Amazing Day at Ultimutt

It has been a while since I have been able to sit down and write about the dogs' daily activities. We are very thankful that we have been so busy both of us are on the yard the majority of the day.

The dogs are becoming very very good friends. They are thrilled to see each other every morning. Brook and I just love having each Ultimutt run in-so happy to be here and clawing at the door to get out back with their friends.

We have added some dogs to our pack. Bailey, a very energetic black lab, comes every afternoon to run off some of that lab energy. Kira, the Greyhound, has become a regular and loves learning to play and interact with all the other dogs, big and small. Dixie, a Boarder Collie, has the sweetest eyes on the planet and wants to run, run, run and then just be loved! Diva is Hershey and Dixie Bell's little sister-she spent the weekend with us and plans on spending 2 weeks with us starting Wednesday. It took her a few hours to warm up (most dogs warm up in a matter of minutes) but then she was great and like everyone else here, thought she owned the place. Olive and Violet have made me fall in love with Pugels (Pug/Beagles). They have the bark and the energy of a Beagle and the personality of a Pug. They are so fun to have here! Harlow, is our 4 month old Great Dane, she looks so much like Farley in her markings. She is growing up great. She is learning that she is bigger than the rest of the dogs and how to play gentle with the small dogs and she can be rougher with the big young dogs. I know I am leaving many out but will write more later on them.

As I finish this post: Darby is laying in the chair next to me-she really thinks she is a human. Chance is faithfully sleeping at my feet. Lilly Jack is 'talking' to Brook. Cutie Pie and Buddy are wrestling. Maggie is sniffing (gotta love that Beagle blood in her), Kira is strutting around the yard, Abbey is sleeping. Mack is playing with Abby and Jesabell, and Andy is sitting with Brook.
Another amazing day at Ultimutt!

Training Class Tonight

Tonight is the 2nd (of 6) training class. I am really looking forward to seeing the progress the dogs made last week and teaching them more this week. Training is such an important part of you and your dogs relationship-I love being able to be a part of it.
Stephen and I have an exciting lesson plan for tonight and look forward to seeing you at 6.

Training Success

Monday night we had a great class! All the dogs (and owners) were on great behavior and came ready to learn. We taught: sit, stay, come and free. Hopefully each owner is doing their 'homework.' Our daycare Ultimutt's that are in the class are doing great-I am able to work with them while they are here. I can't stress how important it is to use the same commands every time with your dog! Repetition is the key!

Training Classes

Remember training classes start tonight at 6 at Ultimutt. We hope to see you and your Ultimutt here!

Last Week Recap

Thursday I spent most of the afternoon at the vet with 2 of my dogs. Abbey just needed her yearly shots and Maggie wasn't feeling well so we loaded up and headed that way for a check up. All of my dogs are on Frontline/Heartworm treatments and all of our yards are treated (the house and Ultimutt), but Maggie was bit by a tick Labor Day weekend at the Lake and has gotten an infection (not contagious). I tell you this because even though it is cooler outside you MUST keep up with your dogs treatment. Since last winter and this summer have been so mild this is one of the worst months for fleas/ticks in recent history!

Friday was a fun, busy day! Baxter came for the first time, he lives in NWA and his mom was down in Fort Smith working for the day. It was his first time at doggie day care and he loved it. His mom promises to bring him back whenever she works down here. Napoleon came for the first time for a bath-he is a HUGE beautiful Great Pyranees! I am sure it was a sight to see Brook and I trying to load him into the tub and bathing him. Friday afternoon we did LOTS of baths and toe nails. Some dogs (mine included) HATE having their paws touched, but it is imperative that those nails stay short. We had help Friday afternoon (Lyndsay and Laura were wonderful), the girls stayed out with the doggies while Brook and I did baths and nails.

We had lots of boarders this weekend while their parents were at the Hog game. All had a great time! We have a few left and were sad to see the others go!

