A look at Boxers

Kris — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:44:13 +0000

For our third installment on popular dog breeds, we showcase Boxers. Boxers are consistently listed among the top 10 most popular breeds in the country — and they’re a hit here at Good Dog too. We have about 200 registered as clients, and that doesn’t include our boxer mixes!

Boxers originated in Germany, where they were working dogs bred for hunting. (Their incredibly strong jaws could hold prey until the hunter/master was able to retrieve it.) Some believe the breed got its name from the way they play — by standing on their back lacks and batting their paws, which looks like doggie boxing. They usually weigh between 55 and 70 pounds — and we’ve seen them all, from our petite Gemma (pictured below) who weighs in at 45, to big man Kramer who tops the scales at 130!

Boxers often come in fawn or brindle coloring, with white markings called flash. (This is why many people refer to white boxers as “ultra flashy.”) Black boxers don’t exist — if you happen to see one, it is either a very dark brindle or a mixed breed. Their short smooth coat makes for easy grooming, so they just require the usual nail trim and bath. Some owners do take advantage of our shed-x treatment, which reduces the heavy shedding that occurs during season changes.

Boxers are one of many brachycephalic breeds, which means they have a short muzzle and flat face. This trait adds serious cuteness points, but it also has a downside. With hot temperatures, the short muzzle makes it difficult to pant, which is a dog’s main cooling mechanism. For this reason, boxers shouldn’t be “outside” dogs. If they’re outdoors on a warm day, they should be given plenty of water and shade breaks.

Boxers have a strong desire for companionship, which is always on display in daycare. Many of our boxers love to play until they konk out, then they find a staffer’s comfy lap for napping (see our adorable evidence below). The breed requires plenty of attention and thrives in an environment where they have lots of play time and exercise.

Training is a must for boxers. Some can be a bit stubborn, and their energy, speed and size can make them a handful. Our trainer Adam Moos recommends training early and consistently. It may take a lot of patience, but boxers respond to lots of practice, repetition and consistency. Ada,usually focuses on basic training commands, keeping things simple and easy, and breaking things down step-by-step. The results are impressive and can make life much easier for the dog and owner.

A look at Doodles

Mandy — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:30:06 +0000

This is the second installment in our ongoing series on popular dog breeds. This week we take an in-depth look at doodles … a.k.a. Labradoodles and Goldendoodles.

Doodle isn’t just a funny word to say – it’s a pretty fantastic kind of pooch, if you ask us at Good Dog. There are two types of doodles, and both share a very similar heritage. The Labradoodle (or poodle/lab hybrid) was originally bred as an allergy-friendly seeing-eye dog by the Australian Guide Dog Association in 1989, then grew in popularity in North America in the mid-90s thanks to the breed’s allergy-friendly, family-friendly reputation. Similarly, the Goldendoodle (golden retriever/poodle mix) got its start around the same time, as many families sought an allergy-friendly version of the popular Labrador retriever. Doodles fit their niches perfectly and have been popular ever since.

Poodle crosses usually inherit the fur qualities of the poodle, though not the texture, which means most doodles don’t shed or shed lightly, and don’t produce high levels of the dander that causes allergic reaction in humans. Their coats can be cream, gold, tan, brown, gray, black, or a combination, depending on parentage, of course. But their beautiful shed-free appearance isn’t the only reason doodles are popular. According to AKC statistics for 2011, labs are the most popular dog in America, goldens are fourth, and poodles rank eighth. The hybrid cross between these parent breeds make terrific family dogs – they are incredibly friendly, intelligent, affectionate and easy to train.

We have more than 200 doodles at Good Dog – 120 goldendoodles and 95 labradoodles – and they are all equally amazing in their own ways. Our daycare regular Lucy Neville (below) is a relatively small goldendoodle with a quiet, gentle, friendly personality. She has one of the most beautiful coats we’ve ever seen — silky and slightly wavy, with a reddish tint that obviously comes from her red golden parentage.

Darwin and Wally Houchin (below, exercising in the woods) are larger goldendoodles with a blondish-white coat more resembling a poodle’s. They are outgoing, talkative and energetic, and they make exceptional ‘big brothers’ to the many rescue dogs that their owner often fosters.

Millie Welch, a daycare favorite pictured below, is wonderfully congenial and sweet – so much so that she was voted Prom Queen of Daycare in Good Dog’s 2001 yearbook poll! Her coat is the perfect shade of grayish black (from her black lab side) and perfectly curly (from her poodle genes).

