The Dog Flu, a preemptive strike

The dog flu that hit the Midwest this last summer has spread its wings and shown up in a few Western states. As a result, we want to talk about the dog flu and what it means for you and for us at Wags & Wiggles. We have had no cases of the dog flu at Wags & Wiggles nor heard of any cases in our surrounding areas, but we like to be on top of what could effect our pups.

  

Any time there is a threat of illness we are on red alert and keep and extra eye out. From either news stories or a sign of an ill dog, we go into extra diligent mode. On a normal day our building is completely cleaned at the end of each day to get ready for the following day, as well as any spot cleaning that needs to happen during the play day.  When any illnesses are going around (either reported from local veterinarians, talked about at dog shows, seen on the news, or a dog comes in here and is noticed to be ill) we also do extra steps to clean the air, since most of these viruses are airborne and spread just like a cold for us humans at the office, in the grocery store, and like kids schools.  We excuse any dog from daycare that has any possibly symptoms and have, unfortunately, had to turn dogs away at intake as we noticed the dogs were ill.  We take it very seriously. 

So, the dog flu…The most common symptoms of the dog flu are high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, sore throat and loss of appetite. How do you know to take precaution? If your dog shows behavioral changes like being more distant when he is typically cuddly (or vice versa), he shows less interest in food, or has less energy then it may be a sign. If that is the case it is best to keep away from doggie social situations until you are sure your dog is well. This is not only for the sake of the other dogs, but good rest and recuperation is better for a body fighting a virus than is running around playing with their friends.

Dogs that have this virus, or any other virus, can be contagious up to two weeks, so please make sure to keep them home even after they are feeling better. You want to make sure that your dog is fully recovered and no longer shedding the virus to share with his friends. 

This strain of dog flu, despite headlines of “deadly dog flu” is not necessarily any more dangerous than ones current or past that have gone around.  The hazard is that in some cases dogs get it worse than others and secondary infections can occur like pneumonia which can be quite serious.  The other risk is that, because this is a new strain, it is likely that your pup has not built an immunity to it. This is why it has gained news status.

How can you avoid it?  Talk to your vet about any concerns you have!  They are your best resource. Currently there is no vaccine for this strain. They are working on it but it is not here yet.  We have had no cases at Wags or in our area, but are being proactive. We talk to local vets regularly and keep informed about cases of this flu to know if it is in our area. We will post if we get any cases so you can make what decisions you want about your dog’s care. If it hits our area, it will hit all dog parks, beaches and every facility so please know that if we post there are cases, it is not just Wags & Wiggles. We are being diligent and careful with your babies’ health!

Pack Design

Adding a new dog to your house is always an exciting idea.  Most people think the dogs will be best friends and entertain each other.  However, having more than one dog means you are developing a pack of dogs.  There is a lot to consider when pack dynamics are involved.  Pack Design should be given serious consideration.

First you want to take a moment to describe your existing dog or dog(s).  Are they leaders or followers?  Do they guard their food/toys or your home?  Do they have good manners?  How old are the existing dogs?  Any health problems?  How old are you kids? The best plan should include a bit of ying and yang.  You want to add a dog that will balance or compliment the strength and weaknesses of your existing dog(s) or pack.  Second, how skilled are you in managing a group of dogs?  Are you a dog park veteran?  Have you ever broken up a fight?  Do you like rules in your home or are you more a free spirit?  Third, have you researched thoroughly the breed characteristics of the dog you are considering?  While behavior can be changed and behaviors can be taught, it's a tough road to change basic temperament.  The answers to these questions should help you decide if that cute puppy in the window is right for your pack.  

Let's discuss the first set of questions.  If you already have a firm dog leader in your household, you want to add a dog that is a follower.  This is especially true if your existing dog guard things in your home.  How do you spot a follower?  They will constantly check in with the dogs or humans around with eye contact before they act.  They will also give up toys and food to other dogs.  The only downside is that the follower will imitate your existing dog's behavior, the good, the bad & the ugly.  2 or 3 dogs that bark, jump or run away is quite different than one.

One of the most serious considerations is if you have small children or small dogs.  A pack of dogs can be harder to control and may knock over (or worse) to small children if not well controlled.   There is a phenomenon called Predatory Drift.   You may see this in your home once you have a pack or see it at dog park.  A single dog gets injured or scared, yelps, and it triggers a kill response in the pack.  You can't always tell which dogs may resort to Predatory Drift just like looking at them but it is more prevalent in dogs that don't have self control or high prey instincts.

