DogBoy's Dog Blog

The Modern Rules of Austin Dog Parks

Community User — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:12:00 GMT

Don't you wish people knew how to behave at Austin dog parks? So many times, you take your dog, hoping and planning on giving your dog a fun place to play, and then your experience is less than stellar. Your dog was behaving perfectly, but those other dogs were bullies, and nobody was doing anything to stop it. What went wrong? Chances are, some of you (or maybe even all of you) don't know the modern rules of Austin dog parks. Lucky for you, we DO!

Here are the things you need to know that will really help improve your dog park visits:

Don't Bring Food. Give treats before or after, but don't bring treats to the park (or if you do, don't get them out anywhere near other dogs). In fact, don't bring any food at all if possible.
Don't bring your cat (you'd think that would be a given!) Poor kitty. That is just mean.
Leave small children at home. Dog parks aren't safe for kids under 6. If older kids come, make sure you teach them not to approach dogs they don't know. I'll cover that in a future post, I promise.
Don't sit down. You should always be moving at the dog park. Where people congregate, dogs to too, and then they start protecting their owners. If you're moving, your dogs will too, and there will be less focus on protection and more focus on play.
Don't hold your little dog above the others, and if you do pick yours up for safety reasons, don't set him or her back down in the middle of a pack of dogs. You have just elevated his status, and the other dogs might attempt to bring him back down to level the playing field.
Mind your manners. Don't let your dog play too rough, and don't let other people's dogs play too rough with yours. Running and playing is fine, but constant humping, or dogs jumping on other's backs is not okay.
Keep Water Fresh. If your dog tips over the communal water - Be a sweetie and fill it back up.
SCOOP your own dog's POOP! You know when you don't, and so do the other people at the park. Don't be a doo-doo.

Keeping these tips in mind should improve your dog park experience, and hopefully make dog parks safer and cleaner all around Austin. DogBoy's has a private dog park for customers only which is a more controlled environment and decreases the risks associated with group play. Dog training can also help with socialization issues. If you like these tips and are eager for more, download our article about Safe Dog Play by our Director of Training, Paula Baker Prince.

Thanks for caring and have fun at the park!

Photo by Norah Levine Photography

Training People By Tess of Helena

Community User — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:20:00 GMT

Imagine that the table has been turned. What does the world of training really look like from the dog's perspective? Are humans truly in control, or are the dogs? Who is training who? What's going on...really? For a hilarious, tongue-in-cheek view of the other side of the canine coin, we suggest that you read Training People: How to Bring Out the Best in Your Human - From Food and Grooming to Service and Support - The Definitive Guide for Dogs.

According to author Tess of Helena, C.T.H. (Certified Trainer of Humans), "Many dogs find the idea of owning and training human beings intimidating. And the plain fact is that for some dogs, owning people is not worth the trouble. After all, people are a completely different species, with poorly developed senses of smell, hearing, and sight." And, with regard to training, she says, "Effective people ownership and training is made immeasurably easier and more enjoyable by keeping in mind two elementary truths: People love dogs. They live to please us (10, 11)." Throughout the book, Tess proceeds to prove her point as she covers topics such as how to choose a human, discipline, getting the food you want, and the human pup.

For example, on page 17 in the section labeled "The Accommodating Personality" a picture of a man's legs is featured, the shot apparently taken from inside of a large dog's crate. Through the wire grid, one can see that the man is wearing athletic shoes, ankle socks, khaki shorts, and that his legs are rather hairy. The caption reads, "Muscular legs and sturdy shoes indicate a human well-suited to meet your exercise needs." Also, Tess teaches dogs how to use multiple variations of HTM or Horizontal Tail Motion (commonly known as 'wagging') to generate expressions of human affection. In this section, she describes the Standard, Rapid, and Hip-Involved HTM. She warns that Hip-Involved HTM should be use sparingly as it is the highest form of praise a dog can give a human (43).

In closing, Tess touches on Spirituality as it relates to the lowly human species. "Soul or no soul," she says, "you can't go wrong even at the very end by treating them with love and compassion. After all, they are our best friends (107)."

So true, Tess. So true.

The Mighty Texas Dog Walk - April 7

Community User — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:03:17 GMT

We at DogBoy's are super excited to be a sponsor for one of the most amazing canine events ever! Join us at Auditorium Shores on Saturday, April 7th as we participate in the incredible, magnificent, over-the-top, doggy-fun-filled 14th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk beginning at 9 am until 2 pm. The sheer magnitude of this event is unbelievable! You have to see it to believe it. Download a schedule of events by clicking HERE and be amazed by the fun in store for you and your precious pup.

All proceeds for The Mighty Texas Dog Walk go to the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs, a noble organization making a difference in countless lives of others by training dogs to assist Texans living with hearing or mobility challenges. They're famous for helping strays become stars! We at DogBoy's consider it a high honor to support the fine work the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs are doing. We're proud to partner with them and others to make this year's 14th Annual Mighty Texas Dog Walk a world record breaker!

That's right - a record breaker. You see, by registering a passel of dogs to walk around Auditorium Shores on April 7th we Texans earn big-time Guinness Book of World Records bragging rights for the "World's Largest Dog Walk". (And you know how important bragging rights are to us Texans. Oh, yeah.) The Brits currently own the record with 17,427 dogs prancing about. Not for long, blokes. Not for long.

In addition to setting a Guinness Book attendance record, there are other world record setting categories to participate in, as well. At 12:00, there's the world's biggest fur ball competition, a fuzzy event is sponsored by Mud Puppies. At 12:30 join us for a record breaking attempt to have the most dogs wearing the same bandana at one time contest, a swanky event sponsored by Petco. Lastly, at 1:00, help us set the world's record for the largest number of dogs sitting at one time, a kicked-back event sponsored by Sublime Canines. As you can see, we're partnering with an amazing cast in efforts to make this year's Mighty Texas Dog Walk the best yet!

But as far as we're concerned, the most important members of the supporting cast are you and your dog. Join us, won't you? Come on out to the Mighty Texas Dog Walk. You'll be so glad that you did. And when you do, stop by our booth. Carol and some of the DogBoy's crew will have a nice cool bottle of DogBoy's water and a delicious banana there a-waiting for you.

Hope to see you there!

Good Dog Food Brought Straight to Your Door

Community User — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:36:27 GMT

We're all crazy busy, right? Shuttling kids from here to there and back again. Working from dawn to dusk. We can barely catch ourselves coming when we're going. It's truly a dog-eats-good-dog-food world out there, and we at DogBoy's want to keep it that way. That's why we've partnered up with Mr.Chewy, an online pet food retailer, who carries many quality brands that DogBoy's endorses.

Mr.Chewy offers over 70 brands of dog and cat food, a wide variety of goodies for our buddies. They offer competitive pricing on Frontline, which is commendable, as well as promising to help DogBoy's raise money for our selected charities. Mr.Chewy is a subscription based ordering service (free shipping for any order over $49) that offers hassle-free delivery of products of your choosing.

Therein lies the Question, right? What products should we be choosing? Which of the over 70 products Mr.Chewy offers is the best for our precious pups?

When asked this critical question, our lovely kennel manager Marcella Slaughter, CPDT-KA, offered the following suggestions - thank goodness!

Marcella said her top 5 choices are:

Orijen - it's pricey because of the quality of the ingredients, so anytime you can get it at a discounted rate that's great.

California Natural - it's what we feed in the kennel, a good place to start since it is not as pricey as my other recommendations and doesn't have a ton of ingredients so it's easy on sensitive tummies.