There is a big bunch of dogs outside with Brook this morning. They saved up a lot of energy over the weekend and are happy to be back together.

Rain, Rain Go Away - Don't bother coming back another day!

As I am sure everyone else is - we are tired of the rain. Brook and I watch for the rain to let up just a little and then rush everyone outside to potty. We have had about 2 or 3 five minute breaks today in the rain. And you better believe we made the most of it. Brook and I stood on opposite ends of the big run and threw the ball back and forth. (all the dogs here love to run after the ball but have NO interest in bringing it back) It worked! All the dogs ran full speed and did their 'business.' When the sky opened back up the dogs were ready to go back inside and play there.
Yesterday was another 'lab day' so we had lots that were happy to retrieve the balls for us and plenty of loving. We have had a good crew here this week! We have added a few to our regulars and it is great to have 20 dogs back there every day. The dogs have so much fun and play so hard!
This morning after the dogs had run and played inside for a few hours and were calming down I put on Disney's The Fox and the Hound. If you have never watched a dog watch tv you are missing out-and if you haven't seen a dog watch tv about a dog you are missing one of life's funniest things. When the hound let out a bark like only hounds can all the dogs at Ultimutt talked back to him. Except Kira, our new Greyhound that has joined the Ultimutt family, she was pretty confused as to where the sound was coming from. She checked every dog and when she realized the sound wasn't from them she just walking to me and put her very confused head in my lap.
We have been busy with groomings this week despite the rain. If you need your dog bathed after this nasty weather has passed or they need a hair cut, their nails done, or nails painted just let us know and we will write you down.
We are very excited about our upcoming training classes. We have some great dogs (that soon will be great well behaved dogs) signed up and room for a few more in the class so tell your friends or bring your dog. Nothing is better and more rewarding than having a well behaved dog. Remember they start on Monday, the 21st, at 6pm.
Last thing: 3 DAYS TIL HOG FOOTBALL!!! Don't forget about your doggie-let them come to Ultimutt to play while you go up the Hill.

For the Love of Dogs

We had a wonderful weekend of boarders "Bunking Party" dogs. It was a full house each night! Shadow, 6 month old German Sheppard mix, had a ball. She and Buddy, Golden Retriever, were best friends from the minute they got here. They ran and played like litter mates. Gravy, the pug, is still here and doing wonderfully! He is on the older side so would run and run with the big dogs (remember he lived with Chance for a while so he loves big dogs)and then crash in my lap. Brady is here for another week or so-we aren't going to know what to do without him. He honestly loves life and Ultimutt!

Many of you may remember when the puppy mills were broken up last year and the news covered this tragedy. Penny, the unfortunate feature dog of those news shows, found a wonderful home and is doing great. It has taken the hard work of her 'human mother' and her doggie big sister, Lady, to nurse her back to health but she is a miracle dog. We had the honor of keeping both of these precious girls this weekend. Both are sweet girls and enjoyed their time here at Ultimutt.

Kira, the retired/rescue Greyhound, stayed with us this weekend and is still here. She is a puppy in a 2 year olds body. So curious, happy, playful and full of the desire to be loved. We LOVE watching her thrive in this new life. (for those of you who haven't met her-she is from the tracks in West Memphis and broke her leg, retired young, and was adopted last weekend) This weekend we introduced her to stairs and squeaky toys. It brought tears to my eyes to see how happy she was with a simple squeeky toy and when she figured out the stairs. And I about laughed til I cried when she broke the squeaker and she couldn't make noise any more. (not to worry, I got her a new one)

Today we had a new Ultimutt join the pack. Harlow, the 3 month old Great Dane, is so fun. She is already about the size of a small Lab. Nothing is as fun as playing with big, clumsy, goofy puppies. She had a great time meeting all the dogs big and small dogs. She is a great addition to the Ultimutt Pack.

I have to get ready for the Ultimutt ShowOffs that are tonight. We can't wait to see all the fun tricks and who wins the games.