As we approach almost the fourth month of quarantine, you may be looking at your dog and thinking, “Man, we really have got to get out of this funk.” Creating new habits and a healthy environment is essential for keeping yourself (and your pup) sane during these odd times. Many pet owners have claimed their pets are responding differently to their owners being at home all the time. Michael Waters’ article on Vox stated, “Some pets are growing clingy, others are pouncing on exercise equipment, gliding across countertops, or hiding in corners and shooting their owners concerned stares.” In order to combat these new strange behaviors, here is a list of activities (Tiki approved of course!) that you and your furry companion can do to keep each other busy.
- Exercise, exercise, exercise!
Staying active during this time is as beneficial for you as it is for your pet! If you’re going on walks, make sure to social distance (6 ft.), but even if you prefer to stay inside, there’s still so much you can do! Stretch and do some yoga, move the furniture around and play tug-o-war, or, if you have a backyard, run around with them and play chase. A little bit of exercise everyday could help you and your pup stick to a schedule and routine.
- Play some mind games!
Mental stimulation! We all need it, and so do our dogs. If you ever find yourself lounging on the couch- watching tv with nothing to do- look up how to teach your dog some tricks. There are so many helpful YouTube videos and articles online. It can be a great use of your time and also a fun way to impress your friends! (Take it from Tiki- he loves doing some tricks with us and showing off to other people too!)
- Baking dog treats!
Rosanna Pansino is an expert baker on YouTube, and has a very informative video on how to make DIY Dog Treats at home. The products she uses are all organic, and she offers substitute ingredients for any allergies your dog may have. Watch her video and give it a try for yourself! Baking these treats keeps your mind busy and will make your dog incredibly happy. https://youtu.be/l3Mb9RyW3V4
- Get creative!
Set up an agility course for your pup using everyday household objects! Examples include using boxes, laundry hampers, blankets, tunnels, and small forts for your dog to explore. Mix it up and even get your kids involved! Train them with treats and positive reinforcement. It’ll be a fun experience for everyone involved. (Safety permitted.)
Take some time out of your day to enforce some new habits into you and your dog’s lives, and everyday will start to feel a little more productive. Exercise, Watch YouTube videos for inspiration, and mix things up at home. In the end you and your dog will enjoy the new changes, and learn more about each other in the process.
Tired of your pup begging for your sweet Easter treats? This year, save the trouble by getting them their very own Easter basket! It’s super simple and your furry friend is bound to love it. Here’s how to make the perfect doggie Easter basket in just a few simple steps!
1. Pick out an Easter themed basket.
There are so many different options for what you can use to hold all of your pup’s goodies. The most common options are wooden or plastic baskets. You can find each kind in lots of different colors and prints and most are very affordable. Pick whatever fits your their personality best!
2. Add treats.
You can add a bag of your pup’s favorite treats, or you can go for some Easter-themed snacks. There are so many recipes online for dog friendly cookies, peeps, cakes, etc. You also have the option to stop by a local dog bakery, where they have lots of customizable treats in different flavors, shapes, and sizes!
3. Get some fun toys.
During holiday seasons, many pet shops come out with cute festive toys you can pick up if you’re really in the holiday spirit. A new chew toy or plush bear is sure to brighten your doggie’s day!
4. Grab some festive Easter accessories.
Choose a festive new collar or bandana for your pup to wear on Easter Day. A fancy bow or a cool new leash would also make a great addition to their basket.
5. Break out the plastic Easter eggs to make it all come together.
Grab some plastic eggs and put some milk bones or small snacks inside. You can add as many or as little as you would like, and for even more fun; you can hide them later and have doggie Easter egg hunt!
Now you have the perfect DIY dog friendly Easter basket! Check out Tiki’s Easter basket this year!
What’s inside? Two bags of his favorite treats, two Easter bandanas, two cute toys, and lastly we added plastic Easter eggs with milk bones inside!
