Doggie Playtime LLC Professional Pet Sitting

Halloween Events

2009-10-21T09:55:00.000-06:00

October 24, 2009- Howl-O-Ween at Petco 2 p.m.

Spooky, Kooky Costume Party

Photo Spook-tacular 1 p.m.
Pet and Pet Parent Costume Contest 2 p.m.

October 31, 2009
Creative Hairlines and Stackers Sandwich Shop are teaming up with neighboring businesses in the Village Fair Shopping Center to host a Halloween Fundraising event to benefit the Roice-Hurst Humane Society (RHHS).

The event is scheduled for October 31st at Village Fair Shopping Center (located on the southwest corner of 12th and Patterson) from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Various fun activities are planned for individuals and families including:

o Hair Cut-A-Thon & Hand Treatments (from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm)
 $10 haircuts/hand treatments by Creative Hairlines talented stylists and nail techs (50% goes to RHHS)

o Children’s Animal Costume Contest (1:30 pm to 2:00 pm)
 Kids! Dress up as your favorite animal or pet and you can win a prize!

o Special Prize Drawings (drawings held at 2:00 pm - do not have to be present to win)
 Win a prize from one of the generous Village Fair Shopping Center businesses: BlockBuster Video, Stackers Sandwich Shop, Paco’s Tacos, Village Cleaners…..

o Refreshments provided by Stackers Sandwich Shop & the Coca-Cola drink wagon

o Pet Adoptions
 Need some unconditional love? RHHS will have some of their loving pets who are looking for a ‘forever’ home.

Cash and in-kind donations will also be accepted at the event. RHHS is in need of cat and kitten wet/dry food, cat litter, dog food, dog collars and leashes.

Tv time

2009-09-21T15:00:00.001-06:00

Bedtime!

2009-09-21T14:56:00.001-06:00

Bedtime

2009-09-11T08:16:00.001-06:00

It's Dinner Time!

2009-09-11T08:12:00.001-06:00

Dog Events

2009-09-02T09:38:00.000-06:00

Hi Dog Friends!

September is a big month for dog events here in the Grand Valley, I just wanted to let you know about them.

All of the events are held at the Mesa County Fairgrounds - near the baseball fields.

First one is the wild and fun sport of Flyball!
Westside Woofers Flyball team is hosting a NAFA tournament, Sept 5, 6th from 8 am - 3pm. This is the relay racing over 4 jumps and grabbing a ball and running back as fast as they can. The better teams can run 4 dogs in less than 20 seconds! It is a hoot to watch.

Then we have the quieter world of Agility. Zippity Do Dogs is hosting a DOCNA agility competition, Sept 19th, and 20th from 8am - 3pm This is the sport of running with your dog through an obstacle course - jumps, tunnels, teeters, a-frames and more!

And at the end of the month, Sept. 26, 27th Grand Valley Kennel Club has an AKC show (obedience, confirmation & rally) at the Mesa County Fair Grounds.

Summer Pet Care Tips

2009-07-22T17:02:00.002-06:00

When the days of barbecues and swimming come around, you can make them even better by sharing them with your favorite pet. By following a few summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the months of fun in the sun.

• Never leave your pet in the car. Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, leave the furry ones at home or call Doggie Playtime to come and take care of them.

• As you're outside enjoying the warm weather, keep your pet leashed. It will keep her from getting lost, fighting other animals, and eating and drinking things that could make her sick. This tip isn't just for dogs--even cats can learn to walk on a leash if you train them.

• Water, water everywhere. Whether you're indoors or out, both you and your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it's full. If you and your furry friend venture forth for the afternoon, bring plenty of water for both of you.

• Pets need sunscreen too. Though all that fur helps protect her, your pet can get sunburned, particularly if she has light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals can cause problems, including pain, peeling, and skin cancer. So keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you do go out, rub a bit of sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of her ears, the skin around her lips, and the tip of her nose.

• Say no to tangles. Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair do what it was designed to do: protect her from the sun and insulate her from the heat. If she has extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so you may want to clip her.

• Watch out for antifreeze. Hot weather may tempt your pet to drink from puddles in the street, which can contain antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but it's extremely toxic. When you're walking your pet, make sure she doesn't sneak a drink from the street.

• Be cautious on humid days. Humidity interferes with animals' ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.

• Make sure your pet doesn't overexert herself. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure she has plenty of water. If she's panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop.

• Take it easy on pets that can't deal with the heat. Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can't pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities.

• Bring them inside. Animals shouldn't be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on her and bring her in when you can or book with Doggie Playtime to come and check on her.

• Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian's care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.

Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention, and Fido and Fluffy are relying on you to keep them out of harm's way. Summer does not have to be fraught with peril--with ample precaution, both you and your furry friends can enjoy those long, hot dog-days of summer.

Signs of Heatstroke
• Panting
• Staring
• Anxious expression
• Refusal to obey commands
• Warm, dry skin
• High fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Collapse

Content provided by the American Animal Hospital Association

Fetch Dog Products

2009-05-13T17:09:00.004-06:00

Doggie Playtime LLC has recently partnered with Fetch Dog to bring you great deals on premium dog gear. This company is crazy about dogs, fanatical about their customers and the website is a great resource for dog owners.

Preparing for Spring

2009-04-15T07:53:00.001-06:00

As the weather warms and we get out to dig in the yard, plant our gardens, and spruce up our lawns, we will soon discover that the thawing tundra is also attractive to our dogs. Unfortunately our dogs are not landscape architects and they will dig holes in exactly the wrong spot. What are we to do?

Expecting a dog to stop digging is similar to asking it not to bark. Dogs dig for a variety of reasons; exercise, foraging, and because they can. Instead of trying to get our dogs to stop digging which is impractical, let’s talk about allowing them to dig in a designated area.

Getting started

It’s easier than you think. Choose an area of the yard that you can give to your dog. Section it off with railroad ties or other landscape material. You could even get a wading pool and fill it with sand. Then dig and loosen up the soil in your dog’s new sand box about 8-12 inches to loosen it up a little bit. Now, while your dog is not looking, bury a couple durable toys and a few biscuits in the area. Bring your dog out to the spot and encourage him to dig in this area by digging with him. Soon he will uncover a toy or a biscuit and will be encouraged to keep foraging for more prizes. It’s a virtual scavenger hunt for dogs!

Making the Transition

Now that your dog has a place to dig, you can train your dog that it’s okay to dig, but only in his sand box. If you catch him digging in the yard or garden, run out and quickly verbally tell him “No No No!” Then in a calm happy soothing voice head towards his sand box and encourage him to dig with you in his area. He will again uncover more treasures (which he never finds in the other areas of the yard). Now praise him for digging and foraging in his area and leave him at it.

Key Points to Remember
1) If we catch our dog digging in the wrong area and we scold him we must follow that with happily luring him to his digging area and praising him there when he starts digging.

2) If we come across the inappropriate hole long after he’s dug it and we didn’t catch him digging it, we can not scold him. Supervision is key in the beginning so that he can’t get away with inappropriate behavior.

3) We must follow any scolding with praise.

4) Do not grab your dog by his collar and drag him to his digging area. This action will only teach your dog to be afraid of the new digging area. Be joyous and happy as you are heading to the area and he will want to follow.

5) In order to keep him foraging in his area, we need to keep the area self rewarding by planting biscuits and toys there when he is not looking.

6) Remember this is now his area to do with what he pleases. He may dig, he may lay in it, he may roll around in it…it’s his. Let him have a place to be a dog!

Teri Thomas, Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Angels in the Making, LLC
(For more training advise or for answers to other dog questions please email Teri at k9angels@hotmail.com or call 970-263-8634 )

Dog Birthday Pawty- Planner

2009-04-01T09:45:00.000-06:00

3 weeks before the Pawty

1. Plan the doggie guest list - who and how many.
2. Decide on the location of the pawty - will it be at home (either indoors or outdoors) or in the local park.
3. Decide if you would like a pawty theme- Wild West, Mardi Gras, Beach/Hawiian, Paw Prints, the ideas are endless.
4. Buy Decorations and Invitations that correspond with your theme. Check out Partyland for these items or make your owm.
5. Decide on pawty games for your "doggie guests", to keep them amused or just have a large box full of doggie toys handy for your guests to help themselves.
6. Pick out the food for human and doggie guest. Don’t forget to order your doggie birthday cake.

Week before the pawty

1. Confirm the pawty guest list.
2. If you are not holding the pawty in your own backyard, make sure you have confirmed the pawty details, such as transport to and from, food supplies and games for your dog birthday party.
3. Shop and prepare the doggie treats and cake. Homemade treats and cookies will keep in airtight containers well past the pawty day.
4. Make up your Pawty Favor packs for your doggie guest to take home with them!

Pawty Day

1. Be sure to have a good supply of 'doggie-do-do' pick up bags, stashed in a handy location for your guests or a poop scoop.
2. Make sure everyone knows which food is for the doggies and which is for the dog owners!! You'll be amazed how similar the treats will look!
3. Make sure you have enough water and dog bowls, for your thirsty doggie partygoers.
4. Parties are lots of fun, but can be hectic at times! Allow for a guest "quiet zone" (2 or 4 legged) to escape to, if they need to get away from the crowd.
All things done and considered...it's time to pawty!!

