DogBoy's Dog BlogDog boarding, training, daycare and wellness in the Austin area

Noodle is ready for 2011!

I’ve decided I want to blog more. Rather than just thinking about doing it, I’m starting right now.  I will be posting on this blog once a week for all of 2011.

I know it won’t be easy, but it might be fun, inspiring, awesome and wonderful. Therefore I’m promising to make use of The DailyPost, and the community of other bloggers with similiar goals, to help me along the way, including asking for help when I need it and encouraging others when I can.

If you already read my blog, I hope you’ll encourage me with comments and likes, and good will along the way.

Thanks, and Happy New Year!

DogGirl

Buddy needs a present too!

Christmas is coming, Kwanzaa starts December 26, and it’s probably not too late for a belated Hannukah gift. But the holidays always bring the dreaded question: what should I get for the special people or dogs on my list? In the spirit of the holidays, we here at DogBoy’s want to help with some gift suggestions for the dog-lovers and dogs in your life—no matter what their age or breed!

About a year ago this time I put together a list of book selections for dog lovers and it’s a great place to start for book ideas. Since then, my son has become enamored of the adventures of Clifford. The Big Red Dog has a series of animated stories, as well as a fun Christmas book. And we shouldn’t forget the series of books by Norman Bridwell that launched them all. Another great kid’s book that my three year-old son loves is Doggone Dogs, by Karen Beaumont and David Catrow. It tells the story of ten misbehaving dogs who lead their owner through a wild chase through the park, leaving chaos in their wake. If the plot of Doggone Dogs hits uncomfortably close to home, Rebecca Andrews has two suggestions: The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell; and Dr. Dunbar’s Good Little Dog Book, by Ian Dunbar.  These are geared more toward the adult dog-lover in your life.

Need movies? The DogBoy’s blog has you covered. Any movie or t.v. show starring these canine idols would make a great gift. I’m especially partial to the classics Bringing Up Baby and The Thin Man, both starring Skippy the wirehaired fox terrier—one of the biggest dog stars of the 1930s. For those who like their dogs huge and animated, there’s Clifford’s Really Big Movie—an especially good film for younger kids.

The dogs in your life need their stockings stuffed too, and DogBoy’s has just the ticket. If you think your pooch should be on Santa’s “naughty” list because of a lack of leash-walking skills, there’s always the Easy-Walk Harness. We even have Premier’s new line of Easy-Walks made from recycled plastic, in eco-friendly packaging.

If your dog has made the “nice” list—or if you just can’t bring yourself to give him or her a lump of coal—we have a number of fun toys, from PetLou’s stuffed squeaky sheep and armadillos to the flat “Road Kill” toys from GoDog. The latter are flat plush toys with squeakers, and that crinkle when your dog plays with them. Our barn cat, Pancake, loves them so if you have a cat at home, you might want to get an extra one. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your dog busy by stuffing them with treats or even with their dinner. My dogs are especially fond of the Busy Buddy line. We also have a range of healthy treats and dog food.

Finally, you can always give the gift of DogBoy’s. We sell gift certificates in any amount, and they are good for a year for any service or retail item we offer. So if you have a friend who needs us for a play day, boarding stay, class or private lesson—or even just dog food—we will be happy to help you out. We’ll even mail it to them for you! Best of all, we’ll be open from 7 am to 6:30 pm on Christmas Eve for any last-minute shopping you might need.

And to all of the wonderful people, dogs, and friends that make working at DogBoy’s such a joy all year around—Happy Holidays!

Noodle stays cozy at DogBoy's Dog Ranch, photo by Deb Marvin

Let’s face it—holidays are a stressful time of year. We’re hosting and attending parties, trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on our list, maybe planning a road trip or flight to visit far-away loved ones. And if all this is stressful for us, what about our dogs? Dogs are, along with us, probably the most adaptable animals on the planet. But like us, they have their limits.

