Big Time BlueDog Pup!

In my opinion, all BlueDog pups are superstars. But it turns out, we actually have a doggie celebrity in our BlueDog family!

Meet Hunter, a BlueDog pup who will be competing at the 2012 Westminster Dog Show! And I will have the pleasure to cheer him on from the sidelines!

I was fortunate enough to be able to take care of Hunter a little while back. He is a fun loving, goofy boy who loves to play. He lives with three other Samoyed pups - Kallie, Cooper, and Pinky. They are a wonderful group of dogs and are so much fun!

And apparently good looks run in the family. Hunter's mom, Kallie, received an Award of Merit at the 2004 Westminster Dog Show!

Once I found out he'd be competing at the show this year, I asked his mom to answer a couple of questions about him. This is what she had to say:

Hunter's show name: “GCH KallieCo’s On The Hunt”

Favorite toy: Lamby and Raccoon (he insists on bringing them outside with

him)

Favorite hobby: chasing squirrels and chipmunks (and even caught a real raccoon in the backyard!)

Favorite TV show: All the commercials with dogs in them. He also likes checking out Samoyeds on the internet too (as seen in the picture)

Favorite Treat: pork liver or Butcher Boy calves liver

Skills: Exceptional bed warming, singing & digging skills

Dislikes: the blow dryer

Next Tuesday, Hunter will compete against 15 other Samoyeds to try to win Best in Breed. If he wins, he'll then compete against the winning dog of each breed in the Working Group. That winner will go on to compete against the top dog of each of the 7 groups to win Best in Show!

You can watch the show live on the US Network next Monday and Tuesday from 8-11pm.

So please send good vibes to the BlueDog pup competing at the Westminster Dog Show! And even if he doesn't win Best in Show, Hunter will certainly be Westminter's top dog in my book : )

4 Years, 14 Lessons

Once upon a time there was a girl who ran a dog walking and training business, and in her spare time she would blog, sharing valuable information about how to raise a happy, healthy dog. And then one day she became way too busy with her business, leaving her with absolutely no time to write.

Yup, you guessed it, that was me!

But I’m back, not because business is any slower, but because I finally have some help in place that will allow me the time to blog once again. For those of you who have never read my blog before, or have forgotten about me (common, it hasn’t been that long has it?) I’m Kimberly Palermo, proud owner of BlueDog (and now BlueDog Academy!) For those of you who remember, hello again!

Since my last blog I’ve learned an incredible amount about dogs. That’s the beauty of our relationship with them – we’re always learning and they’re always learning. I also took a certification course at Gail Fisher’s All Dogs Academy, discovering a tremendous amount about training dogs. I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with you!

However, before I indulge in the wonderful world of dogs, I wanted to begin with an announcement that I am so incredibly proud of. On February 2^nd, 2012, BlueDog turned four years old! It seems like it was just yesterday when I began with a handful of business cards, a newspaper ad, and a dream. Now my dream is a reality! I absolutely enjoyed every moment of the journey and I learned many lessons along the way. Lessons that, in my opinion, should be shared with others.

So for my first back-to-blogging blog, I’d like to share some of those lessons with you. Some are dog related, some are business related, and some are life related. Hopefully some will pertain to you.

1. Dogs rock! (Ok, I knew that before I began my business. But either way it’s totally true.) No explanation needed.

2. Marry a rich spouse. Or at least a passionate, supportive one. I chose the second, though I couldn’t complain about my husband’s income either. But having a partner to support me through the past four years as a business owner was the best thing I could’ve asked for. Because starting and running a business isn’t always easy - just as life isn’t always easy. There are ups and downs and quite frankly, at times there are lows. Having my husband by my side supporting my business is what brought me to where I am today.

3. Grow because you want to, not because you have to. I learned the hard way not to hire hastily. Two years ago, as calls came pouring in for walks, I desperately searched for a new employee, hired quickly, and then got burned. I was stuck with too many clients and not enough walkers. I don’t like to turn new clients away, but now I will if I don’t have enough help. I’m also always looking for the right person to join our team now, whether I need to hire or not. That way I’m patient about who I pick, and it’s the right choice for my business.

4. Sweat the small stuff. But then learn from it and do something about it. I know this goes against what everyone else says. The thing is, the small stuff - the little details - they really do matter. After each dog walk, my walkers and I have always leave notes at my clients’ houses, filling them in on the details of their pup’s adventures with us. But last year I began noticing that my walkers were taking a really long time writing out notes, and they’d use any kind of paper they could find, including scraps of paper. It didn’t seem very professional to me, and was quite time consuming. But really, how important are the notes? Well to me, they were important. So I worked with a graphic designer and printer and created journals (or BlueDog DogLogs as we call them!) to leave at each client’s home. In it my walkers can check off what the pup did, leave a short note, and even include a sticker when a pup is extra good! Sure, it costs more than using scraps of paper, but the feedback was phenomenal; my clients absolutely love their journals and my walkers appreciate the time saver. It was just a minor part of our business, but I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of details because of it.

