Here you will view each current guest and learn what they are up to as well as viewing pics and videos of the current month's dog games. We also post pictures and videos on our Facebook page.
Enjoy!
Note: We will only be posting blogs and pics of dogs we're training, or are otherwise involved in activities such as swimming, hiking or showing. If you want pics of dogs who are here for only boarding there will be an additional fee of $15 per picture session as it's time consuming. Note: Often, however, our play yard videos (on Facebook) will feature all of our K9 guests; even those who are not scheduled for additional activities.
If you're interested in reading more about dogs, cats or horses, subscribe to my Substack Newsletter below. I am always happy to receive topic suggestions, too. Just send me a message at: [email protected]
July 24, 2024
Dexter
Our favorite Dobie, Dexter, is back for a visit. We get lots of time with him to enjoy his sweet presence. He's scheduled for hikes every other day. He's always well behaved with everyone and responds well to cues.
Leo Pollard
Leo is a hound Lab mix. He's a big boy; over 80 lbs. We will be working, however, on getting his weight down a bit as he's a chunky monkey. Leo is very sweet and social. He's also very sensitive and requires someone who is patient and positive. The past two days (he arrived yesterday) we've been working on come and sit and Let's Go. Today he showed me he knows a lot more than that. We heeled and sat. Sit stay, down stay and come. He even did a few finishes. Once his thinking cap was on snugly, he performed very well. And what exactly caused him to pull on his thinking cap? CHEESE!
7/11: Leo is doing very well. I can move all the way around him during his stays. His heeling is pretty good and he's attentive overall. He comes on cue, sits, downs and performs even with some minor distractions. I've also taught him to lead into me if he's to be an emotional support dog. He's such a sweet boy.
7/13: Leo is doing really well...most of the time. Today was a lot of sniffing while heeling, but everything else was great. We're still working on movement and duration of his stays. His comes and sits are super. Finish is about 50%. But his Lean In is now at 10 seconds of duration with a foot cross over my foot. I also started him on head pressure on the lap. He caught onto that one quickly. I bring him close then cue, Head Down. I'm working on getting him to allow me to touch his feet. We're making progress on the front feet, but not the back feet. He really needs his nails done, but he is not yet cooperative enough.
7/17: Leo hasn't progressed much the past few days. We're stuck at having to target as he stays and I move around him. I've attempted to remove the target, but he gets up. Down stay is a bit more challenging than sit/stay. His comes and sits are generally good. His heeling is ok unless he detects something he HAS to sniff at. Other dogs don't bother him, even if they're barking and jumping about. He enjoys his lean in and head down on lap exercises. He can now stay for about 10 seconds with both. He's improved on allowing me to handle his feet.
7/22: Today I acclimated Leo to the Comfort Trainer. He had no issues with it and performed better than ever. He was more focused, less likely to become distracted by smells and heeled lots better. I am not able to get 4' of distance during his sit/stay and 3/4 of the way around him during his down/stay.
7/11: Leo is doing very well. I can move all the way around him during his stays. His heeling is pretty good and he's attentive overall. He comes on cue, sits, downs and performs even with some minor distractions. I've also taught him to lead into me if he's to be an emotional support dog. He's such a sweet boy.
7/13: Leo is doing really well...most of the time. Today was a lot of sniffing while heeling, but everything else was great. We're still working on movement and duration of his stays. His comes and sits are super. Finish is about 50%. But his Lean In is now at 10 seconds of duration with a foot cross over my foot. I also started him on head pressure on the lap. He caught onto that one quickly. I bring him close then cue, Head Down. I'm working on getting him to allow me to touch his feet. We're making progress on the front feet, but not the back feet. He really needs his nails done, but he is not yet cooperative enough.
7/17: Leo hasn't progressed much the past few days. We're stuck at having to target as he stays and I move around him. I've attempted to remove the target, but he gets up. Down stay is a bit more challenging than sit/stay. His comes and sits are generally good. His heeling is ok unless he detects something he HAS to sniff at. Other dogs don't bother him, even if they're barking and jumping about. He enjoys his lean in and head down on lap exercises. He can now stay for about 10 seconds with both. He's improved on allowing me to handle his feet.
