Puppy Training for Urban Life

All puppies need training in order to learn how to behave, but those who live in the city can benefit from specialized training. Living in Chicago means that most puppies don’t have a fenced-in yard to run around in. Instead, they’re out on the sidewalk going for walks around the neighborhood, or spending time in other public places filled with people, other pets and a lot of noise. Urban life can create certain challenges for puppies, but the right training can help ensure that they grow to be happy, well-adjusted pets.


Obedience Training
Teaching verbal commands is an important part of keeping puppies safe in the city. Obedience training helps puppies learn to stay or sit on command, which can stop them from getting hurt or getting into trouble when they’re out in public. DoGone Fun offers puppy training courses that teach puppies how to obey specific commands, even with distractions around. Since city streets and other public places are filled with distractions, these courses offer a valuable training experience.


House Training
Having a puppy in the city can be a challenge in terms of house training, since you can’t just let your puppy out the door when he needs to go. At DoGone Fun, our puppy training courses include proper house training for dogs that live in the city. This training can make it easier for you to ensure that your puppy learns how to let you know that he needs to go out, which helps reduce accidents in your home.


Socialization and City Life
Being a city dog means being exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds on a regular basis. Puppies can become overwhelmed and afraid of these new experiences without proper socialization. Going through our puppy training courses provides your pup with a number of chances to meet other puppies, get used to being in new surroundings and adapt to new experiences. This is all part of making sure that your puppy learns how to behave appropriately around others and does not regard new settings or situations as something to fear.

Doggy Day Care – Is It Right For My Dog?

When you aren’t able to be home during the day to spend time with your dog, day care might be an option to consider. Having your dog go to doggy day care ensures that she has a chance to burn off energy and make new friends on a regular basis. This helps reduce boredom and provides plenty of physical and mental stimulation for your dog. How do you know if this option is a good one for your pet? Keep the following in mind.


Temperament Assessments
Dogs who are going to be joining doggy day care at DoGone Fun must go through a temperament assessment first. This assessment is an important part of making sure that all dogs who participate in day care play sessions are as safe as possible. While many dogs have temperaments that are suitable for this type of social setting, others might have qualities that could create an unsafe environment. For example, dogs who are afraid of other dogs might snap or act out due to their fear. Other dogs might show signs of aggression, such as lunging, that make it dangerous for them to take part in doggy day care.


Basic Obedience
Does your dog obey basic commands, such as “stay?” It’s helpful for dogs to have basic obedience training if they’re going to be in a doggy day care facility. This makes it easier for staff members to ensure that all dogs are able to play safely. If your dog hasn’t had basic obedience training yet, keep in mind that DoGone Fun offers individual and group training sessions. Your dog can learn to follow certain commands, then join in the fun with their day care group.


Socialization
Socialization is a core part of ensuring that dogs learn how to behave properly in different situations and around other dogs, pets and people. If your dog doesn’t get out much, doggy day care is a great way to provide her with plenty of socialization opportunities. At DoGone Fun, your dog can spend a few or several hours each day playing and having fun with other dogs.

Ways to make Long Term Boarding for Dogs a happy experience.

When your dog can’t be home for awhile for certain reasons, long-term boarding can be a good place for him to stay. Whether you’re going on a long trip abroad or having your home renovated, finding a boarding facility for your dog to stay can provide you with peace of mind. However, what about your dog’s own peace of mind? Your dog might not be happy about being away from home at first, but there are things you can do to improve his experience.


Find a Clean and Safe Dog Boarding Facility
The dog boarding facility you choose should provide dogs with an environment that is both clean and safe. When you tour the facility, make sure that dogs have clean water to drink and that there are no messes left lying around. The boarding facility should also have a safe and enclosed play area, as well as knowledgeable staff members who supervise dogs.


Consider Short-Term Stays First
Having your dog do a couple of short-term stays at the dog boarding facility before doing a long-term stay can also help. These short stays give your dog a chance to get used to the new surroundings and get to know staff members. If you’re worried about how your dog will handle a long-term stay, consider scheduling a stay for one or two days first. If the facility offers doggy day care playtime, you might also want to consider doing this for a few days or even a week before the long-term stay. This will allow your dog to become familiar with the boarding facility, staff, and being around other dogs.


