My new friend Bella is visiting today for her first of several "grooming readiness" training. Using shaping and positive reinforcement, I'm helping to introduce Bella to each part of the grooming experience in small, and manageable doses. Today we are hanging out in the bathroom and getting used to the tub without water.
Do you have a new puppy that requires alot of grooming? Message today to discuss or book their grooming readiness appointments!
Milah dislikes having her head and neck blow dried. I can tell by her behavior, her previous groomer restrained her by holding her beard (a common technique to keep the head still), as this is also a sensitive area. Without struggle or restraint (just a little squeezable chicken) I am able to blow dry this area with minimal stress or discomfort. When she stops licking the treat, the blow drier goes away! #fearfree #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #fearfreegrooming #aboutadogaz #petsitter #petsittersofinstagram #doodlesofinstagram
My first official grooming pup was Milah! Although Milah gets groomed regularly (by another groomer) she finds several parts of the grooming experience to be uncomfortable. With the use of a happy hoodie and some chicken baby food/chicken treats, I was able to get her through the scary parts. We took short breaks to practice known behaviors (touch, sit, paw) and to cuddle and give kisses. Because I'm not rushed or under pressure like many regular groomers are, I can dedicate time to moving slowly and supporting Milah in ways that help her feel comfortable and confident throughout the experience.
Have questions about fear free grooming? Message the page for details or to book an appointment.
#fearfreegrooming #aboutadogaz #glendaleaz #petsittersofinstagram #groomersofinstagram #doggydaycare #dogboarding #doodlesofinstagram
I've really been slacking in the social media department lately. Please enjoy this video of Jack and Cappacino playing a high speed game of doggy duck duck goose while Tom expertly avoids getting knocked into next Tuesday. #boyswillbeboys #daycare #doggydaycare #dogboarding #glendaleaz #petsittersofinstagram #blacklabrador #labradorsofinstagram #doodlesofinstagram
Galena gets lunch time enrichment! #doggydaycare #aboutadogaz #petsitter #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #enrichment #foraging #dogpuzzles #rhodesianridgeback
Angus is channeling his inner shark and chomping on this bone like it's an unsuspecting surfer. Happy shark week!
Your pups won't get treatment like this at big corporate dog boarding places. Miss Maya is thoroughly enjoying her time at About A Dog with her favorite person abd we will happily attend to her every whim! #personalizeddogboarding #beaglesofinstagram #snugglepup #doggydaycare #petsitter #petsittersofinstagram
It's hot and all these pups were getting restless so we decided to come outside for some water activities. I turned on the misters and gave them a big bowl full of ice cubes and frozen fruit and veggies. They loved munching on the crunchy ice and digging for the fruits and veggie chunks. They did a great job sharing and taking turns and hopefully will be ready to take a nap when we come inside. #summerfun #doggydaycare #dogboarding #puppiesofinstagram #labradorsofinstagram #doodlesofinstagram #bulliesofinstagram
Benji is hanging out today while his mom moves into a new place and Cappacino is boarding for a few days while his family goes on a vacation. They remember each other from the last time they were both here and were so excited to see each other this morning! #doggydaycare #dogboarding #petsitter #petsittersofinstagram #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #playtime #bestfriends #doodlesofinstagram #summerbreak #aboutadogaz #glendaleaz
Angus is back! He is having so much fun with his new friends Fred and Ginger, he didn't even notice completely falling of the couch. Oops! I've watched this video 30 times and I lol every time! #doggydaycare #dogboarding #glendaleaz #petsittersofinstagram #petsitting
LB (foster dog) is trying her hardest to impress boarding dog, Gracie. We've been fostering and rehabilitating LB since October. When she first came here she was shut down and terrified. We couldn't look at her, move too fast or even talk to her. She's come a very long way from cowering in her crate or jumping at the slightest noise to licking coffee creamer off my fingers every morning and bouncing around happily with her friends. She has a long way to go before she'll be adoptable but I'm optimistic that her "happily ever after" is out there somewhere.
#fosterdog #feral #rescuerehab #rehabilitation #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #livingthedreamrescue #ellbee #busybee #bizbee #sheseriouslyhassomanynicknames
Follow up video to the 3 way tug game. #3waytugchampionship #doodlesofinstagram #labradorsofinstagram #fosterpup #aboutadogaz #glendaleaz #playtime #teamwork
Oh Angus!
#doggydaycare #petsittersofinstagram #bulliesofinstagram #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #forcefree #aboutadogaz #glendaleaz
When you had too much fun at daycare and are too tired to go home #doggydaycare #petsitter #labradorsofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #glendaleaz #aboutadogaz
Lala is a great friend to puppies. She's helping Emmy learn how to play, share toys and take cues. She's also teaching her how to take breaks which is the most important part of playing! Thanks for your help Lala! #dogboarding #doggydaycare #playtime #glendaleaz #petsittersofinstagram #labradorsofinstagram #positivereinforcement #positivevibesonly
Follow up video. After we practiced a bit, Zoe got in the zone. She understands that she can tell me any time to stop touching her. I believe that, combined with the gentle touch and slow breathing, helped her to self regulate and calm down. When we first started working together, these anxious feelings typically led to overzealous jumping, demand barking, and redirecting at the other dog in the household. Now, she can adjust when she's feeling anxious and with the help of her humans can self soothe instead of act out. #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #rescuerehab #doggydaycare #specialneedsdogcare
Because Zoe is nervous we practice consenting touch. It's a very subtle behavior, but every time she lip licks I stop touching and wait for her to consent by lifting her paw or leaning in towards me. This helps her understand that I only touch her if she wants. By teaching her that I'm listening to her cues (not the other way around) I'm building mutual trust and respect.
Although she's panting in the video , it was more intense prior to this exercise and much less after. We've also worked on some calming touch techniques and slow breathing. This is her first day visiting and she's done beautifully considering. #consenttopet #dogmentalhealth #theydeserverespect #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #deepbreaths #gentletouch
Nova is enjoying some breakfast enrichment. She has some resource guarding behaviors so she is fed in her crate. We wanted to "spice" up her routine by offering her breakfast in several different ways. In addition to her slow feeder bowl, kibble was placed in a cone on its side, on top of and under a rubber Frisbee, and inside of a kitty crinkle sack. She had so much fun finding all the kibbles this way! #enrichment #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #dogboarding #glendaleaz
