Training Day

Wednesday started off with a bang. I walked into the daycare and saw all of your kids having a great time. I got to spend a few minutes getting my cuddles and slobbery kisses before heading off to my obedience classes.

First off was Obedience Level 1. Staff Trainer & Weekend Manager Jenny and I greeted the new students: Gizzy the Porkie (that’s a Pekinese/Yorkie mix), Cash the Malamute Mix, Zoe the Pit Mix, Lola the Havanese, Rex the Puggle, Spanky the English Bulldog, and Jiminy the Min-Pin. The class was topped off with one of our staff members, Julio and his new Aussie rescue Pebbles. Yes, we got another member of wags sucked into the aussie possie through our aussie rescue efforts! What a great class! Everyone was so well behaved and their owners so committed to the growth of their pups that it touched my heart.

After that class left to go show off their skills to the world, I got to check in with the other trainers and watch in awe at their brilliance. Today we had apprentice’s Credele and Esther working with Senior Trainer Julia training Choco the Beagle, Bandit the Bernese, Junie the Retriever, Riley and Maddie the Boxer/Wiemie sister pair, and Sydney the Aussie.

Jenny and I then went off to Puppy class. Today was the last class for Sami the Black Lab and Bentley the Jack Russell Mix. These girls have come such a long way since day one. Both have come to join us in the daycare so even though they are done in puppy class, I still get to see their growth and give them lots of hugs. I hear Bentley is coming to agility and Sami to Level 2 obedience! I can’t wait!!

Lunch time comes to pass as the trainers are working on their report cards for the dayschoolers so that all the dog mom’s and dad’s know what their pup kids learned that day. We also got to talk about how smart the kids we work with are, and how fun their owners are.

Later in the day I move on to my next Obedience Level 1 class. In this class Laurie, the owner and head trainer, helped me to get everyone in and comfortable. I have the pleasure of having Max and Sparky the Black Labs, Maggie the Terrier Mix, Bob the English Bulldog (and puppy class graduate), Baxter the Viszla, Molly the Schnoodle, Murphy the Mini Aussie, and Tasha the Miniature Eskimo (another puppy class graduate). Another great class of brilliant dogs and their superb moms and dads.

Next Wednesday I get to see my Level 1 students again for more learning fun, and my Level 2/Canine Good Citizen class starts. I look forward to that, and telling you all about it!

Something In the Air

This morning was wild! Not bad wild but the dogs were on fire! It's probably the cooler weather and pending rain but they were running all over the place and wrestling like crazy. We pulled in some extra hands from the trainers and myself until it got calmer midday. All the dogs were getting along well but they were full of beans. We had tons of wheatons today. Baby Bear was the most active and was involved in most of the chase scenes. Oolong and Marin were new wheatons today. Murphy and Duffy rounded off the wheatons. Izzy and Junie the Goldens also stirred the pot by entering the play area with blazes on their heels. Rocky the y lab was always in the middle of the action. Zoe the Shep X and Bruiser the Bulldog were a great team. Deuce the rat terrier and Frankie the Great Dane are both black & white and look like a max and mini version of each other. Bailey & Tanner the bassets were in love with Jazzy the beagle. They made a great trio. Sherman the corgie kept leading Mia the c lab on a round and round chase game through the tunnels. Lincoln the cattle dog was another rebel rowser and was game for anything.

Riley the doodle has a sweet new sister Ruby the great dane. Ellie has a new brother Baxter. Baxter is finally acclimating well. He also starts group class tonight. Sophie the weimie and Georgie the y lab were constantly in action. Bella the 4 legged black lab and Bella the 3 legged black lab were best friends. Sierra the black lab was immediately ready for any and all action when she arrived. Boy is she gonna be tired. Komet the sweet rhodesian gave tons of kisses. Wyatt my special man cuddled a lot with me. Ginger and Lucy our sweet y labs got tons of love. Enzo the golden is still a bit shy to get down and dirty but he sure is sweet. Bailey the younger dark yellow lab had a love affair with the red ball. Bailey the older fluffy golden retriever liked to keep the rebel rowsers in check. Riley the brindle boxer and Sherman the white boxer were inseparable.