Natural Balance roll - the turkey formula is the best for treating with, it doesn't crumble like the other formulas. It's what we use in classes for training treats.

Taste of the Wild - it's a nice grain-free option for dogs with allergies or sensitive tummies.

Honest Kitchen - an easy way to feed a raw diets, you just add warm water and it's done!

Oh, happy day! Each of Marcella's choices are available for purchase through Mr.Chewy! Great news! (It is so comforting to have an expert on this topic so readily on hand, isn't it? Thank you, Marcella. We all feel much better now.)

So, if you'd like for Mr.Chewy to help make your life a little easier and support DogBoy's favorite charities at the same time, here's how you do it. First create an account with Mr.Chewy. When placing an order, use the referral code DOGG3575 and you'll get 10% off of your purchase and Mr. Chewy donates $10 to one of DogBoy's favorite charities - The North Shore Animal League, Best Friends Animal Santuary, and/or Bidawee. Sound good? Good.

You know, whether you purchase from Mr.Chewy or not, isn't it comforting to know that DogBoy's staff is so knowledgeable and ever-willing to help? We and our pups are in good hands, for sure.

Dog Food Danger?

Community User — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:28:40 GMT

Let's begin this post with a story about a well-meaning, yet uninformed client who thought she was buying the best food for her pup. It's true that she was buying the most expensive kibble on the HEB shelves. But the best? The healthiest? Not in the least. In fact, the food she was buying was actually deadly.

As it goes for most dog-lovers, without warning or planning, a loving pup unsuspectedly warmed its way into this client's life. Their initial contact was truly love at first sight. Now what?

Said client confessed that she knew little about dog care and/or dog training. In an effort to learn what to do, she registered in our Canine Good Citizen class. As sessions proceeded, while the two were working hard to establish a positive working relationship, her good-natured pup seemed overly distracted, unfocused, and 'silly' during class sessions. In short, he was acting like a lovable, wiggly goof ball. Cute? Yes. Obedient? Responsive to training? Well behaved? No.

When our trainer inquired what she was feeding her dog, our now frustrated client answered, "The best they have at HEB. The top of the line." To this, our trainer shook her head and said, "Eating that food is like eating Taco Bell every day. How would you feel if you ate Taco Bell for every meal every single day of your life? Pretty rotten, right?" Our client promptly agreed and asked for nutritional guidance of which our knowledgeable trainer was most eager to give. For you see, we at DogBoy's know that there is better way to feed and care for your dog and we're committed to spreading the word.

Our client threw away that expensive, "top-of-the-line" HEB dog food, followed our trainer's advice and purchased the suggested all-natural brand. Amazingly, within a matter of a few days, her dog's behavior calmed down. (Not into a zen-like trance, mind you. Simply more calm.) Soon the pup became more responsive to training commands. And, as a bonus, he began shedding less and the consistency of his stools improved. (He still has that lovable 'silliness' about him. It's hard-wired in his DNA. It's what makes him special.) The pup settled down enough to pass DogBoy's Canine Good Citizen test. Success!

From time to time, in this blog, we will further address the serious nature of canine nutrition more closely. However, if you have the nerve or the inclination, Google "What's really in dog food." Beware. You'll discover shocking link after shocking link loaded with dangerous warnings. And to think that some well-known manufacturers willingly sell these products every single day! Born Free USA states, "Given the types of things manufacturers put in pet food, it is not surprising that bad things sometimes happen. Ingredients used in pet food are often highly contaminated with a wide variety of toxic substances." It's no wonder our client's pup had the Taco Bell shimmies!

For now, if you have any question about the quality of food you're giving your pup, ask us. We at DogBoy's live to help. Like in the case of our client and her rambunctious pup, we love to play a guiding role in success stories such as theirs.

A Better Way

Community User — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:28:58 GMT

[caption id="attachment_734" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Are you worthy of her trust?"][/caption]

There's been something Noodle has been nudging me to get off my chest - something that has been bothering me for a long time now. Noodle is right. If I talk about it, hopefully people will learn. So here goes...

Recently I met a dog owner who was not yet a customer. I was excited to tell him about the business, because he seemed like the perfect customer. My perfect customer not only owns a dog, but really loves their dog (or really thinks they do, or really wants to). Sometimes that comes later. As I was busy assuming he'd be right on target with our line of thinking, I went on and on about how great DogBoy's is - how we are different from other pet care facilities in town. I got to the part where I tell people how we don't use any harsh training methods. That means no choke chains, no pinch or prong collars, and no shock collars. (We don't even use the word "No"!)

He laughed, lowered and shook his head, dismissing me.

"It's okay. My dog is a Lab, so she can take it."

As he went on to tell me what a great hunting dog she was, and how those kinds of corrections don't bother her at all, mostly I just heard the school teacher in those old Charlie Brown episodes on TV. "Wa wa wa wa wa..." After he said she could "take it", that's all I heard. That, and my heart beating out of my chest. He disappeared into his car, and my head was spinning. How could he say that to me? How could he do that to her? How could he not KNOW? How could ANYONE not know? Sometimes I have to remember that so many people just - don't - know. Some do.

What I wanted to tell him was that there is a better way. Your dog can behave and do what you want because she trusts you, because she respects you, because she is excited to follow you. You don't have to choke her, or hurt her, or shock her into "seeing the light." Those methods work because she is afraid, and wants to avoid the pain. Take the collar off, and you have no control. No trust. No respect. Long term, that doesn't help either of you. Wouldn't it be better if you could earn your dog's trust? If you were worthy of it?

Our goal is to create a mutually respectful relationship between you and your dog. We foster this with everything we do and say, both to you and to your dogs in our care. We do our best to teach you the same, and to give you that thirst for knowledge. If you need help, we are absolutely here for you. We offer group classes, private lessons, Board & Train, and Charm School (day care training) to help you and your dog live a happy life together.

I saw a great quote recently -

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown

Go forth and spread the word - and go home, and love your dog. I would say hug your dog, but dogs don't really like that. We'll save that topic for another day!

It's a Dog Party!

Community User — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:21:32 GMT

[caption id="attachment_718" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Private Dog Park - Open House 2/25"][/caption]

Greetings, Dog Lovers!

You have been patiently waiting for a long time...and we are so grateful! Noodle and I are SO EXCITED to invite you to our Dog Party!

What:   DogBoy's Private Dog Park Open House
It's a place where dogs can run and play and swim, with other dogs who like to run and play and swim! We have acres of beautiful rolling prairie with a pond for swimming - so BRING A TOWEL!

Where: DogBoy's Private Dog Park
(behind our Training & Wellness Center, on the back of the property)

When:   Saturday, February 25th, Come anytime between 10 am - 2 pm

Why:     Benefiting the Austin Humane Society
Raffle tickets will be for sale to win a 2012 Mazda Miata!

Bring:

A friend and win a Gift Certificate for future use!

A towel (or two!)

Your friendly dog(s) with collars & tags

a blanket or chair (only if you NEED to be able to sit - we prefer you to be moving around and having fun with your dog!)

NO FOOD, please. Cold water will be provided.

We will have poop stations, kiddie pools, and lots of cool water to drink. Kids under 6 must have dedicated adult supervision.

Parking: Park on the grass inside DogBoy's Main Entrance. You will see signs for special event parking.

What is DogBoy's Private Dog Park?

