Waggin' Tails Junction

01/06/2024

It was a FuN Fri-Yay!!! ☀️ Have a great weekend!

01/03/2024

Wednesday’s fun friends in daycare!!

12/29/2023

The daycare dogs are ready to bark in the New Year.

12/29/2023

Some good advice if your dog is sensitive to Fireworks 🎆

FEROCIOUS FIREWORKS
I’ll be spending New Years Eve at home, in my pajamas, cuddled up with my dogs, as I always do.

Fireworks are something I dislike intensely. They are not only terrifying for so many different animals but are also dreaded by caring people, who have to watch, often helplessly as their dog suffers through the deafening bangs.

Shelters become overrun with lost dogs, dogs are knocked over by cars or go missing in their attempt to escape, they jump through glass windows, over high walls, have heart attacks, seizures or worse.

As there’s very little we can do to prevent other people from doing what they do, the best solution is to do all we can to minimize the impact this has on our dogs.

All dogs are different and there’s never a guarantee that these methods will work. Some dogs are just the way they are because of genetics, their experiences, learning history, health conditions, age etc.

Here are some helpful links if you’d like more information on some ideas that may help –

1. Counterconditioning / desensitization
https://illis.se/en/cc/

2. Noise of fireworks for desensitization training –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7FANXaanG4

3. Thunder phobia and sound sensitivities - Patricia McConnell
https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/dogs-and-fireworks/

4. Dogs and fireworks (30+ proven techniques to eliminate noise phobia) – Karolina Westlund, PHD
https://illis.se/en/eliminating-firework-and-thunder-phobia-in-dogs/

5. Calming dog music – Pet Calming Maestro, Lisa Spector (Lisa’s music helps me relax and fall asleep quicker too!) https://lisaspector.com/dog-gone-calm/

6. Thundershirt / anxiety wraps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmwgw2actJg

Wishing you and your dogs a calm, peaceful, uneventful beginning to 2024

12/28/2023

We have some real Party 🥳 Dawgs here. Tomorrow, we will have to bring out the bubbly stuff.
🍾 😀 😉

12/27/2023

All hands are up that we are almost ready to welcome in 2024! Hooray!!! (Only a few days left of 2023!!) 🍾 🎉 🎆

12/22/2023

Today the pups were playing and getting tired for the holiday weekend. We’ll see everyone next week. Daycare is open next week Tuesday through Friday. Merry Christmas to all!

12/20/2023

Here’s some reindeer and tree decorator helpers in daycare!! 🦌 🎄

12/19/2023

Let's play some ball

12/18/2023

Lots of Santa’s helpers in daycare this week. 🎅 🧝

12/18/2023

Just elfing around this morning

12/15/2023

Beautiful pups with Santa!!🤶 ⭐️ 🤩 🎁 🎄

12/14/2023

Big and small, Santa loves them all! Getting one day closer to Merry Christmas! 🎄 ⭐️ 🤶

12/13/2023

More great pictures with Santa today!! 🤶 🎄 Keep up the good behavior guys!!

12/12/2023

Pictures with Santa! 🤶

12/08/2023

🎵 It's the yap-yappiest season of all 🎶

12/07/2023

Do you have an Elf on your shelf?

12/07/2023

Look who is celebrating her birthday with her Daycare friends.

12/07/2023

Happy Birthday Mala

12/06/2023

O Tinsel
O Tinsel
How lovely is that silver
It hangs from branches down to me
It can be swatted off the tree
If eaten up – does not digest!
O Tinselbutt – you know the rest!
O Tinsel
O Tinsel
Both dogs & cats adore it
But it is dangerous to us
(Decorative p**p is not a plus!)
To keep us safe, leave in the store
No Tinselbutt forevermore

12/06/2023

12/06/2023

Start your day with a smile

12/06/2023

😊 😃 Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 to Sugar🥳🎂🥰😊

12/05/2023

Training isn’t just for puppies. Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Learning how to communicate with your dog at any age can help keep them safe and encourage good manners.
Training is more than just “come,” “sit” and “stay.” Positive, rewards-based training teaches you how to redirect inappropriate actions and reward good behavior.
Training helps solve unwanted behaviors. Nipping, jumping up, potty issues, bolting out the front door and many more can be addressed.
Training lets you take your dog with you more often. Being responsive to your cues in different environments and walking nicely on leash are just a few benefits of training.
Dogs are easily distracted. Training classes with other pet parents and dogs help simulate real-world scenarios that teach you and your dog to focus.
Training is rewarding. It feels good when you and your dog master cues.
Dogs need physical and mental stimulation. Training helps keep them from getting bored and mischievous.
Training helps strengthen your bond. It sets up you and your dog for a lifetime of trust and continued learning.
Training makes dogs more confident. That’s very helpful for shy or timid pups.
Training is fulfilling for you and your dog. Your dog wants to please you, and nothing is more impressive than a well-trained dog having fun showing off their skills.