Pack a Favorite Toy or Familiar Item
When you’re getting your dog’s supplies ready for boarding, pack one of his favorite toys or an item that reminds him of home, such as a blanket or one of your shirts. Having this kind of item around can help your dog adjust to staying at a long-term boarding facility. His favorite toy gives him something to play with, while a blanket or shirt have familiar scents on them to help him feel at home.

Getting your Dog ready for the Chicago winter

Chicago winters can be brutal when temperatures drop well below freezing and snow storms hit. This kind of weather can make it difficult for dogs to spend time outdoors, even when it’s just a quick dog walk so they can do their business. Take the following steps now to prepare your dog for winter weather.


Cover Your Dog to Keep Out the Cold
Bringing dogs outside in winter when they’re used to milder weather is hard for them to adjust to, especially if they have a thinner coat. Put a doggy coat or jacket on your pup when you head outdoors for walks. Having this kind of covering on helps keep their body warm and protected from wind and cold. If it’s snowing and their coat or jacket gets wet, take it off right away when you get back home. Wearing cold and wet apparel can raise their risk of dangerous health issues, such as hypothermia.


Protect Your Dog’s Paws
A coat or jacket helps keep a dog’s body warmer overall, but don’t forget about their paws. Having to walk on freezing concrete can be uncomfortable and lead to injuries. Dogs that have to walk over rock salt on sidewalks can end up with burnt paw pads. The pads on their paws can also become cracked from exposure to the cold, and freezing temperatures can increase their risk of having frostbitten feet. Have your dog wear a pair of dog booties when you go out for walks. These booties protect your dog’s paws and lower the risk of injuries. Make sure you take them off as soon as you get home, so your dog won’t spread salt around your home. Licking this rock salt can be dangerous for dogs.


Look Into Indoor Fun
When it’s too cold for playtime outdoors, consider putting your dog in doggy daycare. This gives your dog a warm and safe place to stay physically active and spend time with other pups. With doggy daycare, you won’t have to worry about frostbite and other winter woes, and your dog won’t get bored being cooped up at home.

Options for your dog while you’re away for the holidays

The holiday season is often a busy time thanks to family gatherings, work parties and other festive activities. If you plan on driving or flying elsewhere to see your family for the holidays or if you have a packed social schedule during this season, you’ll have to figure out how to make sure that your dog is cared for and has some company. These are just a few different options that are available for pet owners during the holidays.


Consider a Dog Walker
If you’re not going out of town, but you have several holiday festivities going on, look into hiring a dog walker. Professional dog walkers can stop by your home as often as needed to take your dog for walks. This allows your dog to eliminate regularly, get some physical activity and have plenty of attention when you’re not home. This can provide you with peace of mind as you go about your holiday activities.


Hire a Pet Sitter
Hiring a pet sitter to come to your home and care for your dog is another option to consider. Pet sitters can take dogs for walks, play with them, feed them, give them medicine if needed, and perform other tasks. However, keep in mind that some pet sitters only stop by a few times a day or less, which means your dog won’t have as much company overall. If you hire an in-home sitter, you would have to be comfortable letting someone you don’t know stay in your home while you’re away.


Find a Pet Boarding Facility
Boarding your dog is a better option if you’ll be away for the holidays and want to make sure that he has a lot of attention. Find a pet boarding facility that provides a clean and safe place for dogs and has friendly and experienced staff available to supervise them. You can also find pet boarding places that offer other services such as spa services, gourmet treats, and training sessions. If you choose this option for your dog, check the facility’s requirements for boarding, which usually include certain vaccinations and a temperament assessment.

Manage that dog hair with a Grooming Service designed for unruly shedding

During spring and fall, your clothes and furniture can easily end up covered in a coat of dog hair. It’s not just dogs with long, thick coats that shed. You also have to deal with dog hair everywhere when you have a dog with a shorter coat. While you can’t do anything to stop shedding from happening, you can do something about minimizing the amount of hair that gets all over.


