A Dog's Purpose?
(from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa , and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him.. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued, 

''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. 

Pet Boarding in Murfreesboro from Doggies Day Out Bring your pet to play for the day or to stay while you are on vacation. All boarded dogs are automatically enrolled in dog daycare during their stay with staff on-site at all times. We treat your dog like family in a home-style cage free environment. 424 Medical Center Pkwy Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 624-6140 http://www.doggiesdayout.net

Welcome two New Groomers to doggies Day Out

Pet Grooming in Murfreesboro from Doggies Day Out Bring your pet to play for the day or to stay while you are on vacation. All boarded dogs are automatically enrolled in dog daycare during their stay with staff on-site at all times. We treat your dog like family in a home-style cage free environment. 424 Medical Center Pkwy Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 624-6140 http://www.doggiesdayout.net

Adopt Your Next Dog In Murfreesboro

So you want to adopt your next dog from an animal rescue organization?
That's wonderful! Animal rescuers are caring individuals who work hard to ensure the animals in their care find permanent homes.

With a rescue dog you can find dogs that are socialized, that are house-trained, and even dogs that can peacefully coexist with cats or other pets!​

Adopting from a rescue also means that your dog will have received veterinary care. Most all rescues require their dogs to be spayed/neutered prior to adoption. Many also have the dogs micro-chipped.
Here's some information on what to expect when you work with a rescue group.

They will get personal. Animal rescuers know that it's important for you to find a dog that's the right fit for your family. To have to return a dog that wasn't a good fit is hard on a family, so your rescuer is going to help you avoid that. So be prepared for them to ask some personal questions. And be honest with them in your responses.

They may ask to visit your home. Some rescue groups conduct a visit to the home. Again, this is to make sure that they help you find the dog that's the right fit for your family. They're not judging you!
The rescue may require a trial visit before an adoption is final. This gives your family and potential new dog to interact in your home environment to see how things go.

The rescue organization will require an adoption fee. Adoption fees help the rescue cover the cost of caring for other dogs in their care. It also shows you are committed to the care of your new dog.
They may require you sign a statement agreeing that if you are unable to care for the dog at a later date, you will return him or her to their rescue organization. Rescuers work hard to care and rehabilitate animals before they are adopted into a permanent home. They want you to know they will continue to be there for your dog should the need arise.

Again, rescue organizations are committed to helping you find the dog that's the right fit for your family. So instead of buying, check into adopting your next dog from a local rescue group!


Pet Grooming in Murfreesboro from Doggies Day Out Bring your pet to play for the day or to stay while you are on vacation. All boarded dogs are automatically enrolled in dog daycare during their stay with staff on-site at all times. We treat your dog like family in a home-style cage free environment. 424 Medical Center Pkwy Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 624-6140 http://www.doggiesdayout.net

Dog Adoption Options

So you want to bring a dog into your home? Fantastic!

Adding a dog to your family can be beneficial for many reasons.

But where do you go to find the dog that's right for you?

It used to be that most dogs came from the offspring of the dog of a friend or family member. It's still were almost 1/5 of dogs are acquired.

Many people choose a dog from their local animal shelter. Giving a second chance to a dog who, for whatever reason, has been surrendered is noble indeed.

A professional animal shelter will have had the dog checked by a veterinarian and will have evaluated the dog for temperament. Most shelters require the dog be spayed/neutered as a condition of adoption.

You can check ads in your local paper or Craigslist for dogs that are available to a good home. This is often where people in the community turn to find homes for puppies or for dogs they are no longer able to care for.

You may choose to purchase a dog from a breeder. If you choose to go this route, it's important to do your homework. It's not recommended that you buy a dog over the internet sight unseen.

Before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a dog, you want to know that the pup has been raised in healthy conditions, has received proper veterinary care and that the pup has been evaluated for the risk of hereditary disorders.

You need to know that some breeders who claim to be reputable are actually puppy mill breeders. A reputable breeder will not hesitate to allow you to see where the dogs live or let you see the mother and father.

A puppy mill breeder will "guarantee" their dogs by offering a replacement dog if the first dog is sick. But they know you will most likely become emotionally attached to a dog and won't want to trade it in.

There are many animal rescue organizations that care for dogs in need of a home and family. Dogs of all breeds and all ages can be found in rescues. Yes, even puppies can be found in rescue.

If you're looking for a specific breed of dog, check out dogs available for adoption at Petfinder.com.  You can also work with a rescue group to find a dog that will best fit in with your family's lifestyle.

Dogs in rescue will have been evaluated for temperament and will have received veterinary care. Rescue groups almost always require dogs adopted from them to be spayed/neutered.

Just remember, a dog requires a commitment of years, so before you go anywhere for your new dog, be sure you've thought hard about what kind of dog is the right fit for you.


Pet Grooming in Murfreesboro from Doggies Day Out Bring your pet to play for the day or to stay while you are on vacation. All boarded dogs are automatically enrolled in dog daycare during their stay with staff on-site at all times. We treat your dog like family in a home-style cage free environment.
  424 Medical Center Pkwy Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 624-6140 http://www.doggiesdayout.net

Is your Dog Destructive?

Ahh Spring.... when a heart thinks of love! And there's nothing a dog loves more than a day at Doggie's Day Out! Whether it's boarding, grooming, or a day filled with cage-free fun, they've got just what your dog has always wanted! You're not the only one that's tired of spending cold, damp days indoors! Schedule a day of daycare for your dog and let him rip, run and socialize with other dogs in a supervised, cage-free atmosphere! There's naps, treats, and lots of affection for your 4-legged friend.