Starting March 1st, DogBoy’s Private Dog Park will be open to clients and their dogs only, who have been evaluated and given a behavioral card color designation. Click here for details on our Card Color Policy. Reservations and/or Dog Park Memberships will be required. So by coming to the open house on 2/25, you'll be getting a sneak peak!

So it's not FREE? There are dog parks all over town that are free. Why would I pay to go to a dog park?

The Open House is absolutely free. And it's true - there ARE dog parks all over town that are free, like Bull Creek, Red Bud Isle, even Pflugerville has a couple now! The difference between those parks and DogBoy's Private Dog Park is that at DogBoy's, your dog will be playing with other dogs who have all been evaluated - and given a GREEN Card color designation. This means that they are generally good with lots of other kinds of dogs. This also means you are at a park with a more controlled dog population, and your dog is at a much lower risk for problems with other dogs. Of course, there is a risk anytime you take your dog to a dog park, but wouldn't you like to have more control over who is there when you visit?

If your dog is not great with other dogs, or only good with specific kinds of dogs (i.e. has an Orange or Red card designation from DogBoy's), you can make private reservations during the week for your dogs and/or your friends' dogs (who you know your dog likes), so they can play in a safe, fenced in area, with no risk of interaction with dogs you don't know. If you bring your friend and your friends dogs for a private reservation, they don't have to be a current customer. We think there is value in all these differences, and we hope you'll think so too.

Owners of Green card dogs can purchase monthly dog park memberships ($30/month per family), and with those memberships will be allowed to visit any Saturday or Sunday from 9-6. Additionally private reservations can also be made during the week from 3pm till dark.

Owners of Orange and Red card dogs can make private reservations on weekday afternoons for as little as $10 for your family of dogs. Group rates are available. You will have the park all to your self from 3 pm till dark!

If your dog has not yet been evaluated for a color card designation, we can take care of that evaluation during a day of day care. Call our office or email us for details on getting evaluated.

All the details about the dog park pricing and rules can be found here.

We look forward to seeing you!! If you have any questions about the dog park, just email dogpark@dogboys.com.

With joy,

DogGirl

Happy Dog Year!

Community User — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:06:27 GMT

[caption id="attachment_704" align="alignleft" width="205" caption="Noodle is fired up and ready for 2012!"][/caption]

Noodle and I would like to welcome you to 2012! What an exciting year it is going to be! Let's see if I can catch you up on all the news:

First of all, if you haven't already heard, DogBoy's has been invited to try out for a reality TV show called Doggy Day Care! We are sending our video submission today, and can't wait to hear back to see if we get chosen. We spent the Christmas holiday capturing video of puppies, staff, customers and doing our best to capture all the wonderful people and parts that make up DogBoy's. Whether we get picked to do the show or not, making this video has reinforced what a special place this is, and how much we have to teach and share with all of you. Thank you to our clients and staff who were able to participate, and we promise to keep you posted on this exciting adventure!

Next up, our new Spring Classes have been posted on the website, and there are 30 to choose from! You will never find a better way to bond with your dog, learn about dog behavior in a fun environment and get the results you want than with one of our classes taught by our top notch trainers. Our team works tirelessly to keep their own behavior knowledge and training skills honed, so that you can be sure you're learning from the best. Visit our schedule of dog training classes to see what might be fun for you to try!

Along with the wonderful work we do with the dogs of the Austin Humane Society, DogBoy's has also begun working with the Friends of Austin Animal Center 's Hard Luck Hound program. These are the 15 dogs who have been in their shelter the longest, and are having trouble getting adopted. So our up and coming trainers Lydia, Jeanie, Kelly and Alice are taking on these special projects to see if we can teach them some manners and coping skills. We will be giving these dogs some much needed training, lots of one on one time, furthering the behavior knowledge for our trainers in training, and hopefully increasing the chances of a successful adoption for these forgotten animals. Giving back to our dog loving community is a win-win for everyone involved!

Tomorrow is the day to make your 2012 holiday reservations! I know, I know, it seems too soon! But DogBoy's has been filling up for holiday slots a year in advance for many years now, so we want you to have every opportunity to get those much coveted spots! Call, email or fax in your request, and we will make your reservations as quickly as possible. With the new year, we are also adding a few new services, like our Private Dog Park opening in February, self-service dog wash appointments, and discounts with multiple days of Doggy day care and Chelsea's Charm School! See the Our Prices page of our website for all the latest details and prices.

Thank you all for a wonderful year, and we look forward to enriching the lives of you and your dog for years to come! We are truly blessed to have each of you and your dogs in our lives.

With joy,

DogGirl

Become a DogBoy's Ambassador

Community User — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:51:04 GMT

As the holiday season approaches, Noodle and I have been talking about how grateful we are to have so many wonderful people and pups in our lives. We love seeing all of your warm smiles and wagging tails, and we want to think of ways to thank you for all you do to keep the DogBoy's family alive and well. Noodle had an amazing idea, and I want to share it with you.

We want to invite you to become a special part of the DogBoy's community - an elite group of dog-loving ambassadors who want to be a part of building the future of DogBoy's services and products. You can be an integral part of growing DogBoy's the way you want to see it grow. Do you ever walk into a restaurant or other local business and think to yourself, "This place would be so great if they asked me what I think and what I would do differently"? I know I do. Well I am here today to invite you to do just that.

We're going to create a Facebook group of DogBoy's Ambassadors, with only those of you who want to actively be a part of giving input about what you want for your dog. We want to be a part of providing that for you, so please, contact me and tell me you want to be an official DogBoy's Ambassador.

We're also going to have a special Holiday Open House this year to say thank you in person. Come celebrate the season with us on Friday, December 9th from 6-8 pm at the TWC. We will have yummy homemade appetizers and adult beverages, invite local vets and our wellness practitioners, and have wonderful door prizes to give away. This party is just for humans, but we will have presents for you to take home to your pups! Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

For our Christmas boarders, we will be celebrating the holidays again this year with our Second Annual Santa Paws! Purchase any retail item from DogBoy's, and we'll wrap it and open it with your dog on Christmas Eve. Last year we had so many presents under the tree! If you are boarding over the Christmas holiday and would like to participate in this fun event, just purchase a gift and leave it with the front desk. We'll make sure it gets labeled and to your pup, and will hopefully get a good picture or two of the fun, which we will gladly share with you after the holiday.

For those of you who have been patiently waiting for our Private Dog Park, we are almost ready! We are in the process of ordering the signage and making the final arrangements. We hope to be open by the first of the year. We will have an official Dog Park Open House in February. Thank you so much for your patience!

Enjoy this beautiful weather, give that pup of yours a belly rub, and we hope to see you or hear from you soon!

With joy,

DogGirl

Dog Food & Toys & Treats, Oh My!

Community User — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:29:58 GMT

While boarding, daycare and training will always be our primary focus here at DogBoy's, we do our best to have a selection of quality food, treats, toys and food puzzles to keep you and your dogs happy. To make sure our wonderful two-legged and four-legged customers stay satisfied, we're always looking to try out new items on our shelves. Here's what's new this fall at DogBoy's:

DogBoy's branded treats and merchandise

"Life's uncertain--eat dessert first," a wise person once said. So we have to tell you about the most exciting new thing we have at DogBoy's--our very own branded treats and merchandise. Supplied by Healthpro Nutrition, a maker of quality dog treats, DogBoy's brand treats come in turkey/sweet potato, cranberry/sweet potato, smoked salmon, and peanut butter flavors.

