Category Archives: best dogs

Taste Testers

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Fran on Friday

021916_booker_tangoWe’re picky about the treats we carry here at the shop, Golly Gear. We care about our dogs, and we care about our customers’ dogs. We also know that boring treats can kill a dog’s interest in training. Good treats are absolutely essential in obedience training. And, it hasn’t been as prevalent lately, but it seemed like for a while we were hearing about dogs dying from eating treats that came from China.

When we choose the treats we carry, we think about those things. Obviously, we want treats that our dogs will like. We want treats with good quality ingredients. We want to know where the treats were produced. And our dogs want to try them!

We’ve discovered single-ingredient treats! Organ meats that have been freeze-dried. Organ meats are full of nutrients, but they’re generally too rich for a steady diet. As a treat, though, they’re perfect, especially when they’re a size that is appropriate for our little dogs. So far, we’ve got sliced turkey hearts and clean tripe. The great thing about the tripe treats is that they’re not stinky!

Did I mention that our dogs are eager to try the new treats? So far they definitely approve!

Take your dog to work

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Fran on Friday

Booker_franToday, apparently, is “Take your dog to work day.” Most days at Golly Gear are “Take your dog to work days!” We never know when we’ll need a model for a harness, collar or coat. And we always need chair-warmers!

Plus, we’re exceptionally lucky in that we can take a few minutes several times a day and practice an obedience or agility skill. If the practice ring isn’t being used, we can use the larger space, but many times just a couple of feet in the office is all we need.

I set up a couple of jumps, some weave poles and the teeter in the ring this morning to practice with Booker. He loved it! And now he’s tired. That’s a good thing. Because Booker is sometimes very insistent on playing. And when I’m trying to work, I can’t always play when he wants to. Besides, playing should be my decision. That’s one of the things I practice with him in the closer confines of the office.

Tango doesn’t take much convincing to relax in the office. But, he’s the first one at attention (known as barking his fool head off) when he hears a noise. Or the doorbell. We’re working on that, too….

Practice, practice, practice

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Fran on Friday

booker_teeter_041616I’ve told you about Booker’s wildness at Agility trials. He’s a different dog when contact obstacles are present (Standard courses) versus courses where they’re absent. The key, I know, for him to have consistent performances on Standard courses is to practice the obstacles that he goes crazy around. That takes much more planning than just setting up a simple jump or two in the back yard. We have to search for “fun matches” in the area, or hope that we get to practice the obstacles in class. In our area, we have to travel an hour or more for fun matches, so I look for those early on my day off. And when we’re at a fun match, it’s five minutes or so on the course for 2 hours of travel time. But, if I can get Booker on the teeter or A-frame at a different place, it’s worth it.

Booker had been especially wild on the A-frame, either not taking it or jumping off the frame above the yellow, risking potential injury. So last night at class I was really happy to have an exercise which had heavy use of the A-frame! It was jump-frame-another jump-frame, etc., etc., etc. And Booker did all his A-frames and made all his contacts! Hopefully this will build muscle memory for him and he won’t be tempted to fly off the next A-frame he sees at a trial.

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.