Shed Management Program
At DoGone Fun, we offer a special grooming program that’s designed to address shedding and eliminate it as much as possible. In fact, this 8 to 10 step program can reduce shedding by 60 to 80 percent. This means you’ll have a lot less dog hair to deal with on your clothes and in your home. Since this program also reduces the amount of pet dander overall, friends or family with allergies might be able to visit you without sneezing and sniffling.


Keep in mind that this program works best when you have grooming done about every 4 to 6 weeks while your dog is shedding. How often your dog will need to be groomed depends on the type of coat and its length. Dogs with heavier coats or ones that shed more will need to come in more often. The grooming techniques we use for this Shed Management Program can effectively reduce shedding without damaging your dog’s skin or living hair. Your dog will still shed naturally, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy coat, but the amount of hair and dander in your home will be less.


If your dog isn’t used to being groomed, we recommend starting as early as possible. This can help ease any anxiety your dog might have about being handled. Getting your dog used to grooming at an early age makes it easier to stick to a regular grooming schedule, especially during shedding season. At DogGone Fun, we understand how nervous some dogs can be, and we take steps to make them feel as calm as possible. Our trained staff know how to provide grooming services while also keeping dogs comfortable.

Keeping your dog calm during the holidays

The holiday season is hectic enough for humans. Imagine what it’s like for dogs who don’t really understand what all the commotion is about. When you have a busy schedule during the holidays and gatherings to attend, your dog could act up out of anxiety or boredom. You can help your dog remain happy and calm throughout the holidays with these simple tips.


Go Through Training
Even if your dog already knows basic obedience commands, it doesn’t hurt to go over them again and make sure that she knows what to do. If your dog hasn't had any obedience training so far, it’s important to teach her a few basic commands, such as “down” or “stay.” This can help you have more control over your dog’s behavior when you have holiday guests over, especially if she’s the type that tends to get excited and jump on people. Remember that you should never reward jumping or other unacceptable behavior with attention.


Keep Pet Toys Handy
If your dog will be spending a lot of time without you, make sure that you have plenty of toys available to keep her occupied. Give her safe chew toys, so she can gnaw away her frustration. You can also give her puzzle toys to figure out, since these challenging toys are ideal for preventing boredom. Keep in mind that dogs who are bored, anxious or frustrated can end up having behavioral issues, such as eliminating in the house or barking too much.


Look Into Doggy Daycare
Putting your dog in a daycare setting is a great idea when you’ll be busier than usual with holiday preparations or other activities. Doggie daycare provides opportunities for your dog to stay active and have fun playing with other dogs. This helps keep her brain and body busy, which lowers the risk of behavioral problems. If you’ll be traveling for the holidays, consider boarding your dog at a facility where she can spend time with other dogs. Instead of being cooped up and bored at home, she’ll have plenty of company and many chances to be physically active.

Grooming Through The Winter Months

Dogs usually don’t spend as much time outside running around in winter as they do in summer, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need grooming. Your dog won't end up covered in dirt or mud when it’s snowy out, but regular grooming is still essential. Find out more about how you should groom your dog during winter.


Brush Your Dog’s Coat Regularly
Dogs can get matted or tangled coats in winter. When you don’t remove mats, your dog might need to get a haircut. With a shorter coat, your dog will have a more difficult time keeping warm outdoors in winter. You should brush your dog’s coat on a regular basis throughout winter. Keep in mind that the brush you’ll need and how often you should brush depend on the type of coat your dog has. Dogs with longer coats are more prone to getting mats and tangles than dogs with shorter coats.


Use a Moisturizing Shampoo
Some dogs develop dryness or skin irritation when it’s cold out. Regular dog shampoos can be too harsh on their skin during this time. If you have a dog who gets skin problems in winter, switch to a dog shampoo that has moisturizing or soothing ingredients, such as oatmeal. This can help your dog’s skin stay in good condition all season long. Make sure that you don’t bathe your dog too often in winter, since this can increase the risk of dry and irritated skin. Most dogs will only need a bath every few weeks or even every other month in winter.