You can show your DogBoy's pride by buying a leash with our familiar ranch dog silhouette logo. The leashes are six feet long and are made of sturdy nylon--perfect for walks or for use during a training class. We also are selling logo "leash links." They attach to the hand loop of a leash (they also make pretty good key rings), and are perfect for attaching accessories such as hand sanitizer, bug spray and cleanup bags. All of these leash accessories are also available here in the office. Be completely prepared for your next walk and do it in style!

New High Quality Foods

Diet is so important to us here at DogBoy's. From day one, we strive to educate our clients about how diet affects all aspects of a dog's life, especially when it comes to behavior and overall health. And we know that our customers expect that when we offer dog food for sale, it will be food that meets our highest personal standards: free of fillers, and full of good protein, fruits, vegetables and other healthy ingredients. That's why we're excited to offer Life4K9 brand dry dog food, in both chicken and barley and lamb and barley varieties. A number of our staff have tried it; Jay reports that his dogs Graham and Hoosier both love the chicken and barley formula.

Toys

Last, but certainly not least, we have some fun new toys for sale. We have a line of fun--and tough--stuffed toys from Mighty Dog Toys. From cows and goats to possums and beavers, we have animals for large and small dogs alike. From Sprocket Pet Goods comes P:ECO the Penguin. P:ECO is the green dog toy, made entirely from organic and recycled materials. It's the perfect toy for the green dog in your life.

Be sure to let us know how you like these new products. And if there's something we're not carrying that you'd like to see at DogBoy's, let us know that too!

True Blue Leadership - Book Signing Tuesday September 27th

Community User — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:47:53 GMT

Noodle, I believe it's story time!

Once upon a time, there was a short-legged, furry little Aussie Basset mix named Mr. Blue. A blue dapple guy with a friendly face, Mr. Blue loved coming to DogBoy's to run and play, and to show other dogs how to play nicely too. Blue was a great leader in playgroup - a True Blue leader, if you will. He made sure all the other dogs minded their manners, and didn't get snarky if he had a bad day. Tracey, his mom, loved the days he came to DogBoy's as well, because that meant that she could focus on her work and Mr. Blue would come home tired and happy at the end of the day.

One day though, Tracey got a job in another state. We were so sad to see them go, but we knew Mr. Blue would go on to do great things no matter where he lived. Turns out that when they went away, Mr. Blue got so inspired that he decided to write a book - and True Blue Leadership was born.

Tracey and Blue authored True Blue Leadership—The Top 10 Tricks from the Chief Motivational Hound, a leadership bookwritten from the perspective of her 10 year-old rescue dog, Mr.Blue. Tracey's book is inspired by her father, the late Charlie "Tremendous" Jones.

Please join us Tuesday, September 27th from 4-6 pm at DogBoy's Training & Wellness Center for Mr. Blue's True Blue Leadership - Stop Playing Dead Tour. It will be a fun evening of festivities, a book signing (paw print!) by Mr. Blue himself, and a pawtography photo opp. Come meet Mr. Blue and his mom Tracey, and see what all the awesomeness is about. A portion of the proceeds from this special evening will be donated to the Austin Humane Society.

Watch Mr. Blue's Video

To find out more, visit Tremendous Life Books on Facebook, or email DogGirl. Hope to see you this week at the event!

And they lived happily ever after.

Stay cool, and see you soon!

DogGirl

An Update on Pancake

Community User — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:16:00 GMT

[caption id="attachment_615" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Copy Cat"][/caption]

Many of you know Pancake, our orange tabby barn cat. He's very friendly and loves attention. And many of you have been surprised to see him in the office the last few months. What's going on? Has Pancake retired from the barn to become an office cat?

For some time, there have been tell-tale signs that something was going on with Pancake's health. His lip would swell sometimes, with what looked like insect bites, and they always seemed to go away. More serious were recurrent infections in Pancake's paw that never seemed to fully heal. We here at DogBoy's were concerned, and many of our great customers were concerned for him as well. We were worried it was something serious.

Finally we got a diagnosis: feline eosinophilic granuloma complex. Quite a mouthful! But what is it? Basically, it causes the growth of skin lesions in a cat's mouth, feet, stomach, or other areas on its body. No one really knows what causes it; one theory is that allergies set off an immune response that goes awry. There is also some evidence that eosinophilic granuloma complex is genetic. And in Pancake's case, the fact that he had a lesion on his paw made him more prone to getting infections in the affected foot.

The good news is that for most cats, this disease is manageable and there are a range of treatment options available. As Pancake recovers and gets back to his usual mischevious self, we will be consulting with our vets to determine what the next step will be. And whether he returns to the outdoors permanently to keep our other barn cat, Callie, company or embarks on another great adventure we here at DogBoy's will make sure that Pancake is happy, healthy, and very well-loved. In the meantime, feel free to give him some attention. But watch out--if he's feeling frisky he may try to nip you!

Update: Dr. Todd Riggan and the staff at White Rock Veterinary Hospital have given Pancake the go-ahead to return to the great outdoors. While he still loves to visit the office, he is happy to be free again!

Central TX Fires - DogBoy's Update

Community User — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 12:43:17 GMT

[caption id="attachment_602" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The view of Bastrop fires from DogBoy's"][/caption]

Sunday was a pretty scary day for us here in Central Texas. A severe drought, mixed with high winds created the perfect storm for fires to erupt all over the surrounding areas, including Pflugerville. Understandably, you were worried, so Noodle and I are here with answers.

The Texas Forest Service told of 63 fires yesterday that burned close to 33,000 acres. Community Impact has all the details of the fires in our area. Everyone at DogBoy's is keeping a close eye on the news, the dogs and the property. Currently, and thankfully, there are no fires in Pflugerville at the present time.

Here's what we know:

DogBoy's continues to maintain a defensible barrier to fire by cutting all the combustible materials away from the buildings and property, clearing surrounding brush, and cutting grass down to 1/2". Many neighboring farms have plowed their fields, leaving little to burn. DogBoy's kennels and training buildings are made of concrete, cement board, aluminum and tin, so the buildings are at low risk for catching fire.

Other pet care facilities in Austin such as Hip Hounds and Barking Springs have graciously offered up space for us in case we need to evacuate. If that ever were to happen, however, we would need extra help for transport. If you would like to join a call list of people nearby who could quickly help in a situation like this, please email me at doggirl@dogboys.com with your current email and cell phone. Ideally, we'd like to start a Google Huddle (group text alert), so if you're on Google +, all the better!

Please know that we are doing all we can to stay on top of these events, and your dogs and their safety have our full attention now and always. Be safe out there, Y'all, and we will keep you informed if there are any changes.

With care,

DogGirl

Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot!

Community User — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:59:08 GMT

Howdy, Dog Lover!

I know it's been a while since you heard from us, but Noodle has been on Summer break from blogging. Today, he jumped in my lap and told me he was ready to get back online and tell you how much he's missed you!

This time of year, the most common question we get on the phone is: "What do you do with the dogs when its so hot?" That is a great question, especially since we've been suffering from record-breaking triple-digit temps this summer. We take heat stress very seriously, and constantly stay on the lookout for signs of heat stress in the dogs we care for. Common signs are excessive panting and "belling" of the tongue--that is, the bottom of a dog's tongue will expand so it looks bell-shaped, in an effort to cool the dog down. Dogs don't sweat like we do, so it is much harder for them to shed heat and stay cool. Keep in mind that a dog's natural body temperature is about 100-102 degrees; in cases of extreme heat stroke, their core body temperature can climb as high as 110 degrees. Just as in people, a fever that severe can sometimes have lasting effects or even be fatal.

