Metro Dog News

METRO DOG NEWS October 30, 2009 Volume 1 issue 1

The heart of Metro Dog is YOU… It really does take a village to raise a dog. We are grateful to be a part of your dog families. Your support has helped us to continue to grow through these uncertain times. Your dogs are our teachers. We pride ourselves on being responsive to their changing needs. If there is something that we are, or are not, doing that would make a difference for you, please tell us. Your feedback informs us and gives us the opportunity to learn and grow.

Holiday Reservations Update: Metro Dog fills up fast during the holidays. Make sure we have a spot for Spot by making your reservation as soon as possible. In order to keep your reservation, we will need you to pay a deposit. Deposits are full payment, calculated as the number of nights you are boarding. You'll pay for extra services, like final days of day care or baths, on the day of your drop-off. We encourage you to look at our Metro Dollar packages to see if buying one will be the best value for your dollar. Our website outlines our cancellation policy for the holidays. Reminders on what to bring: PLEASE do not bring bags of food. Please do put your food in a rigid plastic storage container with a lid. Label the container on all sides with your pup's first/last name, and the am/pm feeding instructions. Please bring ONE article of bedding that smells of home and is clearly labeled with first/last name. If your pup is used to sleeping in a crate, please bring it. We can provide one at your request. Please do not bring something that you would be upset if it was destroyed. You can also download and pre-fill out the Boarding Check-In Form from www.metrodog.com to save time at check-in. If your dog is in a social room, please DO NOT bring toys, bones, or bowls. If your dog is in a Single or Family room, toys and bones (though no raw hide) are fine. Dog walking and Pet Sitting services: It has come to our attention that many of you do not know that we offer dog walking, house visits and pet sitting in your home. We have been offering these services to the community for 9 years and have an excellent reputation. Sometimes, boarding and/or day care is not what you need. Sometimes a group hike, or neighborhood walk, or dinner visit is what serves you best. We care for cats, birds, and all other beasts. Our staff are experienced professionals who are licensed, bonded, and insured. Many of the same faces you see in the Center, in fact. Email or phoning the Center is the best way to make contact for these services. We look forward to serving you!

Social Hour: Metro Dog hosts several social times for different doggie groups. Socials are free. They are opportunities to socialize your pup with compatible others. All members of human families are welcome to join in the fun. Puppy & Not-So-Puppy Social: Held every Sunday from 10-11 am. Pups are grouped based on age. Doodle Social: Calling all doodles. Come and play with your brethren. Check the calendar on the website for the next doodle hour. Old Hound Café: A time for our sage elders to convene in the company of other wise ones. Held once a month. Go to the calendar on our website for the next OH Café. 1 Hour Workshops are also great fun for you and your furry friend Recall! – work on getting that perfect dog who returns to you anywhere anytime. Nail trims and More – home grooming tips from our Groomer Karen Oberdorfer

Metro Dog has a new Photo Gallery Look for pictures of Metro Dogs http://www.flickr.com/photos/metrodog/ Send us your photos! We love looking at pictures of dogs. photos@metrodog.com please put 'Photos' in subject line

Metro Dog 2.0: We are on Facebook! Please become a fan of Metro Dog. The fan page is an open site where you can post your pictures and make comments and status updates. We are excited to have a presence in the social networking world and look forward to seeing you all there.

Metro Dog Training Academy: You've been asking for it for a long time. We are pleased to announce that Alison is now taking private clients. She has been busy building the behavior program at Metro Dog for the past 2 years and unable to do much private training work. She is excited to begin working with dogs and their families on their specific training and behavior needs. She will be utilizing the training team – Diane, Janette, Angel, and Joanna - to help in the sessions with the goal of building a tiered training team so that you can choose the trainer best suited to your personal style, hours, and budget. Please contact the training department, training@metrodog.com, to begin your personal training program.

Your dog might be in it! Many of her photos were taken at Metro Dog. You have seen her photographs all over Metro Dog's walls. Come see Kendra Luck's work in this new book. Maybe find your dog in there. Looking to have some fun with your dog this winter? New Classes in the New Year Rally O – Staff trainer Joanne Czaja is bringing her experience and enthusiasm for Rally Obedience to Metro Dog clients. She has been studying and competing in trials with her dog Ira this past year. Freestyle for Seniors – A cooperative effort between Rachelle and my dog Bone. A special movement class for the less agile dogs. Also great for shy dogs. Agility II - Agility is adding a second level. Our very popular Intro Agility class with Elissa Cline will be adding a continuing class for those who have taken Intro. Tricks – A new fun and interactive class taught by Jacqueline Erbe More to come… In addition to our ongoing Manners and Specialty Classes: Basic Manners 1, 2 and 3- Build a great relationship and reliability with your dog. Small classes and all positive reinforcement methods make this a great course for any dog at any age. Curriculum developed by Alison Smith, CTC head of Behavior and Training for Metro Dog. Taught by Alison or Metro Dog Academy trainers. Intro to Agility - an Introductory Recreational Agility Class held on mats, indoors for you and your dog. We will introduce jumps, tunnels, weaves, contacts in this class. The 6 week class is a nice foundation for those geared to competition as well as for those of you who just want a fun pastime for you and your dog to share. Taught by Elissa Cline. Canine Musical Freestyle -6 week foundation class will focus on creative heeling to music, building attention, sequencing behaviors, and beginning choreography. Whether you decide to perform in competitions, through public demonstrations, or just for your own private dance floor, freestyle is a wonderful activity and a whole lot of FUN!!! Taught by Rachelle Carzino