**Tag us on Facebook or Instagram to show us your doggie’s Easter basket this year!
Instagram: @gooddogindy
Facebook: Good Dog Hotel and Spa
Each year we as dog owners have to take our dogs to the vet for their annual vaccines. Because we love our furry little friends, we want them to be able to socialize with as little risk of getting sick as possible. Just like our own children, we want them to be protected against anything that can potentially be harmful to them. Sure we’ve heard of people getting vaccinated for the flu, but what about our dogs? Why not protect our pets when we have the ability to do so? Canine influenza is something a lot of people aren’t super familiar with, but it is very important for us to educate ourselves on the matter. Not only for the safety of our own dogs, but for dog safety worldwide.
What is canine influenza? According to Merck Animal Health, “it is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is caused by canine influenza virus (CIV) Type A.” Although we’re now starting to hear more about the canine flu, the first strain of it, CIV H3N8, was first reported in racing greyhounds in Florida back in 2004. It is believed that this first affected horses and made its way to dogs. This strain can also be a little harder for veterinarians to diagnose. The second strain, CIV H3N2, was more recently found here in the United states- although it was first found in South Korea in 2006. This strain of the virus is of avian origin and had spread to 30 states in the U.S. by April 2016. Every year more and more dogs are traveling from state to state with their families for vacations, road-trips, etc. Because dogs are being transported so much more than before, they are also exposed to more things that could be harmful to them. Which results in contagious illnesses, like the flu, being picked up and spread of course. The canine flu is not a seasonal virus like the human flu, which means it can be caught year-round.
How is canine influenza spread? For the most part, it is spread the same way the common cold would spread through people, and we all know how easy that is to get. Does your dog regularly attend a daycare or dog park? It is most commonly spread through dog to dog contact. This could be as simple as licking one another or even sniffing each other. Sharing water bowls and toys is of course another big way it is spread. Lastly, dogs can even get sick by merely coming into contact with us! If we unknowingly come into contact with the virus, our clothes, hands, and other surfaces can be contaminated in an instant. It’s that contagious. Any dog no matter their age, size, or breed can get the flu- it does not discriminate.
How do I know if my dog has the flu? The most common signs include, but are not limited to: coughing, retching, sneezing, nasal discharge, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Although many cases of the flu are relatively mild, there is a small percentage of dogs who are plagued with severe cases. For instance, if the dog is very young or very old their immune systems are more compromised. Therefore, they are at greater risk for receiving the more severe cases because their bodies aren’t able to fight off the virus as well. Many people have the misconception that the canine flu is the same thing as kennel cough, because without diagnosis all canine respiratory illnesses can look similar. However, the flu is a viral disease which results in it being more difficult to treat than kennel cough.
With all of that being said, I think we all can agree that getting your dog the flu vaccine is the right thing to do. Let’s face it, if your dog does end up getting sick, you’ll be paying much more for vet visits than you would just getting the vaccine. Like most vaccines, this does have to be boostered two to three weeks after the initial vaccine. Once you’ve done that it will just be another annual vaccine to add to the list. Remember, the first priority of all canine facilities is dog safety. Most of these places will be requiring the flu vaccine in the near future if they aren’t already, so it wouldn’t hurt to get it sooner rather than later. Stop into your local vet’s office today to set up an appointment, that way your pup can get back to playing without a sweat!
*** As a reminder to all current or potential clients of Good Dog Hotel and Spa, we are requiring both rounds the canine influenza vaccine by 3/1/2020. For any questions you have about this, call us at 317-255-2525!
Don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day this year? No need to fear, your pup is here to save the day! Sound silly? Well, there are actually quite a few reasons why dogs can make better Valentines than people do. Here we have just a few of the reasons your pup should be your date this year!
1. Dogs aren’t picky.
They truly can have a blast doing just about anything. You won’t have to worry about a fussy date, as they will be more than happy just spending the day with you!
