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I'm pleased to be offering a new Puppy Play Hour on Saturdays over at the new Mutty Paws Dog Day Care in South Portland. I'm teaming with the owner, Kris Klinges, to offer a great new experience for new puppy owners. They get to be IN the group WITH the pups and will learn how to interpret play behaviors, supervise their pup's play safely and stop unwanted behaviors. Perfect! And...it's FREE if you need it to be. We will be collecting donations for worthy pet-related causes from week-to-week, but there's no obligation to contribute. Group starts on Saturday 2/4 at 2 p.m.! Click the link below and you'll be taken to Kris' site for Mutty Paws, where you can find directions to his awesome ORANGE building!!
You can now enjoy photos of your pup/dog taken here at DWD from the comfort of your own home without having a Facebook account. Just click on the link below and you'll be taken to my new photography site on Zenfolio. I'll be adding new galleries almost daily, so check back often.... I'm also available for private photo shoots if you desire. Just ask....
Daily Routine
The early morning hours are traditionally the most busy hours of the day for the pups. They have the most energy at this time of day, and they run around the playground, chase each other, dig wildly in the sandbox and take every toy out for close inspection and play! During this time, careful supervision is important so that pups learn to socialize safely. Shy pups are assisted in integrating with the pack slowly and gently. Exuberant, confident pups are monitored for appropriate social play. Each time a classmate is dropped off at school is an opportunity to train all the pups in proper behavior when excited. No jumping on gates, tackling the newcomer or barking is allowed. All owners are familiarized with our "Golden Rule" of "no look, no talk, no touch ANY pup who is displaying unwanted behavior. Around 11 a.m., the pack is well- adjusted and calm, favorite playmates have been sorted out and the pups start to tire. Many will lie on dog beds and wrestle; others will settle in with a Nylabone for a nice gnaw session. I am constantly walking the yard, encouraging the more timid dogs to explore the yard as they feel more relaxed. During the school day, the pups are fed only wholesome dried chicken strips, broken into bite-sized pieces for easy chewing and swallowing. This is a highly nutritious protein source and most pups, even those with food sensitivities, do really well on it. The brand (Dogswell) is available at Planet Dog, Pet Quarters, The Kennel Shops and Port Grooming (just a few doors down from our school!). I do not serve “treats†as these tend to contain chemicals, flavorings and calories that do not enhance the health of growing pups. I do serve apple chunks and baby carrots as extra snacks on occasion! The pups are fed a “snack†of the dried chicken every 2 hours while at school, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. I call it a “treat scramble†as the kibble is tossed in handfuls onto the stone patio or floor of the school room and the pups scramble to munch their share. Serving snacks in this way teaches the pups to respect each other’s space and work cooperatively as a pack. Food aggression, if it occurs, is worked through with the intent that each pup will learn to stay calm and share cooperatively.
Pups practice basic manners throughout the day, such as "sit, wait, quiet, off, settle down" and other key behaviors. When parents drop off or pick up their pup, the pack in the play yard or school room is expected to rehearse good behavior and the visitors help with this training by ignoring any pup who puts paws up on the gates or barks. In wet or cold weather, the pack spends more time indoors in the school room, where there is space to romp, rest and play! By the end of the day, the pups are mellow and restful as parents arrive to take them home.
I look forward to having your pup become a pack member in our program! Feel free to call or e-mail with any questions!