The Grateful Dogs of Juneau

The Conibear Trap - Shown in sprung position. Carry 2 long, strong, boot-type shoestrings with you at ALL times.
To release the trap, tie one end of a shoestring to the top loop of the spring where it runs along the jaws, run the shoestring through the bottom spring loop and then back through the top spring loop.
Then, stand on the trapchain, pinning the trap to the ground and haul up on the shoestring This will compress the spring. Pull and take up the shoestring until both sides of the spring meet. Tie off the shoestring and repeat the process on the other side of the trap, if necessary.

In the picture at the top, the trap is set and ready to kill your dog.

#1 are the springs . They are very powerful and when they are triggered, they push the pivoted jaws closed -- the X at the pivots widens.

#3 are the jaws . They do the crushing.

#2 are simple safety catches you put on while you are setting the trap in place. They swing off once that is done -- safety off and the trap is ready to fire.

#5 is the "dog" or bit of metal that holds the jaws together . It is under a lot of pressure and has a very shallow, rounded groove in it that hold one jaw against the other.

#4 is the trigger . These are thin stiff wires that the animal presses into as it enters the den. Once these wires are bumped, they slip the piece called the dog (#5) loose and the two pairs of jaws come down (#3) under the crushing drive of the springs (#1).

Important Review Tip:

A conibear trap closes with about 90 pounds of pressure , and if you try to horse the jaw of the trap open by hand (a natural reaction, as the jaws will be crushing your dog to death), you are unlikely to succeed in getting your dog out alive.

The trick is to focus on the SPRINGS to the left and right of the trap , and to follow the procedure, as outlined above, to take the pressure off the springs .

Once the springs have been compressed with a dog leash or piece of boot lace , put the safety catches on, and repeat on the other side.

"Clean up after your dog" PSA: Listen to KTOO and KINY radio for the Public Service Announcement from Grateful Dogs of Juneau. The PSA encourages dog owners to clean up after their dogs. The PSA was prepared by Jeff Brown and KTOO with the participation of members of Grateful Dogs of Juneau. Click here to hear the PSA (in mp3 format).

CREDITS: Fifi, Sue McGregor; Phydeaux, George Utermohle; Announcers, Vicky McLaughlin and Marty Messick; Backup Vocals, Ellie and Leo; Script, Deborah Behr; Production and Mixing, Jeff Brown; Executive Producer, Sue McGregor.

Include your dogs in your disaster planning. For information on including pets in disaster planning, visit these sites:

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 is now Public Law 109-308. The law requires state and local disaster plans to include provisions for care of pets and service animals and disaster victims with pets and service animals. Click here to view a copy of the new law.

TRAIL GUIDE The Grateful Dogs of Juneau is developing a trail guide for recommended dog walks. Click here for the Trail Report form. If you have a favorite trail or location for walking your dog, complete the form and send it in.

Prepare your dog for the Fourth of July. The Fourth of July with its loud noises and explosions can be very stressful for dogs. Read this article for some short term and long term advice to help your dog through the stressful times.

_Click here: The sound of fear: Noise phobias torment dogs - Creature Comforts- msnbc.com_ ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25267200 )

Summer regulations for CBJ sport fields and for CBJ parks are starting to take effect.

The Summer regulations for sport fields took effect March 15, 2009.

The Summer regulations for Sandy Beach and the Rain Forest Trail take effect May 1, 2009. The regulations establish specific area and seasonal requirements for on-leash, leash-optional, and no-dog areas. Signs at each location describe the regulations that are in effect in each area. The regulations for Sandy Beach are complicated because parts of the beach in front of the picnic shelters are on-leash until you reach the stream. However, you must pay attention to the posted signs because the message on the signs determines what regulations are in effect at that location.

The Grateful Dogs Of Juneau reminds dog owners to read the signs that are posted at CBJ parks and sport fields for up-to-date information on the regulations that are in effect. Click here to view the regulations. If you have questions about the rules for dogs in your favorite CBJ park or recreation area, contact the CBJ Parks and Recreation Department.