Gold Ducat Kennels and Farmette

03/04/2024

Since I'm always harping about people need to do dog sports and other activities with their best friends (and sitting on the couch eating popcorn while watching Netflix does not qualify), I have started a program that in addition to day care dogs (and boarders, of course) getting to run on 8 acres, I will teach a trick a week to the day care dogs with the end result being all of these dogs can easily get an AKC trick dog title and an AKC CGC. I will post the trick to be learned each week (and maybe a couple of photos of those dogs accomplishing those tricks). This week's trick will be going through an agility tunnel. Poppy and Speaker have already been introduced to the tunnel (they weren't fans). Buster will get to try it this week (I think he will be a fan). And Poppy and Speaker will get another shot at it Wednesday. We'll also do a few refreshers in the other tricks they've already learned.

03/03/2024

Radar enjoying a little bit of breezy solitude.

03/03/2024

Poppy and puppies! Poppy gets along better with the puppies than they do with each other--too much sibling rivalry.

03/03/2024

Ali and friends investigating the "back yard."

03/03/2024

Oh, the allure of the abandoned burn pile . . .

03/03/2024

Just like kids! Lily has 8 acres she could roam on but instead she prefers to go in the empty play yard and tease the dog who can't get out of the play yard next to her.

12/21/2023

Radar and Luna coming back from ball chasing on the 8 acres. They can't wait to tell Tia all about it.

12/21/2023

I know I've been harping for years that many dogs seem to have an allergy or sensitivity to chicken which can be manifested by hot spots, ear infections, lick granulomas, full a**l glands, excessive licking, etc. Dogs Naturally Magazine has a couple of interesting articles that explain why chicken seems to be the culprit. The first article that caught my eye was "Vaccination and Allergies: The Surprising Truth." Their explanation of "what happens when food proteins are injected" is very informative and definitely worth a read. The second article is "Raw Chicken For Dogs: Why I Stopped Feeding It." Also a good read since it applies to any form of chicken--cooked or otherwise. And the information is definitely applicable to humans too which makes me glad we have our own organic eggs. Hopefully finding a food that doesn't contain chicken in any form will keep your dog off of the expensive, and in some cases, dangerous, medications.

12/21/2023

Poppy having fun with a couple of golden puppies.

12/21/2023

If a min-pin can't round up chickens I don't know who can. Mindy helps "encourage" them to get in the chicken house.

12/07/2023

11/16/2023

Yes we are open again! After a short, two-year retirement, I discovered I couldn't live without my previous clients (canine and human). I also missed the 27,000 steps a day--automatic fitness without any effort on my part. We are boarding and doing on-demand day care on a very limited basis. Previous clients, friends and family have first priority. We also have very casual hours--drop-offs and pick-ups are at mutually agreed upon times. We are open for day care as early as 6:30 am and as late as 6:30 pm--just call in advance of the day(s) you want to drop off for day care. We are also doing agility training, scent work training, and lots of walks. And of course you're always welcome to a cup of tea or a glass of wine (time permitting) when you come to pick up your camper(s)!

02/02/2022

01/22/2021

Adding in the last photos I never seemed to be able to get around to posting . . .

11/04/2020

It's free bully sticks all around while our canine guests await the election results. Luckily they are all independents (or so they tell me) and don't care who wins as long as they get their long rambling walks on time.

11/01/2020

Last weekend was one of the best groups ever! Almost everyone could run free and everyone not only got along, they actually remembered each other even though it had been several months since they last saw each other. Almost made me think twice about retiring.

10/27/2020

Max just loves my granddaughter. Whenever she comes to walk dogs he goes with her on every single walk! He is 13 years old and the other day he actually walked (and occasionally trotted!) for 45 minutes straight while she walked a series of dogs.

10/02/2020

I can't resist posting these photos of Harley and Lincoln having fun with Buffy, our livestock guardian dog.

10/02/2020

Now for the vegetables dogs can and cannot eat. Don't bother with asparagus--too tough to eat raw and if it's soft enough to eat it loses too many nutrients. Broccoli only in small quantities but can cause gastric irritation. Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage are fine but can cause gas. Lots of people like to use carrots as treats which should be nutritious. Unfortunately from what I see the carrots just seem to pass straight through the dogs in their original form so I'm not sure how dogs are benefiting from any nutrients that are available. Cantaloupe good, cherries not. Cherries contain cyanide and are toxic to dogs. Cranberries are good--but not a lot of dogs think so. Cucumbers are good and have lots of vitamins and minerals and can boost energy levels. Grapes never! Can cause acute sudden kidney failure! Mangos are good for dogs as are pears and peaches. Just make sure the don't get the pits of any of the above because the pits contain cyanide and are toxic. Oranges are okay for dogs too but they may not like the taste of citrus. In the "never" department, dogs should never eat mushrooms--wild mushrooms can be really toxic to dogs and it's best not to take chances. Celery, peas and green beans are fine for dogs--lots of people like to give dogs green beans to help fill them up. Just try to feed a low or no-salt version of any canned vegetables. Onions are a no go and include leeks and chives. They can cause your dog's red blood cells to rupture and also severe gastric issues. Dogs can eat spinach but it contains oxalic acid which can block the ability to absorb calcium and can lead to kidney damage. There are probably a lot better vegetables your dog would rather have.