Trim Your Dog’s Nails
Many dogs go on shorter walks during winter due to the cold and snow, which means they’re not spending as much time walking on concrete. When dogs walk around on sidewalks, this helps keep their nails from getting too long. With shorter walks, your dog could end up with longer nails that can be uncomfortable to walk on. Longer nails can also get snagged on rugs or furniture and tear off. Check your dog’s nails frequently in winter, and keep them trimmed to prevent this from happening.

How Can I Keep My Dog Sociable In The Winter

Dogs need regular social interaction in order to prevent boredom and keep them feeling happy. When it’s cold outside, making sure that your dog stays social can be difficult. If you would rather avoid local dog parks when it’s freezing out, there are other ways for your dog to socialize with other dogs.


Importance of Socialization for Dogs
Dogs are social animals who thrive on being around others. Without regular social interaction, dogs might have trouble interacting with other dogs in a healthy manner. They might be scared or even become aggressive if they haven’t learned how to act properly with other dogs. Socialization allows them to learn the right ways to behave when they are around others.


Social interaction on a regular basis also provides dogs with another important benefit. Spending time with other dogs gives them a chance to keep their brain and body busy, which helps lower the risk of behavioral issues that stem from boredom. With regular socialization, you’ll have a happy and well-behaved dog.


Ideas for Socialization When It’s Cold Out
Freezing weather, snowstorms and other winter woes can make it challenging to make sure that your dog has time to be with other dogs. When you can’t meet up with other dog owners outside for some playtime, there are other options available, such as doggy daycare.


At DoGone Fun, we provide a warm, safe and stimulating environment where your dog can interact with other dogs all winter long. You can drop your dog off in the morning before work and come back in the evening, or choose a shorter doggy daycare schedule if that works better for you. Either way, your dog will have plenty of time for playing and socializing with other dogs while staying warm and comfortable.


Keep in mind that there are options available if you want to arrange any playtime with fellow dog owners during the winter. DoGone Fun has a spacious indoor playroom for you pooch available to rent on Sunday afternoons from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. This is a great way for your dog to see their usual friends this winter.

What happens when you drop your dogs off at daycare?

What happens when you drop your dogs off at daycare? While your dogs get to run around and play with other dogs, they do have some structure to their day. Find out more about what daycare for dogs is like at DoGone Fun.

After Arriving

When you bring your dogs to daycare in the morning, you’ll have a warm greeting from a play lot attendant. You can say goodbye to your dogs for the day, then leave them in the care of the attendant. Our attendant will ensure that they’re kept safe until it’s time to play.

Breakfast and Morning Playtime

If you requested breakfast, this takes place around 8 am. The boarding dogs at our facility also eat their breakfast during this time. When all of the dogs are finished eating, they’re ready to go outside to our play area, where they can spend a few hours playing together. Keep in mind that if you’ve signed up for training, your dogs will have short training sessions a number of times during the day.

Lunch and Afternoon Break

Daycare and boarding dogs have lunch, if requested, at noon each day. When lunch is over with, all of the dogs can spend some time relaxing and taking a break until afternoon playtime starts. This break gives your dogs an opportunity to unwind, which helps prevent them from becoming too stimulated or tired out.

Afternoon Playtime

After taking a break, your dogs will head back out to the play area for afternoon playtime. This gives them more time to play with other dogs and burn off more energy for the day.

Afternoon Baths

If you requested baths, which are available as part of our daycare for dogs services, this happens in the afternoon. After having a bath and any other grooming services you have requested, your dogs will be nice and clean for pickup time.

Dinnertime

If your dogs are staying late and you’ve requested dinner, they’ll eat between 5 and 6 pm. When they’re done eating, they’ll be able to rest until you come by to get them at the end of the day.

Regular Pet Grooming

Regular grooming is an essential part of caring for pets, but not all of these tasks are easy to do on your own. Bringing pets to a pet grooming place means that you can have professional groomers handle bathing, brushing, nail clipping and other tasks that you don’t have time to do or have trouble doing at home. When you look around for a pet grooming place to take your pets to, it’s important to find a reputable one. Take the following factors into consideration when making your decision.