2. You’ll have the cutest date.
Without a doubt, all your friends will be jealous you’ve got the cutest date in town! What’s cuter than a furry face and a sweet set of puppy dog eyes?! Definitely not that boy you’ve been chasing after.
3. You won’t have to get all fancied up.
You know that pair of heels that are just so cute, but you can’t help but dread wearing them? No worries! Your dog would love nothing more than for you to throw on your comfiest sweatpants and stay in for the night.
4. You don’t have to worry about buying extravagant gifts.
Instead of buying a diamond necklace or an expensive pair of shoes, you can just pick up some treats or a cute little toy! The best part is they will love it- no matter how big or small the gift is.
5. No chance of a sweet Valentine’s Day turning sour.
You won’t have to worry about any cancelled plans or anyone picking a fight. Dogs are notorious for being happy-go-lucky critters, so you’re in luck! You’ll be sure to have a great day with no complaints.
6. Dogs make the best cuddle buddies.
Because they are covered in fluff, and are just naturally warmer than people, they make the best snuggle buddies! So, when your Valentine’s Day comes to an end, you should end the night cuddled up to your best friend.
No matter how you choose to spend your day, be sure to have fun and stay safe! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Did you know that January is ‘walk your dog’ month? During the winter, it’s easy to get in a rut and not spend as much time outside. If you and your dog have the right gear, taking a winter stroll can be something to look forward to, rather than a chore. Here are five essentials to make winter dog-walking a breeze!
1. Waterproof boots/ shoes
A nice, durable pair of boots isn’t only a good thing for us as people, but for our pets too! Although many dogs get through fine without them, others can really benefit from them. For example, older dogs not only tend to get cold easier, but they don’t always have the best traction on the ice. Having that rubber layer on the bottom of their foot can really lend a helping hand when walking across a slippery surface. Not to mention, boots will keep the snow and ice from getting packed into their paw pads!
2. Winter coat
Now, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know we need coats in the winter. But what about our dogs? Of course a big Great White Pyrenees wouldn’t need a coat, as they are made for the snow! On the other hand though, a short-haired chihuahua would be shaking like a leaf in freezing temps. There are many different kinds of coats that you can choose from, that way you can find what fits best for your pup! Pictured above is an insulated, water resistant dog parka. Although this kind of coat is a bit more on the expensive end, they are well worth it as they can last a lifetime!
3. Reflective Gear
Wearing reflective gear ensures that you and your dog will be seen when traveling in the dark. This is especially prominent in the winter because there are less daylight hours. There are many different things you can choose from including reflective vests, flashing pet blinkers, reflective leads, etc. Whether you’re taking a hike through the woods or just a walk around your neighborhood, it’s never a bad idea to have one extra safety precaution!
4. Pet Friendly Ice Melt
Because of all of the snow, many people start putting salt down in the winter. Something a lot of people don’t realize is how harsh most chemical ice-melts really are. They can damage lawns, sidewalks, etc. If it can damage the sidewalk, it wouldn’t have any trouble irritating your pets paws. Choosing a non-toxic, pet-friendly ice melt is definitely the way to go to protect your furry friend!
5. Travel-size First Aid Kit
Last but not least, a travel size first aid kit. Although this is good to have year round, there is more risk for your dog to slip or fall in the winter time. Ice can also become very sharp and could cut or split paw pads. In moments like this, when you could be pretty far from home, it’s a huge relief to be prepared with supplies on hand. You know what they always say, better safe than sorry!
As you can see, this list is compiled based off of pet safety, and anything that can help you and your pet get through this winter. Dog safety as pet owners is of course our top priority, and it is our duty to make sure we are prepared for what is to come. Now get out there and have a snow-filled adventure with your mind at ease!
1. Stay inside and bake yummy treats!
This one you can never go wrong with. Our furry friends are always up for a tasty treat! Instead of going out in the cold, hang out with your pup inside and get to baking. There are tons of cool recipes on the internet for easy, affordable, home-made dog treats. For example, you could whip up some savory bacon-peanut butter bones, or some sweet pupcakes!