We also care for many dogs that are more heat sensitive than others. Short-nosed dogs (aka Brachycephalic dogs) like boxers, bulldogs, pugs and puggles are watched especially closely. The roof of their mouth acts like a radiator in a car - short snouts equal an inefficient cooling system. Other dogs that overheat easily are the very large breeds, like our Pyrenees and mastiffs, as well as dogs on thyroid medications. Elderly dogs and those with heart conditions also have trouble with the heat as well as younger dogs. We keep an extra-close watch on these dogs when they're here in summer months, and you will often see a well-behaved boarding dog spending time in the office when they need to be indoors more.

One of the things that makes DogBoy's extra special is that the dogs we care for get to play outside in playgroups, hand-picked by staff who are trained in dog behavior. On an ideal day, that means they are outside for a full day's play, whether they are here for daycare or boarding. But your dog's safety is our top priority, which means on days when the temperature or heat index is close to 100 or hotter, they can't play outside all day without overheating.

So what do we do?

Well, when it's this hot outside, we have to change things up a bit. DogBoy's kennels have always been designed to keep the cool in with reflective roofing and 4' thick concrete slabs that hold on to the earth's temperature. We also have air-conditioned kennels, so dogs have a comfortable place to cool down. To take advantage of the cooler times of day, the dogs get playtime in the morning. And we start early! We get the AC going in the kennels around 10 am, and when it starts to get hot around mid-day we bring the dogs inside for a rest and cool-down period. On days when we have lots of dogs on the property, we may also bring dogs into the office or to our beautiful and spacious Training and Wellness Center. After cooling off, we let the dogs out for potty breaks and shorter, supervised hikes. While on hikes, we turn on the sprinklers and hose dogs down to help cool them off. When boarding numbers are high, we limit day care, so everyone has dedicated space to cool down.

Our hard-working kennel staff makes sure that there is fresh, cool water in the buckets and kiddie pools, placed in the shade so your dogs can have a refreshing drink and cool themselves off with a splash if they want to. Our team refreshes these water sources again mid-day so that when the dogs come out after their rest break to play, they have plenty of clean cool water.

Thanks again for your questions, and keep 'em coming. We want you to travel worry-free, and enjoy your time away from your dog, while at work or on the road, with confidence that we're taking care of all the details. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer and we'll see you again soon!

Stay cool,

DogGirl

P.S. For those of you who want to know more about our old friend Mr. Blue, the pawthor of True Blue Leadership, who will be visiting DogBoy's for an official Book Signing and Pawtography Event Tuesday, September 27th, check out his video:

Missing My Dogs

Community User — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:11:59 GMT

Hello Dog Lovers,

Each year, DogBoy & I go on a long vacation. We live on the property with DogBoy's boarding kennel on one side, and the Training & Wellness center on the other, a view of the agility field out our kitchen window, and a view of one of the playgroups our our bathroom window. Employees are all around walking back and forth, and customers are (thankfully) coming in and out daily. Sometimes, being in the middle of it all leaves us feeling a little like we're living in a bubble. Because we live, eat, work and raise our family all in the same place, when we need a vacation we have to really get away (far away or for a long time, or both) to accomplish that.

So far, we have not yet taken our dogs along for the ride. There is no room in the car for the big dogs (sorry guys), and taking little Noodle would make eating out difficult. Some of the national parks we went to this trip weren't very dog friendly either. Not to mention our dogs get excellent care at DogBoy's while we're gone!

I'm sure Noodle, Rebel and Tessa are getting lots of exercise, belly rubs, and plenty of opportunities for playtime with other dogs. Getting to romp around on 15 acres is like dog heaven. Anytime they're out of the house, their tails are wagging, and their tongues are hanging out from sheer bliss. They want all the other dogs to know the truth: they run this place. But at night, when they're sleeping soundly in their air-conditioned runs, I think about them and wish they were curled up in my lap or at my feet.

I think next year, I might see if I can talk DogBoy into letting me bring Noodle along. After 15 years in the pet care industry, I'm almost embarrassed to say that I've never taken my pups on vacation with me. I'm curious to know if you've traveled with your dog, and what your experiences have been?

Happy Tails!
DogGirl

PPPTJ2NF3SQS

Thanks to businessbroad.com for the image.

A Whole Lotta Howlin' Goin' On

Community User — Thu, 26 May 2011 15:31:42 GMT

If you’ve lived in Texas any length of time, you’ve probably come to see that passing bills when the Legislature is in session doesn’t resemble the old Schoolhouse Rock classic “I’m Just a Bill” so much as a brutal contact sport. The current session is just about over and has had no shortage of controversial bills, some of which have even made national news like House Bill 1451, better known as the Puppy Mill Bill. You can read the text of the bill and all amendments, and see more, at the Texas Legislature Online. The bill would require licensing and inspection for any facility having more than 11 breeding female dogs or cats, mandating humane conditions such as proper ventilation, food, water, and enough space.

Passions have run high on both sides. Supporting the bill is Texas Humane Legislation Network. Opposing it is the Responsible Pet Owners Alliance. Our aim here is to present both sides as fairly as possible.

It is undeniable that something needs to be done to curb the problem of puppy mills in Texas. We here at DogBoy’s have seen the tragic health and temperament consequences of puppy mill dogs, as well as the heroic efforts of customers who have helped rescue these dogs to give them the best and most dignified life possible. It is a wonderful thing to rescue a dog in need of a home from a good shelter or rescue group, but responsible breeders produce good pets as well. Unfortunately, not enough people investigate where they are buying their puppies from, or simply may not know what separates a good breeder from a disreputable one. We covered this in part in a previous blog entry, “Getting A New Dog.”

Opponents of HB 1451, led by the Responsible Pet Owners Alliance, say that the aim of the bill is to eliminate commercial pet breeding altogether, in service of a radical agenda that seeks to eliminate meat eating and pet ownership. Additionally, RPOA says that the bill would be the first step down a a path which would prohibit livestock farming; hunting, trapping and fishing; zoos, rodeos and circuses. There have also been claims that the bill would dictate training methods, especially for hunting dogs. In light of that, it is worth noting that State Rep. David Simpson of Longview, a leading opponent of the bill in the legislature, received approximately $500 from the NRA and another $300 from the Texas Deer Association in the period covering the 2010 campaign (view Rep. Simpson’s filings online at the Texas Ethics Commission's website). Furthermore, opponents of HB 1451 say that existing state and federal standards and anti-cruelty laws are more than adequate to police puppy mills.

On the other side, supporters of HB 1451—led by the Texas Humane Legislation Network argue that criticism of the bill is overblown or outright false. In their FAQ section covering HB 1451, THLN asserts the following: that only commercial breeders with 11 or more intact female animals which ALSO sell the offspring of those females will be subject to the bill’s licensing requirements and standards, and subject to inspection. Boarding facilities like DogBoy’s would not be affected; trainers would not be affected; so-called “hobby breeders” who may only have one or two litters in a year would not be affected. THLN also argues that the inspection and standards give the state the leverage to seize animals before they die from neglect, instead of charging the people responsible for animal cruelty after it's too late.

As with many bills the Legislature considers, the good intentions behind the puppy mill bill have been lost in a system that seems to value controversy over sober analysis. Hopefully we were able to shed some light on this subject, and we’ll be sure to follow up on HB 1451 if anything new develops.

Preventing Dog Bites

Community User — Thu, 19 May 2011 06:52:14 GMT

Howdy, Dog Lover!