As you can see, doodles can be very similar yet vastly different – and not just when it comes to the color of their coat. Their size can vary significantly according to parentage, for instance. Typically there are three ranges for the breed: standard doodles weigh about 50 pounds or more — and some can reach 100 pounds if mom and dad are large specimens for their breed. Medium doodles range from 30 to 50 pounds, and small or miniature doodles between 15 and 30 pounds. (Miniatures come from a miniature or toy poodle parent).

Overall, doodles are people-oriented, friendly, smart and social — though like all dogs, they come with their own challenges. Labs and goldens are famously energetic and intelligent, as are their offspring, so doodles can require a lot of exercise and may need to be occupied often. As with any dog, if you’re considering a doodle, do plenty of research before you bring one home and chat with our dog trainer Adam Moos, who has trained many doodles and has plenty of knowledge and advice on the breed. Better yet, come visit us and observe our doodle regulars as they’re playing in daycare. We always love visitors, and so do our daycare dogs!

A look at Labs.

Kris — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:29:05 +0000

Did you know there are 150 different dog breeds registered with the American Kennel Club — and some say more than 800 worldwide? The types of pups we see most often at Good Dog are a pretty close reflection of our national numbers, so we thought we’d share some inside info on a few of our most popular breeds. First up: Labs!

Labs are consistently one of the most popular dogs in the United States, and the same goes for Good Dog. We have around 750 labs in our system, and that doesn’t even include lab mixes! These are great family dogs — smart, willing to please, and dependable. Originally from Great Britain, where they were bred for fishing and hunting, labs can vary greatly in size. Take two of our regulars as an example: Our yellow lab Lilly, who is 10 months old, weighs in at 40 pounds, while Voodoo, an 11-month-old black lab, is a whopping 100 pounds!

We usually have about five labs in our building everyday. Most visit us for daycare, which is perfect for their high energy level and need for exercise. Some of our best behaved labs not only get full days of daycare, but also long walks and runs at home. Our five-year-old chocolate lab Charlotte (we call her Char-bo), has been a daycare regular since 2008 but also does running and biking with her mom at home.

Labs are also known to eat anything and everything in sight — something our staff see on a regular basis. Clyde, a daycare fixture full of personality and energy, is know for his stomach of steel. And his partner in crime Chloe, a three-year-old black lab, has a nose to match — she sniffs out food in the best of hiding places. Chloe also has the smarts of a lab and uses them to play pranks our daycare staff (such as stealing walkie-talkies off hips and secretly moving mop buckets around the room). Labs are often ranked among the top 10 smartest breeds of dogs. Left without training they can be too smart for their own good.

Our on-site trainer, Adam Moos, recommends training labs early and focusing on energy control. With such a high energy level, it’s best to focus on keeping them calm. Adam also says their puppy playfulness lasts longer than most dogs … It may take about five or six years for most labs to mellow out.

When it comes to grooming, labs are relatively low-maintenance. They tend to blow out their coat about twice a year (during the spring and fall), though some never stop shedding. Like most working dogs, labs have a weather-resistant double coat that keeps them cool in the summer and warm in winter. For this reason, our groomers don’t recommend complete shaving. The hair that keeps the heat in also keeps the heat out, so if you’re looking to keep your lab cool, shaving isn’t an option. Our groomers do recommend our shed-x treatment for every groom, which involves a special shampoo that loosens the fur, a good blowout, and a special brushing process that removes lots of undercoat.

Labs are popular for good reason … They’re sweet, funny and loving creatures. If you’re looking to add one to your family, remember they require plenty of exercise and are very smart. So start your training early, and have plenty of lint rollers ready.

A staff update!

Kris — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:16:05 +0000

Summer is closing in on us and for the staff here at Good Dog that means new additions! Before holidays or the busy summer time we like to bring on new employees to help with the extra work load. I’m sure you have seen some new faces around as we brought on around 5 people before our spring break time for the hotel, daycare and even the front desk.

A love for all animals is a must when working here, our managers put a lot of thought into every new hire before they bring them on to our team. When you are hired at Good Dog you are brought in to a family. We go camping together, support each other at races, have birthday barbecues, pool parties and more! The dogs become an addition to our own family’s as well. We have pictures of them on our phones, share their stories at home, and come in on our days off just to snuggle a few.