Ask for a Tour

You can tell a lot about grooming facilities by the condition they’re kept in. Ask if you can take a look around in the areas where pets are groomed. These areas should have good lighting and the proper supplies for pet grooming. They should also be as clean as possible, which helps lower the risk of illnesses, infections and injuries.

Bring Up Questions and Concerns

Doing this helps you determine if the staff at the grooming facility have plenty of experience. Staff members should be able to answer your questions about the grooming process and address any concerns you have. For example, if you have timid pets, how would the groomers make sure they’re comfortable while being handled? Staff should also closely supervise pets if they use blow-drying units, since too much time in these can be life-threatening.

Look Over the List of Services

You can depend on pet grooming facilities for basic services, such as bathing, haircuts, nail trims, ear cleaning and brushing. If you need additional services or more specialized ones, make sure that the place offers them. Whether you’re interested in dental care services, breed-specific haircuts or medicated shampoos for health issues, check with the facility to see if these are offered. Keep in mind that some places also provide services that will pamper your pet, such as aromatherapy, paw massages and nail coloring.

Finding the right pet grooming place provides you with peace of mind that your pets will receive quality care while also being kept safe.

What can you expect when boarding your dog?

What can you expect when boarding your dog? If this is a new experience for you, the following tips can come in handy.

1. Make sure shots are up-to-date.

Your dogs will need to have a current rabies vaccine, along with other shots. Bring proof of these vaccines with you to a dog boarding facility.

2. You’ll need to see the place in person.

Don’t set up boarding at a place without visiting it first. Walk around the place to see if it’s clean and well-maintained.

3. Your dogs might need a behavioral assessment.

Dog boarding places do these for safety reasons. Dogs must pass these assessments and not show any signs of aggression in order to participate in playtime.

4. Book dog boarding as early as you can.

These places tend to fill up quickly at certain times, such as during the holiday season. Make your reservations early, so you won’t miss out.

5. Find a place with around-the-clock staff.

Some boarding places aren’t staffed at all times, which can be unsafe for dogs. Choose a place that has staff on the premises on a 24/7 basis.

6. Find out about emergency care.

Ask how emergencies are handled. Dog boarding places typically take dogs to the nearest clinic, but it’s best to make sure beforehand.

7. Sign up for playtime.

If you don’t want your dogs in kennels all day long, sign them up for play sessions. They’ll have fun, stay active and be around other dogs.

8. Ask about bringing dog food from home.

In most cases, it’s fine to bring your own dog food from home. Just let the staff know about it, so they’ll give your dogs the right food.

9. Check out the perks.

Find out if the facility has perks available, such as one-on-one time with staff members or special treats.

10. Put special care instructions in writing.

Most places are willing to accommodate special requests, such as administering medication, but make sure you put it in writing. This helps ensure that your dogs receive any special care they need during their stay.

The Importance of Dog Daycare and Boarding

Your dog is an important part of your life, but it’s not always possible or practical to spend time with him. Whether you have to leave your dog alone while you work or leave your dog home while you travel, there are options to consider that will keep him safe and happy. Dog daycare and boarding offer solutions for owners who can’t have their dog with them at certain times.

Daycare for Dogs

Since most workplaces don’t allow dogs, it’s common for pet owners to leave them at home while they work. If you’re in this situation and want to prevent your dog from being bored or lonely, consider dog daycare. These facilities give dogs a chance to stay active several hours per day while their owners are at work or busy outside the house. You can sign your dog up for daycare a certain number of hours per week or just on specific days when you know you won’t be around.

Keep in mind that you might also want to look into dog daycare if you work from home. Daycare offers a number of benefits for dogs, such as encouraging socialization with other dogs and helping them stay physically and mentally stimulated. Dog daycare also helps reduce the risk of your dog behaving inappropriately or destructively at home when you’re gone due to boredom.

Boarding for Dogs

If you’ll be away from home for a few days or longer, consider dog boarding as an option. Instead of having to arrange for a pet sitter to come to your home while you’re gone, you can have your dog stay at a quality boarding facility that offers a safe environment and opportunities to play with other dogs. When your dog boards, he’ll have round-the-clock care, plenty of chances to eliminate when needed and the company of other dogs.