12/05/2023

Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 Jasper

12/05/2023

All of our Elfs are on the shelves.

12/05/2023

12/05/2023

Start your day with a 😃 smile

12/04/2023

December 12-15th!!! I hope everyone is ready for Santa pictures NEXT WEEK!!! 🎅 🎄 ⭐️ 🎁 🧭 🧸🎾 Santa will stop in daycare so we can take pictures.

12/04/2023

LOL 😆😃
Our version of
"Elf On A Shelf"

12/04/2023

Who will be a great helper for 🎅 🧑‍🎄 Santa?

12/04/2023

Happy Monday

12/04/2023

Hello Bruce

12/04/2023

We’ve all been there – tapping our foot waiting in the dark or the rain for our dog to do their business. Don’t they know we’ve got things to do and people to see?

There’s nothing more satisfying than the moment the light bulb goes off and he realizes what I’m trying to get him to do. High five, shame, and roll over are all amusing party tricks that can win even cat people over, but none of these are my favorite.

My favorite trick doesn’t make anyone laugh. It’s not cute or original, but it makes me happy in winter at 6am: My dog goes potty on command.

Getting potty on command is pretty easy. Your dog already does the behavior you’re looking for (p*eing and p**ping), so all you need to do is grab some treats and capture it! Capturing is all about pinpointing the exact moment your dog does what you want it to do. It’s like taking a photo of that moment. (Because you’ve always wanted many photos of your dog p**ping).

1. Pick the word you’re going to use that will mean “go p*e” to your dog. You could use the classic “go potty”, the police dog cue “empty”, or “abracadabra!” It doesn’t matter what you say, as long as you say it consistently.

2. Figure out out when your dog most predictably goes to the bathroom. The three big p*e motivators are: waking up, playing, and drinking. What goes in must come out, and, by setting a schedule for your dog you can predict when he/she will need to go outside. Knowing that your dog needs to go to the bathroom is key in capturing the behavior.

3. When your dog needs to eliminate, leash him/her up and relocate to your designated potty spot. This could be a corner of your back yard, the tree in front of your building, or the curb. If you have any fear that your dog might go before you get to the curb or wherever, pick him up and carry him there (if you can — if you have a Great Pyrenees, this will not be possible!).

4. Wait for your dog to go. Give him no attention as you pace quietly back and forth by the p*e spot. When he squats or lifts his leg wait, for him to finish. As he’s finishing happily say your cue word “GO POTTY!” When he is done, give a marker (a verbal “Yes!” or the click of a clicker), then lavish him with praise and something really yummy.

5. After a week or two give the cue “go potty!” just before the p*e happens but still wait to “Yes” or click until after he’s completely finished. (Otherwise, your marker might distract him from finishing his business midway.)

One big tip: While you’re teaching this behavior, don’t accidentally punish the “go potty” by returning inside immediately after your dog eliminates. Give lots of praise, toss the ball once or twice, or walk your dog down to the corner and back to let him sniff his favorite spots for 30 to 60 seconds.

Once your dog has mastered the behavior, start to vary your rewards. Only reward the quickest p*es or the times when you tell him to go when his bladder is empty but he squats and squeezes a few drops out anyway. Every potty should earn praise, but the best ones should earn a ball toss or a special treat.

If you want to put bowel movements on cue as well, pick a different cue to use. You should have two separate cues for “go p*e” and “go poo” as they are two different actions. Once your dog has the first elimination on command, start working on the second elimination with a new cue.

Peeing and p**ping has never been so fun.

12/04/2023

Start your day with a laugh

12/01/2023

Fun in daycare on Friday-Yay!!! Have a great weekend! 😎

11/30/2023

Start your day with a smile ❄️ ⛄️ 🐕