How to Teach Your Dog to Surf

 

Dog's Nite Out surf team Captain, "Surf Dog Zoey", hangin' 10

Surfing with your canine pal can be great fun and rewarding for both of you in terms of exercise and having fun together. If you're keen to get your dog surfing with you, this article will help you to get Fido used to the waves and surfing like a pro in no time!

Steps

1. 
    
2. Make sure you have a dog surfboard. Your dog's paws can be harmed if he is not using the right board, wax or track top. Foam boards might be a little easier on your dog's paws than a hard surface, and it's easier for him to walk on because there is more traction for his paws. On the other hand, the dog will scratch into the foam, and the foam might dig into the dog's paws, possibly giving it a rash.
   • Get your dog some gear too. Suitable items include a dog life vest, dog wetsuits, dog beach towels, water and salt waterproof bungee leashes, pet tent (for a rest in while you keep surfing), and EZ chairs for the beach (more for you!).
3. Start small. Begin somewhere easy, like a swimming pool or a lake on a really flat wave day. Throw your dog's favorite fetch toy into the water and see if he retrieves it. If he does, he is probably a water-loving dog. Having other dogs that like the water will also encourage your dog into the water.
   • Make sure you know how to surf. It won't make much sense to your dog if you're not sharing the experience and know what to do too!
   • This sport involves a lot of exertion in the water, and the waves can be rough, so be sure that you and your dog are both strong swimmers before attempting to surf.
4. 
    
5. Demonstrate by example and get your dog excited about being in the water with you. Let your dog watch you on a boogie board or surfboard to get him fired up to join you. Talk to him, call to him, and encourage him to come into the water and play nearby while watching what you're doing.
   • Play with your dog in the water.
   • Let your dog play on the board.
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     Develop your dog's trust (the number one element for success); don't start off too fast and make sure that it is fun for your dog.
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7. Get your dog used to the board on the sand or on another suitable surface before going into the water. Test your dog's balance to see where he likes to place himself on the board. Some smaller dogs like the nose of the board, some heavier dogs have a better center of gravity and like the middle to the back of the board. Depending on size, however, your dog should be roughly about two-thirds of the way back, with his tail over the board's fin.
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   • If your dog is too far forward, the board will nosedive under the wave.
   • If your dog is too far back, the nose will come out of the water and the board won't catch the wave.
8. 

   PFD - Pet Flotation Device
   Pop on your dog's pet (personal) flotation device (PFD). The dog PFD will provide your dog with greater flotation when he wipes out in the surf. Many dog life vests have a handle on top that lets you gently pull your canine pal back on the board or out of the water when needed.
9. 
    
10. Paddle out. On a longboard, get on the board with the dog and paddle into the waves. You should be behind the dog for best results when paddling through the breakers. On a shortboard or boogie board, put the dog on the board and push him out through the breakers.
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12. Catch the wave. Start with small waves, roughly 1-2 feet (30cm - 60cm). Even champion surfing dogs don't tackle surf much bigger than 3-4 feet (90cm - 120cm).
    • Push off and shred. Catching the wave is a knack that requires timing, finesse, patience and lots of repetition.
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    • Get your dog started in the wave each time and then let him surf the wave on his own. Try to get the dog started right when the waves starts to curl.
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    • Now your dog and you are surfing! Bow Wow Bunga, dude!

Video

Tips

• Get your dog on the surfboard at the tide and walk him out towards the waves. Position him facing the beach and give him a small push towards the angle of the wave that's not breaking.
• Try the pet, rafting, or boating sections to find a dog PFD.

Warnings

• Only take your dog to a beach that allows dogs. Check the local ordinances first.
• Surfboards have been known to cause a bruise or two when they're bobbing around in the waves, so be careful.
• Surfing just isn't for some dogs. If your dog doesn't show interest in surfing no matter what you do, don't force them. It's better for surfing to be an indifferent experience than a traumatizing one!

Things You'll Need

• Dog
• Surfboard suitable for dog
• Additional dog accessories as needed
• Beach gear (towel, umbrella, sunscreen, etc.)
• Leash in case you need to restrain Fido for any reason

How to Make a Cupcake Wedding Cake

Cupcakes are all the rage, even Martha Stewart agrees! Using cupcakes as an alternative to the traditional large, tiered wedding cake is not only chic and trendy, it's also great for your budget. Add to that the fact that the cupcake wedding cake is doable for even the most novice baker, with the added benefit that the cupcakes can be made and frozen ahead of time, the cupcake wedding cake is a sensible and creative choice. Here is how to prepare your own cupcake wedding cake.

Steps

1. 
   
   

   
   This cupcake cake shows a mini cake at the top which the bride and groom can keep after the wedding
   Determine the number of guests. It is very important not to underestimate this part; while not everyone will want a piece of traditional wedding cake, almost everyone will want a cupcake!
   
   • Do you want enough for guests to have one (or more) cupcakes at the wedding and one to take home?
   • Do you want a mini cake at the very top of the cupcake wedding cake? Some people like this as an added design feature for the bride and groom to keep after the wedding.
2. Plan the cupcake decoration. From a simple buttercream frosting to edible petals to inexpensive cupcake caps, you have lots of options. Do you want intricate designs on some of the cupcakes only, or on all? Do you want to mix and match designs? Think about the various possibilities. Some decorative designs to consider include:
   
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     These are imprints of a bride and groom using fondant
     Unique toppers that are just for the bride and groom.
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     A beloved symbol representing the bride and groom, such as doves, swans, or flowers.
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     Hearts and initials.
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     Gerberas
     Floral designs.
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     Real flowers atop the frosting. (Be sure to use non-toxic flowers.)
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     Garden wedding designs.
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     Butterflies.
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     A fondant bow.
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     A fun photo of the bride and groom attached with a toothpick.
3. Choose a tiered stand or an equivalent arrangement. There are lots of stands currently available, or you can simply choose to arrange the cupcake display as works best for you.
   
