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.