One final comment about age and compatibility.  Getting dogs too close in age can be problematic.  While you want your pack to get along, you also want harmony.  Constant rough play can escalate into aggression of many types.  Pick dogs that are at least 3 yrs apart.  This is also help your heart when dogs near the end of their life.  You don't want them to all go at once. 

Wags & Wiggles is well schooled in the ways of dogs.  We are happy to spend a few minutes talking to you over the phone or responding to an email should have concerns about how to design your pack.

Laurie Zurborg, CPDT-KA, Founder

2015 January Price Changes

It was announced that our prices will be increasing in January.  There has been a huge range of emotions and reactions by our clients.  Most have been very supportive but we know some well loved clients have voiced some opposition. 

We definitely understand and respect those feelings.  To address them we would like to present some historical facts to help you understand our decision.  W&W Opened in 1999 and daycare was only $20.  We were the first doggie daycare in the OC.  People laughed at us.  We did not make a profit for the first few years because we knew daycare had to be cheap since people didn’t see the value.  We lived off my husband wages. 

Luckily we grew, expanded and the moved into our current location where we finally made a small profit.  We still never raised our prices.  In 2008 we hit a critical point where expenses outgrew our sales and we raised daycare by $6.   We also opened our Tustin facility to better service our North County Clients. Now in 2014, we have arrived in the same place.  Our expenses are so much more.  Employee health benefits, rent, insurance, supplies, the works. Everything just costs more, just like your groceries, gas and other necessities.  It has all gone up every single year without us passing on the increased cost.  We now raise rates or go out of business. In the 15 years we have been business, we have raised our daycare rates only once before now.  Compare that to other businesses.  Most build in yearly increases.

From the consumer perspective, we realize that our story does not change the increased financial hardship to you.  Particularly people who were getting half days at an outrageously low price (in comparison to the full day price) by splitting them on your full day passes.  Dogs who come for half days do not require less work.  They still get all the benefits and perks (quick trains, lunches, naps, play, attention, roll call, yappy hour).  It isn’t feasible for us to continue to provide excellent supervision, amazing staff, and a safe clean environment without these changes. We did not make this decision lightly without lots of discussion, expense cutting, and looking at other alternatives.

We realize there is competition that is cheaper (and more expensive).  The competition is cheaper for a reason.  One person supervising 40-50 dogs in one small room is not daycare.  Our staff have been loving and caring for many of your dogs for years.  As a daycare consultant, I also know that the competition too will be raising their prices as they share many of our increased costs.

We have staff who have worked for us for a decade.  We provide an amazing work environment so they can make this job their career. We have even added a human resource manager to make sure we have happy well trained humans taking care of your dogs.   Longevity in our employees means better quality care.  We hope this explains our decision and we hope you will continue to support the amazing place we have built, called the Wags & Wiggles Family.  

As always should you be confused, please email us and we will clarify your rates.  If you have a lengthy trip or multiple dogs, we are happy to provide a specialized quote.  We have also provided some NEW ADD ONs.  There is information about these in the newsletter.

2015 Pricing Structure

Puppy Daycare (5 mos &  under)                            $              20.00

Adult Full Daycare	$              38.00
Adult Half Daycare	$              31.00
5 Half Daycare Pass ($28 half day) *See New Half Day Policy Below	$            140.00
10 Half Daycare Pass ($26 half day)	$            260.00
20 Half Daycare Pass ($23 half day)	$            460.00
5 Full Daycare Pass ($35/day, Save $15)	$            175.00
10 Full Daycare Pass ($33/day, Save $50)	$            330.00
20 Full Daycare Pass ($30/day, Save $160)	$            600.00
4 Week Unlimited Use Pass	$            599.00
2 Dogs Full Daycare (10% disc)	$              68.00
2 Dogs Half Daycare   (10% disc)	$              56.00
3 dogs Full Daycare   (10% disc)	$            103.00
3 dogs Half Daycare   (10% disc)	$              84.00
Just as before multiple dogs can share a pass to reduce your rate even further. NEW DAYCARE &  BOARDING ADD ONS
Chew Therapy (stuffed Kong)	$                 5.00
Break From The Pack (10 min walk)	$              10.00
Fitness Fido (10 min Treadmill, Sport Dog, Private Ball Chase)	$              15.00
Make Me Beautiful (10 min brush out)	$              10.00
SENIOR or CORP DISCOUNT (10% disc)
Full Daycare	$              34.00
Half Daycare	$              28.00
2 Dogs Full Daycare	$              68.00
2 dogs Half Daycare	$              56.00

OVERNIGHT FEES
First Dog Overnight	$              15.00
Additional Dogs Overnight (Same Kennel)	$              7.00

Half Days MAY NO LONGER be split on Full Day Passes.  Half Days now have their own special discount passes.