5. Never put your phone number in a help wanted ad. Talk about learning the hard way! 62 voicemails in one weekend. Stick to your email addresses.

6. There’s always tomorrow. Yes, I just quoted Annie. But it’s totally true. Recently I had a walker break her leg, another have her tonsils remove, then a third get sick with the flu. All within days of my certification program during which I would be unavailable for five days. I honestly thought I wouldn’t make it through the week. But guess what? I did. I took what I’ve learned in the past during tough times, I improvised a bit, and I got through it - and not a single dog missed a walk!

7. It’s OK to talk out loud to your dog. My neighbors must think I’m crazy. Actually, probably anyone who sees me walking a dog does. Because I talk to them, a lot. And I do it because dogs love it (OK, it’s also because I have no one else to talk to.) But if you want your dog’s attention on a walk, tell him how wonderful he is, be silly, and act like a dork. Your dog will totally love you for it; just ask any dog that I walk.

8. Stay humble, but be proud. It’s my husband who has to remind me of this one time and time again. When I get frustrated by the everyday of running a business, it’s easy to forget why I’m doing it and how far I’ve come. I just dwell on the little issues and forget about the big picture. It takes him reminding me of what I’ve accomplished to bring me back to a positive outlook. Even the little accomplishments mean a lot – a new client, a training success story, a nice compliment on one of my walkers. Be proud of what you do, it’ll help you continue to be successful.

9. Trust people. I was reminded of this lesson when I met with my accountant this week. After talking about my business’s growth over the past couple of years, we began laughing about the first time I came into her office. It was about 8 months into the start of my business and my husband and I were just about to get married. All I had to document my sales was a mess of Excel spreadsheets and I was totally freaking out about leaving the business while we went on our honeymoon. My plan was to have my sister and mom run the business for me while we were away. Why I was afraid that something would happen in the hands of my family was beyond me, but I was scared out of my mind! Fast forward four years and on our last vacation, I had a dog walker staying at my house with my own dogs, another taking care of all phone calls and emails for the business, and a third managing my employees. If I couldn’t trust others, not only would I not be able to grow my business, but I certainly would never go on another vacation again!

10. Give yourself some me time. This one is a challenge as a business owner, especially for someone who works from home. It’s way too easy to work from 6am to 9pm at night, and still feel guilty about not getting enough work done. I’ve learned to allow myself some time to get away. This means literally getting out of the house to do something. Of course, for me that usually means a walk with my two Collies. But a date night with my husband is nice as well. Of a Friday afternoon lunch with my mom and sisters. Whatever it is, I need it at times, we all do.

11. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. I’m sure you’ve heard this one before, but it’s important enough to be repeated. When I held our open house for our new training facility, I was literally astounded by how many people showed up to support our business. Friends, family, clients, business associates, even people who I had never met before. Everyone was so excited for our next step, and if I didn’t have the support of those people, I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to open a dog training facility. You need those people, and you don’t need someone who doesn’t support you. They will only bring you down.

12. Check for holes in bags. All you dog owners out there know what I’m talking about. Never let your guard down before you pick up dog poop. There could be a hole in that bag.

13. Take risks. With a down economy and people unable to find jobs, it’s hard to see the reality in taking risks. But it’s also hard to live out your dreams if you don’t take them, which is why I quit my straight-out-of-college sales job to start my own business in 2008. And as my business grows I continue to take risks all the time. Most recently my husband and I took the greatest risk of all - he quit his full time, stable job to work for BlueDog. Talk about scary stuff! It was a discussion with my in-laws that really convinced us that it was the right move to make. My father-in-law had taken numerous risks, both successful and unsuccessful, as an entrepreneur throughout his entire life. But the biggest one he took was when he was in his late forties; he sold his stable dental lab business and went back to school to become a licensed denturist and open his own practice in Maine. They told us it wasn’t an easy decision, but they wouldn’t be where they are today – proud owners of a thriving denture practice (shout out to Denture Solutions!) if they hadn’t had the guts to take that risk.

14. And if you’re stressed out, go walk a dog. One of the greatest lessons I learned was from my younger brother. One day I was ranting on and on to him about how the business was stressing me out. Finally, he looked me in the eye and calmly said “Kim, what do you do when you’re stressed out? You go for a walk or you play with your dog. You walk dogs all day long. Get over it.” And he’s totally right. So if you’re stressed out, go find a dog to take for a walk, I know plenty who would be more than happy to join you!

It's All About the Energy!

Well hello there! It's been quite a while since I've been able to write. I'd like to say it's because I've been lounging on the beach all summer long with a margarita in my hand, but that's not quite the case. I've been busy spending my summer days with dogs (which in my opinion, is even better than the beach!)

