Four Paws Grooming

02/01/2024

Grandma's has the smoker going

01/29/2024

Pocket

01/26/2024

Smokey and Bandit are helping me with book work. Caption this picture

12/27/2023

Four Paws is open and Mitten is working hard.

12/23/2023

Mitten has already had a busy day.

12/15/2023

Something is smelling really good next door!

12/07/2023

We had a surprise visit today when the Grinch came by to pick up Max.

12/06/2023

Smokey is on the schedule for next year.

12/02/2023

Reports of an "outbreak" of some as yet unidentified canine respiratory illness are scaring dog owners. But veterinarians and researchers aren't panicking.

11/22/2023

Mittens

11/15/2023

Mittens played is out. She does have her sweet moments!

11/10/2023

Morning Mittens!

11/10/2023

Chip is the night watchman in his tabby tuxedo. With Katrina by his side until she wanders back to bed. Katrina is 18 this year, the oldest cat I've ever had.

11/10/2023

If you are looking for a responsible breeder for your next puppy, watch out for online scammers and puppy mills. Here are 10 warning signs that your breeder may not be the best place to find your puppy.

11/08/2023

Mitten is working on her parallel bars routine for the Olympics.

11/07/2023

Mitten helps with clean up.

11/04/2023

Four Paws has a new neighbor!
Grandma's Kitchen--I believe.
She's serving up pulledpork and potato salad today

11/03/2023

Pedro ans Seamus onneighborhood watch duty

10/02/2023

After hours shenanigans.

10/02/2023

09/28/2023

Luxating patella in dogs is one of the most common orthopedic conditions, diagnosed in 7 percent of puppies.

09/15/2023

Seamus is learning agility

08/18/2023

Service dogs.
Probably one of the most unpopular topics for any pet dog trainer.
I cannot begin to count the amount of service dog training requests I receive.
“Can your online courses train my dog to be a service dog?”
“I need to make my dog a service dog so he can ride on the bus with me” (Yes, someone seriously asked me this)
“Do you certify service dogs?”
No - no - no - and more no.
Service dog training is completely different from pet dog training.
If your dog is trained to walk nicely on a leash and sit and stay, they are a pet dog.
If your dog comes up to you and nuzzles you when you are sad - they are still a pet dog.
If you want your dog to accompany you into stores or fly in-cabin on planes … they’re still only a pet dog and these privileges are not for them.
Service dogs are task-trained.
They are specifically taught to work for people with disabilities.
A dog that solely provides comfort is not a service dog.
I see a lot of people acquiring dogs, labeling them as “my service dog” and *then* going about training them.
This is not how that works.
You cannot just select a dog, put a service dog harness on them and figure the rest out as you go.
We regularly receive requests from dog owners who tell us that their “service dog” pulled them over on leash or has always been highly reactive.
That their service dog relentlessly chases wildlife on walks or has anxiety in social settings.
One time I got a request from a lady who told me that she got a dog from the shelter to be her son’s service dog, but that “service dog” was now biting the son and could I please fix it.
I’m sorry - none of those dogs are not service dogs then. And they likely won’t be service dogs in the future either.
Please be honest about the dog you own.
Unless you worked diligently to train them as a service animal with specific tasks, they are a pet.
A beloved, (hopefully) well-behaved, wonderful pet.
But not a working dog, and you should not demand the privileges that are reserved for true service dogs.
Staying clear with this distinction protects the actual service dogs and their owners :)

08/16/2023

Here is what Demi and Stewie do for fun on weekends.

08/10/2023

Our just recent new assistant, Smokey, is ready to help.

04/30/2023

Jaye's dog Earl.

01/29/2023

Good morning!