So…what can you do to make your dog’s holiday season as happy and stress-free as possible? As with any time where your dog’s routine is being disrupted, spending lots of downtime with your dog, away from activities, will help, as will routine exercise and activity.  Paula Baker-Prince, our Director of Training, also suggests providing fresh mental challenges for your dog, such as a new puzzle toy, to help your dog relax.

One thing to avoid at all times of the year, but especially during the holidays, is treating your dog to overly rich or toxic foods. Dog First Aid 101 has a complete list of toxic foods for dogs, but there are a few that are especially common this time of year. Dark chocolate is a biggie that most people know about.  Less well-known are foods and spices like nutmeg, raisins, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts. The last thing either you or your dog want or need is a trip to the emergency vet after snacking on a holiday beef log!

And don’t forget about fireworks. Growing up in northern Indiana, I never associated New Year’s Eve with fireworks—sitting outside and watching them is a lot less fun when it’s below freezing—but here in Austin we’re blessed with warmer weather and some great displays. Unfortunately, many dogs are very afraid of fireworks. For mild anxiety, an herbal relaxant such as Rescue Remedy or Dog ‘n’ Kitty Calm (available for sale at DogBoy’s) might help. If you feel your dog might need something stronger, talk to your vet about a prescription sedative.

What if you are taking a long car trip with your dog? If you’ve ever had a dog in the car, odds are good that you already know they can get car sick just like people. And just like people, one remedy can be limiting visual cues that may contribute to motion sickness—chiefly by having them face forward. Opening the windows a little can help too, as can the Through A Dog’s Ear series of CD’s—they’re also available at DogBoy’s and there’s even a special car edition. For stronger remedies it’s best to consult your vet. And if you’ll be spending any time in a hotel, sites such as DogFriendly.com and Yelp.com are excellent resources for planning where to stay.

And finally, DogBoy’s is here to help. Other than over Christmas, we have plenty of room to board your dog overnight during holiday parties or in daycare to help them blow off some steam. And for some serious stress relief, you can always schedule a massage session here at Chelsea’s Place with certified pet masseuse Christina Hardinger. Your dog will thank you!

And whatever you do—and however you celebrate—we wish all our two- and four-legged family and friends a most joyous holiday season!

Pancake is a Barn Cat that wants to be a House Cat

From the time people first visit DogBoy’s, they hear the term “staff dog”. That is, dogs that belong to members of the DogBoy’s staff. Some of them even have jobs, at least unofficially; Rebecca Andrews‘ dog Murphy is a go-to canine to meet and greet new dogs on their evaluation day, and he’s given more than his share of agility demonstrations. My dog Hoosier–much to my surprise– is sometimes drafted to be an adult role model for puppies.

Some of you may have noticed a couple of cats hanging around the front office from time to time, or even in the office itself. Particularly a sassy orange tabby. Is DogBoy’s taking cats now? No, we’ve got no plans to turn into CatBoy’s. Pancake the orange tabby (and his older and shyer partner, Calli the calico) have jobs here at the ranch.

As you might imagine, being a little bit out in the country means we have to deal with mice. With warm buildings and lots of food–mice, it turns out, LOVE kibble–we are a field mouse utopia. Mice are destructive but an even bigger problem can be some of their predators. Particularly rattlesnakes. After some thought and debate, DogBoy and DogGirl decided to adopt a few cats to live in our barn and hunt mice.

Pancake, though, is a very social co-worker. He loves to come visit the office, get petted and even nibble fingers if you’ll let him. He’s a great barn cat, but he would much rather be an office cat and does his best to be good company–when he’s not trying to open bags of dog food or make other kitten mischief.

So if you see an orange tabby cat on the front porch meowing for attention, it’s not a stray. It’s just Pancake, saying hello.

DogBoy's Salutes our Veterans

Today is Veteran’s Day. On November 11, 1918 at 11:11 am, World War I ended. What started as Armistice Day in the United States has since become a day to remember the service of the men and women of our armed forces, past and present. And we especially want to recognize our customers who have served.