Ah, but I've finally found a moment or two! As usual, just when I think I know as much as I can about dogs, the wonderful pups that I work with have taught me even more. And of course, my favorite thing to do is share what I've learned.

If you've got a dog and if you watch TV, then I'm sure you've watched an episode or two (or a lot!) of Cesar Millan's The Dog Whisperer. And if that's the case, you've heard of his famous suggestion to portray "calm, assertive energy" while working with a dog. And yes, he's completely right. A calm, assertive energy is going to help you handle your dog better.

However, that doesn't just apply to people. Our dogs are surrounded by other dogs. There's the neighbor's dog, the dog that you run into at the park, or the dog that you pass on the street. In the Andovers, they're everywhere! But not all of them are taking Cesar Millan's advice to stay "calm and assertive."

This became quite clear to me when our other dog trainer, Amy, and I recently worked with a Golden Retriever named Duncan. Prior to his next training session, his mom had emailed me saying that though his training has been nothing short of astounding, he's still very reactive around other dogs; lunging at the leash and barking if they pass another dog on their walk. The embarrassment and frustration had gone on long enough; she was ready to tackle the issue.

So next time we met up, I brought along my two dogs, Elsa and Reese. Amy stayed with Duncan and his mom, while I drove down the street to prepare my dogs to walk past them as they went for a walk. I started with my older girl, Elsa.

Now, as a side note - Elsa is perfect. Ok, I'm bias. Perhaps she's just a well-behaved snob. See, Elsa could care less about other dogs. She's been around them her entire life, attends daily dog walks and training sessions with me, and has more friends than I could ever imagine having. So quite frankly, a new dog means nothing to her. In addition to that, she's extremely obedient. And for those reasons, Elsa barely blinks an eye if we walk past another dog.

So as Duncan came towards us, Elsa and I walked by. Elsa kept walking, and Duncan kept walking. And not a thing happened.

You'd think Duncan's mom would be happy about the turn out, but she was not at all! Her dog had just made a liar of her! She had gone on and on about how bad he reacts to other dogs, and then Duncan walks right past Elsa as if it's nothing. So I suggested a twist. I'd bring out Reese.

Now, about Reese. Reese is a social butterfly and absolutely loves to have fun. However, just like Elsa, she's very obedient. So we could have easily walked past Duncan without a hitch. But we were there to tackle Duncan's problem, so that's not what we did. It doesn't take much to get Reese to play, so play we did! She leaped and jumped and barked as I egged her on. She had a blast! And Duncan totally wanted in. So the lunging and barking began.

See, Reese wasn't expressing the calm, assertive energy that Elsa was. Elsa was boring. But Reese was exciting and playful and quite frankly, a bit out of control at times. So Duncan reacted by pulling and barking, his go-to behavior when he walks past another dog with unstable energy. And because we were in a controlled situation, Amy was able to coach his mom on how to get Duncan to stop the bad behavior. By the end of our session, Reese was exhausted, and Duncan was comfortably walking past her distracting behavior.

So how does this relate to your dog? Well, it means you've got to give him some credit! I hear it all the time, "my dog is fine around most dogs, but he hates the neighbor's dog." That's because that particular dog isn't expressing the right energy and your dog is feeding off of it.

Now of course, there's sometimes more to it than just the other dog. Many of our dogs are conditioned to react to all dogs, no matter what their energy, because we allow them to. That's why I've literally taught my dogs to be snobs. (To learn how to do that, read Why My Dogs Are Snobs.) It could also simply be a matter of a lack of socialization. And you have to remember that if your dog is reacting inappropriately to another dog, it's not just the other dog exuding the unstable energy - it's your dog too.

I told you Elsa is a snob. However, she will make friends and play with a pup who approaches her correctly. But if there's a dog lunging at the leash, she just turns and walks the other way. Fortunately, she's learned to disregard such distractions, but not all dogs have. And it's not easy, so give your dog a break. I can assure you that your neighbor's dog who he absolutely hates is totally egging him on!

So how can you teach your dog to react better to other dogs, especially those who are not exuding the right energy?

