerville Dog Festival. There will be several demonstrations (K9 Frisbee, Agility, Rally, Flyball, Max the Police Dog, and others!), lots of things to try with your dog (Agility, Rally, Come-When-Called Clinics), vendors, dogs everywhere, and of course, games (best trick, look alike contests, and the fashion show). 

There are a few things to note about this years Somerville Dog Festival if you are planning to attend:

1. Location
This year, the festival will be held at Trum Field. In years previous, the events were located at Conway Park, but this year, the events will take place in the green space of Trum Field. Parking should (hopefully) be easier in this location!

2. Website
There has always been a website for the Festival (http://somdogfest.org/  ). Everything has been updated, and the photos illustrate some of the events you will see this year!

3. For safety, only well-mannered dogs on-leash (no flexi leads, please) and current on vaccinations are invited.
The reason for the "no flexi lead" policy is to ensure the  safety of dogs and handlers. If a flexi leash is let out too far, people and other dogs can easily get caught up in it, resulting in a painful abrasion, or worse. Please be considerate of all parties attending the festival, and leave your flexi leash at home. A standard nylon or leather collar can be stylish, functional, and much safer for everyone involved. 

4. Free event, but donations are always welcome
Admission is free but monetary donations as well as pet care items (including pet food, collars, leashed, carriers) will be accepted at the gate. The Somerville Dog Festival also raises funds for various shelters and rescues, and each event raises funds to provide a K9 vest through Vest a Dog for local law enforcement K9 partners.

5. Event is from 10am - 3pm on September 16th. 
 

6. If you're still on the fence about this event, here is some copy directly from the website that sums things up nicely:

The Somerville Dog Festival, the only one of its kind in the country, offers “Try It” areas for dog owners to experience myriad dog sports and activities with their dogs; demonstrations of those sports and more; a fashion show and owner-dog look-alike and tricks competitions for attendees; raffles, vendor booths; a demonstration of police K9 work; and free clinics in basic training for the public. 

We hope you can come out to see the festivities, experience what great things dogs can do, and hopefully be inspired to try something new with your dog in a fun way.  

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Melissa McCue-McGrath, CPDT-KA is a certified dog trainer in Somerville. She can be found teaching classes at Riverdog and through NEDTC starting in October after her maternity leave. As always, she can be found in the Interwebs,blogging via her Muttstuff page and on Facebook