Holiday Fun

We have a few Board & Trains with us over the holidays and while we are quite busy ourselves - there is always time to have a little doggie fun.  

Sophie and Ellie are enjoying a bit of yard time soaking in the sun and later this week we headed down to the creek at sunset to relax on the pier with a few of our furry friends.

Have a happy holiday season, however you celebrate - be safe and we'll see you in the new year!

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: SOPHIE

Name:  Sophie
Breed:  Cairn Terrier
Sex:  Female
Age: 2 years

Duration: 2 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  Mostly boarding for the holidays with a manners brush up / controlling barking


What we are working on during her stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Barking - normal terrier barking but with no off switch
* Jumping - jumps on/scratches people and furniture
* Loose Leash Walking- could use some fine tuning

She has settled in nicely and plays really well with McKenna (the other terrier) and Kai, our new Pit Bull pup rescue.

Jinx is back for the holidays

So Jinx is back with us for the Xmas holidays while her new owner is home...she came back like she had never left - she jumped in and played with her siblings and has fit right back in.  Blizzard LOVES her - a little too much - but other than that she has settled in nicely.

New Arrivals - Welcome Ivy, Fern & Willow

We have three new members of the Pawtential family.  Two hooded and one standard hairless rats!  This is a gene mutation that first occurred in lab rats and has now been selectively bred for like hairless cats and skinny pigs.

We saw a listing and drove out to Greensboro and picked up these girls from a lady who bought a pet shops remaining animals when they closed down.  I have worked with rats before and I find their intelligence exciting and I love working with other species.  

They were in a cage with 6 females and 1 male - which could mean trouble but they don't seem pregnant.  The plan is to hopefully work with them in rat agility - yes it exists and there are actually national competitions for it!  I also hope to have the first certified Novice Trick titled rat through Kyra Sundance's Do More With Your Dog program.  She just certified her first horse and all species are allowed to enter.  We'll see...

Christmas Picture Day

So we set up the Pawtential studio to get a few early shots for our Christmas guests...here are a few samples!  This year we are doing a slightly rustic, almost Instagram feel to our series.  If you want to book in for photos - the last day is Dec 22nd...

Akea Comes to Visit

Meet Akea!  This gorgeous girl has come to stay for a week while her family are away - she is a rocket on puppy legs - always up for a game, to rough house with the older pups and run, run, run...no rest for this little one - or us!  LOL

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: BLIZZARD

Name:  Blizzard
Breed:  American Pit Bull Terrier
Sex:  Male
Age: 8 months

Duration: 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  General obedience work / social skills

Background:  Blizzard and his littermates were being sold on the side of the road at 4 weeks old when his family took him in.  I met him that day and shared some concerns not only for his premature age, but also for his health.  He appeared to have limited to no hearing and his ear canals were swollen shut still.  I advised his family to seek a vet opinion ASAP.

As it turns out he is deaf - but that hasn't stopped him, or them.  It has made working with him much harder for them however, so as he is bigger, stronger and very clever at avoiding situations he doesn't want to participate in...they have asked for my help.

What we are working on during his stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience - Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It - hand signal
* Jumping - jumps on people and furniture
* LLW- does not walk well on leash AT ALL
* Door Manners - stop bolting through open doors
* Anxiety - mild separation anxiety

I have worked with deaf and blind dogs before and love the challenge!  Let's see what we can teach this big boy!

Wee Wee Pad Cake

We have officially gone national with our wee wee pad cakes.  We shipped our first order out of state.  For a new Boston Terrier pup with parents that wanted a black/mono theme.

Since a lot of puppy toys don't come in black - we went with a black and white printed theme.  The package was well received and the zebra is a puppy favorite!

If you haven't seen our cakes - you can visit our WEE WEE PAD CAKE page on our website.

Trip to Hickory

After Thanksgiving, Taylor and I packed up a few of the dogs and headed out to Hickory, NC for a few days.  We used that as a central point to head to the mountains and to do some work with the J's - Jett & Juniper.  

The trip itself was pretty uneventful, but we got plenty of chances to let the dogs work offleash including at Bunker Hill Covered Bridge.  We worked on recall past squirrels, walking nicely past excited children (which for two 7 month old pups is not the easiest) and just enjoyed the trail.

Later that evening we headed out to Boone and Hanging Rock to catch a sunset and were well rewarded.  I think we will be revisiting Hickory soon!

Kai goes to Jordan Lake

We loaded up the van today and took the furkids to the lake.  With Charlie & Coco having both gone home - it is sort of quiet around here.  I don't know if Kai has even seen moving water before but he took to it really well after some initial skepticism.

Kai found a mussel the size of his head and that kept him entertained for a while...

And just as the sun was setting he decided that he would try taking a toe dip.  He may never be a big swimmer, but he had fun!

 

New Foster Rescue - KAI

A lady came into the store last night very distraught with a pup and child in tow.  She explained that her ex had purchased three pups, then something happened and he had given away or sold the two girls and the male she had with her had been chained to a parked car for the last few months.

Animal control cited him and he gave her the dog but she was unable to keep him.  So here was this gorgeous little (well not so little) 5 month old pit bull pup in need.  She said the shelters were full and so were the breed rescues which is unfortunatly true.  She was worried if she left him in a drop box he would be put to sleep since he is a pittie.