In the little dog room, Princess Breezy crammed her big body into LuAnn lap. Daisy and Shadow the bichons loved each other. Rudy the yorkie thinks he is a big dog. Chandler the little cavalier and Shelby the shihtzu played chase under the beds. Fudgy the poodle loves to lick Nick's face. Shadow the schnauzer joined her little sister Lucy the Fox Terrier today. Otto & Bailey are siblings too! Thanks for a great day today and everyone should be extra tired!

Monkey'n Around

We love Mondays. It's the slowest day of the week so we get to make up fun games to play with dogs. Julia and Ranaye were in the lobby practicing group down stays. Buddy, Claudia, Bandit Diesel & Bentley were all lined up trying very hard to hold their stay while the daycare dogs arrived. Jennifer was in the big dogs playing pile up on the highway. That's when you sit on the play equipment and see how many dogs can sit on you at once. It's hysterical. ZIggy, Vegas, Goldy & Phoebe were among the contestants. The puppies in the small dog room were playing marco polo around the water bowl. Then they would catch each other and fall into the bowl. The yorkies cheered them on: Challubie, Coco, & Louis. Sienna & Doheny were new puppies today. Sienna needs some cuddling and encouragement to join the fun which Amy was glad to oblige but Doheny was ready to join the party immediately. Gracie the Samoyed who started off so shy her first day a week or so ago has blossomed into the ambassador for the small dog room. The sopranos (Muffin, Shayna & Tiger the poodles) joined the bootcamp program today. Molly the sweetest cocker ever got a new nickname today: Perfect Molly.

Back in the big dog room, bulldogs were everywhere with Diesel, Ginger, the other Diesel (popular names for bulldogs), Lola & Lucy. Troy was new today, very cute & soft. He joined Koda who was an adorable new puppy in the big kids today. Jake the Weimie and Rocky the boxer battled it out today for top dog with Zeke the doodle cheering them on. And Finally, Bruno the puggle and Tessa the Fox terrier were quite the item today.

Week Ends With A Bang

Friday was busy with lots of new dogs visiting us, two full boards of daycare dogs, private behavior consults, and a full staff of great employees. The day started in the training center with a new springer spaniel getting a private lesson from Lysa to start with dayschool lessons at daycare. In the big training room, I met with a great new client and her bulldog that is showing unwanted growly behavior towards people and dogs. Both lessons went great and we can see both dogs making great progress in the future. Ranaye and Julia were the other trainers on staff today who were busy working with Marshmellow, Jack, Diesel, & Choco. Jennifer the apprentice was here soaking it all in.

Shawna, Jenny, Tracy, & Chris were the front office staff in the morning dishing out the kisses and cuddles. Rachel and Julio were the floor supervisors in back making sure everyone was playing nicely and getting their groove on. The girl staffers in back included Lindsey, Jennifer, Kaycie & Ashley. The boys in back included Matt, Nick, Tyler & Justin. Everyone does such a great job and LOVES the dogs. Jillian was master bather today and got to give bubble baths to some of her favorite dogs. All the staffers already have their halloween costumes ready for the big party here at Wags on 10/20. We are also having a private staff party in a week at Dave & Busters to thank all our wonderful employees for their hard work! It just one big huge party around here all the time. No wonder the dogs love it here so much.

It was aussie heaven today! Big Paws UP to Merline, Boomer, Sydney & Rudy (rescued litter mates), Meesha & Raffie (got really cute photos of them today), Jack (loving dayschool), Pebbles, Roxy (black tri), Sierra, Roxy (red tri - our favorite aussie veteran), TJ (agility pro), Wally Roo and Didgery Doo (voted cutest wiggle), Sara, Sam, & Beamer. Now that's a lot of awesome aussies. The bulldog brigade was in full swing. Oswald never let go of the ball but boy did Diesel and Sherman try to get it from him. Jazzy did the slut dance for Brennan, her new boyfriend. Honey the new lab pup is here and make everyone became an instant friend. Both Sadies the collies were here. They were fun to watch play together. What a great breed! Sage the y lab was doing her boot scoot run. The small dog room was full of puppies today. We had a great selection of breeds as puppies today: Twinkie the papillon, Otto the wheaten/corgi mix, Tasha the eskimo, Zinya the Springer pup, Sadie a really cool looking cocker, & Rocco the pomapoo. We look forward to seeing these puppies grow up in the years to come.