09/04/2020

Someone else who looks pretty comfortable is the baby goat who likes to perch on the sheep. I honestly don't know why the sheep puts up with it!

09/04/2020

Jesse and Short Stop look so comfortable. They are definitely best friends and devoted to each other. They do like to play with other dogs though and each have their own set of friends.

08/11/2020

A few photos of Thor after a training session with Georgia. When I called his name he sat up and then lay back down facing the other direction.

07/11/2020

Recently came across an interesting article of what fruits and vegetables dogs can and can't eat. In the fruit department, they can eat: apples, bananas, blueberries, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon. Some of those are a little high in sugar so you might want to limit them but some of them are great treats--teach them how to catch by tossing blueberries to them. What they shouldn't eat are avocados and tomatoes. Avocados contain persin, a toxin that causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Plus if you've watched any of the documentaries on avocados, you don't want to buy imported avocados anyway. Although dogs can eat the actual tomato, the green parts of the plant contain a toxic substance called solanine. Next time I'll tackle the vegetables--a much longer list.

07/11/2020

07/11/2020

Independence Day wasn't quite as laid back as Memorial Day but it was still a lot more relaxing than this time last year! And the dogs were all great too!

06/08/2020

Sunny is working hard to catch a squirrel so she can get a free night for her and Izzy.

06/03/2020

Not quite our usual Memorial Day crowd but a very fun and enjoyable group of dogs. It was nice to have a laid back holiday--the first time in many years.

05/20/2020

As I always say, it's not that we are trying to discourage business but we do want what's best for your dog. Now that you've been home for a while, your doggie is probably pretty attached to you. He/she is going to have its nose out of joint the first time you leave him/her (especially if you go back to work outside the home). As glad as we always are to see your pet, we also have some helpful ideas if you want to take your pet with you on your next trip. Lots of hotels and campgrounds (including state parks) accept dogs. If you are camping you can bring an exercise pen along with you (similar to the one I use for Keebler but probably taller) and your pet can lounge in that while you are eating, cooking, or playing outside. I also want to go on record as a promoter of crate training for your dog. Most people view crates as an undesirable confinement for their pet. Most dogs view crates as a secure, safe den-like environment. We have a dog visiting right now that had to walk by a crate that was in front of her run and she darted into the crate and refused to come back out. She only wants to leave the crate when it's time to go for 30 minute runs. And she especially likes chewing bully sticks in the crate because no one else can even see the treat, much less take it away from her. The advantage of crates is dogs can travel in them (you can find a plastic one that will fit in the back seat of your car), stay in them in a hotel room while you are at dinner, and eat and sleep better while travelling since it is their familiar "den." You may need to crate your dog your first few days back at work to keep your dog safe and secure (and avoid retaliatory behavior from your beloved companion). Even if your dog decided it hated its crate when it was a puppy, it is pretty easy to convince it that it really loves its crate--especially when the crate becomes the source of all things wonderful. Feel free to call us for helpful hints and tips on how to make your dog love its crate again.

05/09/2020

We have had lots of inquiries about puppies of all breeds lately. Unfortunately there seems to be a puppy shortage at the moment. I guess everyone wants a puppy to keep them company while they are riding out the pandemic. You may not be able to find a puppy of the exact breed you want but there are almost 200 AKC breeds in the US and you can probably find several that would fit you and your family. It wasn't until I started the boarding kennel and judging dogs that I realized there are other breeds out there that are actually just as nice as golden retrievers (gasp!) and American Eskimo Dogs and in some cases, might even be nicer (as much as I hate to admit it). I'll be glad to suggest some if you need help/advice. The AKC website also has all sorts of quizzes and comparisons you can do to find the best fit for you and your family. I've taken their test a couple of times and they come up with a selection of four dogs. The first time one of the breeds was Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever which of course is one of my favorites and a breed I recommend to everyone. Twice AKC has come up with Berger Picards for me, a breed I know nothing about. I guess I'll have to study them since AKC seems to be so insistent on me liking them. The Purina Dog Food website also has a quiz on their website which is fun to take but I think only offers you one suggestion at a time. In any event, the quizzes are interesting and give you a starting point for research for your future companion.

05/09/2020

We are starting to reopen very slowly--especially for dogs who need a little "refresher" course to remind them of their manners or want to learn some new skills. Buddy and his family work with Bailey of Baileysk9s.com at Gold Ducat Kennels.