7/22: Today I acclimated Leo to the Comfort Trainer. He had no issues with it and performed better than ever. He was more focused, less likely to become distracted by smells and heeled lots better. I am not able to get 4' of distance during his sit/stay and 3/4 of the way around him during his down/stay.
Albus Gutierrez
Albus is back for a good part of this month. He always begins his visits with lots of lap time. It helps him relax after arrival. Then we do a short training session indoors (where it's much cooler than outside in the afternoon). Finally, he goes to his suite to relax until dinner. Each day consists of going to his yard for relief, meal, then nap. He returns to his yard as we clean the kennel and also goes on a hike. He spends the remainder of the day relaxing but does have to do some tricks when he is let outside.
7/8: Albus is eating decently for once. I've started adding some beef liver dust. Now he almost eats all his food! We went on a nice hike yesterday. Through the fields and woods. He's always such a great hiking buddy.
7/11: Albus is actually eating pretty well this visit. He had a great hike today. When he's sniffing something, he may not respond to the come cue right away, but he gets to it eventually.
7/17: Albus is enjoying his morning hikes and adventures. I've been pleased that he's eating a little better than normal. I've added treats to his meals which enhances his appetite.
7/22: Since Albus is eating better, his poops are so much larger and healthier. Yes, we "read" poops! He sometimes has selective responses if called to come and there's a really interesting smell, he's in the middle of. I attribute that to age. He's a senior after all.
7/8: Albus is eating decently for once. I've started adding some beef liver dust. Now he almost eats all his food! We went on a nice hike yesterday. Through the fields and woods. He's always such a great hiking buddy.
7/11: Albus is actually eating pretty well this visit. He had a great hike today. When he's sniffing something, he may not respond to the come cue right away, but he gets to it eventually.
7/17: Albus is enjoying his morning hikes and adventures. I've been pleased that he's eating a little better than normal. I've added treats to his meals which enhances his appetite.
7/22: Since Albus is eating better, his poops are so much larger and healthier. Yes, we "read" poops! He sometimes has selective responses if called to come and there's a really interesting smell, he's in the middle of. I attribute that to age. He's a senior after all.
Toby
Toby, a Cavalier King Charles, arrived today. He's such a super sweet boy! We went on a hike, as he's scheduled for daily hikes. As he's with us for an extended visit, I hope to get a pound, or two, off his hips. He's great with the other dogs.
Bella and Tinker O'Shae
My little Doodle girls are back for a few weeks. They are both very social and sweet in every way. They are getting daily hikes in the woods. Bella takes it slow as she's 12 yrs old and it's hot. Tinker prefers to run the track. Both respond well off leash, so they get the most out of their adventures.
7/11: The girls are doing really well. Bella has good hikes and slow hikes, but still loves going on them.
7/17: The girls love their routine of daily hikes, multi-daily belly rubs and play time (or rest time) throughout the day. I've been adding more food to Bella's meals as she's been losing weight. She loves the Just For Dogs fresh food packs.
7/22: Bella and Tinker continue to do very well. They are super with all dogs that pass through the pet retreat. Tinker occasionally fence barks at dogs on the other side of the fence. Bella just remains chill at all times and puts up with Tinker's grabbing her tail and legs whenever excited.
7/11: The girls are doing really well. Bella has good hikes and slow hikes, but still loves going on them.
7/17: The girls love their routine of daily hikes, multi-daily belly rubs and play time (or rest time) throughout the day. I've been adding more food to Bella's meals as she's been losing weight. She loves the Just For Dogs fresh food packs.
7/22: Bella and Tinker continue to do very well. They are super with all dogs that pass through the pet retreat. Tinker occasionally fence barks at dogs on the other side of the fence. Bella just remains chill at all times and puts up with Tinker's grabbing her tail and legs whenever excited.
Play Yard Fun
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