[caption id="attachment_491" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Noodle Doodle can be a Little Napoleon."][/caption]

Most of our dogs are perfect angels, right? I know Noodle is! Well, the truth is, Noodle can sometimes be a pill around strangers who come in the house.

Occasionally, dogs who are great with their owners can be less angelic in public, and can sometimes even snap or bite. Of course, we can help if you are experiencing this behavior.

But in honor of National Dog Bite Prevention week, I thought it might also be helpful to hear some tips from world-famous trainer, Victoria Stilwell.

Take a listen to this AVMA Animal Tracks podcast, and get tips on preventing dog bites. Victoria gives advice about teaching your dog WHAT to do, when you encounter a situation that makes your dog uncomfortable, and a few things you can do to prevent your dog from biting at home and in public.

For more information about National Dog Bite Prevention Week, visit the AVMA website. Until then, socialize your dog as much as you can - we can help with that too!

Take it easy,

DogGirl

Teaching Kids About Dogs

Community User — Thu, 12 May 2011 09:17:25 GMT

[caption id="attachment_473" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Kids & Dogs can coexist peacefully!"][/caption]

This past Monday, DogBoy and I ventured off the Ranch with our well-seasoned dog trainer of almost 10 years, Rebecca Andrews. We were on a mission to educate the children of Dessau Elementary School for their local Career Day. One of our own kids goes to this school, so this career day was a special treat for us. We brought along Rebecca's faithful sidekick, Murphy.

Of course, everyone wants to pet Murphy. He's the local favorite greeter at DogBoy's. He's easy going, always ready for a belly rub, and wonderful with kids. But besides teaching kids what it's like to run a dog ranch or be a dog trainer, we felt pretty strongly that there are other important things that kids need to know about dogs. We're all kids on the inside (right?), so I thought I'd share these things with you too:

How to greet a dog you don't know:

1. ALWAYS Ask permission! Not all dogs like kids (or people, for that matter), so it's always a good idea to ask first.

2. Approach with your body sideways (perpendicular) to the dog. This lets him/her know that you pose no threat, and squat down to his or her level, looking away. Watch the dog's body language to see if the pup is eager to meet you or not. Lick your lips or yawn, even scratch your belly. These area all calming signals that put dogs at ease. If you see the dog back up or give you the "whale eye", back away and give the dog space.

3. Let the dog smell you first. I prefer an open hand, but some people advocate protecting your fingers...

4. Pet the dog on the chin or chest - not on top of the head or on his back. Never hug a dog you don't know! Even most of our own dogs don't love the hugging and kissing that we do.

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Murphy is a certified Canine Good Citizen"][/caption]

We also discussed what to do if you see a dog running towards you with no owner present:

1. BE A TREE! Stand still with your arms down and look straight ahead. Don't look at, talk to or touch the dog, as this will engage him. Whatever you do, DO NOT RUN. The dog will chase you and the dog will catch you!

2. If you get knocked down, tuck in your knees, and protect your head with your arms. Close your hands into fists and cover your neck and ears. If the dog does mean you harm, these are areas you want to protect. It is unlikely that this would happen, but it's good to know what to do if it does!

Finally, we discussed all the different types of jobs dogs have, and what every pet dogs needs at home:

Food, Water, Shelter, Love and Exercise!
(Shots and Spay/Neuter too!)

We had a blast, of course we were a huge hit with the kids, and DogBoy's is headed back to another school to do the same thing tomorrow. Who doesn't want to grow up and play with dogs? We have the best job in the whole wide world!

So if you know a kid, or a parent with kids, pass these tips along. Next week is Dog Bite Prevention Week, so let's all do our part to keep everyone safe!

Until then, keep those tails wagging!

DogGirl

Do-It-Yourself Doggie Treats!

Community User — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:36:13 GMT

[caption id="attachment_465" align="alignleft" width="224" caption="Piers shows he can "Leave It" with treats on both paws"][/caption]

If you’ve been a DogBoy’s client for any length of time, odds are good that we’ve shared our views on the importance of diet and the ingredients that go into your dog’s food. Most of us don’t think twice about limiting, say, our children’s sugar intake. After seeing my 4 year-old rampage through a store after he shared my milk shake the other day, I was forcibly reminded of why that is a good idea! Unfortunately, dog food manufacturers—especially the large companies—aren’t exactly forthcoming about the ingredients they use and can hide unhealthy ingredients behind jargon that can leave even the most conscientious dog owner scratching their head.

One solution is to make your own dog food from raw ingredients. Several of the DogBoy’s team do this, particularly our Director of Training, Paula Baker Prince. It is probably the best way to ensure that your dog’s diet contains the best possible ingredients.

If you think you might want to try home-made dog food, but want to try something maybe a little less intimidating first, you can always try to make your own dog treats. Maria Carlson, an old friend of mine, has been making her own treats for years. She says that books, blogs, even online recipe sites like Allrecipes.com are great places to look for easy to make (but yummy) dog treats. To get you started, the DogBoy’s Dog Blog presents three tasty treat recipes that will put a smile on the face (and a wag in the tail) of your favorite four-legged friends.

Our first two recipes come courtesy of Marg Pedroza, whose dog Lily is a regular daycare and Chelsea’s Charm School client. Marg knows that wheat flour isn’t the best thing for dogs—they tend to process it like sugar. Marg uses oat or potato flour but there other good alternatives out there, such as spelt or even garbanzo bean flour.

Salmon Treats a la Lily

1 can salmon (pink)

½ cup chopped parsley, or 1 bunch fresh

3 eggs, shells included

½ cup ground sesame seeds

½ cup ground flaxseeds

(NOTE: Coffee grinders work great for grinding the seeds)

2 to 3 cups potato flour

Preparation & Cooking

Marg says “Put these ingredients in a food processor and mix VERY WELL. Pour potato flour through the opening while the processor is on. Use 2-3 cups until dough forms to consistency of a pie crust and rolls into a ball—now it’s ready to take out. Dump it onto a potato-floured counter or kneading board. Knead more flour into the dough and when it’s rolled out to a cookie-dough like consistency, roll it out one last time to about a ¼-inch think. Use a knife or pizza cutter to make small squares; you can also use cookie cutters if you want to be fancy. Bake on a greased or papered cookie sheet (you will probably need 2) at 375 for 20 minutes. Turn and rotate the cookie sheets and bake for about 10 more minutes.

If cooked until crisp, you can store these biscuits at room temp for 1-2 weeks.

Sweet Salmon Aux Pommes

Ingredients:

2 medium sweet potatoes (can also substitute one can of cooked plain pumpkin)

1 can of salmon

2 ½ cups non-wheat flour (oat flour works especially well)

1 tablespoon flaxseeds (optional)

Directions:

Boil the sweet potatoes approximately 20-30 minutes until done. You should be able to easily stick a fork in them and break them apart. Put the potatoes into a food processor, add the salmon and set to “pulse.” When the salmon and sweet potato mixture is combined, add 1 cup of flour and process until smooth, then add the next cup of flour and repeat, repeating again with the last ½ cup. If adding flaxseeds, add at the end. They’ll give the treats an extra nutty flavor with the added benefit of more Omega-3 fatty acids (especially good for the skin and coat). Using a tablespoon, make “drop” cookies on a greased cookie sheet, evening out with the back of the spoon.

Bake at 425 for 30 minutes or until brown. Refrigerate.

Maria Carlson of Elkhart, Indiana and proud doggie mom of Ruby, was kind enough to share her favorite recipe—heartily endorsed by Ruby for its bacon-y goodness!