• Start by staying calm and assertive yourself. If you see another dog coming, don't tense up and tighten on the leash. Your dog is going to sense your energy and get tense himself!
• Keep treats on you. When you see another dog in the distance, start getting your pup's attention by saying his name, and then giving him a treat. Teach him that when there are distractions, you have something that's even better - food!
• Avoid the problem dogs. If you see your dog's nemesis approaching, turn around. Don't set your dog up for failure; begin by walking past only the dogs who are exuding the right energy and work your way up to more difficult dogs.
• Plan some play dates. Talk to some friends who have well socialized dogs and arrange for your pups to play. Start by walking as a group with your dogs on a leash, and then reward their good behavior by allowing them to play.
• Teach your dog to be a snob. Don't let your dog say hello and meet every dog you pass, because he's going to begin to anticipate it and pull towards every dog. Teach him that he only says hello once in a while, and it's only if he's behaving well.
• Avoid having your dog face the other dog and make eye contact. That position is confrontational to dogs. Unless the dogs are already friends, they should meet by approaching each other to the side and without much eye contact. If you allow your dog to face forward, you’re setting him up to appear threatening to the other dog.
• Work with a dog trainer. If you can't seem to get your dog under control no matter what you do, try getting professional help. A trainer will not only show you how to properly control your dog in those situations, but can also teach your dog how to react correctly to other dogs.
• And most importantly - keep things positive and have fun! When your dog passes another dog without reacting, that's a BIG deal! Let him know how happy you are by lavishing him with praise. Just as much as you want to understand your dog, you want him to understand you - so let him know that you're most happy when he's well behaved!

The Dog Lover Theory

Throughout the summer my hubby, dogs, and I are fortunate to be able to enjoy many weekends in Kennebunk, Maine, thanks to my in-laws. They own a denture business, whose office sits below a comfortable condo that often becomes our weekend home.

The fortunate thing about staying above a denturist's office are the many magazines in the waiting room that I can choose from to bring as my light reading to the beach. I'll be honest, after spending my busy weekdays running a business, on weekends I prefer to turn off my brain and indulge in mindless reading, my magazine of choice is People Magazine! However, this past weekend as I browsed the waiting room table, a magazine cover caught my eye. A National Geographic magazine pictured a fox on it's cover, headlining their feature article, "Designing the Perfect Pet."

I immediately knew the article. I posted my thoughts on it a couple months ago. However, in hopes that the actual magazine had more content on the subject than the online version that I had read, I scooped up the magazine and eagerly headed off to the beach.

For those of you who did not read my last post on this subject, I'll quickly summarize. A study about animal domestication in Siberia has raised and bred foxes for friendliness. They now have a population of foxes that greet humans and crave attention just as your yellow lab or golden retriever does. What's more, these foxes have changed in appearance; they have floppy ears, curled tails, and a piedbald coloration. The study suggests that the genes that are necessary for domestication, also correlate to changes in appearance and behavior. To read the entire article, you can click here.

In browsing the magazine, I was correct in that there was more content in the magazine than the online version. However, it wasn't where I expected to find it! As I read the Editor's Note, I was incredibly intrigued by what was said and the suggested theory. So much that after reading it, I nearly ran across the beach to where my hubby was searching for sea glass and read it out loud to him (I've said it before and I'll say it again, yes I'm a dork, I love this kind of stuff.)

And just as I hurried over to my hubby to share what I read, I hurried this morning to put together this blog to share with you the editor's note. The end of the second paragraph is the part that I found most interesting:

"In Jackson's mind there is no such thing as a good person or a bad person. There are only people he desperately wants to meet. Jackson, I should explain, is my Jack Russell terrier. When he meets someone, his short tail wags at warp speed, sending a vibration through his piedbald body right up to his floppy ears. He is exuberant, playful, affectionate - everything a dog lover could wish for. He fits the description of an animal domesticated through years of selective breeding.

In this month's issue we explore animal domestication, which began more than 15,000 years ago with dogs. As humans bred wolves to be our hunting companions and friends, changes in appearance occurred along with changes in behavior. Traits that might otherwise have been weeded out in the wild survived because they were, well, cute. Jackson, with his piebald coloring and floppy ears, is a classic example. But I think there is more to it than that. When my family went shopping for a dog, Jackson confidently trotted over and made it clear he liked us. We immediately responded by picking him up and hugging him. I have to wonder if there is something in human genes that makes our response to a puppy so immediate and positive. Are we genetically predisposed to connect with dogs? Can a case be made that dog lovers had a better chance of survival with the help of man's best friend - in a violent and uncertain world - to put food on the table and guard against threats? It makes sense to me, but cat lovers may not buy my theory."

Chris Johns

Are we predisposed to connect with dogs because our ancestors were more likely to survive if they were using domesticated wolves to hunt, for protection, and as companions? They now say that people who own a dog are healthier, happier, and perhaps live longer. Was that the case 15,000 years ago when dogs first became domesticated? Let me know what you think!

Beat the Heat With These Fun Games for Your Pup!

Because of the heat wave we're currently experiencing, Facebook decided to put together a list of who they think has the worst hot weather jobs. Turns out dog walkers have made that list! Sure, it's hot out there, really hot. But I'll be honest, I've been having a blast walking dogs in this heat!

To start, I want to make it clear that "walking dogs" hasn't exactly been just that. It's just too hot to go for a brisk midday, half-hour walk. Myself and all of my walkers haven't had our pups walking for more than 10-15 minutes per visit. However, we still have lots of other fun and stimulating activities up our sleeves! And the great thing about these activities is that even wayyou can try them at home to help your pup burn some energy! They'll keep your pup busy and happy in the house, while enhancing your bond and reinforcing good behavior.