Is your dog destructive? Is he bored? Are you feeling guilty because you've had to work another long day and your best friend is paying the price? Consider a day of doggie daycare! Your dog will develop socialization skills and expend energy instead of lying around at home on your sofa or in a crate. After a day at daycare your dog will sleep all night long! If your pooch loves to be pampered, schedule an appointment with the experienced grooming staff. Doggies Day Out offers everything from bathing to nail trims! And if you prefer, make it a day trip with the staff grooming your dog in the afternoon following a morning of daycare fun!

Are you planning to head out of town for Spring Break? Don't leave your 4-legged family member at home or in a caged boarding facility. Let Doggie's Day Out care for your dog in a cage-free setting. There will always be someone on-site with your dog to care for and comfort her, leaving you to enjoy a guilt-free getaway! Does your dog require medication or have special needs? Call and speak to one of their helpful staff about your dog's special needs; most needs can be accommodated!

And don't forget the treats! Their on-site bakery can whip up a variety of you dog's favorite treats using human-grade ingredients. And if you're looking for a way to celebrate your dog's birthday, call Doggie's Day Out and order his or her very own birthday cake!

So share your Spring Fever with your best friend- call Doggies Day Out today!

Pet Grooming in Murfreesboro by Doggies Day Out Bring your pet to play for the day or to stay while you are on vacation. All boarded dogs are automatically enrolled in dog daycare during their stay with staff on-site at all times. We treat your dog like family in a home-style cage free environment. 424 Medical Center Pkwy Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 624-6140 http://www.doggiesdayout.net

Canine Education Classes

Canine Education is a necessary and beneficial tool that ensures dog owners with a long, happy, and trusting pet-parent relationship throughout the life of their pet.  

Training methods vary among trainers in frequency and types of reinforcement.  At Doggie’s Day Out, our training program is a 6 week long intensive behavior management class that provides owners with a deeper understanding of how the canine brain works and what makes them tick.  In order to effectively train a dog, you must first understand the breed. 

Different breeds react to situations in various ways, so it is entirely necessary to first understand the breed of your dog before attempting to train them.  We use positive reinforcement strategies to curb negative behavior on top of treat based commands to teach your dog to respond to both verbal and silent commands.

Positive reinforcement is used by numerous trainers worldwide.  It is known to show the most positive behavior changes in dogs than any other training strategy. 

When a dog is acting out in a negative manner and the owner addresses it with a negative reinforcement strategy (example:  yelling at the dog when the dog is barking incessantly) the dog’s reaction and response time is lengthened due to the negative feeling the dog gets when the owner reacts in this way.

From the example above, when a dog is barking repetitively in order to gain attention or to simply say “hello” to the neighbors, the best way to approach this issue is by using the “hush” command. 
As soon as the dog takes a breath or a break from barking, immediately reward him. 

You are then rewarding him for the positive behavior you have requested and are not punishing him for the negative, barking behavior.

If you yell at the dog for barking, the way he sees it…is that YOU are barking at HIM so why should he have to stop?

Most of the positive behavior supports that curb negative behavior, reflects how the canine THINKS.

Dogs react to situations in ways that directly reflect their natural breed behavior. 
Another good example of positive reinforcement is used in loose leash walking.

If a dog is constantly pulling on their lead during a walk, the owners initial reaction is to pull back on the lead when the dog pulls…but the dog sees this the same way as the barking issue. 

If you are pulling on HIM, then why should HE not pull on you?  Positive reinforcement is also used to omit issues such as chewing, jumping, nipping, and more.

Along with the positive behavior strategies used in Doggie’s Day Out training class, treat based commands are also taught to the dog and the owner.  Using both verbal and nonverbal commands with your dog on a regular basis will increase the trust bond between you and your dog. 
In order for your dog to behave in an acceptable manor at all times, he must trust that how he acts is pleasing you. 

Take the “sit” command for example…if you frequently command your dog to sit multiple times throughout the day and reward him every time, he then knows that sitting pleases you. 

The more you show him that his GOOD behavior pleases you, the more he will behave (dogs automatically function in order to please their owner, but for this to happen often, takes training).

The more commands that your dog learns and performs, while also receiving a reward each time (rewards don’t always have to be treats!), the more he will understand your expectations for his behavior.
 
The 6 week training course you and your dog will partake in at Doggie’s Day Out, will not only build and strengthen the bond between you and your pet, but will also socialize your dog with people, dogs, and unfamiliar experiences. 

Positive Reinforcement, treat-based commands, and socialization are the three steps to a well-trained dog. 

Practicing these three steps throughout a 6 week course will teach your dog how to behave in an acceptable manor in any situation.


Pet Grooming in Murfreesboro from Doggies Day Out Bring your pet to play for the day or to stay while you are on vacation. All boarded dogs are automatically enrolled in dog daycare during their stay with staff on-site at all times. We treat your dog like family in a home-style cage free environment.

424 Medical Center Pkwy Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 624-6140 http://www.doggiesdayout.net

Yard Sale at Doggie's Day Out Saturday Feb 5, 2011

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  Yard Sale at Doggie's Day Out Saturday Feb 5 from 9-4. Proceeds to benefit Sally, a stray mini Schnauzer who came to Doggie's Day Out for refuge just before Thanksgiving. Sally is an older dog and has some dental issues that need addressed prior to finding her a new home. You can help Sally by donating items for the sale and/or coming by to shop next Saturday.

Pet Grooming in Murfreesboro from Doggies Day Out Bring your pet to play for the day or to stay while you are on vacation. All boarded dogs are automatically enrolled in dog daycare during their stay with staff on-site at all times. We treat your dog like family in a home-style cage free environment.
 

424 Medical Center Pkwy Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 624-6140 http://www.doggiesdayout.net