DogBoy's Dog Blog

This is a repost of an article we printed in 2011. The info is still important to remember each and every winter - Enjoy!

Dogs are Social...
Dogs are very social beings, not only with us but with other dogs as well. It’s important for our dogs to spend time with other dogs. By interacting with others, dogs get exercise, the ability to socialize, mental stimulation, and play can be just plain old fun. 

Dog parks allow us the opportunity to have our dogs off-leash, get exercise and enjoy the company of other dogs. Knowing what to be aware of when dogs are playing can mean the difference between a safe, fun time, and our dogs learning unwanted behaviors, becoming injured or having traumatic experiences. Safe dog play generally consists of two dogs both participating and playing in a similar style.

Longshanks, my imaginary everydog, had been napping around the house all week and really needed to get some fresh air. While he may have been thinking about a backyard potty break, I was thinking a grand hike at the lake! When we finished exploring, Longshanks was tired and ready for some rest, but he was limping a bit on his way back to the car. Did he sprain something? Roll or strain something? Step on a thorn? No, the poor boy’s pads were torn. Luckily, there’s something we can do about it.

Some pups just can't wait to get to the Ranch!  Follow these easy steps to becoming a customer at the best boarding, daycare and training facility in the Austin area:

We know leash laws can be a pain in the backside when it comes to public spaces.  At DogBoy's, safety is one of our main points of focus here so we want to explain our leash policy in a little more detail.

This was reprinted with permission from Don Hanson of Green Acres Kennel Shop.  Don is the moderator of Kennel-L, an email list for pet care facility operators.

As owners, operators and employees of boarding kennels and daycares we are entrusted with the care of our client’s pets, which in many cases are also our client’s best friends. Our treatment of those pets should be as kind and compassionate as the care we would provide to our own best friends or our own children. If you wouldn’t or shouldn’t do something to an infant, you shouldn’t be doing it to a pet. Spraying them with squirt bottles, or shocking them with electronic collars is not “pet friendly,” is unlikely to resolve the real problem, and is totally unnecessary. Most pets that act out at a kennel do so out of fear, frustration and stress. Intimidating or punishing them is only going to increase their stress.

Being Pet Friendly means we NEVER use, recommend, sell, or rent the following: remote shock collars, underground fence systems using shock or citronella, anti-bark collars using electric shock or citronella, choke collars, or prong collars.

As we offer training classes or behavior consultation services we are committed to using positive reinforcement based training.

We continue our education on pet care and behavior and understand that dominance is an outdated construct that has done far more harm than good and proactively educate our clients on this matter.

Thankfully, at DogBoy's Dog Ranch, you can rest assured that we are a pet friendly facility, and will always be a pet friendly facility!

Here are some websites and articles that are good reference for the positive pet friendly movement:

AVSAB Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in the Behavior of Animals - http://tiny.cc/BoliX

AVSAB Position Statement on the Use of Punishment for the Behavior Modification of Animals - http://tiny.cc/p5jYg

AVSAB Letter Expressing Concerns About the reality TV Show “The Dog Whisperer” - http://tinyurl.com/m7zhs6

Vets on Behavior Proclaim Never Use Shock Collars - http://www.goodnewsforpets.com/Articles.asp?ID=147#

Dr. Mech’s Paper – Alpha Status, Dominance and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs - http://tiny.cc/ycQeU

Truly Dog Friendly web site - http://www.trulydogfriendly.com/trulydogfriendly/blog/

If you'd like to know more about what makes DogBoy's a pet friendly facility, come for a group tour, Saturday's at Noon. 

At DogBoy's Dog Ranch, we believe that senior dogs deserve a little extra care during their boarding and day care visits. Senior dogs, also lovingly called "Oldies" often have different needs than our younger, more playful pups.  Here are just a handful of ways we go the extra mile with our geriatric dogs:

Think all dog boarding facilities are the same?  Of course not! There are as many different types of pet care facilities and boarding kennels as there are dog breeds almost.  But one thing's for sure.  Pricing varies greatly from one pet care facility to another, and the more you educate yourself on the subject, the smarter shopper you'll be. 

It was 1:30 pm on Christmas Day.  I was headed out to open presents with our boarders for our annual Santa Paws Celebration.  My santa hat was snuggly and warm on my head, I was all doody-ed up in my Christmas vest and my arms were filled with presents for puppies. 

It's 10:30 pm on a Saturday night.  You may be out on the town partying with friends or snuggled up in bed watching SNL.  I am up, donning my PJ's and slippers and headed out to the kennel to give Traxx his late night medication.