Paula Juba, whose dog Missy is a daycare regular, served in the Army from 1984-1992:

“I can’t compare my service in the 1980s with the sacrifices made by soldiers today. But I will say that it was wonderful bringing my dog, Sara, from NY to Germany, & realizing that she was welcome in hotels, restaurants, & private homes. When I traveled by train or flew on intra-European flights, I merely bought a child’s ticket, & she sat beside me. I had no problem renting a house. In fact, my landlords said that Sara did far less damage than most children. Americans don’t have a very good reputation with respect to the treatment of animals, so Sara & I were ambassadors.

Hats off to the current crop of soldiers who go to extraordinary lengths, often risking their careers, to rescue loyal local translators & canine companions from Iraq & Afghanistan.  Their contributions towards the welfare of people, as well as animals, may go unnoticed by most, but they mean the world to people they touch.”

Paula is just one of our great customers who have served, and we salute them all. And we also want to recognize a member of the DogBoy’s family who will be going into the armed forces this summer.

Chris Rivera is committed to his company and his country.

Chris Rivera has been a member of our kennel staff for several years and will be off to boot camp shortly after graduation this year. We wish him the best on this great adventure. 

There are also many great programs to connect dogs and vets. In one of his first acts as a U.S. Senator, Al Franken funded a program to pair severely injured vets with service dogs. There’s also a great program called Pets for Vets, which rescues shelter dogs and pairs them with returning veterans. And if you think your dog has the stuff to become a therapy dog, you can always visit an area VA hospital after they’re certified.

Last–and certainly not least–we want to remember the dogs who have served their country. Dogs and the military go back thousands of years. The Roman Molossian dog, ancestor to breeds from the Rottweiler to the bull mastiff, helped haul loads at Roman military camps and fought beside the legions in battle. In the military today dogs serve in security, search and rescue, and perhaps most importantly in the age of the roadside bomb, helping discover hidden explosives.

On this Veteran’s Day, DogBoy’s salutes them all!

Goodbye, sweet boy.

I’m new at this word press thing – blogging is fun, but I’m no expert. So I hope you like the new look. And I’m planning more fun things for the blog so check back soon and often.

Last week, we said goodbye to a dear friend – our old boy Pepper, aka Sam from the Austin Humane Society.  He was our Nervous Nelly, our T-storm dog, with the mystery hack, his own stress bucket, and near the end, a bit of Doggie Alzheimer’s.  We’d find him barking into the closet, pacing all night, sleeping all day, and falling down was unfortunately an all too familiar site.  But through it all, he got 11 good years with us (15 total) to stretch his legs and be free, and we got one helluva great dog.  We’ll miss you, Boy.

DogBoy Jr. was a complete and total trooper.  He wanted to be a part of saying goodbye every step of the way.  So at his request, we took him out of school, and he said goodbye his way, with lots of love, tears, and a heavy heart.  I can’t tell you how proud I was of him for being so grown up about it.

DogGirl Jr. was another story.  She had been wanting a new dog for months (after we said no to a hamster, a horse, and a miniature horse), and our excuse was always that we couldn’t – because we had to take care of Ol’ Pep Pep.  Well, once Pepper was gone, she wasted no time pulling up every local rescue site she could find online.  She was determined to get her new dog now!  Thankfully, we’re bigger fans of delayed gratification than DogGirl Jr.  After thoughtful consideration, and much support from friends, we decided that a 3 month period of doing her chores – consistently, would earn her our undivided attention and help finding the perfect furry fit for our household.

Contessa Free Love

Not just any old dog will do, mind you, as our canine clan already comes equipped with it’s own set of quirks.  First there’s Tessa, the butter eater, our sweet old Yellow Lab, who gets along with everyone but puppies.  As long as you’re not jumping up tugging at her ear, she will let you do almost anything to her.  Just the hint of her name, and she comes running – Did you want something, Mom?  You want to pet me, don’t you?  But behind that uber-loving personality, you’ll see her true nature.  Trash eater, fence fighter, counter surfer, and UPS van chaser, this lovable fur ball won’t let you stay mad long, because she’s just so damn sweet.