   • If using a stand, decide whether you want to buy or rent. If the cost is reasonable, consider purchasing it as you can use the stand again and again for tea parties, etc. Stands come in ceramic, plastic, acrylic, metal, etc.
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     Consider a round tier.
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     Consider a square tier.
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     Consider an "in the round" - a combination of using both stands and a round covered table for a larger wedding party.
4. Set your schedule. It is important to work out who will be responsible for preparing the cupcakes. Even if you are doing this yourself, only the cupcake itself can be frozen ahead; the decorations must be done very close to the wedding time -- is that something you are prepared to do at the last minute?
   
   • Consider whether it might be less stressful to have a family member(s) or friend(s) do it for you. You can sit down with the people responsible for preparing the cupcake wedding cake and talk them through the decorating, even show them what you want and provide photos of a test run. (Make a little photo instruction book that they can keep and follow.)
   • If you are going to do the baking, cupcakes freeze well (before decoration) and can be made a month out.
5. Bake your cupcakes. Choose a cupcake recipe that you love and prepare it in advance of the wedding. Freeze if necessary. Some ideas for suitable wedding cupcakes include:
   
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     Plain cupcakes
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     Chocolate cupcakes
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     Lavender cupcakes
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     Smore cupcakes
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     Vegan cupcakes
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     Green tea cupcakes
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     Red velvet cupcakes
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     Apricot cupcakes
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     Ginger cupcakes
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     Black forest cupcakes
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     Pink lemonade cupcakes
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     Mixture of flavors.
6. Choose the frosting (icing) flavor and texture to decorate the cupcakes. Cupcake frosting can be made in almost any flavor imaginable: vanilla, chocolate, banana, etc. Match the flavor with the cupcake.
   
   • Keeping in mind temperature and suitability for holding shape and decorative elements, decide on the type of frosting you would like to use:
     
     • Buttercream
     • Royal icing
     • Simple frosting
     • Fudge frosting
     • Whipped cream
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     A blue wedding theme
     Choose a color that matches with the theme of your wedding.
7. Arrange transportation for the cupcakes and stand. More good news - cupcakes are much easier to transport than a wedding cake.
   
   • New, clean plastic sweater boxes/tubs are great for transporting, and they can usually hold about 40 cupcakes. These cost about US$5.
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     Decide whether or not you want the cupcakes wrapped in paper, as shown in this image. This can protect the cupcakes while still appearing pretty but it does change the appearance considerably.
8. 
   
   
   

   
   
   Assemble the cupcake wedding cake at the venue. Once the cupcakes arrive, have someone arrange them in the correct order if you are not doing this yourself.
   
   • Provide clear instructions. This is where your precise instructions are very important, down to the last ribbon and floral piece! Use a photo book taken when you rehearsed the design to help those doing the decorating to get it right.
   • Consider well in advance whether you want flowers, lace, ribbon, figurines, signs, photos, etc., to form part of the overall wedding cake set up.
   • Don't forget to include some silver slides or tongs to help people take the cupcakes without touching the stand or bumping their hands against other cupcakes.
9. 
   
   
   

   
   
   Provide the opportunity for guests to take their cupcake(s) home. If you have made enough cupcakes to allow guests to take one home, provide a carry container.
   
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     3" x 3" x 3" (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm) gift boxes make your beautiful wedding cupcakes into a take home treat.

Video

Tips

• At US$1 to $3 each, cupcakes are a great alternative to wedding cakes from US$4 and up per serving.
• If you're creative, stands can be built by making circles or squares of Styrofoam, covered with aluminum foil and hot gluing around with ribbon. Use thick Styrofoam pillars to hold up the tier.

Things You'll Need

• Cupcakes (see suggested recipes in steps)
• Cupcake holders/papers
• Frosting and edible coloring
• Decorative elements (fondant, molded chocolates, flowers, etc.)
• Stand, ribbon, decorations
• Favor boxes (if relevant)

How to Fold a Napkin Into a Rose

This is a lovely gesture for a date, a dinner party guest (as a table decoration), a young child...anyone, really! Just grab a paper napkin (or tissue, or paper towel) and follow these steps.

Steps

1. Unfold the napkin completely.
2. 
   
   
   
   Fold the top down about two inches.
3. 
   
   
   
   Hold the upper left corner between your fingers.
4. 
   
   
   
   Begin to wrap the napkin around your fingers. Start out by going behind your fingers.
5. 
   
   
   
   Continue wrapping the napkin rather tightly around your fingers.
6. 
   
   
   
   Stop wrapping when there are about two inches left. Fold the corner upwards.
7. 
   
   
   
   Finish wrapping.
8. 
   
   
   
   With your other hand, start tightly twisting the base of the rose. Once the base is secure, you can pull your fingers out gently.
9. 
   
   
   
   Keep twisting until you get about halfway down the stem. At that point, find a corner of the napkin and pull it gently so it sticks out. Then continue twisting until the rose is finished!

Video

Tips

• You can make several and tie them together (or put them in a cup) to create a bouquet.