Bark City Doggy Daycare

  When you bring a new baby home, everything changes. There will be new smells, new routines and a new human being! This can be incredibly overwhelming for our canine family members. Especially, if they were never introduced to babies or small children as a puppy. Dogs, like humans, need time to adjust to the changes, but there are things you can do to help your furry family member transition: 1. Provide your dog the space-- mentally & physically-- to adjust to the new baby: The crate is your dog's best friend. Remember, that dogs are naturally den dwellers. The crate should be your dog's sanctuary & should never be used for punishment. Additionally, when your children are older-- crawling age and up--there should be a non-negotiable rule: Absolutely no (human) children inside the crate. A crate is a place for the dog to escape & find serenity in all the chaos of family life.  2. Before The Baby Arrives-- Train, Train, Train: Teach and/or review basic commands bef...

Teaching your dog to "stay" is a handy skill when you are doing something and you don't want your four-legged friend all up in your business (or if you want to take cute photos of your dogs sitting politely on a tree stump). Safety wise, it's also one of the primary commands your dog should know. Before we begin on the actual steps, there are a few things you need to decide: Are you going to have your dog sitting or laying down when they "stay"? The more comfortable your dogs is, the longer they will actually stay. Example: sitting position will require more effort, but laying down may make your dog feel vulnerable. You need to assess the situation and your dog's temperament to decide what will be the best.  You need to decide on a "release" cue. This will be a word or action that tells your dog they no longer need to stay. When choosing a word, try to choose one that you do not use in everyday conversation. Otherwise, you may end up conf...

Whether it's the mailman, the neighbor walking his dog by your fence or a deer in your back yard, excessive dog barking can bring anyone down to their knees in frustration. Here are four steps you can take to bring a little peace and quiet into your home: Make sure your dog is exercised . A lot of doggy mischief can be avoided by simply making sure your dog is properly exercised, mentally and physically. When your dog has extra energy, he needs to find an avenue to release it. He's bored! This results in behaviors we owners may not find endearing. By making sure your dog is getting physical and mental exercise everyday, you are releasing that pent up energy and helping your furry friend live a balanced life.    Stay Calm . You are not helping the situation by yelling "STOOOOPPPP!!!!" or "KNOCK IT OFF!". Remember, dogs do not speak human. If you are yelling at them, all they hear is you barking along with them. They think everyone is joining in on the ...

Dog Parks can definitely be a fun place to take your dog for exercise and socialization. But, there is also a certain etiquette that must be followed to ensure you are not "That One Dog Owner" that all the other dog owners are whispering about. Etiquette is also to keep all dogs safe. Here is a list of  "Do's and Don'ts" that will make your trip to the dog park successful and fun. Pick up after your dog! Usually dog parks provide baggies, but sometimes you may need to bring your own. If you are unfamiliar with a new dog park, come prepared! Exercise your dog before going to the park. I know, this sounds weird and you are probably asking yourself, "Isn't the purpose of the dog park to exercise your dog?" A dog park is a place to bond with your dog. If you bring Fido to the park with pent up energy, you are just asking for a doggy meltdown. An overly excited dog + a million other dogs and wide open areas= OVER STIMULATION. A dog park is N...

 Head shaking in dogs is normal as long as it is infrequent. Dogs will naturally shake their heads to get something out of their ear (like a seed or bug) and usually, it is quite effective. BUT, if your dog starts to shake their head more frequently and it is persistent for more than a day and repeatedly, it is time to take your dog to the vet.  Frequent head shaking can be caused by: Bacterial & Yeast infections Allergies Water in the ears A foreign object in the ear canal Inflammatory diseases Neurological disorders If you notice your dog shaking their head repeatedly for more than a day, it is time to visit the vet. Continued head shaking can lead to ruptured blood vessels within a dog's ear flap (aural hematoma) which requires surgery. 

You have decided to adopt a shelter dog--- Congratulations! You have chosen to save a life and provide a second chance for a dog that has had a bad turn in life. There are certain things you must do before you adopt and things you will need to do once your dog is part of your family. Before You Adopt:  First and foremost-- decide how many dogs you want, because you will want them all when you walk into that shelter. Stick to that number.  Decide what kind of dog you want. Do you want a small dog or a big dog? And active dog or a laid back dog? An adult dog or puppy? You will want to try to find a dog that fits your lifestyle. Stick to the plan. If you are planning on getting a small dog, don't come home with a Great Dane.  Research, research, research-- Do you know what you will be feeding your dog? How much exercise your dog will need? What things are essentials for getting a dog (bed, bowls, leash, crate, ect...)? What vet are you going to use? What do you need...

Trail hiking with your dog is not for the weak. If you and your dog are not properly armed with knowledge, training and equipment for hiking on a trail, bad things can happen. Before I list out the etiquette portion of this blog, I will first list out the preparations you need to make before you hit the wild. First and Foremost-- Is your dog even capable to hike a trail? Age: It is highly advised to take your dog's age into consideration. Puppies should hike for less than an hour. Elderly dogs joints, health and stamina should be considered. If you are going to take an elderly dog or puppy on a hike, please check with your veterinarian first and follow their guidelines. Dogs with a high prey drive or are highly excitable: It is recommended that these dogs do not take hikes without a leash and have gone through rigorous obedience training. The wilderness offers a lot of stimulus-- wild life smells and the new terrain can cause your sensitive pup to go into overdrive. Remember: a ...