Ruby Snacks:

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 cup milk

½ cup water

1 teaspoon salt

10 tablespoons melted bacon fat

5 cups of flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Beat eggs in a large bowl; stir in milk, salt, and bacon fat until well-blended. Gradually stir in flour to make a stiff dough. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll into 2-inch balls. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 35-40 minutes and cool on racks. Store in a covered container in the fridge.

Three great recipes to get you started! If you try any (or all) of them, please let us know how they turned out. Better yet, snap a picture of the results and share them on our Facebook page. And if you and your dogs have other great recipes, don’t keep those to yourself either! Feel free to add them in the comments section below.

DogBoy's Easter Goodies

Community User — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 06:24:06 GMT

Rise and shine, Bunny Lover!

This weekend is filled with special goodies for you, and for Mother Earth too!

The Office front garden is planted with Easter Eggs, each filled with a special treat just for you. Pick one to find out what you win!

Also today in honor of Earth Day, DogBoy's will be donating 5% of your purchases to 6 non-profits committed to protecting the environment. Visit AustinGive5.comfor more information on how you can help.

Just a reminder, DogBoy's will be closed Easter Sunday to customers, but our kennel staff will still be here taking excellent care of your pups.

Easter Weekend Tips to remember:

Keep your dog away from the chocolate – it can be poisonous to them, or at the least cause a lot of digestive upset.

Boiled eggs (even colored) are fine, shell and all. Just make sure they are fresh. Break them up for the little pups. If you hide one, make sure your dog finds it!

Keep Easter grass and cellophane wrappers out of reach of dogs – they can cause intestinal blockage (and I know you don’t want to spend your holiday in the animal ER!).

Easter Lillies can be toxic, especially to cats, so keep them up high.

Finally, artificial sweeteners like Xylitol (found in many sugar-free candies) are poisonous to dogs, so keep those Easter baskets up high, and out of paw’s reach.

Have a safe and hoppy Holiday, everyone!

DogGirl

Fan Mail

Community User — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:12:58 GMT

[caption id="attachment_427" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo by Emken Photography"][/caption]

Recently, I asked you to submit your testimonials. I was overwhelmed with heartwarming letters and thank you's all over the web. I couldn't stop smiling for weeks! Without a doubt, our cup runneth over, so I felt it only appropriate to share some of them with you.

__________________________

Our dog Moab is such an important part of our family and the only place we trust to board him is Dog Boys. His is now 6 and has been going to DogBoy's since he was 6 months old. He gets so excited as we turn onto the street to enter into DogBoy's and is always a happy and tired pup when we pick him up. The staff is wonderful and we love that the animals get to play outside all day long. Thank you DogBoy's for providing such a wonderful service to allow us to feel comfortable leaving our best buddy with you.

Nikki McCormick

__________________________________________

Confessions of a Training Junkie

"Yes, I must admit it, I just can't seem to let a "semester" go by without taking another training class at Dog Boys Dog Ranch! As one class draws to a close, I eagerly scan the website for new postings and opportunities to bond and train with my dogs. We've taken puppy classes, basic and advanced obedience, and fun classes like agility and rally-obedience. When I jokingly told the director of training that I was running out of classes, I promptly found fresh offerings to consider. They LISTEN at Dog Boys! I drive 40 minutes each way to go to Dog Boys because I believe there is no better place to take my "kids", whether for training, overnight boarding, or day care. Go Dog Boys!"

– Carole Cameron (Bear, Koko, Dakota, and Mika too)

__________________________________________

My husband and I are so thankful that we discovered DogBoy's! Our two dogs have stayed there many times, either for just a night or two or as long as nine days. We always know that we can be at ease while out of town, because our dogs are so well cared for. The farm-like setting of DogBoy's is awesome. It allows for the dogs to get great exercise, and we really enjoy getting the briefing from the great staff on the dogs' activities and behavior when we pick them up. I have recommended DogBoy's to all of my dog-loving friends and co-workers without hesitation and will continue to do so.

Thank you DogBoy's for all you do,

Hollee and Dwayne Ganner

__________________________________________

I was introduced to the DogBoy world view by a friend and your place and staff are everything she described – and more. Because you are even better in person!

I am so happy that I can look forward to my vacations and times I need to travel because I know Karmo has a home away from home. He is always excited when we turn down the road to your place and comes back to me happy happy happy! Even though I usually have to bring him in an extra day or two because I live in Fredericksburg, I never worry about him getting attention and love.

Thanks for all you do,

Gaylen Tips

__________________________________________

I love DogBoy's and how they are able to keep my dog socialized. I am not in a position to get another dog to train her to be around but I do like to keep her around other dogs. DogBoy's is the place! They have playgroups that really tire the pups. I love picking Tootsie up after a play day or boarding and having a "sleeping baby" the rest of the evening! Sometimes the whole next day too. Being in an agility class with Noodle was pretty great too!

Mona Corbett

__________________________________________

And finally...

My golden retriever puppy, Murphy, had a hard time finding friendly dogs to play with. A helpful dog owner that lives near me told me about DogBoy's, and I made a reservation right away. It gave him a chance to make some friends, and get that social interaction that is so important. I have not yet boarded Murphy overnight, but he has had many wonderful playdays, and I always mention how much Murphy loves to come to DogBoy's when I meet other dog owners.

Deborah Thompson

__________________________________________

You can find more great testimonials on our Facebook Notes Page. Thank you, thank you for all the kudos, and we will continue to work hard to earn your praises!

There's a Class For That

Community User — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:44:36 GMT

[caption id="attachment_421" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Yep, we even teach kiddos about dogs."][/caption]

Good behavior comes more easily to some dogs than others. Some just seem to get that they shouldn’t jump up; they walk beautifully on leash; they don’t bark and will sit, stay, and maybe even come on command with just a little work. If you have such a dog, consider yourself blessed. You’ve won the doggie lottery! But you can still benefit from taking a class at DogBoy’s with one of our outstanding training staff.

It’s easy not to think much about training unless you have a specific issue or set of issues you want to work on with your dog. But any human-dog duo can benefit from taking a training class. “In training classes, they don't so much teach the dog but teach the human to teach the dog, and always with a 100% positive-training method. On numerous occasions, staff have stayed long after class to help us with individual issues we've had,” says Jon Campbell, whose dogs Ali and now Guinness have been long-time regulars at DogBoy’s.

If you’ve never taken a class from DogBoy’s before, the place to start will be with a Level 1 obedience class. Even if you’ve taken a basic class before or if you feel your dog has a good grasp of beginning commands like “sit,” we cover so much more. Such as: how you set up your household; how you communicate with your dog, even if you don’t realize you are; dynamics of a multiple dog household and so much more. It is the foundation for all the more advanced classes we offer. And we offer many advanced classes.

Do you want your dog to be a therapy dog? There’s a class for that. A visit from a sweet, friendly dog brightens the day of many people in nursing homes and long-term medical care. Therapy dog programs usually require passing the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program as a prerequisite, and our CGC class is focused on preparing you and your dog to take the Canine Good Citizen test at the end of the class.

Do you want to do a fun activity with your dog that will get you both some exercise? There’s a class for that. Agility and Rally Obedience are human-dog sports that will really get you and your dog moving while deepening that bond and really improving your communication skill with your pooch. Our classes don’t emphasize competition, but if you decide you’d like to compete in Rally or Agility with your dog you’ll have a good head start. Kari Trecker, who has taken Agility with her dog Freida, talked about another benefit of taking Agility or any other class with your pup—confidence building. In a review posted on Yelp!, Kari says “She [Freida] was so happy when she completed an obstacle!”