The transport crew are having a great time visiting all our Wags family neighborhoods and picking up all their friends. Bella the lab was on this list today for a transport and she hopped right in like she takes the Wags bus every day. Walter greeted her as she got in then she took over as the "Hostess with the Mostest" and greeted all rest of the morning travelers: Annie the basset, Bella & Sissy the labs, & Brennan. See you all next week!

As Promised!

It's Thursday today and we are on a roll! As promised we are bloggin all week long. I came back into the office today after being gone (Gator got neutered and I was home nursing him along). My email box was filled with wonderful bday wishes that warmed my heart. Unbeknownst to me, Lysa has emailed out about my bday. What a sweet thing to do. I made my way over the daycare and loved hanging out talking to many of you in the lobby. It's so great to hear all the wonderful stories about what your doggies have been doing lately. Then I caught up with the front office staff on the latest gossip. Through the window into the small dog room, I caught a glimpse of one of new puppies today. Bella the aussie mix is too cute for words. Rachel was in the small dog room cuddling away....big shout out to Rachel who rocks! Toby and Foxy came by today for a romp and roll. Tank & Dash the Italian Greyhounds are doing so great with their play skills. Coco the havachon got special treatment by sitting with the staff in the breakroom on their lunch. The look of ecstasy on Coco's face was priceless. Freckles and Chili the doxies hooked up for fun. Nala & Tschotkes the chihuahuas are best friends and lay on top of each other in Amy's lap. The oddest match is the room was Chuck & Buddy. Mickey and Lola the cavalier made a love match today. Shelby a new cocker is making huge strides. She was extremely fearful and shaking her first day. With special attention and love from the staff, she is now hanging out in the crowd. Best quote of the day was from Amy, our manager "I always like to root for the underdog and see them accomplish the unexpected".

I moved to the big dog room to get the daily poop scoop. Jack the goodle was giving hugs to Lindsey. Matt was cuddling with Betsy and Roxy the aussie who were manning to toy tower. Justin was playing referee between Odessa & Bella the boxer. Ashley, the new employee on the block, fit right into the love fest. She worked at another animal care facility and said W&W was so much more fun and better organized. Love to hear we are the best! Erik, our new weekday maintenance guy, was outside rockin out with Beemer & Sam the aussies. Buddy the Basenji X was getting to the action too! Sophie was a new sweet border collie. Guiness the choc lab came up from behind and went right through my legs for a piggy back ride. Lucky the golden retriever who is petrified of daylight (I know that it is a unique fear), actually braved the light to come hug me outside. Magnus the aussie greeted me with snorts. Molly the golden greeted me with a sit very politely and then rolled around on her back taunting Mochi.

We had some old friends return again today: RBI, Darrell, Bear the C lab, Finn, Murphy the golden & Harley (cattledogX) & Sara the aussie. Scout the chessie on the other hand is one of our weekly residents and is our only chessie to date. Gabby Goo the C Lab never put down the ball. MAx & Major the Germ Shephards are protectors of the West Wing at Wags. They keep the puppies in line at all times. Ace the Black Lab and Casey the Y lab were the official greeters at the back door today. They made sure each dog felt welcome. Wild Man Harry and Boomer Blue kept the group stirred up. Cheyenne & Montana circled around me jumping with joy.