Extras

Make sure you have your camera batteries well charged, so you can capture the day on film. This will be a memory you'll want to look back on and laugh about later!
The truly pampered pooch might have a professional photographer stop by for a while to take photos of the event. The photo's taken would make a lovely gift for doggie guests and their owners.
Better still, get everyone in on the act! If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, pick up enough one-time-use cameras so that each guest can have his or her own, and let your guests document the day themselves!
Maybe even make a movie of the day, you'll be sure to end up with a lot of great memories....... and a good excuse for another dog birthday party or get together in the park!

Dog Birthday Pawty

2009-03-26T11:23:00.000-06:00

A Dog Birthday Pawty is the ideal way to say "Happy Birthday" to your best friend.
Here is a list of dog birthday tips for your doggie extravaganza, that will help it to be a success!

Pawty Guest List

Who do I invite?
Make sure you keep the guest list to a "reasonable" level, after all, we are talking about active dogs! For a backyard pawty about 5-7 dogs is a reasonable amount of doggie guests. If you want to invite more doggie guests, consider holding your dog birthday pawty at your local park, where the dogs have plenty of room to run around.
Be realistic about the number of dogs you can handle in a single place, as well as how well they play with others.

It's common to invite dog owners along with their pooch, so this may affect your decision as well. Every dog may mean two mouths to feed, so work within your budget.
Large indoor or backyard areas can usually handle every dog on the guest list so, look firstly at your own home as a great location.

Guest list could include - immediate family, extended family, friends, pet sitter and other local dog lovers you know.

Don't forget about any other dogs your pooch plays with on a regular basis and remember that this may not be the best time to introduce a new dog to your pooch.

Should small children be invited?
While small children can make a wonderful addition to your celebration, you will need to ask yourself how many children you can handle. You may also want to observe the children around dogs before extending an invitation, as some younger kids can either be too rough with them or even be frightened by the doggie guests.

Be prepared...
With all the excitement, expect accidents, keep bitter spray on hand to dissuade younger canine guests from nibbling where they're not supposed to and stock up on cleanup materials (baggies, cleaning spray, paper towels). Make sure you always have on hand a good doggie first aid kit.

Pawty Food and Water

Water
Make sure you have plenty of water on hand for all your guests. You can provide separate drinking bowls for each of your canine guests, and fill them with mineral or filtered water. You can even get stylish ceramic bowls, as a take-home favor for each of the guests. You could even get them personalized for each pooch.

Treats and Cakes
The treats available today vary from store bought to homemade. If you need some treat recipes I have some available.

Of course, a birthday cake is an absolute must, you can make this yourself or contact Dancing Pawz (970-250-1786) for a birthday cake your dogs will love- mine did!

Other Considerations

Regardless of whether you're planning a sit-down meal, buffet- style, or just snacks and treats, you'll need to think about making appropriate choices that are safe for the people and the dogs at the pawty. Another dog birthday tip is to make sure you keep the chocolate goodies intended for the dog owners, well out of reach of your doggie guests!!

Planning for allergies and other food considerations for both human and doggie guests, will help to save surprises on the day of the pawty. Be sure to discuss these considerations with parents of small children and the dog owners.

Finally, one of the most important dog birthday tips, is that you must make sure YOU and YOUR BIRTHDAY DOG enjoy the day!... it only happens once a year and in dog years that's seven!!!

More information (planner, games, etc.)coming soon!

Pet Dental Care Month

2009-02-16T15:41:00.002-07:00

Dental care is a necessary component of caring for your pets and can add as much as five years to your pet’s life. By the age of three, about 80 percent of all dogs and 70 percent of all cats show signs of dental disease, which can lead to the more serious problems of heart, lung, and kidney disease. Fido's dog breath and Tabby's tuna breath aren't something to be ignored---they are probably indicative of an oral problem, and the sooner you have it treated by your veterinarian (and learn to care for it yourself), the sooner you and your pet can smile proudly.

The Stages and Faces of Oral Disease

Periodontal disease, an infection of the tissue surrounding the teeth, takes hold in progressive stages. Plaque and tartar form naturally when food remains in the cracks and crevices of the teeth, especially at the gum line. (Because canned food tends to stick more easily to the surfaces of the teeth, it is somewhat more likely to cause plaque than dry food. But any food will cause problems if the teeth are never cleaned.) At this stage the plaque is still soft, and brushing or chewing hard food and toys can dislodge it. If left to spread, plaque can lead to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums, causing them to become red and swollen and to bleed easily.