Do you want to help your children learn to handle your family dog and learn how to be safe with strange dogs? There’s a class for that. Family Dynamics, which has evolved from our former “Kids and Dogs” class, is geared toward children ages six to twelve with an eye towards helping them be respectful toward their own and other dogs.

Do you have a new puppy? There’s a class for that, too! Our Totally Puppy! class is for dogs ages 8 to 16 weeks (dogs must be able to finish the class by age 20 weeks). It is a constantly rotating four-week class with no set beginning or ending date. You can start any time and attend for four consecutive weeks. There is a golden window of opportunity at that age for your pup to gain maximum benefit from exposure to new dogs, people and places. Best of all, our Puppy Class helps you start off on the right paw with your family’s newest member.

Our mission at DogBoy’s is to help you have the happiest, healthiest, most well-adjusted dog possible, and our training classes are a big part of that mission. Our Certified Professional Dog Trainers will even arrange private lessons if you want to work on a specific issue with your dog. Please visit our website or call us for more information. Remember: training isn’t just for “bad” dogs!

Keep Your Dog Safe In the Cold

Community User — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:06:33 GMT

[caption id="attachment_415" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bundle up out there. It's about to get COLD!"][/caption]

One of my cousins lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, where her Air Force husband is currently stationed, and she was joking to me recently how a 35 degree day felt like a heat wave. In Austin, we’re more used to worrying about the heat than the cold, and for good reason: it can hit the 90s or higher in May and usually stays there in October. But as news of recent ice storms and our own chilly days and sub-freezing nights have reminded us, we can get cold here too, especially in January and February.

As they do in the summer, DogBoys’ dedicated and tireless kennel staff are on watch to make sure no dog is suffering in the cold while they come for boarding or daycare. Many of our regulars feel extra-frisky on nice crisp mornings and you can see them running and playing in our many playgroups. And if you can’t see them, you can certainly hear them! These dogs are having a great time. But just as some dogs are particularly vulnerable to the heat, others feel the cold more. Questions about warmth in our kennel buildings is a common question this time of year. Rest assured—both of our kennels are heated and our larger, newer kennel building even has radiant heating in the floors. The older kennel has sliding doors in each of the runs that we shut at night to keep the heat in, and we put down blankets for everyone. Both kennels are fully climate controlled as well. With all that, the dogs stay nice and toasty!

Many owners of short-haired breeds like Weimaraners, Viszlas, Greyhounds and Pointers will bring specially-made dog jackets on very cold days, and we welcome them. You can purchase them in many pet stores like our local Tomlinson's or online; if you’re handy with a crochet hook or knitting needles, you can even make your own (Knitting Pattern Central has a great selection of free dog sweater patterns available for download). Either way, we are happy to put them on your dog but be warned—those sweaters can take a beating in playgroup!

What about when they’re at home? If your dogs are mostly indoor dogs, they’ll be fine. However, if we get snow, sleet or ice you will want to check between your dog’s pads to make sure none of that is stuck there. Even more importantly, salt and chemicals used to melt ice on roads and sidewalks can burn dogs’ pads, so you will want to wipe your dog’s feet off right away if you need to take a walk on any salted surfaces. You will also want to make sure antifreeze is stored where your dog can't get at it.

If you have an outdoor dog, take care. If you have a cold weather breed like a husky or Malamute with a thick coat, they’ll probably be fine even on Austin’s coldest days. In fact, a husky who’s a daycare regular at DogBoy’s even prefers sleeping outside on chilly nights! Short-coated dogs, or older dogs with arthritis or other health issues should spend chilly nights indoors, as they will be more prone to hypothermia and, in extreme cold, frostbite.

As with Austin’s hot summers, dogs are vulnerable to the same effects of cold as we are. Odds are good that if you need to take precautions when the temperatures plunge, your dog will need them too. If you are coming for boarding or daycare, take a moment with us to warm yourself by the fire and have some hot chocolate or cider before going out again. Bundle up!

Why I Love Charm School at DogBoy's

Community User — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:06:24 GMT

In Flash's words as told to his owner Sharon:

[caption id="attachment_394" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Rebecca and her boy Murphy"][/caption]

My primary trainer--Rebecca--is very nice and very smart and teaches me many things.

I receive treats for being a "good boy" such as when I walk politely on a leash around the big fields at DogBoy's, jump through the tire on the agility field, come when called and even when I am relaxing quietly--how cool is that?

Rebecca must think that I am very handsome and a good performer because she films me during our training sessions and shows the videos to my owner.

I have met many trainers who play fun games with me and help me learn to trust people.

I am also meeting some lovely canine ladies so I can improve my doggie socialization skills.

There are always plenty of friendly faces to kiss, fun places to explore and new smells to investigate.

I can't wait until it's time to go to Charm School again!

Yours truly,

Flash

[caption id="attachment_404" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Flash"][/caption]

New Years Resolutions from the DogBoy's Staff Dogs

Community User — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:43:43 GMT

[caption id="attachment_388" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Pancake Weighs in on Resolutions for 2011"][/caption]

Here at DogBoy’s, we take dog whispering to a whole new level. Not only do our own dogs come, sit and stay (well…most of the time), they each told me their goals for 2011. Be sure to visit our biography page for photos! Without further ado, here are our pets' resolutions for the coming year:

Graham Robison: I want to do more than just lay around under a sage bush all day in playgroup.

Dottie Slaughter: I want to make new friends and not be such a mama’s girl!

Tessa Emken: I want to cut down on eating sticks of butter that the kids leave on the counter. My vet says it’s bad for my cholesterol.

Jack “Mooper” Mundy: I want to stop helping mom clean out the litterbox. If you know what I mean.

Max Semple: I want to be braver when my big brother Ralphie isn’t around.

Murphy Andrews: I want to try to stop getting breakfast tacos based on my good looks.

Hoosier Robison: I want to give Mikey, my two-legged housemate, more kisses (easy); I want to stop accidentally flipping the switch on the power strip under the desk and turning off the computer while dad’s in the middle of a game of Civilization V (hard).

Oliver Porter: I want to stop chasing cars!

Mika Olczak: I want to treat my brother, CK the cat, more politely, even though his loud meows make me think he really likes getting rolled onto his back. Also, I want to take the stairs more slowly—tripping up them at full speed really hurts!

Noodle Emken: I want to be more polite to the visitors at my house. And to help DogGirl come up with more great Nuggets in 2011.

Cajun Slaughter: I want to stop trying to break through gates with my big head!

Sadie Korpi: I want to create a bucket list in 2011 that includes meeting my children, swimming where I can't touch and becoming a calendar girl.

Ralphie Semple: I’m going to be more polite to strangers.

Gib Andrews: I’m going to stop fighting with dogs on the other side of the fence. Unless they start it. Then it’s on like Donkey Kong!

Rebel Emken: I want to get off the couch and run with the bike. Oh yeah, and I want to get better about coming inside when I'm out in the front yard!

Tyler Porter: I want to cut back on stolen table scraps.

Telo Slaughter: I want to travel more with mom.

Brownie Webber: I will try not to chase my housemate kitty Elise around the apartment anymore.

Zoe Korpi: I hope to see the world in more than just black, white and ham.

Pancake Barncat: I will stop leaving “presents” in the flower bed in front of the office. Also, I will find a better napping spot in the office than the out tray on the desk.

From the DogBoy's family--two- and four-legged--to yours, all the best for a great 2011!