Nemo the Pit X and Phoebe the Pit X did awesome today! As you are probably aware, W&W does not accept full bred pitbulls which causes quite the controversy to some people. However we have many pit mixes that do wonderful. Each dog is screened and evaluated like the rest and those who show appropriate behavior are more than welcome. Since we work closely with the Irvine Animal Shelter who adopts out many of these wonderful pitbulls we do allow some flexibility in our policy on a case by case basis. Nemo and Phoebe are wonderful dogs who we love dearly. Frankie the Great Dane also loves these two and makes a great play partner. Sakura and Ben, brother and sister goldens, has so much fun today chasing each other non-stop. Allie the ShepX and Java the C lab carried the same toy around together. It was hysterical to see them trying to fit both of their mouths on the toy. Allie eventually moved on to Jake & Zoe the y lab for more doggin around.

Wacky Wednesday

There is nothing better than walking into the play area and seeing dog that I have known for years (dogs I have seen grow from silly little puppies to well adjusted adults) light up and come running to me. Today my big smiles and bright eyes came from Deuce the Rat Terrier and Molly Rae the Wheaton. They jumped all over me, pretending they had never learned not to jump in obedience class. I, being the trainer, of course did not encourage the jumping and only said hi once they sat. (or did I?????) Then around the corner came Keira the Swiss Mountain Dog. No one greets me the way she does. She bounces on her back legs while whining a cute excited hello. I love this place!

The newer kids say hello too and greet me with enthusiasm, each day they get more excited to see us again. I gave my “welcome” kisses to Heinz the Shepherd, and Ryleigh and Enzo the Retrievers.

I look over, after my hellos and see Jackson the white Shepherd caught Ryleigh’s attention and they are wrestling. Their mouth’s are open and they are flailing around in bliss. True love sparks again. Koda and Bella the Shepherds run by, they are boarding for the first time after coming here for play dates for over a year and are doing so great! Guinness the Husky/Shepherd Mix and TJ the Aussie dance the night away in the center of the mist spray outside. Then I see Cali the Pointer and Sawyer playing follow the leader and chasing each other around the outskirts of the play area.

Off I go to the inside area of the big dog room and I see Taylor the Aussie and Sherman the Corgi wrestling. Bailey the Black Lab Puppy wants in so bad he is circling them and barking. They give in and the three of them run around like the wild dog posse that they are. Maggie and Brady the Labs are playing keep away with the ball. I watch the frenzy with glee as I say hello to Malibu the Lab (a.k.a. Malibu-bu-bu-bu…) and his brother, Snickers the Chihuahua mix. Yes, the little Chihuahua mix that runs the big dog room! What a riot.

As look to the side of room I see some nappers, getting ready for round two of the day: Betsy the BC Mix, Molsen the Retriever, Brennen the Flat Coat, Kihei the Samoyed, Lulu the Black Lab, and Jake, Dakota, and Kirby the Weimies. Little Jake (“Poopies”) & Kleinsea the Weimies were close by too. In front of the row of nappers was Walter the Newfie. He was laid out like a bear skin rug.

In the small dog room Bentley the Terrier Mix, Tanner the Basset, and Sadie the Puggle were a tumbling swirl of fur. If they are not tired tonight, nothing will do it! Roxy the Whea-poo puppy made her debut in the small dog room and was a big hit. She’s our first of this breed, and boy is she cute. Gismo and Rusty greeted me with their usual wiggles and hugs.

The trainers stayed busy today with all of our Training dogs. Maddie, Jane (Aussie Mixes), and Sydney (Aussie) got to run around and do agility with Julia today. They thought that was a blast. Choco (Beagle) and I bonded while working on resource guarding. Bandit (Berner), Mochi (Sheepdog), and Jackson (Shepherd) got their one on one time too. Then in puppy class we got to play with some fun puppies and their owners. What a blast that is. All the trainers got to come today and participate, which was really fun. A big shout out to Bailey (Puggle), Sammie (B. Lab), Ehvie (Aussie), Dakota (Lab), and Gracie (Samoyed) and their people too. Great job today guys!

We’ll see you all tomorrow for more fur flying fun and slobbery kisses!!