Fun or Too Fired Up

I heard an interesting question from one our clients. The staff was asked if the dogs were allowed to play here?  While I don't know why exactly this question was asked, I do know that a lot of daycare patrons don't realize, you DON'T want your dog playing ALL day long.

As I overheard this I was watching several dogs wrestling, chasing, and sniffing around in the play area.  However everything was very quiet and the dogs would play a little, go lay down, drink some water, rest and then play again in awhile.  A staffer was slowly playing ball with 2 dogs in the corner of the room, not attracting much attention from the rest of the group. It was normal, relaxed, and appropriate.  When the group settled down, if there was a younger dog still rearing to go, the staff would either give that dog a bone, help him settle on a bed, do some quick trains to take his mind off the other dogs, or give him a segregated nap.  Dogs need to learn how to settle just as much as they need to learn to play.  Fun can quickly become frantic, fired up, or dangerous if a daycare isn't run properly.

When most dog owners go to dog park, their dog runs around meeting the group, does some play sequences, and then they leave when the dog lays down for some rest.  Imagine staying at dog park for 10 hours and encouraging your dog to play the entire day.  That doesn't make much sense.

Recently another daycare advertised their "games" on their social media.  What we saw was about 60 dogs plus 2 staffers throwing balls like baseball pitchers against the walls and getting the dogs sky high.  The videos show dogs nailing each other in frustration over not getting toy that is now bouncing like crazy all over the room.  Dogs are seen mauling the staff for the toy, jumping in the air risking torn ligaments and it quickly became a playgroup out of control.  The dogs can be seen not being able to calm themselves down afterwards and the noise level was intense.  I'm surprised that none of their patrons comment on what a bad idea this is.  There are other daycares that eliminate toys completely which would avoid this issue.  We have developed protocols with our toys to allow them in our daycare.  However, I guarantee you that you will never ever see a crazed staff member chucking toys mindlessly into our playgroups just to put the place into a frenzy.

So getting back to the client's question at hand.  Yes, our dogs do play.  Play styles vary greatly but we do have a few rules.  The 2 Second Pin Rule is one.  If a dog is being pinned during a wrestling match for more than 2 seconds, the play is interrupted with a call of the dog's name.  The dogs in our groups respond to their names really well because of our Quick Train Program.  Dogs are allowed to chase each other here too but if the chase gets wild and involves a group of dogs, then the staff call their names and get them to sit.  Dogs will call off a chase in the daycare because they have learned to do that in Quick Train.   The dogs are then released to go back and play more but in a calmer state of mind.  Play doesn't have to be wild to be fun.  Asking for manners during play, doesn't make play less fun.  Timeouts or distracting the dogs with another more acceptable activity during unsafe play makes a daycare really well run.

We want dogs to go home tired but sane and hopefully a bit better mannered.  If they seem too tired, just tell the staff what you are seeing at home and we are glad to adjust their daycare experience.  Often times a midday morning nap and stuffed kong is just the right call to keep your dog on an even keel throughout the day and evening.

30 Traits Of A Great Dog Trainer

After 22 years, I am told I am now a pack leader in the industry.  Wags & Wiggles has been lucky to meet and help many fledgling dog trainers.  There has been a recent trend of people wanting the fast track to professional dog trainer. I try to be politically correct but I want to laugh out loud and suggest they try to fast track their way to doctor, lawyer, or electrician.  Just because we are working with dogs, it doesn't mean trainers require any less schooling, hands on experience, or doing the work to learn their trade.  Perhaps its the culture of getting everything now and fast, never mind good old fashioned elbow grease to make your way in the world.  I have heard that they can't be bothered to sacrifice anything (time, money, driving time) to learn.   Large Chain Pet Stores aren't helping by giving their new staff a 2 week crash course and label them trainers.  Perhaps I am just cynical as when I first learned the trade, there were no convenient facilities like Wags & Wiggles.  I had to hand pick my mentors, beg them to train me,  and travel across the country for weeks at a time to learn from the best.

Learning dog training isn't just about teaching sit and stay.  Either extreme, yanking a dog around on a choke chain or luring them everywhere with food doesn't make a dog trainer.   Depending on prior experience with dogs, it can take 2-3 years before someone is merely proficient at training.   At a recent trainers forum, we developed a list of the qualities of a great dog trainer.  If you have some of these traits, then you are already ahead of the game.  Now you just need to dig deep and decide if you are ready to do the work to become something great.