To help you get started on keeping your pup active and happy during this hot weather, I've explained two very fun games to try out:

"Find It!"

What you need: Tasty treats or a fun toy, and a crate if your dog doesn't know "stay."

Instructions: Ask your dog to "stay" or put him in his crate. Take a cookie or his favorite toy and hold it up so that he sees it in your hand. Then walk to a spot in your house where he can still see you, put the item down, then return to your dog. Say "Find It!" and release your dog from his stay, or open his crate. Watch as your pup runs to the spot and gobble up his treat or play with his toy! Next, start all over again, but this time placing the item in a slightly more difficult spot. Watch him search for the item and find it! Repeat over and over again for lots of fun!

Remember: Your dog needs to be rewarded to stay motivated. Start the game very easy to make sure he understands the goal. If things get too difficult and he looses interest, try going back to placing the item in an easy-to-find spot. Egg him on with your voice, and if he needs help, try pointing to the area that the item is hidden. Reward him once he finds it with lots of praise and clapping so he's extra proud of himself!

Why the game is so great: You're burning your pup's mental and physical energy by challenging him to find the item. You're also reinforcing the "stay" command while teaching him a new command, "find it." And the best part about it is he's got to pay attention to you and read your body language so that he knows where the toy is! It's a great way to connect with your pup, and I think at times we all wish our dog paid more attention to us!

Who enjoyed this game: Kande the Wheaton Terrier could not get enough of this game with me yesterday! She was great at staying, so I'd amp up the excitement by asking her if she was ready before telling her to "find it!" She would get so psyched, that the moment I said "find it!" she'd give me one big WOOF then sprint off into the living room, as if to say "here I go!!"

"Hide & Go Seek!"

What you need: Tasty treats or a fun toy, and someone to help you if your dog doesn't know "stay"

Instructions: Ask your dog to "stay" or have someone hold him, and show him that you have a treat or toy. Then walk into another room, stand still, and say "(dog's name) come!" If someone's holding your dog, have them let go. Then stay quiet until your pup finds you and when he does, reward him with lots of praise and a treat or some playtime with his toy! Next, repeat the game, but this time hiding in a slightly more difficult spot. If you're playing with someone else, have them hide this time. Reward your dog for finding you, and repeat over and over again for lots of fun!

Remember: Keep your dog motivated and help him understand the game by first hiding in an easy-to-find spot. Increase the difficulty based on his success. If he suddenly looses interest or can't find you, give him a hint with a whistle or by saying his name. Make it super exciting when he finds you so that he has lots of fun and stays enthusiastic about the game!

Why the game is so great: You're burning your pup's mental and physical energy by challenging him to find you. Plus, you're reinforcing both your "stay" and "come" commands. It also teaches your pup that being around you, or finding you, is a wonderful thing! That way when you're outside one day and want to call him to come, he'll be more happy to do it!

Who enjoyed this game: My two Collies, Elsa and Reese, absolutely love this game! They've become so good at it, that I'll ask them to stay in the basement, and hide all the way upstairs in the bedroom and they still manage to find me! The two flights of stairs are great exercise for them when it's too hot to go for a walk and they've learned that being called to "come" is fun and exciting!

So even though it's sometimes too hot outside for our dogs to burn a lot of energy, that's no excuse to have a bored pup! Try out these games to help your dog stay active during the hot summer days while reinforcing good behaviors, enhancing your bond, and having fun!

Spending the Day with BlueDog!

I hear it over and over again, the constant exclamations of how lucky I must be to be to spend every day walking dogs. And I have to agree, my walkers and I are very lucky! And what makes it even better are the fantastic dogs that we walk. There's tall dogs and short dogs, energetic dogs and lazy dogs, cute dogs and silly dogs. The personalities are endless! And there's nothing I love more than capturing those personalities with a picture. One of BlueDog's wonderful walkers, Jenn, also has a passion and talent for photographing dogs. So we planned a BlueDog photo shoot; an entire day with an ambitious list of dogs and walkers for Jenn to meet and photograph throughout Andover and North Andover! She had a blast, our walkers had a blast, and most importantly, the lovable pups that we walk had fun showing off and smiling for the camera!

So to all of those people who tell me how lucky I am, I'd like to share a look into what it's like to be a BlueDog walker for a day.

Jenn started her day off with a 9am visit with Katie and Romeo. Romeo is BlueDog's most senior pup, he just celebrated his 14th birthday! The two of them enjoy slow, sniffy walks in beautiful downtown Andover.

I've never known dogs to get wrinkles as they age...but apparently their tongues do!

Next was Chloe, a little Havanese pup who enjoys two visits a day from her walker Katie as she learns how to be house trained (and Katie had taught her a trick or two already too!)