Rebelina, aka Marmaduke

Next comes our Dane/Lab mix Rebel who deserves an entire blog post all to himself.  Like our other two pups, Rebel was found on Crystal Bend Drive, but his story is a wee bit different.  We didn’t just find him; we found his owner dumping him – at the age of only three months!  Apparently, he was rebellious (No, a puppy – rebellious?), and his owner thought he was better off on the street than at a shelter.  After we had words with his former owner (and after I called the cops on him), we decided to keep the poor guy.  Mr. Handsome, aka He Who Barks at the TV, is gloriously soft and hopelessly sweet, but can be a real turd with other overly enthusiastic dogs.  At the Dog Ranch, he is fondly referred to as an Orange Card dog, which means he can’t be put with just anyone…But when you see him sit pigeon-toed, and tuck his little nub of a tail under when he sits on cold tile, you can’t help but love the Marmadukian qualities in him.

Noodle Doodle

And last, and actually least in size and stature, is my little angel Noodle.  Our little 9 pounder, the Chiweenie – Senor Schnitzel, as we like to call him, is one tiny bundle of trouble.  This one wandered right up to the driveway, and was too small to throw back into the wild…Oh yes, he’s a snuggler, and quite the french kisser, I might add (ewww!), but at night when the family sleeps, he is busy eating childrens’ library books, and chewing holes in leather furniture.  In a group, away from his bad mommy, he seems to do fine with other dogs.  On a leash, however, he becomes a Napoleonic Kujo, and then squeals like a stuck pig when a dog says he’s not afraid.  What a big baby – but I love him like I have never loved a dog before.  He is my little hero.  And you should see him on the agility field – amazing!

I know how this looks – the family of a dog trainer with imperfect pups?  You remember the pastor with the wild children, right?  Or the teacher who’s kids can’t spell?  So here’s your proof – we’re human…and we’re working on it!  The point is, that finding the perfect fit for our family won’t be easy, and yes, I’m sure our new dog will come with their own little set of paw-printed baggage.  But we will love her (yes, it will be a her) with all our hearts, big, small, and fur-covered.  The countdown begins!

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• DogBoy's website has just gone mobile! Check it out on your smart phone now – Yeehaw! http://fb.me/Kb2ZnMBJ #
• Watch your mailbox for the inaugural issue of Noodle's Nuggets tomorrow! #
• Blue Buffalo Issues Voluntary Recall – http://fb.me/C6xRxvDz #
• Lucy has hip & knee issues, which makes her a great candidate for regular massages. As you can see, she really… http://fb.me/M1X7rfON #
• Lucy has hip & knee issues, which makes her
  a great candidate for regular massages. As you can see she really… http://fb.me/xqhsB3f1 #

Getting a new dog takes research and time.

The internet was recently abuzz with the news that Tibetan Mastiffs are the “it” dog in China.  Between the rarity of the breed and a great increase of Chinese consumers with money to burn, some dogs are going for as much as $600,000. While that sounds extreme (and it is extreme), here in the States we’re not immune to crazes for suddenly-trendy dog breeds.  In the wake of hit movies like 101 Dalmatians and Beverly Hills Chihuahua, shelters across the country were flooded with those breeds, surrendered by people who either tired of the dogs or were unprepared for the challenges of raising breeds of dog that, in both cases, are not often known for being laid-back and easy-going.

I personally am not militant on the subject of buying a dog from a breeder versus adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group. My corgi, Graham, was purchased from a breeder; my husky mix, Hoosier, was rescued from Town Lake Animal Center. They have both been wonderful dogs for my household and have both presented their own unique rewards and challenges.