We Be Blogg'n

Whew! Things have finally calmed down since the summer rush. We've been so busy taking care of your kids we haven't had time to blog. Well this week, you get one every day. First, some updates. No real news yet on the new facility. We are still just plugging along with the city approval process. Once our paperwork is processed and our hearing is set, we will be able to predict an opening date. We have however started interviewing for the many job positions we will have open. Email us for details. The next cool news is our BARK N BOO Halloween Party. We set the date for Oct 20th 6-8pm. Come in costume, play fun games, and win cool prizes including free daycare. Check out website for details.

The air in the daycare today was silly happy play. Corby the poodle was practicing his gymnastics including his double backflip. Trooper & Ditto were playing the ole bait and switch game. Trooper would lure them in and Ditto would grab them from behind. Then all three dogs would play chase. Digby the Golden and Marble played hide and go seek with Loke around the play equipment. Gator, my pup, picked Harley the puggle as his favorite play pal today. Bailey the b lab, kirby the doodle, and Duffy W the wheaton were a three way wrestling match. Duffy the other wheaton (yes two Duffy wheatons) and Max the Basenji were a good match. Roxy the vizsla and Maggie the lab kept chasing each other around playing keep away with the very popular red balls. Blue the basset and Rocky the boxer really liked each other. Rocky was three times Blue's size but always layed down so Blue could tackle him. Bubba and Sally the goodles kept TJ the aussie busy. Hanks the boston terr and Bentley the puggle were unstoppable. Roxy & Lucy the aussie became best friends today. Heinz a new german shephard and Jane were best friends too. Ozzie & Kallie the schauzers graduated to the big kid room and initiated Katie the new retriever by teaching her the chase game. Buckeye & Mochi represented the Sheepdog group. Bunker & Cosmo the vizsla's kept everyone on moving and hopping. Roxy the yellow lab and Bella the ShepX got up on their hind legs and loved the wrestle in the air.

Lola the aussie rescue for adoption started her training program today. She loves the attention. Pebbles the latest aussie rescue was adopted today by Julio, one of our employees. Goodness they are cute together. She's going to be spoiled rotten. Pebbles best friend today was Romeo the boxer pup. Sadie the puggle has the moves and can out dodge any chaser. Sabrina the Grt Pyrnees loves to lay in the water and let puppies wrestle on top of her. Izzy the Golden and Bailey the Boxer were evenly matched in the wrestling ring. Sammy the y lab and Boone the springer collapsed in a heap to nap after zooming around after each other. As I walked up to say hi to them they both wiggled their tails furiously and offered up their bellies....simultaneously. Brutus the Mastiff and Betsy the border collie mix were an odd match but they loved each other. Who are we to judge, right? They pick their own friends. Bandit the berner and Ollie the terrier mix were together most of the day. When Ollie gets too rambunctious, Bandit just sits on him....it's hysterical. Baloo the b lab kept collecting all the nylabones into a heap and then tried to pick them all up at once. Jezzy & Jasper the cattledogs were the official supervisors today. Peyton the Aussie Mix was full of her normal kisses and cuddles. She makes us feel so special. We had a few faces we hadn't seen in awhile: Vaq, Jazzy the shep X, Shilo - our big grey faced boy, and Harry the newfie mix. We were so happy to see them today.

The small kid room was fired up first thing but then mellowed into sun bathing and brushings. Bailey the puggle was going all day long trying to play with everyone. Olley was a new westie who was getting into the groove. Shelby the shihtzu and Bijoo the Coton were best friends and kept each other very busy. Dash the doodle pup and Belle the terrier mix really loved each other and kept chasing in and out of the tunnel. Ben, Albert, and Old Man Charlie the Cavaliers were happy and sweet and joined the sunbathers later in the morning. Bandit and Skittles didn't stop for sunbathing and just kept the play going. Coco the Bichon and Skippy the papillon liked to mouth wrestle and then fell asleep on top of each other. Chewie was back for more fun today. He has a rare blood disease where his blood won't clot so he keep an extra eye on him.

That rounds out our busy day today! We look forward to seeing at our party in October!