Now if you have been coming here a long time I’m sure you know some of our veteran employees by name now!
There is Lucas who works up front with his blond curls you can see from a mile away. He has been with Good Dog working in daycare, hotel and now front desk for over 6 years now!
Mary started working for us back in September of 2007. She knows just about every dogs name and is always snapping pictures in daycare and hotel.
Rebecca is the “mom” to everyone here at Good Dog since she started working with us in 2008. She usually can be seen giving kisses to all the small dogs in daycare.
Jenny is our office manager and started with us six years ago where she has done hotel, daycare and now you can see her at the front desk.
Sam our facility manager started out in hotel over 7 years ago! He now makes sure the building is in good shape, everything is stocked and he even takes on our Sunday hotel grooming.
Then you have our excellent general manager Michelle who was with Good Dog before it even had walls in 2005. She started out in daycare and now keeps everyone in line, employees and dogs alike.

Now I may be a little biased, but I know our staff is top notch! The love and compassion everyone here has for the animals is amazing. Sixteen of our employees have been with us for over a year. With that kind of experience you know your getting the best care for your dog! Check out our website to read up on our new employees!

Tiki’s spring safety tips

Mandy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 22:37:40 +0000

Given the gorgeous weather we’ve been having, Tiki decided it’s a good time to address the subject of outdoor dog safety. For this week’s blog, he sat down with Good Dog manager and doggie-care expert Michelle Moser for a Q&A session on the topic.

Tiki: I love taking walks on the Monon, but I don’t like my leash … it cramps my style. Why do I have to wear it?

Michelle: Leashes save lives, which is why this is such an important safety issue for dogs and owners. Always using one is the single most loving thing a pet owner can do. Even well trained dogs can instinctively and impulsively dart after potential distractions, so leashes keep you safe from fast cars, hazardous edibles, dangerous situations and even getting lost. (And one lost dog is one too many.) Plus, a leash allows us to pull back and protect you if another dog tries to attack. Every dog should be on a leash when they’re not in a securely enclosed area – and this includes the Good Dog lobby, where there are often lots of doggies and our doors can swing open at any minute.

Tiki: Why do I get so hot when I’m playing outside? And don’t tell me it’s because my stubby legs and excess belly weight.

Michelle: A dog’s average body temperature is between 100.5 and 102, so you’re naturally warmer than us humans and can overheat quickly on long walks, hot black asphalt or with extended time in the sun. Heat exhaustion and stroke are very serious for dogs and can cause permanent brain damage and even death, but owners can easily prevent it by taking walks in the early morning or evening, keeping your dog in the shade as much as possible, and always having plenty water available. If you notice your dog is restless, staggering, or weak, these are the telltale signs of heat exhaustion, as are excessive salivating, vomiting, and a body temperature of 104 or higher.

Tiki: So how do you care for an overheated dog?

Michelle: If you see any of these signs, immediately move the dog to a cool area and place a cool wet towel on their paws and body. Don’t use ice or very cold water because it can restrict blood vessels and make the situation worse. And see a vet as soon as possible if the symptoms don’t subside right away.

Tiki: Is this why you take me on a lot of walks on shaded concrete instead of blacktop asphalt?

Michelle: It’s one reason, yes. I don’t want you to overheat or burn your little paws. But also, walking on rough concrete can actually help file your nails down, which means fewer nail trims for you. And don’t forget how you cry like a baby at the sight of a nail clipper — I try to avoid these dramatic outbursts at all costs.

Tiki: You’ve also told me I can’t be left alone in the car, even though I love my car naps. Why?

Michelle: Cars are even more dangerous than hot black asphalt because interior temperatures increase so rapidly. There is a website, mydogiscool.com, that talks about how quickly a car can essentially turn into an oven for dogs, even on a cool day. This is an important issue for me and lots of other owners … our pups should not be left unattended in cars, regardless of whether the windows are cracked or not.

Tiki: Now that bathing suit season is quickly approaching, I’d like to cultivate a tan. Is that OK?

Michelle: You’re already very cute and most certainly do not need a tan. Actually most people don’t know this, but dogs can get sunburned, especially around the tips of their ears and noses. Dogs that are hairless, shaved, or with short white fur are even more at risk for sun damage. Ironically, some owners will shave down their dogs to keep them cool in the summer, but this inhibits a dog’s ability to deal with temperature change and puts them at high risk for sunburn. Regular brushing and grooming will remove excessive undercoat and help keep your dog cool, but remember not to shave them completely. For the extra cautious owner, you can also buy sunscreen made specifically made for dogs.