Dog daycare and boarding can provide you with peace of mind when you can’t be with your dog due to work or travel. Just make sure you choose a high-quality facility with a caring staff and a clean environment.

Dog Grooming...Not The Same for All Dogs

Keeping your dog’s coat, skin and nails in good condition is an important part of ensuring
that she stays happy and healthy. However, the approach you use for dog grooming isn’t
necessarily the same for all dogs. Your dog’s temperament and personality can play a big
role in determining how to properly groom her. If your dog has any of the following, you’ll
need to adjust your grooming techniques accordingly.

Fearful Temperament

If your dog is fearful, she might give you a hard time about getting bathed or having her
paws handled when you try to trim her nails. If your dog becomes timid about grooming,
even if she’s fine at other times, you’ll have to take steps to make sure she’s more
comfortable about it. This includes staying calm, keeping your voice relaxed and building
a positive association with grooming. You don’t want your dog to see it as a negative
experience. Giving your dog a treat or a toy as a reward or a distraction can help make
grooming more pleasant for her.

High Energy Level

If you have a dog who has high energy levels, grooming can be difficult to do. Your dog
might be too excited to stay still for bathing, brushing or having her nails trimmed. If your
dog is a big one, this can make grooming even more of a challenge. One of the most
effective ways to get your dog to calm down for grooming is to tire her out beforehand.
Let her out in the yard to burn off energy or play with her inside your home. She’ll have
less energy during grooming, which should help her keep calmer for you.

Aggressive Behavior

Your dog might exhibit aggressive behavior, such as snapping or growling, when you try
to groom her. She might do this if she’s highly fearful or if she has a medical condition or
injury that hurts when you handle her. Your vet can rule out health problems and injuries
for you. If her aggressive behavior continues, consider bringing her to a professional pet
groomer for help.

Puppy Boarding Requirements

Boarding is a convenient option for most dogs when their owners have to be away from home, but what about puppies? Since puppies are generally more vulnerable and more at risk of certain illnesses, boarding facilities usually have requirements about age. Find out more about puppy boarding, so you can properly plan ahead for an upcoming trip.

Age Requirements

You won’t be able to board a newborn puppy or one that’s only a few weeks old, but you should be able to find a place for boarding when your puppy is around a few months old. Puppy boarding facilities maintain these requirements in an effort to prevent puppies from becoming sick from kennel cough and other contagious illnesses. Younger dogs have a higher risk of complications from some of these diseases. In general, you’ll find that boarding places require puppies to have at least one round of vaccines before being allowed to stay there. This typically means that puppies around three months old or older can board. If you’re concerned about health risks that your puppy might face while being around other dogs, consider waiting until after her second round of vaccines to board her. Puppies usually get this second round when they’re about four months old.

Vaccine Requirements

For the safety of all dogs that board, dog boarding facilities require up-to-date vaccinations. Your puppy won’t be able to board if she hasn’t had any, but she should be allowed to if she’s had her rabies vaccine and any other required vaccinations. It’s best to check with the dog boarding facility to learn more about vaccine requirements.

Parasite Concerns

Puppies with parasites, such as worms, won’t be able to board. Most boarding places won’t allow dogs to board unless you can prove that your puppy is free of worms and other parasites. This is also done in order to keep all dogs in the facility safe and reduce the risk of parasite infestations. When boarding, you can expect to be asked to prove that your puppy has gone through the deworming process and doesn’t have fleas or other parasites.

Dog Training Collars for Walking

Getting your dog used to walking on a leash requires a lot of training. When you’re working on dog training for leashes, it’s important to choose the right kind of collar. Learn more about the different types that are available.

Flat Buckle or Snap Collar

These are common dog collars that many dogs wear. Although they’re good for carrying ID tags, they’re not a great choice for dog training. Your dog can easily get out of one if it’s on too loose, and she’ll still be able to lunge and pull when you take her out for walks.

