SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!

Best Friends Wakefield Doggy Day Campers ushered in Spring this past Friday with a Spring Fling. Though the turnout wasn't as large as some of the other events, lots of fun was had by all. The rain didn't dampen spirits as the party goers enjoyed playing in our indoor camp room.

Photos were taken, of course, and this time we made them into 3x4 magnets for mom and dad!! Dogs also bought Cala Lillies to give their parents and got special treat bags themselves.

Check out the photos as well as the slide show of all the Day Campers posted above. These photos are also posted in our lobby entrance for all to see.

If your dog would like to come and join the fun, just give us a call at 781.245.1237 to set up an interview.

SPRING FLING CELEBRATION

Best Friends Wakefield's Doggy Day Camp will celebrate Spring on Friday April 16th.  The fun will start at 8am with games, contests and special treats and of course, pictures!!! 

Let's have another record turn out and for any of you who haven't joined the fun in the past, we'd love for you to come.  If you've never been to our Doggy Day Camp and you're furry friend would like to give it a try and come to the Spring Fling, I'll waive the interview.  He/she just needs to be at least 5 months old, spayed/neutered and like the company of other dogs.

For more information on any of the services we provide, please call us at 781.245.1237.

Agni

Center Manager

SHAMROCKS, LEPRECHAUNS AND DOGS

Best Friends Wakefield held it’s second annual St. Patrick’s Day Party yesterday in our Doggy Day Camp. Twentyseven dogs attended and we had a photographer from the Wakefield Observer come out to take pictures. The paper is published weekly on Thursdays so keep an eye out for next week’s issue.

The day started with photographs taken of each guest with Auntie Lindsay (see the slideshow for all the photos taken).  I’d like to give her special mention for the fabulous job she did with the decorations. Also, a thank you shout out to Uncle Scott for his help. We couldn’t have done it without them.

After pictures, the guests enjoyed refreshments. The menu included ice cream, smoked chewy treats and a doggy “stogie” (all natural cookie in the shape of a cigar). Then, the fun and games began!!

Otis S. attended his first day of camp yesterday and walked away with the award for “Cutest Leprechaun”. As the youngest camp member, at a mere five months old, he took this prize hands down. Don’t let his size, cute face or sweet expression fool you. This boy has a glint in his eye and will be a contender some day. He held his own and made himself right at home.

Harper O. dazzled everyone with her Irish Step. This girl is ready for Dancing with the Stars!!! She had such speed, grace and agility. Her movements were effortless. She insists she’s never had any professional training, but there were some doubters in the audience.

Juno Y. left his competition in the dust when it came to “Fastest Runner to the Pot of Gold”. He is, afterall, a Toy Australian Shepherd and used his inbred ability to his advantage. Jaws dropped and gasps could be heard when he turned on a dime and changed direction. No one was expecting that move! Just look at those piercing blue eyes.

“Most “Charm”ing Personality” went to Buster F. Buster credited his win to his breed. When interviewed he had this to say: “Peepulz don’t no wut all uz puggyz haz bin throo. We haz lotz of sponsibiliteez.” He wouldn’t elaborate but left the impression that Pugs are vital to our survival and thus the perpetual worried look on their faces.

Max M. ended the day with a song and won “Best Rendition of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”. The range on this boy is amazing, considering his young age. He truly is a prodigy. This is the second year a Beagle has taken this title.


Best Friends Wakefield holds it’s Doggy Day Camp Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm. We are pleased to announce that we now have a session on Saturdays from 9am-2pm. If you’d like your dog to participate in the fun, call us today to set up an interview at 781.245.1237. The more the merrier!!!

Best Friends is Spotlighted at the NJ Super Pet Expo

At the New Jersey Super Pet Expo Danielle, the manager from our Windsor, NJ location was interviewed for the "How Cute is Your Pet" segment of The Cute Pet Gazette. Check out her interview about Best Friends Pet Care.

NO MORE DEBARKING FOR DOGS!!!

I was very happy to hear this morning that the MA House voted 150-1 to ban the surgical debarking of dogs and cats in the State of Massachusetts.

Dogs bark. It is a form of communication, something to do when bored and an attention getter. Think about children you've seen out in public having "tantrums" to get what they want. They scream and cry for candy and mom gives in. If your dog barks at you for attention or for a treat or to go outside and you reward him by giving him what he wants, what does he learn? Like a child he learns that the behavior gets him what he wants.

There's no need to debark a dog. Training, training, training!!! Training is really just a lifestyle and it's a lifetime of consistency and repetition. We need to teach our canine companions what we expect from them. They don't understand our language or our social habits. The best way to do this is by consitently rewarding for behaviors we want. What do you think would happen if you had a dog that was barking at you for a treat or to play ball and you turned your back on him and walked away from him instead of giving him what he wants? He's going to learn that barking doesn't work. You're likely to see him try "throwing" behaviors at you... in other words trying something else... maybe an unwanted behavior like jumping or pawing. Well, ignore these as well. Now he doesn't know what to do and he sits!!! BINGO!!! Praise him and give him his treat/reward... now he'll start to get it. When he's quiet you can start to attach a "cue" to the quiet behavior. So now when he sees the neighbors cat outside the window or some other "intruder" he'll still bark to alert you but now you can tell him "quiet" for him to stop.

Screaming or yelling at your dog to stop barking doesn't work. He thinks your joining in!

If you have a puppy, please start from day one. They are little sponges at this point and it will be so much easier on you if you start from now. Yes, I agree.. it's so cute to have a little puppy jump up on you but what happens when that puppy grows up to be a big dog that will knock you or someone else down? Not so cute any more, huh?

Nuisance barking is completely controllable and preventable. Make sure your dog is happy, well exercised, trained and healthy.

The AKC has a Public Education page on it's website that talks about barking and other areas of concern for dog owners.

Best Friends Wakefield offers training from puppy kindergarten to advanced classes. Both group classes and board and trains are available. Call us today at 781-245-1237 to reserve your spot in class!!

Agni

Center Manager

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY AT DOGGY DAY CAMP