Tiki: Sometimes when I’m playing at the dog park, I get bullied because I’m a little guy. Do you have any safety tips for dog park play?

Michelle: I have so many dog park tips that I probably can’t fit them all into one blog. There are lots of online resources, including dogpark.com, that offer tons of information on how to keep your dog safe in a park – and not just from bullies. My first recommendation would be to observe the park for a few minutes before letting your dog in, and always stay vigilant and aware of your dog. Also, the exposure to other dogs only increases the importance of regular vaccines and heartworm/flea medications.

Tiki: Last but not least, I want to tell you that I love you, and thank you for always keeping me safe. Do you have any final tips for my readers?

Michelle: We talked about leashes earlier, but collars, identification tags and micro-chipping are just as important. Even for the most careful and cautious dog owners, accidents happen and dogs can get lost. I want all of our dogs to have the best lives possible, so I encourage owners to always use collars and tags — and if possible, microchip your pet. It’s only $10 to have your dog chipped at Animal Care and Control in Indianapolis. You can call them at 317-327-1397 for more information.

Getting to know Gramma.

Kris — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:43:56 +0000

Many of you probably already know Gramma, our one and only dog up for adoption. She came to us in early December and has spent lots of quality time at our front desk while searching for her forever home. We cherish her company and enjoy having deep, meaningful conversations with her, which means we’ve gotten to know her pretty well. With that being said, we decided to make this week’s blog a Q&A session with Gramma.

Name: Gramma

Age: 13 years young

Gender: Spayed female

Weight: 40 pounds

I am looking to find: Someone to spend the rest of my life with.

What are your hobbies?: Sleeping, looking for food, going on walks.

If you could be one celebrity for a day who would you be? Betty White

Where are you from?: I came from a full house that was very busy, I had 6 other dog brothers and sisters who all came to Good Dog with me in early December. Since then they have all been adopted out to new homes.

What is one thing about yourself that you would like other to know?: I may be old, but don’t let that scare you. I still have plenty of spunk left in me. I love to play and still make people laugh with the silly situations I get myself in.

If you were an animal in the wild what would you be?: A Lioness, Queen of the jungle who gets plenty of attention.

What do you think is the most important value in a relationship?: Friendship

What do you do for fun? I love to go out on the Monon and explore, I used to go out for walks off leash until I wouldn’t stop running over to the Momma Carrolas patio. It just smells so good there and I always hear people talking about how good the food is. Other than that I love to play, that usually involves swatting my paws around, jumping just a little and barking.

Do you like animals?: I am partial to animals. Cats I find fascinating and I just want to play with and bark at, I have come to find out they usually don’t like that. I think we could get along fine though once we got to know each other. As for dogs, I like most of them. I get along best with other dogs my speed. Sometimes the younger smaller dogs can just be too much for an old lady like me.

What is one job you would love to do?: Hot dog taste tester, competitive food eater.

If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions?: Highlights for my hair, reading glasses, jet ski lessons.

What TV show do you never miss?: Golden Girls

Do you believe the cup is half empty or half full?: Half full, life is AMAZING!

What adjective would a close friend use to describe you?: Sweet

Who is your favorite athlete? Mary Lou Retton

What is your idea of a good time?: Finding a big comfy couch to curl up on, snuggle all day.

Are you a morning person or a night person?: I’m an afternoon person. I like to go to bed early and sleep in. After I get all my naps in though I get all my errands (snuggles, eating, playing) done middle of the day.

What was the last CD you bought?: Miles Davis

Describe your perfect vacation: Martha’s Vineyard. Find a good Bed and Breakfast, good food, good views, plenty of relaxing in the warm sun.

What is your most treasured possession? The tiny round bed of Tiki’s that I actually took over.

Final thoughts?: I love everyone here at Good Dog (especially the front desk staff), but I really would love to have my own family to be with. I get restless here every once and a while but I know it’s best to wait for the right people to come along and find me. I promise if you stop in to say Hi I will convince you that we should see more of each other.

Gramma is such a sweetheart and loves to charm everyone who comes in with her sweet disposition. When we walk on the Monon she wants to stop and say hi to as many people as she can.

If you are interested in adopting Gramma, call us at 317-255-2525 or stop in to visit her! Please also share her story with your friends and family, they might know someone who would be perfect for her.