So she brought him out to the farm and I said if he got along with all of my guys then he could stay.  He did very well and has joined the group - at least for a little while.  He is super sweet - like most pitties are and just a real cuddle bug.  A cuddle bug in need of a bath though...

Coco and Charlie Go Home!

So today was the day.  Time for the excited reunions of families.  It is both one of the hardest and most rewarding parts of doing any Board & Train.  

Coco is at a good place - not finished, not completely healed - but in a good place to go home.  

Charlie stayed over with us as well these past few weeks while her family were busy moving house.  

I will miss them but I will be following up with them soon.

Coco Update

So Coco finished his month here and we hadn't gotten as far as I wanted with him.  I offered his Mom another 2 weeks free since the first two weeks we couldn't do much training at all.  These two weeks have really made a difference.  

Somewhere around week 4 we started to turn a corner and look at him now!

He is so much more relaxed and calm.  And his recall is amazing - even with farmyard distractions.  His reaction to the doorbell was pretty severe - but we are working on that as well.

Group Trip to Jordan Lake

Today we took part of our crew as well as Coco and Charlie out to the lake for a little R&R.  Everyone practices their WAIT with the van door open.

Good dogs!

Then we hit the beach and most of the dogs even swam - Bbbrrrrrrrrrr!

Jinx Gets Adopted!

I hadn't said anything yet as I wanted to be sure but it is now confirmed - Jinx has been adopted!  Her new owner has had her on trial for the last few weeks and she is doing beautifully.  I will still be seeing her for class and boarding over the holidays so it isn't as hard for me as some have been to let go.

I really like her new owner and I think Jinx will truly flourish there.  Congrats to you both!

Coco / Charlie Update

I think we are turning a little bit of the corner with Coco now - the anxiety is by no means gone, but he is not pacing all the time and has been able to settle nicely with Charlie inside.  

We haven't been able to do much structured training at all due to the level of his anxiety - but his Mom wants him to stay and see if we can resolve some of this with him so we will see what the next few weeks show.

Did a hurricane hit here?

No - this would just be what happens when you don't latch the bottom of a curious terrier's crate properly and go to work.  DESTRUCTION!  Go Kenna!

Coco & Charley Update

COCO:  UPDATE  
Boy did I ever speak too soon about Coco.

This poor boy has probably the most severe case of separation anxiety I have EVER seen.  

I had to leave him for about 30 minutes yesterday and his owner said no crating so I left him in my bedroom. I never expected to come back to anything like this.  He was soaked from his muzzle to his feet with drool.  The floor was a pool of drool and footprints.  The inside of the door was dirty at least 4ft high.  He was out of his mind with panic. 

I immediately called his Mom and she said yes she knew (but didn't tell me).  Hmmmm.....

If I close a door between us the result is total chaos.  He tries to bolt through doors to avoid getting left behind and will do so dangerously.  He jumps and slams himself against the door, drooling profusely and crying.  We are in for a long month!

CHARLIE: UPDATE
Charley has fit right in.  She has been busy exploring and running out some of her energy.  

Her "brother" Brooks is here for a few days boarding but he is more interested in toys and she is more interested in the other dogs!  LOL

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: COCO

Name:  Coco
Breed:  Mini Poodle
Sex:  Male
Age: 6 yrs

Duration: 4 week Board & Train


Reason for B&T:  General obedience work / social skills

Background:  Coco has been with his Mom since a pup.  He has traveled with her through several moves and has taken several obedience classes.  He hasn't had much socialization with people or dogs though outside of those classes.  He seems to be a generally very settled dog who just needs to sharpen up on some basic manners and social skills.  He doesn't seem bothered by too much at the farm so far.

What we are working on during his stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience Refresher- Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It
* Recall - owner says he has an unreliable recall and has not trusted him outside off leash
* Jumping - jumps on people and furniture
* Barking - alerts to every sight and sound, esp the door
* Dog Social Skills - doesn't really have any
* People Social Skills - has been known to nip
* Feeding - only eats people/table food

Sounds easy enough! 

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: CHARLIE

Name:  Charlie
Breed:  Rat Terrier / Basenji mix?
Sex:  Female
Age: 12 months

Duration: 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  General obedience work, leadership issues




Background:  Charley is a feisty rescue who just needs a little polishing. She has begun to growl at her owner if she doesn't want to move or go to her bed, jumps like a little kangaroo, barks like crazy, annoys her Dachshund brother and is just generally a little wild and free.

What we are working on during her stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience - she will be completing Big Dog University 101 - Look, Leave It, Touch, Sit, Down, Stay, Wait 
* Loose Leash Walking - currently a very forward, zig zag type puller
* Recall - owner says she has an unreliable recall and has not trusted her outside off leash
* Jumping - when excited she jumps and scratches
* Barking - can be a little overzealous about "intruders"
* Dog Social Skills - she doesn't know when enough is enough and can get too rough with other dogs - esp her housemate Brooks, a Dachshund who has already had back issues

Introducing Charley:

The Plot Thickens...

Last week I am showing a friend McKenna's teeth and I notice something - THEY ARE FALLING OUT AND HER ADULT TEETH ARE COMING IN!

This means she has to be at least 4.5 - 5 months old??

She even has her premolar 1....oh boy....

I couldn't believe it - but have been watching for the last week and yep - she is that old.

She has been with me for almost 3 weeks and has put on 4 lbs so I am guessing she will be 25lbs or so as an adult...