She likes laying in the summer sun with Katie and her best friend Chance. Chance is Katie's dog and joins her on nearly every walk. All of her pups absolutely love walking and playing with him! It also promotes socialization and all of our walkers are encouraged to bring their dogs on walks with them once I've determined they're well behaved, well socialized, and great with other dogs.

Usually we try to keep our walks structured and controlled to promote good manners, but Bella was just too excited to get her picture taken and ran ahead of her walker Meghan to smile for the camera!

There's the smile!

Then Jenn was off to North Andover for a walk with Butch and Amy. And speaking of smiles...Butch makes it clear that dogs can indeed, smile : )

He absolutely loves his walker and best friend, Amy. Amy also occasionally house sits for Butch, he always has a blast during their slumber parties!

Daisy is a rescued terrier mix who lives in a beautiful neighborhood, though her and her walker must watch out for poison ivy! I walked Daisy myself earlier this summer and ended up with a whole bunch of the itchy stuff all over my legs!

Daisy likes to have some cuddle time with Rebecca. She also enjoys it when Rebecca brings her dog, Sadie, who is also a rescue, over for a visit!

Jenn has got photographing dogs down to an art...but sometimes the pups just get too excited! Like Sarah here, who just couldn't handle her excitement about making a new friend. She just went straight up for a kiss!

And then it was on to her best friend Katie, who she absolutely smothered with kisses! Sarah is just a pup and is learning good manner's from BlueDog's trainer, Amy. Amy has also taught Katie what they've learned, so that she can be consistent with Sarah's training during their walks!

Look at that tongue! Simba is just growing up from puppy-hood, he's currently going through that awkward stage most of our dogs went through as they matured! But he's a very good boy and not only enjoys walks with Amy, but they also work on his good manners and commands.

Amy has been walking him since he was only 8 weeks old!

Next Jenn headed to the park by the library in North Andover where Lauren and Stanley were playing fetch with a tennis ball. It's his absolute favorite game and he could play for hours!

They also worked on a couple commands in between games. Look how well he stays for her!

Amy and Sadie were enjoying some cuddle time in the yard. Sadie had no problem rolling over for a belly rub, she knows Amy can't say no to that!

Jenn loved photographing Sadie, she was such a ham and totally loved the camera. Look at that face!

Amy also walks BlueDog's amazing three-legged dog, Sophie. After being diagnosed with bone cancer, Sophie's parents made the brave decision to save their girl by having her leg amputated. She has been healthy and happy ever since!

And still keeps up on her tricks!

Next up was Bruno who enjoyed a nice, shady walk with his walker Lauren.

And then on to a fun game of fetch in the yard. He's another one who could play for hours!

Tell me that isn't love! Another BlueDog senior, Sasha, still has the energy to go for long walks despite her age...and grey hairs! But her older age has also brought on some health risks, so we all know the signs to look for when she's gone far enough.

She has fun walking the fields along Spring Hill Farm and loves barking at the cows!

The last stop of the day was at 3pm with Katie, Max, and Cleo. Max is by far BlueDog's tallest dog and towers over Katie when he stands on his hind legs!

But these guys, despite their size, are as gentle and sweet as they get. They love to walk with Katie down to the North Andover town common, or play in the backyard.

We will surely be doing another BlueDog photo shoot in the future! It was absolutely impossible to take pictures of all the dogs walked by BlueDog that day, but we'll be certain to feature more pups soon. If your dog was featured today and you'd like to see more pictures, just let me know!

And I hope you were able to enjoy daydreaming about what it's like to spend a lucky day with BlueDog : )

Tips To Keep Your Dog Happy & Safe Over the 4th of July

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. My family of nine 2-legged members and seven 4-legged members pack into my parent's cozy, little lake house for a weekend of cookouts, canoeing, swimming, and water skiing. But nothing beats The Big Event, when my hubby, brother, and brother-in-law put on their annual I-don't-even-want-to-know-how-much-money-you-spent fireworks show! Shooting right off the dock and over the lake, we're astounded every year by a remarkable display.

And while everyone fully enjoys the fun packed weekend, not every family member is happy about the fireworks show. Especially my girl Elsa! Not a fan of thunderstorms either, she becomes a very unhappy pup as soon as the sparklers are lit. And this isn't uncommon. While we oooo and ahhh over the big bangs and bright flashes created by fireworks, many dogs will hide, run, or escape in fear. Shelters and veterinarians report an increase in dogs after the holiday and owners will have found that their dog has broken through fences, screens, and even windows at the sound of a firework.