Meet our Tebow — one that will never be traded!

Mandy — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:49:06 +0000

We hope you enjoy this week’s blog, which is actually our first Guest Blog. Written by Craig and Wanda Anderson about their handsome St. Bernard mix ‘Tebow,’ it was so fun to read that we decided to print it word-for-word. Enjoy!

We adopted Tebow from Indy Animal Care and Control on October 26, 2010. He was 10 months old and had been turned in as a stray. He is indeed named after Tim Tebow, but unlike his namesake, our Tebow will NEVER be traded! Because of his one-of-a-kind looks and personality, we were curious enough to order a DNA test. The results came back just as the shelter has guessed — he is a St. Bernard and American Foxhound mix, and he most certainly shows the laid-back personality of a St. B and a foxhound’s zero-tolerance policy for rodents! Unfortunately, our backyard squirrels have figured out they can easily stay out of his reach in trees and wires, so they tease him mercilessly.

We’ve worked to teach him basic commands, such as “sit,” “stay” and “down and stay,” and he even knows how to shake and high-five. We’re working on the Florida Gator Chomp and, of course, Tebowing (this one is taking some time). His favorite things are car rides and he goes with us everywhere, always in the front passenger seat (whether or not someone else is in it). He often stays in the car for nap, even when it’s parked in our driveway. We have several videos of us trying to lure him out of the car, which should be great evidence if anyone accuses us of neglect for “locking” him in the car. Always the sweetheart, he loves to “help” visitors and fancies himself quite the assistant to any workmen and cleaning ladies in our home. Our mail carrier is also very fond of Tebow — she gives him at least three treats if he’s in the yard when she comes. If not, she leaves two on the doorstep for him.

Tebow’s beautiful long legs give him a definite advantage when he’s cruising for snacks in the kitchen. There’s no need for him to put his paws on the counter — he can just life his head and run his tongue along the edges. In fact, to sneak scraps from the kitchen table, he actually has to lower his head a bit. Before we were used to his special height and talents, he managed to eat a pound of chicken set out for dinner–twice!

He loves to spend the day at Good Dog Day Care and knows exactly where we’re going when we turn from College Avenue onto 54th Street. We know he spends the day playing with his friends because he’s truly tuckered out when we get home. He finds the best place to sleep and we don’t hear or see him again until dinner, after which he naps until bedtime. On days he doesn’t go to Good Dog, we spend at least an hour at Broad Ripple Bark Park. He loves to play tug-of-war, get chased by his friends and wrestle. On wet, muddy days he comes home filthy, but clean-up isn’t bad; as long as someone stays close to his nose with treats, he’s fairly tolerant of being vacuumed. When it was unbearably hot last summer, we went to Williams Creek in Marott Park for some swimming lessons. We wouldn’t say he loves it, but he will chase a stick and paddle around a bit in the water.

As you can tell, we could go on, and on, and ON about Tebow! We spoil him rotten and love him to death, but he gives it all back tenfold. We hope you enjoy our pictures, including one of his first birthday, in the car, and his favorite way to sleep on the furniture — “flashing” everyone. If you want more, we have plenty! Thanks for taking great care of Tebow, and doting on him (almost) as much as we do. –The Andersons

Those of us at Good Dog would like to add that Tebow is just as charismatic in daycare as he sounds at home, and we love him dearly — not only for his good looks, but for his sweet personality and big heart.

The Good Dog Groomer Roundup!

Mandy — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 15:21:45 +0000

Ever wonder what happens during your dog’s grooming appointment? Or what kind of talent it takes to create that spiffy pooch ’do? Every year we like to do an annual “Groomer Roundup” so you can learn a little bit more about our groomers, an amazing trio of artists who work their tails off every day. In addition to doing some pretty physical work – like bathing a 200-pound Great Dane or brushing a big furry Newfoundland – they are each very artistic in their own way and have a big heart for dogs. Read on to find out more about Veronique, Marie and Delbert.

Veronique Brown (we call her V)

V graduated from the Animal Arts Academy in December 2011 and has been grooming full-time with Good Dog ever since. If you ask what her favorite breed is, she’ll smile and tell you every breed is her favorite. However, if you push her just a bit more, you’ll find out she’s the owner of an adorable pom named Simba, and an equally adorable and sassy dach-pom named Nala, so she has a soft spot in her heart for dachs and poms. If V could give one tip to dog owners, it would be to brush often — and start brushing early. The younger the dog is when you start brushing/grooming, the more they’ll love it and enjoy it. In addition, it stimulates their coat oils, makes them look prettier, prevents them from matting, and makes their grooming experience super easy. And finally, if you want to know a fun fact about V: she was born and raised in Belgium and is flying back there to visit her family at the end of March!