1. Embraces the philosophy that training is something you do with your dog, not to your dog
2. Accepts that training can be measured for effectiveness
3. Has done their research to pick a training philosophy and will hold to ethical standards
4. Strong Problem Solving Skills
5. Knows how to write out a training plan
6. Can read dog (and human) body language and subtleties that vary between individuals
7. Understand behavior change models including reinforcement and punishment
8. Can you identify trends?  Particularly behavior trends. 
9. Good Observation Skills.  Allows adjustment to the reaction of your learner.
10. Active Listener.  Focusing on what others tell you, not your response.
11. Flexible thinker.  Many roads to success.
12. Strong Preparation Skills.  Being prepared to train a dog is vital.
13. Good Time Management.  Spending long periods of time training can be detrimental to the dog.
14. Be Humble.  Dogs don't care what you have achieved.
15. Be Innovative.  Change your reward based on what the dog considers a reward.
16. Seeker.  Be willing to sacrifice to learn.
17. Patient, with yourself, other humans and of course the dogs
18. Desire to practice their training skills over and over until perfect
19. Resilient.  Able to get past training bumps.
20. Dedication to being a lifelong student.   Learn to teach, teach to learn.
21. Self Motivated.  Often times its just you and the dog with no one to tell you how to proceed.
22. Accepting of Mistakes.  Dogs make mistakes just like humans.  
23. Ability to Change Yourself.  Changing your attitude to match what the dog needs.
24. Empathy and Vulnerability.  All of us were once new at this.
25. Know when to refer to someone who is better suited than you to help
26. Ability to break down a process and explain it start to finish.  Many behaviors we teach dogs have several steps that can't be taught in a lump sum.
27. Understands that behavior is not held in a vacuum and is not driven by emotions like revenge, anger, or being stubborn.  There are antecedents and consequences that affect and continue behavior.
28. Understand thresholds to Aggressive behavior
29. Desire to learn training jargon to have a common language with other trainers
30. Never lose sight of the fun of training dogs!

Written by Laurie Zurborg, CPDT-KA, Founder

The Crazy Faces of Leave It

Fiesta's Normal Face

If you have ever taken a class at Wags & Wiggles, you probably learned leave it.  Your dog is rewarded with a click/treat for looking away from the distraction and making direct eye contact.  Some dogs take the concept of looking at you to the extreme.  Sometimes their eyes bug out trying to look at you a little too enthusiastically. Sometimes you happen to capture an awkward head tilt with the eye contact.  

Here are the many faces of my puppy Fiesta with her leave it cue for her favorite toy, the nylabone.

Crazy Face #1
"Love My Bone, Hard To Look Away" 

Crazy Face #2
"I'll look very far away but I'm angry"

Crazy Face #3
"I'm more controlled"

Crazy Face #4
"There I did it, give me my bone or the cat dies"

Wags Olympics 2014

Wags & Wiggles New FREE Daycare Quick Train has been such a huge hit at our facilities, we decided to take the dogs and the staff to a whole new level:  Introducing the Wags Olympics.  Each facility is going to hold their own Olympic Games during the month of February.  We have divided our staff into teams.  Their Teams Names range from the Pooper Scoopers to the Muttly Crew.  Each week a member of the team will compete in the daycare to earn points.

The Wags Olympics have 6 games that the staff and dogs will compete in. 

1. Come For The Gold.  Staff can earn different level of points depending on how many dogs they can get to come at once and sit/stay.  The Gold level is 15 dogs for 20 seconds.
2. Sit For The Gold.  Groups sit/stays.  The more dogs in the group, the more points earned.
3. Gate Stays for The Gold.  Staff must get dogs to sit/stay at the go home gate for 15 seconds.  The more dogs they get in their sit stay group, the more points they earn for their team.
4. Gate Release for The Gold.  Building on the previous exercise, staff must release dogs one by one through the gate.
5. Leave it For the Gold.  Staff must place a dog biscuit in a hula hoop placed on the ground and use their leave it skills to keep the dogs out of the circle and away from the biscuit.
6. Breed Knowledge For The Gold.  Display knowledge of randomly selected dogs.

Top 3 Teams and top 3 individuals will earn metals and prizes.  The dogs are sure to learn lots, get lots of treats for performing the exercises, and the staff are so super excited to start the games.  Watch for photos and updates on our Blog and Facebook.

Wags & Wiggles isn't just a place for dogs to come and play, it's a place where they come to learn.