Head Halter or Head Collar

If your dog tends to pull on the leash a lot, a head halter or collar can reduce this behavior. This type of collar goes over the head and moves your dog in the opposite direction if she pulls. The idea behind this is to teach her that pulling won’t get her where she wants to go, which should cause her to stop. Just remember that it could take a bit of time for your dog to adjust to wearing this kind of collar. If you plan on using a head halter or collar, make sure you get one that fits right. This helps ensure that it works correctly and doesn’t harm your dog.

Martingale Collar

Martingale collars are usually a good choice for dogs that have a thicker neck and smaller head, since they can get out of regular collars with ease. These collars have a bigger loop that fits around your dog’s neck and a small loop that holds the leash. If your dog pulls, the bigger loop gets tighter in order to stop your dog from getting loose.

Prong, Shock and Choke Collars

These types of collars are inhumane ones to use for dog training. They teach dogs by causing them pain or discomfort, such as choking them or pinching their skin. Avoid using these collars and choose a humane one instead, so your dog will learn to walk on a leash without learning to fear you.

What Happens When I Board My Dog?

Knowing what to expect when you bring your dog into DoGone Fun for boarding can help you feel more comfortable about it. Your dog will enjoy plenty of playtime, get a good night’s rest every night and be given attention so she won’t feel lonely. The following provides you with a look at how your dog’s day will go when you bring her in for dog boarding.

Morning Routine

Drop off times for dogs are between 7 and 9 a.m. After you drop your dog off, she’ll have a chance to meet some of the other dogs at our facility. We’ll give her breakfast at 8 a.m., then let her play outdoors with her new friends. If you signed your dog up for obedience training during dog boarding, we’ll have these sessions in the morning and in the early afternoon.

Afternoon Routine

Dogs at our facility get a break from playing around mid-day. Your dog will have lunch at 12 p.m. if you requested a meal at this time. If not, your dog will have a chance to relax and take a nap for an hour or so before heading back outside for more playtime. If your dog will be getting a bath or having any grooming done, this usually happens during the afternoon. Afterwards, your dog can play outside again. Keep in mind that our facility has an indoor play area in addition to an outdoor play area, so your dog can have plenty of playtime even when the weather’s bad. You can also check on your dog during playtime by viewing our webcam.

Evening Routine

When your dog stays with us for dog boarding, she’ll have dinner between 5 and 6 p.m. The evening hours at our facility are more relaxed, so that dogs can calm down and sleep well at night. Since they get more than eight hours of playtime, they need this time to rest. If you’re unable to pick up your dog by late afternoon or early evening, we have later pickup times available during the week from 7 to 10 p.m.

What do dog groomers actually do?

Professional dog groomers are responsible for handling many different tasks that help dogs stay in good health and look their best. They also have other responsibilities that don’t directly involve handling dogs, such as cleaning up the grooming area. Find out more about what dog grooming is like for those who do this professionally.

Customer Care

Dog groomers don’t just work with dogs when doing their job. They also spend time interacting with customers, such as setting up appointments and providing them with information about services. Dog groomers also address any questions or concerns customers have and talk to them after grooming sessions to find out if they’re pleased with how it went.

Coat Care

One of the most common dog grooming tasks that groomers do is giving dogs baths, which helps keep their skin healthy and their coat clean and shiny. They also give dogs haircuts or style their hair as requested by customers. Dog groomers also offer different kinds of shampoo, such as shampoos for dogs with white fur.

Nail Care

Professional dog groomers keep nails short, which makes walking more comfortable for dogs and lowers the risk of having nails get caught and torn. Dog groomers need to be able to provide a calm environment for dogs who don’t like having their nails trimmed. Some also color a dog’s nails if requested.

Ear Care

Some dog groomers help keep your dog’s ears healthy during grooming sessions by checking for signs of mites or infections. They also clean ears to clear away dirt and bacteria that could cause health issues.

Dental Care

Dog grooming sessions sometimes include teeth brushing, which is an important part of helping dogs maintain a healthy mouth. They use toothpaste and a toothbrush designed for dogs in order to provide quality dental care.

Grooming Area Care

Professional dog groomers spend part of their day cleaning the grooming area. This includes making sure that all supplies, tools and equipment used for grooming is sterilized or thoroughly cleaned. Having a clean grooming area reduces the risk of spreading infections and illnesses among dogs.