There are a couple of training methods that you can use to help teach your dog not to fear fireworks, but they require a lot of patience and time. So with the holiday approaching quickly, I've listed a couple of quick tips to help keep you dog safe and happy during the 4th of July celebrations:

• Make sure your dog is wearing a properly fitted collar with an up to date license and rabies tag. Talk to your vet about having your dog micro-chipped if he hasn't already. Or simply run down to your local pet store and get a tag made with your dog's name and your phone number on it so that if he gets lost, someone can contact you quickly when he's found.
• During a fireworks show, keep your dog in a safe, secure, familiar place such as a crate or a bedroom. Close all windows and doors to lessen the sound and to ensure that there are no possible ways for him to escape.
  
• Play music, a TV, run the air conditioner, or turn on a fan on to muffle out the sound of the fireworks.
• Try using a calming treatment such as Comfort Zone. Comfort Zone plugs into any outlet and releases the same pheromones that a mother dog releases to calm her puppies, and may help your dog relax.
• Give your dog an article of clothing or blanket that has your scent on it. The smell of you can be soothing and comforting to him. It's one of Elsa's favorite comforts when she gets scared.
  
• Don't leave your dog outside if you know there may be fireworks. Even if you have a fenced in yard, tether, or invisible fence, if he gets scared he may try to escape and can injure himself.
  
• Stay calm and relaxed around your nervous dog. Your dog reacts to your mental state, so try not to get worried about him, but instead stay upbeat and positive.
• Distract your dog with a game of fetch or ask him to do some tricks to keep him busy and stimulated while you can hear fireworks. Or try giving him a treat-stuffed toy to enjoy and work at.
  
• If your dog's anxiety tends to be severe over the 4th of July, call you vet and discuss possible medications that will help calm him.
• And lastly, as wonderful as it is to spend family time with your dog, avoid bringing him to a firework show. Neither of you will enjoy the show if he gets scared and it's not worth the risk of him trying to run away!
  

If your dog has any fear or phobia such as that of fireworks or thunderstorms, feel free to contact me at Kimberly@BlueDogPetCareMA.com to discuss how we can help him!

I Wish I Didn't Have a Job

I know, it's a crazy thing to say. How could someone who spends every single day training and walking dogs ever wish she didn't have a job? I should love my job!

Well, I'll let you in on a little something. I do love my job! I love every moment of it. But I still wish I didn't have a job.

Here, let me explain myself.

I wish I didn't have a job because if I didn't have a job, it would mean that no dog ever needed training. I wish I didn't have a job because it would mean that no dog ever needed a daily walk. I wish I didn't have a job because it would mean that every dog owner had enough time, enough knowledge, and enough understanding to provide the proper exercise, companionship, structure, and training for their dog. That every dog would live a life of health, happiness, and satisfaction.

But, I have a job.

It really came into focus for me this morning when I met with a four month old puppy and his family of two parents and three siblings (I'm talking about the two-legged kind) for a training consult. This dog had had everyone on his side since the day he was born. His mother was rescued as a stray while she was pregnant with him and his littermates. He was born at a foster house and raised by a loving, caring family. At 8 weeks he was adopted by yet another wonderful family, who were thrilled to be bringing a dog into their lives for the very first time. He has since spent the past two months living with them in a warm, comfortable home. His life was seemingly perfect.

I could get into the details about what I saw when I met this puppy; the biting, the barking, the jumping. But let's just say that this puppy, despite all of the good intentions, was in serious need of training, restructure, and some stability in his life.

The thing is, the puppy had done nothing wrong. And his family had done nothing wrong either. So then, what went wrong?

It's a time like this, when I meet a dog and its family in need of training, that I take a deep breath, and remind myself; we all have good intentions for our dogs, but it just doesn't come naturally to us.

I'll use myself as an example. I'm a dog person, but I'm no car person. Say the "check engine" light was on in my car, and it was up to me to figure out what was wrong. Sure, I'd read the manual, google a couple things, maybe even call my hubby for advice. And after lifting the hood, I could possibly figure out at least where the washer fluid goes, how to recharge the battery, maybe screw around with a couple of things, but that's probably as far as I'd get. Hey, I never claimed to be a mechanic, right?

Well, it's the exact same thing when we bring a puppy home for the very first time. We read the books, we watch the shows, and sure, we've met plenty of dogs on the street. So we could possibly figure out a thing or two on how to properly raise the dog. Probably not all of it though.

And here's the catch. With a car, the check engine light turns back on, smoke comes out of the hood, or the darn thing just won't turn on. Time to head to the mechanic's.

A puppy, though, isn't as black and white. They don't have any "check engine" lights. So while an owner may take what they've learned and try all the right things, they still don't always know when they're doing something wrong. Or at least not until it really becomes a real problem. Or maybe it doesn't even become a problem, and the dog just lives his life unsure about how to connect with his owner. He doesn't know what to do, doesn't know how to act, doesn't know how to make them understand. This isn't just a car we're talking about, this is a living, breathing member of our family.