2. Make some DIY Christmas Ornaments! 
For a fun way to do something festive with your pup, create some cool Christmas tree decorations together! Like in the picture above, you could make a salt-dough puppy paw print ornament. It’s super easy, all you need is some dough, and a furry puppy paw! These are even more special, because you will have something to remind you of your best friend, forever.
3. Take a snow-filled hike! 
Although we may not always be super excited to embrace the cold, our dogs love it! Dogs love to investigate and sniff out new environments. With snow, comes new smells, textures, and temperatures. Hence why they enjoy rolling in it/ running through it so much. Snow is just one big toy for them to play with!
4. Take pictures with Santa! 
During the holiday season, there are lots of places you can take your pups to get pictures made with Santa! How cute is that? Some pictures turn out totally adorable, and others will make you laugh for days. Either way, it makes for a great picture, and it would also create some awesome memories too!
5. Cuddles and a movie marathon! 
Although this may be the most simple on the list, it still is a great way to spend the day with your pup. Believe it or not, some dogs really enjoy watching T.V. Netflix even offers a variety of dog movies such as ‘Bolt’, ‘Hotel for Dogs’, ‘Benji’, and many more! So turn on a good movie, get the snacks, and cuddle up with your dog for the day.
These are just a few of the fun things you can do with your pup this winter! At the end of the day, your dog really just enjoys any time he/she gets to spend with you. It’s simple. We don’t always think about it, but our dog’s worlds revolve around us. Even if they don’t need too much to be happy, we should still take the time out of our day to spend a little quality time with them. Whether that’s inside or outside, your dog will love it either way! It’s the thought that counts, and they will be forever grateful for the time spent.
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.
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
Hi! My name is Tiki, and I just started working at the Good Dog front desk. I’ve probably greeted you or your dog at the door in the last few months, and you might have noticed my underbite from the street. This is the story of how I became part of the Good Dog family.
Being a tiny dog hit by a big car was pretty scary. I’d never been afraid of cars before because I never had a reason to be. In fact, I still love to hop inside them and go for a ride. My life before my accident was pretty normal … I was a dog with a home, and I had everything I needed: food and people. (People are my favorite thing in the whole world — I love their attention. If I don’t get enough, I cry for more.) Anyway, my life was good, and I tried every day to be a very good dog.
But something happened. I somehow got lost from my home, and I couldn’t find my way back. I was lonely, scared and hungry, and all I could do was run. Running didn’t seem to help, but I kept doing it — I was hoping it would take me somewhere with food and people. I was running in the street when it happened: A big fast car struck the back side of my body.
I couldn’t move; all I could do was cry out in pain. With all my might I yelled for help, but the car kept moving and no one stopped to get out. Someone upstairs must have been watching out for me though, because a nice lady just happened to see my accident. She hopped out of her car and ran toward me, and I knew right away she was going to help. When she knelt down next to me in the street, I looked up at her with my big brown eyes and cried some more, while she whispered that everything would be OK.
She scooped me up. It hurt and I screamed, but she kept trying until she was able to put me into her car. We drove as fast as possible to the closest doctor’s office she could find. Getting out of the car was as painful as getting in, but I tried to be brave so she could carry me inside. When we met the doctor, everyone began frantically talking about my accident, and my person asked the doctor for help. She explained she didn’t have a lot of money to pay my hospital bills, but she wanted to do everything she could to keep me alive. That’s when another lady in the background interrupted and said she’d take care of everything. Like I said, someone must have been looking out for me that day.
The doctor and his helpers took me to a room with a lot of instruments, and everyone started poking and prodding at me. Even though every touch was painful, I trusted them. After all that time being lost and alone, I finally found people who wanted to help me and I didn’t want to disappoint them. Before I knew it, the doctor said my hip was fractured and gave me something that made me feel a little better (but also very, very sleepy). That’s when I feel asleep and took the longest nap I’ve even taken.
To be continued next week…
