Category Archives: little dog

Pretty sad around here

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Fran on Friday

gg_premoveYup, it’s pretty sad-looking here. The mats are up. Most of the non-inventory items are gone. Many of the shelving units are gone, too. The filing cabinets are gone. While we’re excited about the move, we can’t help but be sad that we won’t be here any longer. We’ve had some good times, some frustrating times, some happy times and some sad times. Such is life.

We’ve had fun playing with our dogs, training with our dogs, meeting new people and their dogs here, laughing at the dogs in meetup groups’ antics. We’ve hosted some great parties here, too. For our obedience training club, for rescue groups and shelters. There have been some wonderful classes here, and we’ve gotten a lot of work done.

The new space is almost ready, which is good because we move in just a few days. The walls and ceiling have been patched, and there’s new paint. There are new light fixtures. There will be a new floor in a couple of days. It’s exciting, but intimidating at the same time.

I know we’ll have great times in the new space. We’ll meet lots of nice people and their dogs. We’ll have some great conversations about dogs and their training, I also know that any dog who comes into the shop will leave much better-outfitted and with some yummy treat samples. But it won’t be the same.

Why do people dress their dogs?

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Fran on Friday –

121212tangoOwning a pet supplies business, we see a lot of products that manufacturers want us to carry in the shop. Much of it is reasonable – dog bowls, fences, ramps, carriers, collars, leashes, toys, treats, food, and on and on. We consider every addition to our product line very carefully. New products have to serve a purpose, they have to be attractive (reasonably), and affordably priced. Some items that we carry are, admittedly, frivolous (like the bow tie – but Booker looks so cute in it!). But most do serve a purpose.

But, I will never understand why people put dresses on their dogs. Dogs are not little people. Dresses on dogs do not serve any purpose. The cuteness factor? Well, perhaps, but I don’t see it. There’s one company that we know of that produces tutus for dogs. I don’t even understand tutus on prima ballerinas. (I love the dance, but don’t get the costume. One day I”ll have to research its origin.) When we were first starting out, Hope and I were at a trade convention and saw one vendor’s wedding dresses and tuxedos for dogs laid out on their table. We looked at each other, said, “No!” and walked on.

The furthest I will go is to leave Tango’s bandana on until I take his picture after I get him back from the groomer’s.

Our dogs are champion cuddlers

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Fran on Friday

Teddy, Booker and Torque cuddling.

Teddy, Booker and Torque cuddling

Teddy started it. He’s the best cuddler on the planet. He just tucks right into my left side and curls up. Sometimes he doesn’t even wait for me to sit down all the way. He just starts curling and, plop! there he is, perfectly situated for maximum cuddling.

Yes, we let the dogs on the furniture. How else can we cuddle?

Booker is not the most restful dog, as most Bostons are not. But sometimes, when he’s really tired, he’ll lie down next to me. And Torque is just 7 months old and would usually much rather be playing or chewing on a bone.

I wasn’t feeling well yesterday and left work early. I put on my comfy veggie chef pants and a T-shirt, and sat back on the couch. Teddy was waiting (he’s the blond on the left). Then Booker came up. And Torque asked to be picked up (he hasn’t figured out how to jump on the couch yet). And this is how we napped away the afternoon.

“Fran on Friday” – Play with your dog!

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Hi – Fran here! Hope suggested that I name my Friday posts. OK – Done!

060313_bkrplayI’m really surprised at how many people who own dogs don’t know how to play with them. They think that watching their dogs play with toys qualifies as playing with their dogs. Not in most trainers’ books. Dog trainers, and people who have a solid bond with their dogs, know that playing with their dogs actually does strengthen the relationship with them. In our training classes playing between exercises helps to keep the dog engaged which produces better attention and focus on the work. In agility class play keeps the dog’s energy up. With some dogs rewarding only with treats slows a dog down.

How to play? Tug, play fetch, or chase your dog! Get down on the floor and have fun!

That’s me in the picture playing with Booker. He’s a fierce tugger when he’s not at class. I’m working on play at class, but he’s so distracted by everything around him that he can’t even focus on the toy he loved at home 20 minutes earlier. So at class I’ll try asking him to perform play-like behaviors such as jumping up, dancing on his hind legs then lying down. And I’ll try putting a really yummy, stinky treat in a sock or something else that has a loose weave and tugging. A work in progress. We’ll get it one day.