When getting a pure-bred dog, you always want to research the breed carefully. What are its characteristics? While it’s important to remember that dogs are individuals with their own personalities, most dog breeds were created with a particular purpose in mind.  Tibetan mastiffs, for example, were bred to be guard dogs in a cold, harsh climate.  That means they are thick-coated and shed a lot, are particularly intelligent, and tend to be quite independent (per the American Tibetan Mastiff Association), so you need to be prepared to handle these and other typical behaviors if you want to adopt this particular breed.  Rebecca Cohen, whose Tibetan mastiffs are regular DogBoy’s boarders, says “If socialized properly they [Tibetan mastiffs] get along with other dogs (although mastiff play is pretty physical…), and get to know extended family and friends well enough to welcome them into the house.”  But you have to be willing to work with them to overcome their guard-dog instincts.

Corgis, being herding dogs, are prone to alert-barking at unfamiliar people and things, so my wife and I had to be prepared for that.  If you don’t want a barker, you probably shouldn’t adopt a corgi!  And if you are adding a second (or third) dog to your household, you have to make sure a particular breed will do well in a multiple dog household, and be aware of any breed-specific issues when it comes to multiple dogs. For instance, adult male corgis do not tend to do well together in the same house.  Of course, you will probably want to do a meet and greet to make sure your potential new dog gets along with any dogs or other animals you may already have.

If you are purchasing a pure-bred dog, you MUST (it cannot be emphasized enough) make sure you are dealing with a reputable breeder.  You never want to purchase a dog from a pet store. Not only do many pet store dogs come from so-called “puppy mills,” where dogs are bred repeatedly in inhumane conditions without regard to health or personality characteristics, but the puppy may not be terribly well-socialized and months in a cage may also make house training more difficult.

A reputable breeder will let you visit their facility, and let you meet the parents of your future puppy so you can see their personality for yourself and be assured that conditions are clean and humane.  A good breeder will also be happy to answer questions and will ask you questions in return; they may want to meet your other dog or dogs before agreeing to sell you one of their puppies.  Finally, a good breeder will screen potential sires and dams for diseases and conditions the particular breed may be prone to, to avoid perpetuating them, and they will only breed their dogs a limited number of times—many breeders will only allow a female to have two, or at most three, litters.

Many small dogs are prone to floating kneecaps (patellar luxation, in vet-speak); many larger breeds like the Tibetan Mastiff (and its mastiff cousins), Labs and Golden Retrievers can be prone to hip dysplasia. Both conditions can be serious enough to require surgical correction which, needless to say, can be quite expensive. Roughly 10% of all Dalmatians are born deaf, and that was a factor in many Dalmatian surrenders after the 101 Dalmatians craze of the 1990s. Graham’s breeder screened his parents for Von Willenbrand’s disease, an inherited blood-clotting disorder corgis are prone to.

Adopting a dog from a shelter or a rescue group brings its own set of challenges. My dog Hoosier was brought to Town Lake Animal Center as a stray and not much was known about his background previous to his arrival at the shelter.  He was very affectionate with people but turned out to be somewhat reactive on leash and was particularly protective of me.  Since we had no dogs or children at the time we adopted Hoosier, we were able to adjust to his personality quirks and at least start working on his issues, but if this hadn’t been the case Hoosier’s arrival would have been much more difficult and stressful than it was.  One of the big advantages of adopting through a rescue group is that often the dogs have spent time in a foster home and you will have a much better idea of a potential new dog’s personality up front, not to mention any health issues the dog may bring with him.

Many shelter and rescue dogs have stories that pull at your heart strings, but be very careful if sympathy or pity is your primary motivation for choosing a particular dog. “You may come to regret it later or it may be more than you can handle which is incredibly unfair to the dog,” says Rebecca Andrews, CPDT.   And Rebecca knows what she’s talking about.  She and our other trainers here at DogBoy’s have talked to many owners on the verge of re-homing dogs who turned out to be far more challenging than expected.

No matter where you are getting your dog from, bringing one into your household should never be an impulsive decision.  Adopting a puppy or young dog, whether from a breeder, a shelter or a rescue group, is a commitment of a decade or more barring illness or injury. However, the rewards of such a partnership with the right dog bring joys and benefits that are more than worth it—for you and your pooch!

Contributed by Jay Robison

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