We aren't born with the ability to read our dogs' minds. All we can do is learn as we go, ask for advice, and hope for the best. It would be wonderful if we came into this world with the innate ability to communicate with 100% accuracy with our four-legged friends. How happy and satisfied they would all be!

When I see a pup like the one I met today, it makes me wish I didn't have to do this. It makes me wish that all dogs and people could just naturally figure each other out.

I would do anything to provide that for every dog out there. Happiness, completeness, understanding. But unfortunately, I'm no doggie Oprah. I'm just a small time dog trainer and walker in North Andover. So on days like today, I have to remind myself to take it one step at a time. One dog at a time. I will improve this puppy's life. Just like I've improve the lives of the dogs that I walk. My walkers and I only get a half hour each day with each dog, but we make that the very best half hour we possibly can. It's the least we can do.

So as much as I absolutely love my job, I wish I didn't have it. I wish there were no need for it. But then again, a girl's got to make a living. And even more so, she's got to be realistic. I do have a job. I do my very best at my job. And that improves the lives of the dogs that I meet. People may not be born with the innate ability to understand their dog, but I sure as heck can try to teach them!

The Invisible Leash

Throughout the years, as I've worked with people and their dogs, I've found that we've become increasingly dependent on the leash. The latest and greatest collars, harnesses, and head halters are making us even more hooked on that six foot piece of fabric that connects us to our pups. I watch daily as people walk with a tight leash, pulling this way and that, without ever consulting their dog.

And it makes me wonder, have we taken away from the potential relationship we could have with our dogs by becoming so dependent on the leash?

My leash of choice is the thinnest, four foot lead I can find. The flimsier the better! Because I don't rely on my leash. Sure, it's got to be there. They keep our dogs safe and secure; no matter how reliable your dog is, he should always be on a leash. However, I like my leash to be invisible, as if it weren't even there, with every dog that I walk.

How does a leash become invisible? Well, rather than using it to direct your dog where you want to go, you simply tell your dog where you're going. If you're taking a walk with a friend, are you holding their hand, pulling and tugging them this way and that without notice? Of course not. If you decide to take a left, you tell them "let's go this way." If you want to stop, you say "wait one second." So what's the difference between your friend and your dog? There shouldn't be one!

When I walk my dogs, I tell them where I want to go. If I'm changing directions, I say "this way." Then I take a left or a right or wherever it is that I'd like to go. Originally, if I said "this way" and changed directions, my dogs would continue walking straight until they reached the end of the leash, feel a tug and realize I had changed directions, and then follow me. Within no time, they learned that when I say "this way," it meant I was changing directions, so they'd look at me to figure out where I was going to avoid being tugged by the leash.

I also tell them when I'm stopping. I say "wait," and then stop. Once ready to move forward, I say "let's go." If I want them to catch up to me or slow down, I say "with me." And of course, I always throw in an occasional "good puppy!"

Some dogs pick up on this quickly, others less so. However, if you remain consistent, talking to your dog every time you go for a walk, these commands will eventually have a meaning to him. And the key to doing this is keeping a loose leash. Because remember, it's invisible! If you can't use your leash, you'll have to use your voice. I'll admit, it isn't easy at first, but once you turn it into a habit, you'll never want to use your leash again.

To test your dependence on your leash, you can try tying it around your waist, so that you can't hold onto it. Then take your dog for a walk! You may see how often you rely on the leash, and perhaps how little direction you actually give your pup!

Consider your walks with your dog the same as a walk with a friend. You go for a walk to reconnect, chat, and enhance your relationship. If you take the same approach with your dog, your walks will be much more enjoyable for the both of you!

May Birthdays!

Birthdays of the Month!

At BlueDog, your dogs are part of our family. So of course we're going to celebrate their birthdays! And for those rescued pups whose birthdays we don't know, we celebrate the day they found their forever home.

Each dog gets a special goody bag on his birthday month, so let us know your pup's birthday!

May 2011

Happy Birthday to the following wonderful BlueDog pups!

Maisy, Tula, Butchie & Bruno!

Maisy's birthday is May 3rd! Maisy's a sweet black lab who loves absolutely everyone! She enjoys playgroups with lots of doggie friends as well as long walks with her walker Katie. Her favorite thing to do is give kisses...LOTS of kisses!

Tula is a lovable little pug who celebrates her birthday at May 7th. She's a tiny girl with a big heart! She enjoys walks with her buddy Meghan and is looking forward to being a big sister in June, when her mom is due with her first baby!

Butch is all about fun fun FUN! He turned 1 year old on May 15th but still acts like a puppy! He enjoys walks with his friends Lily and Jalapeno and of course his walker Amy. He loves to run, play and wrestle, but is always up for some cuddle time too!

It's all about the game of FETCH for Bruno! The little dachshund will play all day, everyday if he had the chance. He shares him home with two BIG dogs but certainly holds his own. And once he finally stops playing fetch, he's a wonderful little cuddler!