Plaque soon hardens into tartar that forms a wedge separating the tooth from the gum. At this point plaque can grow below the gum line, causing more damage, and professional cleaning is needed to help manage it. If the plaque and tartar buildup continue unchecked, pus can form at the root of the tooth and the tooth becomes impacted. In the final stages of periodontal disease, the tissues surrounding the tooth are killed, the bony socket holding the tooth in erodes, and the tooth falls out. This is a very painful process for your four-legged friend, but the problems can be averted before they even start.

Put my Fingers Where?

Your veterinarian should perform a dental exam along with a puppy or kitten's routine booster vaccines at two, three, and four months old, and annually thereafter. In between exams, you are responsible for maintaining your pet's dental health, but the process is not as scary as it may seem. By starting slowly and gradually introducing your pet to the concept of teeth cleaning, the two of you can even learn to enjoy your sessions together.

The first step is to determine your pet's current state of mouth cleanliness (see "Identifying dental disease"). A healthy mouth will have clean, smooth, white teeth surrounded by firm, pink gum tissue. Can't stand the smell to get close enough to look? You may want to take Tabby to your veterinarian for a thorough cleaning--starting with a clean slate, so to speak, can make your daily cleanings a bit easier.

Brushing

Try to clean your pet's teeth and gums once a day, if possible, and preferably after he eats. The most important area to focus on is the gum line, where bacteria and food mix to form plaque. To customize a fearful Fido or timid Tabby to the idea of dental care, start slowly and gradually. Dip a finger into beef bouillon (for Fido) or tuna water (for Tabby), and gently rub along the gums and teeth. Focusing on the gum line, start at the front of the mouth, then move to the back upper and lower teeth and gum areas. Once your pet is okay with a little bit of touching, gradually introduce gauze over your finger, and rub the teeth and gums in a circular fashion.

When your four-legged friend can handle that, try it with a toothbrush specially designed for pets, or a very soft, ultra-sensitive toothbrush designed for people. Gradually add special dog/cat toothpaste (flavored with meat or fish), but never use people toothpaste or baking soda, as both will upset your pet's stomach. The entire process should only take a minute or two. If Fido or Tabby continues to resist, try gently wrapping them in a large bath towel with only the head out. Above all, avoid overstraining and keep sessions short and positive. With plenty of praise and reassurance, your dental sessions can bring the two of you closer--a closeness that won't be marred by the perils of dog breath.

Signs of periodontal disease
• Yellow/brownish colored teeth
• Swollen, red, bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth, loss of teeth
• Pus between gums and teeth
• Broken teeth
• Unusual growth in mouth
• Reluctance to play with chew toys or drink cold water
• Yellow-brown crust of tartar at gum line
• Receded/eroded gums
• Infected teeth

Content provided by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

Check with your vet office to see if they have a discount off teeth cleaning if you make an appointment in the month of February.

More Playdate Time!

2009-01-23T08:33:00.003-07:00

Roxy and Halo are trying to see who is taller when standing up.

Playdate Time!

2009-01-23T08:30:00.003-07:00

Morgan enjoying running around and playing.

Please throw the ball just one more time.

2009-01-20T15:32:00.003-07:00

Sam loves to play fetch. She could play for hours and hours and never get tired of it.

I am hungry!

2009-01-20T15:29:00.003-07:00

Before dinner time Jack enjoys running around the living room, dancing around in circles and jumping up and down.

Saying Goodbye

2009-01-20T15:19:00.004-07:00

Cal and Oski are walking me out like they do after every visit. What gentleman they are.

Cal and Oski are sad at the gate because I am leaving them for the day. They get very excited when I come visit them and they greet me at the gate with tail wags and smiles.

Jack 1/18/09

2009-01-19T09:38:00.002-07:00

Jack is relaxing on the sofa after waiting all day for Corye to come visit and give him his dinner.

Mo 1/18/09

2009-01-19T09:13:00.003-07:00

Mo is dancing and saying his favorite words "bye bye"

Welcome!

2009-01-17T14:14:00.003-07:00

Thank you for visiting the Doggie Playtime LLC blog. I would like to introduce you to the stars of "A Day in the Life of a Boxer"

Roxy is a 1 year old female boxer mix who was adopted in July 2008 from Mesa County Animal Services. Roxy is a sweet girl, but has a few issues of her own. Roxy loves to play fetch and nap. The other things she is trying to learn to like.

Roxy's Birthday/Adoption July 4, 2008

Morgan is a 1 1/2 year old male boxer who was adopted from Lone Star Boxer Rescue in Houston, TX. Morgan loves just about everything- hiking, biking, swimming, running, boat rides, the list goes on and on. The one thing Morgan does not like is the word "No".
Morgan's Birthday March 8, 2007