Marie Ryker

Marie, also a graduate of the Animal Arts Academy, has been grooming for six years and is a proud mom of a very cute 3-year-old, Sophia, who gets lots of attention when she visits Good Dog. An owner of 3 pups, Marie is an equal opportunity dog lover who has no favorites and is happy grooming pretty much any breed. She loves all animals and has actually worked with them most of her life, including assisting at veterinary hospitals. While grooming can sometimes be very challenging, Marie enjoys the difficult moments because it makes her feel as if she’s truly helping the dog. She believes that by making the dogs look better, it helps them feel better, and there is nothing else in the world she’d rather be doing. If she had one tip for dog owners, it would be brush, brush, brush! She recommends grooms or brushes every 4 to 6 weeks if possible, especially for long-haired doggies. A fun fact about Marie: She gets super excited about going to grooming seminars – it’s one of her favorite things to do. She loves learning about cool new products, new techniques, and creative new ideas.

Delbert Duncan

Delbert has been in the dog business for more than 25 years, and he even owned his own salon for 16. While Delbert doesn’t have a favorite breed, he has spent years showing and training Rottweilers, Australian Shepards and Miniature Schnauzers, and he has even trained several groomers who have gone on to become stars in the dog world. Making dogs feel better is really important to Delbert, which is just one reason why he’s great at his job. He recommends dog owners talk to their groomer as much as possible. He welcomes questions from his clients and can always give advice on the best way to brush and bathe your pets, and even how to dry them, to make the grooming experience easy and fun for owners. Fun fact: Delbert does a lot of volunteer work on the side, and he even donated some of his time to help with the Super Bowl. In addition, he loves gardening and can’t wait for this spring to roll around.

Darwin and Wally, our Dynamic Doodle Duo!

Kris — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:55:29 +0000

Hello all!
We’re the Daycare Doodle Duo known as Darwin and Wally.

We look and act so much alike that we may as well be twins, but we’re actually half-brothers born a year apart. At 3 years of age, Darwin is naturally the more mature and well mannered pooch. Wally, on the other hand, is a 2-year-old wild child who earned the nickname ‘pigpen’ for his love of rolling in mud and destroying any toy in sight.

We’ve been visiting Good Dog for daycare (and the occasional hotel stay) since 2009, and in our humble opinion, daycare is the best invention since bacon! When mom drops us at Good Dog, we can’t wait to trot through those doors and say ‘hello’ to everyone in sight. The daycare staff says we’re inseparable and do just about everything in unison — we even take our mid-day naps together. (There’s no better pillow than a fluffy doodle, so it just makes sense to cuddle with each other!)

We stick together back at home too, whether we’re hiking, swimming, or playing frisbee (our most favorite game ever). Darwin is better at catching, while Wally plays pretty solid defense by tackling and stealing. At the end of each game, however, we always come to an agreement and run around carrying the frisbee together.

Our favorite person in the whole world is our momma. Not only is she a great dog mom to us, but she fosters shelter dogs and helps them find forever homes. She just started doing this a few months ago, and believe it or not, every one of our foster siblings has been adopted by wonderful families!! We’re currently caring for Odis, our fifth foster-sib, and we try hard to be the best possible brothers by setting a good example. Mom says we’re very welcoming and have the ability to bring even the most timid dogs out of their shell.

If you like to hit the Monon Trail, you’ll probably see us out walking with mom and maybe some friends as well. You can’t miss us since we usually bring pals along — you’ll see four or more dogs (including two big handsome doodles) running and having a blast along the trail!

Now back to our Good Dog life. We know we’re coming to daycare when mom says “do you want to go to school?” in the morning. Our answer is always a resounding “yes!” followed by jumping and running toward the door with tails a-wagging. It’s always a different story coming home … we look like knocked-out zombies after a full day of play!

We’ve pretty much done it all at Good Dog: boarding, daycare, grooming, and even some training with Adam. We had a few training sessions with our old foster-sis Keara, who learned a ton of basic doggie manners so she’d be prepared for her forever family. Meanwhile the two of us learned how to behave like the true gentlemen we strive to be. We love Adam … he is so good at reminding us about our training lessons when he watches over us in daycare. Although don’t tell him we told you this, but sometimes our minds just want to focus on playtime!

That’s all we have for now, and we hope you enjoyed reading a little bit about us. Next time you’re at Good Dog, be sure to peek in the observation window. If you see two twin doodles attached at the hip, you’ll know it’s us!!

Look out world, I’m taking over Good Dog!

Mandy — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:19:17 +0000

So I’ve got huge news for everyone: I just celebrated a pretty big milestone with Good Dog. Believe it or not, it’s been six glorious months since I swooped in and graced this place with my presence. That’s six months of new friends, treats, front-desk naps, belly rubs, barking, playing, more naps … I just can’t believe how much I’ve learned since my first day here! Actually, the information I stuff into my little doggie brain every day can get pretty overwhelming, but one thing always remains clear: I most definitely own this place!

To give you a glimpse into my management style, as well as some of the changes I’ve implemented during my tenure here, I’ll need to walk you through a day in my life – and let me tell you, it’s a busy day. First things first, I always strut into the lobby just before we open, usually after spending the night with someone from my Good Dog family. Those nights are crazy fun, by the way. You might see me taking a lot of naps at the front desk, but when I’m home with one of the family dogs, I’m an out-of-control noise machine. My playing style can be likened to a chubby Tazmanian devil who runs out of breath pretty quickly but keeps playing until he passes out from complete exhaustion.

Sleepovers aside, most of my work day is spent manning the front desk, where you’ll find me greeting your dogs and occasionally getting sassy with the big guys (some say it’s because I have an inferiority complex about my size, but whatevs). What you might not know, however, is that I often pop into daycare for quality-control inspections. I keep the daycare staff on their toes by making lots of unnecessary noise, and I mingle with the dogs to ensure everyone is getting enough water, toys, playtime and attention. Honestly, I love my mingling time, especially when I get to rub elbows with celebs. Just the other day, Blue 2 and I were discussing Butler’s basketball prospects for this year … we think it should be a fantastic season.

Last but not least, there’s my daily stroll through the Hotel and One-on-One Room. Mostly I just check to see what movie is playing in the hotel, and then I make sure all room-service orders have been delivered (I can’t live without my peanut-butter Kong during overnight stays). Since I don’t want to interrupt another dog’s one-on-one time, I might only peep in to check on things. It’s fun to see dogs getting love and treats from Mr. David. If I’m ahead of schedule, I might take some time to listen to his oldies music and cut a little rug while I’m there.

Really, there’s only one thing I don’t like about running the show at Good Dog: this job requires me to stay clean and presentable. That means a bath or groom every other week, which I consider to be a grave injustice. I protest this injustice in several ways, first with some simple wailing and screaming during haircuts and nail trims. But the really big show takes place afterward, just so everyone knows how truly miffed I am. My post-bath demonstrations are pretty simple — I tear through the lobby like a banshee, jump on multiple chairs, burrow into each one to wipe away the cleanliness, give puppy eyes to anyone watching, and cry a bit for attention. These protests haven’t really kept me from getting baths, but they have been caught on video. If you want to check out my after-bath behavior, click here… I promise you’ll be entertained.

Regardless of my post-groom behavior, my overall management skills must be effective because my customers and employees are always giving me lots of positive reinforcement. And being popular has earned me a slew of nicknames, most of which I don’t understand. I’ve been referred to as Teekster, Tiki Monster, Tiki Tock, Tiki Torch, Tiki Taco, Troublemaker, Monkey, Chunkey Monkey, and Bubbles. The only negative feedback I ever receive always pertains to my breath, but that really isn’t my fault. I mean have you ever met a dog with minty fresh breath?? Oh, and there was one more thing … Someone once thought my underbite was a sign of aggression — like I was showing my teeth in anger — but we all know that’s not the case. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of control over these things protruding from my jaw. It’s more of a dental issue than a sign of aggression.

So that’s the lowdown on Good Dog. It’s been a great six months, and we’re only expecting things to get better and better. The mood around here has been positively joyful since I arrived, and I hope our customers are equally happy. Remember, I give my stamp of approval on pretty much everything that happens around here, so if you ever have any suggestions, comments or feedback, just let me know and I’ll make sure to stay on top of it.

Hugs and kisses,
Tiki